Honda Showcases The 2021 Cross Cub 110 For Overseas Markets

In its 2021 iteration, the Cross Cub 110 gets a limited-edition Puko Blue paint scheme

Honda has showcased the 2021 Cross Cub, an off-road focused iteration of the Super Cub, in a special Puko Blue paint scheme that’ll be limited to 2,000 units when it goes on sale on July 22 in Japan this year. 

First revealed at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show, the Cross Cub 110 was launched overseas in 2018. Since then, it hasn’t undergone any significant updates, save for a revised taillight in 2020 to comply with Japan’s revised traffic regulations. Besides, the usual Camouflage Green, Pearl Shining Yellow, and Classical White colours will continue as before. 

A Brief History

As mentioned, the Cross Cub 110 traces its lineage to the Super Cub, Honda’s second scooter, which was launched in 1958 with a 50cc four-stroke engine. Subsequent iterations of the Super Cub went on to dominate sales charts the world over, with over a 100 million (ten crore!) units sold as of 2017. Do you recall the tune ‘You meet the nicest people on a Honda’ by the Hondells? Well, the nice people were all astride Super Cubs!

The Lowdown

Despite a 63-year gap, the overall silhouette of the 2021 Cross Cub still resembles that of the 1958 Supercub, with elements such as the large-diameter wire-spoke wheels, frame-mounted headlight (albeit an LED unit), single seat with a luggage rack at the back, and slotted heat shield covering the exhaust pipe. The instrument cluster, too, is delightfully basic, with just a speedo and a fuel gauge. That said, the Cross Cub 110 eschews the front apron, and the longer-travel suspension and block-pattern tyres give it the requisite trail-ready credo. 

The Cross Cub 110 is powered by an air-cooled, fuel-injected, 109cc single cylinder engine mated to a four-speed clutchless gearbox. The motor makes approximately 8PS and 8.5Nm, competent figures considering the Cross Cub 110’s 106kg kerb weight. 

Worth Waiting?

Umm, no. Simply put, off-roading still isn’t as widely adopted in India as it is overseas, with the idea of an off-road moped an even more alien concept. And then there’s the small matter of cost. 

In India, the Honda Cross Cub 110 would go up against an entry-level step-through like the TVS XL100. However, the Cross Cub 110 retails for the equivalent of around Rs 2.35 lakh (excluding taxes) in Japan, which is closer to the sticker price of TVS’ flagship supersport, the Apache RR310! Besides, Indian consumers regard mopeds as utilitarian, budget-friendly modes of transport, so a lifestyle-oriented moped with premium pricing makes very little sense. 

Hence, despite Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India’s portfolio replete with small-capacity offerings, chances of the Cross Cub 110 getting to our shores are miniscule.