On April 1, 2025, a new category, “New Standard Moped,” will be added to the Class 1 moped category. New standard moped models are scheduled to appear from November 2025 onwards.
New global exhaust gas regulations will come into effect in Japan from November 2025. This means that production of current vehicles under 50cc that cannot meet the regulations will effectively end at the end of October 2025.
Exhaust gas regulations are becoming stricter every year, but the new exhaust gas regulations (4th edition) coming into effect in November 2025 will be the strictest yet, and major improvements will be required in various parts to meet them while maintaining an engine displacement of 50cc.
Generally, stricter exhaust gas regulations apply to 50cc bikes than to 125cc bikes. In other words, the smaller the engine displacement, the greater the cost to meet the regulations. In addition, the prices of materials and resources have been rising recently. As a result, the price of a 50cc bike aimed at the average user can go for 400,000 yen per bike, which is far higher than that of a 125cc bike.
If this were to happen, ordinary people would no longer be able to buy 50cc bikes, and motorcycle manufacturers would no longer be able to make a profit from producing 50cc bikes.
In order to break this vicious cycle bound by existing laws, a new category, “new standard mopeds,” was “added” to the Class 1 moped category through a revision of the law on April 1, 2025.
The “new standard moped” that replaces the 50cc is a vehicle with an engine displacement of over 50cc and up to 125cc (110cc class or 125cc class) and a maximum output of 4.0kW (5.4ps) or less. Just like the 50cc, it can be driven with a moped license. See the page below for more details!
Domestic production of 50cc models will end on October 31, 2025. What kind of bikes are the new 125cc class “new standard mopeds”? Will the 30km/h speed limit, two-stage right turn, and two-seater bans continue? | Motor-Fan [Motor Fan] A media platform that distributes automotive-related articlesA new category, “New Standard Moped,” will be added to the Class 1 Moped category. Starting in November 2025, new emissions regulations will be applied to motorized bicycles (Class 1 Mopeds) with an engine displacement of 50cc or less. This effectively means that production of current vehicles under 50cc that cannot meet the emissions regulations will cease in 2025.
Many of the new standard mopeds will likely be based on the current 110cc and 125cc class mopeds.
At the 41st Osaka Motorcycle Show, held from March 21st to 23rd, 2025, Honda exhibited the Super Cub Lite Concept, which complies with the new standard moped specifications.
The Super Cub Lite concept is based on the current model, the Super Cub 110, but its appearance is almost the same as the Super Cub 110, with the pillion step removed.
The engine is the same air-cooled, four-stroke, 109cc, single-cylinder OHC as the Super Cub 110, with a maximum output of 4.0kW (5.4ps) or less. The specifications, price, and release date of this concept model have not been announced as of October 11, 2025.
The Honda Super Cub Lite concept, a “new standard moped.” Photo: Naoki Hiratsuka
Many of the new standard mopeds that will be released sequentially from November 2025 onwards will be based on the current 110cc and 125cc class mopeds.
– Maximum output reduced to 4.0kW (5.4ps) or less –
Tandem steps and other two-seater features eliminated
– Double seats changed to single seats
– Speedometer now displays 60km/h
– 60km/h speed limiter introduced
It is expected that differentiation will be achieved through such measures as the implementation of the above. The price is expected to be set slightly lower than the 110cc and 125cc classes. The reason for this is…
The new standard moped “Super Cub Lite” will be priced at 287,500 yen (tax included), 15,000 yen cheaper than the Super Cub 110!
For example, the “Super Cub Lite Concept” mentioned above is based on the current Super Cub 110, a Class 2 moped model, and is priced at 302,500 yen.
Honda Super Cub 110. Cast wheels on the front and rear, disc brakes on the front.
The current Super Cub 50, which is equipped with an air-cooled, four-stroke, 49cc, single-cylinder OHC engine (maximum output 3.7ps), spoke wheels and drum brakes on the front and rear, is priced at 247,500 yen, which is 55,000 yen cheaper than the Super Cub 110. Looking at this price difference, it seems that a 50cc Class 1 moped is a better deal than a Class 2 moped.
Currently, there are rumors that the manufacturer is “unable to make a profit even if it produces a 50cc model.” The price of 247,500 yen can be said to be the result of the manufacturer’s corporate efforts and fulfillment of its social obligations.
