The Honda Cub is, and all the time might be, the king of underbones. It’s the best-selling motorbike in historical past, has been round since 1958, and has a status so bulletproof you could possibly in all probability journey one by means of a struggle zone and are available out the opposite aspect unscathed.
Through the years, Honda has developed the Cub household, spawning every part from the retro-styled Tremendous Cub 125 to the rugged Hunter Cub (CT125), which helps you to stay out your explorer fantasies—offered your thought of journey consists of 9 horsepower and a semi-auto transmission.
After which there’s this: the Kamax Cub X, yet one more Chinese language model making an attempt to muscle in on the Cub’s legacy. At this level, they’re not simply copying Honda—they’re remixing it, mixing the commuter-friendly Tremendous Cub with the off-road-leaning Hunter Cub and ending up with one thing that appears oddly acquainted but simply completely different sufficient to keep away from a lawsuit. It’s the motorbike equal of a pretend Rolex with a see-through case again and a reputation like “Relox.”
Now, if you happen to’ve by no means heard of Kamax, don’t really feel dangerous. They’re a Chinese language producer cranking out bikes, filth bikes, and scooters, supplying each their very own model and numerous OEM purchasers. They declare to be a worldwide chief, working in over 80 nations, which sounds spectacular till you notice that “international presence” within the motorbike world usually interprets to “we promote low cost bikes in quite a lot of growing markets.” However to their credit score, Kamax isn’t simply making clones anymore—they’re making an attempt to outdo the unique.
On paper, the Cub X truly has some critical firepower. It’s acquired a 147.5cc single-cylinder, air-cooled engine making 6.8 kW (9.1 hp) at 7,500 rpm and 10.5 Nm (about eight-ish pound-feet) of torque at 5,000 rpm—not groundbreaking, however notably greater than what Honda affords within the 125cc Cubs.
It comes with digital gas injection, meets Euro 5+ emission requirements, and encompasses a 4-speed cyclic transmission with a multi-plate oil-immersed clutch, which ought to make for smoother shifts. However the place it actually flexes on Honda is within the options division.
Photograph by: Kamax
Honda’s Tremendous Cub and Hunter Cub each rock drum brakes in some markets, however the Cub X will get disc brakes entrance and rear, full with ABS. The aluminum alloy swingarm and 7075 aerospace-grade aluminum wheels sound fancy, even when most riders received’t care. It’s acquired LED lights throughout, an LCD instrument panel, and a wise keyless begin system, as a result of apparently, urgent a button is cooler than utilizing a key nowadays.
It even throws in a high-mounted muffler for higher floor clearance and a customized rear cargo rack, simply in case you wish to haul groceries in your pseudo-adventure bike.
All this for an anticipated worth under RM10,000 (roughly $2,100 USD) when it launches in Malaysia later this yr. That’s considerably cheaper than a Honda Tremendous Cub 125, and on paper, it even beats the OG in some areas. However right here’s the factor—Chinese language bikes have all the time been nice on paper. The actual query is how will it maintain up after 10,000 miles? Will the electronics nonetheless work? Will the welds maintain up? Will you be capable of discover elements when one thing inevitably breaks?
Photograph by: Kamax
Chinese language bikes are enhancing, little question about it. They’re providing higher designs, higher options, and higher worth than ever earlier than. I imply, simply take a look at CFMoto, QJ Motor, and sure, some BMW fashions. However for each well-built machine, there’s one other that falls aside sooner than an inexpensive eBay fairing package. Should you’re keen to roll the cube, the Kamax Cub X may be a enjoyable, budget-friendly different to Honda’s more and more costly Cubs.
Nevertheless, if confirmed reliability, sturdy resale worth, and precise seller assist are what you’re on the lookout for, properly, you already know who the true king of underbones is.
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