2021 Honda CT125 Production Model Revealed in Design Filings
Hunter Cub/Trail125 to join Honda's "MiniMoto" lineup
Honda has registered designs for the production version of a new CT125 model. Honda showed off a concept version of the CT125 at the Tokyo Motor Show last fall (pictured below), but the new design contains details indicating a production-ready model.
First introduced in 1960, the Honda CT series was a line of off-road capable lightweight motorcycles. Over the years, Honda produced several versions under various designations, including the names “Trail Cub” and “Hunter Cub”. The CT models used an underbone-style frame similar to the Super Cub. These CT models were not to be confused with the CT70 models introduced in North America in 1969, which used a T-Bone and were sold in other markets as the ST70.
The new design, registered this month with the European Union Intellectual Property Office, looks fairly similar to the Tokyo concept, but with some notable changes. Observe the overlay below:
The general look is similar, but there are several visible changes in the new design. The 125cc engine (which it shares with the new Super Cub) looks identical to the concept’s powerplant, but the new design has a revised exhaust system with additional heat shielding. The frame looks similar in shape but there are notable differences including the addition of a a swingarm pivot plate. There also appears to be a small compartment in the frame just ahead of the seat, though this may be for maintenance purposes rather than for storage.
The fork is completely different, while the front fender is much longer than the one on the concept. At the back, the swingarm is suspended by twin shocks, just like the concept, but the design adds a chain guard.
The new design also sports a different seat design along with passenger pegs, which suggests a separate pillion seat that can be attached to the rack mounted on the rear fender. Other changes include a different center stand design, a reshaped headlight mount, and different front brake calipers.
What remains to be seen is whether the production model will keep the CT125 name. In October, Honda filed trademark applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for “Hunter Cub” and “Trail125”, both of which would fit with this model.
The filings with the USPTO suggest that the CT125 will be offered in the U.S., where it will join Honda’s “MiniMoto” lineup which includes the Super Cub, Monkey and Grom. We’ll have to wait for an official announcement to confirm the CT125’s final production name and U.S. availability.
Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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Some day I'm going to have one of each! (Well, maybe not the Grom.)
I wonder if they are going to keep the seat height low like it has traditionally been. I have thought that something like a lightweight 125 (with ABS) would be perfect for introducing my daughter to motorcycling, but even the Grom has a seat height way too high for her to easily reach the ground. It seems that pretty much the only game is town is a Rebel 300, which is relatively expensive and weighs over 360 lbs.