Photo/Illutration The Honda 50 cc Super Cub scooter (Provided by Honda Motor Co.)

Honda Motor Co. will slam the brakes on producing its popular motorized bicycles with 50 cc or smaller engines in 2025, a victim of dwindling sales and stricter emission standards. 

Production of the Honda small bikes reached 2.78 million units in the peak year of 1982.

But the widespread popularity of electric-assist bikes and electric kick scooters has contributed to the falling sales in recent years. 

In Japan, motorized bicycles with an engine displacement of 50 cc or less are classified as Class 1, while those with an engine displacement of between 51 and 125 cc are categorized into Class 2.

Class 1 vehicles, which became a popular mode of transportation for commuting workers and students, require a driver's license for motorized bicycles.

According to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association Inc., 150,000 motorized bicycles with 50 cc or smaller engines were produced in 2022, dropping to 5 percent of its peak production.

Moreover, Class 1 mopeds can no longer be produced after November next year when new vehicle emissions standards are introduced in Japan because they fail to meet the standards.

Because it would be costly to improve the engines, an industry association for auto manufacturers asked the government to review the classifications for motorized bicycles.

The National Police Agency is considering revising a relevant law to allow riders with a driver's license for motorized bicycles to operate minibikes with an engine displacement of 125 cc or less and with a reduced maximum output.

Honda has been a leader in the moped market, best known for its popular Super Cub series in production since 1958.

The company intends to continue production and sale of mopeds with an engine displacement of 110 cc and 125 cc, including the Super Cub.

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