Biz celebrates 25 years on the Brazilian market, one of the most iconic motorcycles

Manaus (AM) – Launched on the Brazilian market in 1998, Honda Biz revolutionized the market and practically created a motorcycle segment in Brazil: the CUB (Category Upper Basic, in English; upper basic category, in translation). Currently, there are more than 6 million CUB motorcycles produced on national soil.

Celebrating 25 years in the country, the Biz line represents Honda’s second most sold model, with more than 100,000 units this year alone, behind only the CG 160, the best-selling vehicle of all time in Brazil.

The Biz is a motorcycle that has brought generations of Brazilians closer to the world of two wheels due to advantages such as economy, practicality, modern design and ease of riding. In addition to the technical aspects, the model also allowed thousands of people to transform and improve their lives through accessible mobility.

“Celebrating 25 years of Honda Biz is a great source of pride, as it is a model developed entirely in Brazil, by Brazilians and for Brazilians. The model exceeded expectations when we launched, including an advertising campaign that marked an era. Today, many people do not identify what a CUB is, they know Biz and this is the result of hard work over the years and admiration for customers”,

highlights Marcelo Langrafe, Commercial Director of Honda Motorcycles & CRM of Honda South America.

The evolution of Honda Biz

The history of this iconic model began in 1958, in Japan, with the launch of the Honda Super Cub, which inaugurated the category and became a sales success worldwide, conquering the Asian, European and North American markets in the 1960s and 1970. In America, new public profiles, such as women and young people, became enchanted with motorcycles after the iconic advertising campaign “You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda” (you meet the best people on a Honda, in English translation) Portuguese).

The Super Cub gained a popular reputation as indestructible, thanks to its durability and extreme resistance of the 4-stroke engine, something that was innovative and guaranteed high performance and economy, in addition to contrasting with 2-stroke engines, which were the main propellant for era. The model had a unique design and automatic centrifugal clutch system that made gear changes simpler.

The CUB models arrived in Brazil in the early 90s, with the C-100 Dream, initially imported. The motorcycle had already been on the international market for a few decades and required adaptations to the needs, expectations and usage characteristics of Brazilians. Therefore, Honda decided to develop an innovative model, led by the local Research and Development team, which established the guidelines and concepts of what would be the national representative of the CUB segment.

After years of research and studies, in 1998 Honda launched the C-100 Biz, the only motorcycle in its category to offer space under the seat to store a helmet or other objects, without losing agility and low fuel consumption. The model was considered revolutionary and, from the C-100 Dream, its predecessor, it inherited the engine and gearbox, but arrived with a different design, with modern lines and colors.

Another major innovation of the model was the combination of a 17” wheel, with a thin tire at the front, and a 14” rim, with a wider and taller tire at the back, allowing good obstacle crossing by the front wheel and resistance to impacts with the rear, contributing to stability and safety on different types of terrain on Brazilian streets and highways.

In 2005, the model received its first major update and gained a more powerful engine (124.9 cm³), changing its name to the Honda Biz 125. Four years later, it was the first low-displacement model in Brazil to receive modern electronic injection. PGM-FI (Programmed Fuel Injection), technology that reduces the emission of polluting gases and contributes to engine efficiency and fuel economy. In 2011, Biz gained a Flex version and increased tank capacity.

In 2012, Honda presented a new version of the motorcycle, the Biz 100, which established itself as a more affordable entry-level option, with a look inspired by its larger 125 cm3 “sister”. This same model was updated in 2016 and now has a new 110-cylinder engine equipped with electronic injection, changing its name to Biz 110i.

The most recent renewal of the model was in 2018, when both the Biz 110i and Biz 125 shared design changes, CBS brakes, electronic panel, expanded space under the seat, as well as a 12V socket.

*With information from consultancy

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