Honda Super Cub 50. Features spoke wheels and drum brakes on the front and rear.
So what will be the launch price of the Super Cub Lite Concept, which is based on the current model Super Cub 110?
From the user’s perspective, they will likely feel that “The Super Cub Lite Concept, a new standard moped, has more limited riding performance than the Super Cub 110, a Class 2 moped, so it’s only natural that the price will be cheaper,” and “Currently, there are Class 1 moped models in the 100,000 yen range (in fact, the current Honda Tact and Yamaha Jog are on sale for over 100,000 yen).”
Manufacturers who want to meet the needs of these users will likely want to keep prices down even by 10,000 yen. If new standard moped models and Class 2 moped models were priced the same, there is a risk that the trend away from Class 1 mopeds will accelerate.
If the manufacturer wanted to reduce the price of the “Super Cub Lite Concept,” which is based on the “Super Cub 110,” by even 10,000 yen, the key question was, “Where and in which process can we cut costs?”
Based on my own financial sense and expectations for the manufacturer, I predict that the release price of the Super Cub Lite Concept will be set at around 287,500 yen (tax included), 15,000 yen cheaper than the Super Cub 110.
I feel that many of the new standard mopeds based on the current 110cc and 125cc class moped models will take into account users’ financial sense and will generally be priced around 15,000 yen cheaper than the base model (is this the limit?).
The Honda Super Cub Lite concept, a “new standard moped.” Photo: Naoki Hiratsuka
Will users be interested in new 50cc, used 4-stroke 50cc, and electric bikes in stock at dealerships in the future?
In Japan, production of 50cc Class 1 mopeds for general road use will end on October 31, 2025. However, 50cc Class 1 mopeds will continue to be sold in the market as before.
If the prices of new standard mopeds turn out to be more affordable than the author above predicts, new 50cc models produced before October 31, 2025, may be sold at discounted prices.
Conversely, if the price of a new moped based on the new standards were to significantly exceed the price of a new 50cc model (the current Honda Tact and Yamaha Jog are currently on sale for around 100,000 yen), there would likely be a sudden surge of interest in the 50cc models in stock at dealerships and used car dealerships.
With the end of production of 50cc models, if people reassess the value of 50cc models, which offer excellent cost performance and maneuverability, it is possible that prices of 50cc models will rise overall in the used car market (for example, prices of good quality 2-stroke engine models are currently rising sharply).
If the prices of new standard mopeds are not affordable, the demand for cheaper electric bikes may suddenly increase. People who are thinking of purchasing a Class 1 moped, as well as dealers, used car dealers, and other related companies, will need to keep a close eye on trends after the new standard moped models are released.
Depending on the price of the new standard mopeds, new and used 50cc models may attract attention. Photo is for illustrative purposes only. PHOTO: Kita Hideaki
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What kind of motorcycles are new standard mopeds? Are there any models currently on sale? | Motorcycle Law Q&A | Motor-Fan is a media platform that mainly distributes automobile-related articles.Q: The new standard for mopeds is also 125cc or less, but how is it different from a Class 2 moped? A: A motorcycle with a maximum output of 4kW (5.4PS) or less. Previously, Class 1 mopeds meant motorcycles with an engine displacement of 50cc or less (EV mopeds have a rated output of 0.6kW […]
[Update] Honda Ends Production of 50cc Class 1 Mopeds (Zero Handlebars). New “Class 1 Mopeds (with maximum power limit)” are born, with engine displacements increased from 50cc to 125cc. | Motor-Fan, a media platform focused on automotive-related articles.Why the Class 1 Moped Class will be raised from 50cc or less to 125cc or less (New Class 1 Moped Class) “Raising the displacement of Class 1 Moped Class from 50cc or less to 125cc or less” This argument comes as stricter exhaust gas regulations have forced small-displacement motorcycle engines to be upgraded from 2-stroke to […]
“Moped Licenses Up to 125cc” | National Police Agency Considers | Domestic Moped Reform Finally Begins | Motor-Fan [Motor Fan] Media Platform Delivering Automotive-Related ArticlesThe current limit for motorcycle engine displacement that can be ridden with a moped (motorized bicycle) license is 50cc or less. The National Police Agency has now announced that this limit will be raised to 125cc or less (drivers will need a standard small-sized motorcycle license or higher). However, the maximum power output will be limited to 4kW (5.4ps).
