Monthly Moto Champ January 2025 issue … Special price: 990 yen (Includes 2025 Showa/Heisei Moped Classic Calendar) ISBN: 4910087690154
Release date: December 6, 2024
Comes with the annual, ever-popular, permanently-collected calendar!
Thank you! Celebrating the achievements of the Super Cub 50 and looking back on its history
Due to exhaust gas regulations coming into effect in 2025, production of the 50cc Super Cub will finally be discontinued around May 2025. Developed by Honda Soichiro in 1958, the Super Cub 50 was designed with an underbone frame to make it easier for women to get on and off even in skirts, and an automatic centrifugal clutch was developed so that soba restaurant chefs could drive it with one hand. It was a legendary machine that was active in all sorts of situations throughout Japan. In the latest issue of Moto Champ, we are running a feature looking back on the 66-year history of the Super Cub 50!
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[Update] Honda discontinues production of 50cc Class 1 mopeds (zero handlebars). New Class 1 mopeds (with maximum power limit) are born, with engine displacement increased from 50cc to 125cc.On June 22, 2024, major newspapers and television news reported that Honda would end production of Class 1 mopeds (motorized bicycles) with a total displacement of 50cc or less, which can be driven with a moped license. Due to the strict new exhaust gas regulations coming into force in 2025, maintaining the 50cc or less model would be prohibitively expensive. In its place, new Class 1 mopeds in the 125cc and 110cc classes (with maximum power limits similar to the current 50cc and under models) will be born. The global motorcycle market has long since shifted to the 125cc class. Japan’s Class 1 mopeds have finally emerged from their Galapagos-like 50cc or under era, adopting the global 125cc standard and finally entering a new era. This article summarizes the history of the end of production of the 50cc and under mopeds, commonly known as “zero-handle” models, and the newly enacted “New Class 1 mopeds.” REPORT●KITA Hideaki Asahi Shimbun Digital https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASS6Q2V5GS6QULFA00KM.html
[Update] The moped category has changed from 50cc or less to 125cc or less (with maximum power output restrictions). The National Police Agency officially releases the report. Honda focuses on 125cc or less, while Yamaha abolishes the 50cc or less category.On December 21, 2023, the National Police Agency’s expert panel, which has been discussing a revision of the vehicle classification for motorized bicycles (50cc or less), compiled a report stating that the Road Traffic Act’s definition of a motorized bicycle should ideally be changed from the current 50cc or less to 125cc or less (with the condition that maximum output be limited to 4kW or less/5.4ps or less). This issue marks the first time that the government has finally begun to act in response to the long-standing voices and requests of motorcycle manufacturers and motorcycle-related organizations. Honda has already scaled back production of its 50cc or less motorcycles sold exclusively in Japan and is focusing on 125cc or less. Yamaha plans to discontinue Honda’s outsourced production of 50cc or less motorcycles and introduce Yamaha products in Japan equipped with 125cc engines that comply with the new standards. REPORT: Kita Hideaki. National Police Agency Press Release: https://www.npa.go.jp/news/release/2023/20231219001.html
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“Motorcycle licenses limited to 125cc” | National Police Agency considering | Domestic moped reform finally beginsOn September 7, 2023, the National Police Agency announced that it would begin considering revising the engine displacement limit for mopeds (motorized bicycles) that can be ridden with a license from the current 50cc or less to 125cc or less. The target vehicles will be those with an engine displacement of 125cc or less and a maximum output of 4kW (5.4ps). The government has finally begun to take action in response to the long-standing opinions and requests of motorcycle manufacturers and motorcycle-related organizations. REPORT ● KITA Hideaki National Police Agency Press Release https://www.npa.go.jp/news/release/2023/20230907001.html
[Featured Project] You might think you know it, but there’s a lot you don’t! Everything about helmets
In addition, there will also be a project that delves into helmets, an essential part of motorcycle riding! It will introduce the evolution and importance of helmets as riding headgear.
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Is it a traffic violation to ride a bicycle while wearing a motorcycle helmet? [Basic knowledge of traffic rules]Wearing a construction helmet (also known as a “dokahel”) or a bicycle helmet while riding a motorcycle is prohibited for both the driver and passenger. If you do not wear a motorcycle helmet that meets the required strength and safety standards and has the sticker below attached, you will be charged with violating the Road Traffic Act. So, is wearing a motorcycle helmet while riding a bicycle a traffic violation? We did some research right away. REPORT ● Kita Hideaki
What is the violation of wearing a bicycle helmet when riding a motorcycle or at a construction site? | Learn the meaning of PSC and SG marksWhen riding a motorcycle, thinking “It’s a helmet to protect your head, so wouldn’t a construction site helmet be okay?” or “It’s only a short distance, so a bicycle helmet would be okay” is a big no-no for your own safety. When riding a motorcycle, you must wear a “motorcycle helmet that can be used in Japan” or you will be violating the Road Traffic Act. Helmets that can be used on public roads have stickers such as the “PSC mark” and “SG mark” attached. We researched the types and meanings of stickers related to “safety standards” attached to motorcycle helmets. REPORT●KITA Hideaki Interview cooperation: Arai Helmet http://www.arai.co.jp/ SHOEI https://www.shoei.com/
Riding a large motorcycle with a half-cap helmet. Is this illegal? Is there a problem?Motorcycle season is upon us! Some riders will likely find that a lightweight and easy-to-use half-face helmet is more comfortable to wear in spring and summer than a full-face or jet helmet. Is it okay to ride a large motorcycle with a half-face helmet? Is it okay to ride a large motorcycle on a public road wearing a half-face helmet and still be in violation of the Road Traffic Act? Is it okay to ride on the highway wearing a half-face helmet? We’ve done some research into the combination of a half-face helmet and a large motorcycle. PHOTO/REPORT●KITA Hideaki
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Sanei has been publishing mainly automobile and racing related magazines for over 70 years, and has expanded its reach to various genres such as sports, fashion and outdoors, leveraging the various resources it has accumulated through its activities, diverse networks both inside and outside the industry, highly specialized knowledge and archives. It has strengthened its brand power through magazines and events, and is also developing content on the web and in video.
