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An underbone, or underbone motorcycle, is a small motorcycle built on a frame consisting mostly of one large diameter tubular component. The design is sometimes known as a "step-through" in the West. Although the fuel tank position, the open-frame design which the fuel tank position allows, and the splash guards give the underbone an appearance similar to a scooter, the wheels, engine position, and power transmission are based on the design of conventional motorcycles. Despite this basic difference in design, underbones are sometimes marketed as scooters in the West.
Underbones are popular worldwide, but in East Asian and South East Asian countries in particular they dominate the low cost market segment with their scooter-like ease of use, their appeal to both sexes, and their motorcycle-like dependable handling properties.
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Design
The powertrain of an underbone is based on that of a conventional motorcycle. The engine is between the rider's feet and the rear wheel is driven by a regular motorcycle secondary chain drive, Chain enclosure, using sheet-metal covers, is usual.[citation needed]
The fuel tank of an underbone is located below the seat, and it is in this respect only that it differs from a conventional motorcycle, which has its fuel tank between the knees of the rider and a frame member running under the tank from the seat support to the headstock. The underbone arrangement improves ease of mounting and dismounting. Underbones have wheels similar to those of conventional motorcycles.[citation needed]
The engine size of a typical underbone is generally in a range between 50 cc and 125 cc, although some are larger, e.g. the Suzuki Raider 150. Many underbones are capable of reaching highway speeds of 110-120 km/h or more and are allowed on expressways in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Underbones are not allowed on Indonesian and Philippine tollways.[citation needed]
The technical sophistication of larger motorcycles has been increasingly added to the underbone, with fuel injection systems in the Honda Wave 125i, Yamaha Spark 135i[1] and, since 2007, the Japanese version of the Honda Super Cub.[2] Modern underbones use capacitor discharge ignition for the ignition system, almost all have indicators, and many have electric starters.[citation needed]
Origins
The underbone concept can be seen in some of the European mopeds of the early 1950s, including the NSU Quickly and the Heinkel Perle. The most important underbone motorcycle was the spine-framed, plastic-faired Honda 50 of 1958.[citation needed] The Honda 50 is still in production and, with more than 60 million built, is the best-selling powered vehicle of all time.[2]
Other names and derivations
In Malaysia and Singapore this vehicle is commonly known as Kapcai or Kapchai, a slang word derived from Cantonese, being a combination of the word "Cub" from the word Honda Cub and "仔" in Chinese. In Cantonese, "仔" (pronounced "jai", or in pinyin "zai") means "little" (or its derivatives, e.g. "small", "mini", etc.). Therefore,"Kapcai" literally means a "Little Cub". With Honda being a very popular brand in Malaysia, all underbone motorbikes have come to be called "kapchai". In Indonesia, it is called "motor bebek"[3] (from the Indonesian word for duck).
A variation on the underbone concept known as the "maxi-scooter"[4] or "touring scooter"[5] is popular in the West. These are much larger than the underbones known to the Asian market and vary in size from the early Honda Helix with 250 cc[6] to the 850 cc Gilera GP800.[7] Many current versions are between 400 cc and 650 cc, including the Honda Silver Wing with 582 cc[8], the Suzuki Burgman with 400 cc[9] or 638 cc[10]), the Yamaha Majesty 400 with 395 cc[11], and the Yamaha T-Max 500 with 499 cc.[12]
Underbones of conventional size are popular in Western Europe and marketed alongside conventional scooters. They are sometimes referred to as scooters,[13] despite the design difference between underbones and conventional scooters.
Storage on underbones
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Most underbone motorcycles sold in Southeast Asia come with a standard steel basket, allowing riders to carry goods. More secure storage capacity is often available with the option of a carrier and a top box. Some top boxes are detachable from the carriers.
Some underbones, including the Honda Wave, Modenas X-cite, and the Yamaha Nouvo, have a lockable storage compartment under the seat. Some have a hook in the area between the riders knees for a shopping bag.
Underbone manufacturers
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The market for underbone motorcycles is dominated by Japanese manufacturers, though many of them are built in factories elsewhere, including China and Taiwan. In other cases, manufacturers have violated copyright and illegally copied the models of Japanese manufacturers. The Honda Cub, Honda Wave series and Yamaha Lagenda series are amongst the most copied.
MZ Motorrad currently produces underbone models in Malaysia by their main share holder, Hong Leong Group which is also the sole distributor of Yamaha motorcycle in Malaysia and Singapore.
The major underbone manufacturers are as follows:-
- China: Zongshen, Lifan, LUOJIA
- Malaysia: Modenas, Momos Motor (rebadge of Cagiva), Naza Bikers rebadge of Zongshen and other China brand.
- Germany: MZ Motorrad
- India: TVS Motors (underbone versions are only available in Indonesia)
- Indonesia: Kanzen,Binter rebadge of Kawasaki
- Italy: Cagiva, Piaggio
- Japan: Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki
- Philippines MCX Motor (Phils.), Blaze Motortech, Ram Rusi
- Taiwan Kymco, SYM Motors
- Thailand: Tiger Motor Co. Ltd
Underbone culture
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Underbones are very popular in South East Asia. There is a demand for aftermarket and tuner parts. Many enthusiasts modify their underbones either for show (such as installing small sound systems, neon lights and custom paint jobs) or for performance (like increasing the engine power and fine tuning the suspension). Riding gear may not even extend to wearing shoes and long pants for safety. Illegal underbone drag racing has become popular in countries such as the Philippines and Malaysia, and poses safety issues for the commuting public as well as the riders themselves, as underbones offer little protection in the event of crashes. The most popular underbone for these purposes is the Honda XRM and the Honda Wave, although similar models from Kawasaki and Yamaha are also frequently used.
See also
References
- ^ The 2008 Yamaha Spark 135i, with Fuel Injection - Motorcycle Thailand. Accessed on 11 May 2008.
- ^ a b Honda Press Release 21 May 2008 - Cumulative Global Production of Cub Series Motorcycles Reaches 60 Million Units
- ^ WELCOME TO MOTOR BEBEK COUNTRY
- ^ PM.Zone Test: Piaggio X9 Evolution 500 Maxi Scooter
- ^ Motorcycle.com Bike Specs - 2009 Touring Scooter Motorcycles
- ^ Motorcycle.com - First impression: Honda Helix
- ^ Top Speed preview of the 2008 Gilera GP 800
- ^ Motorcycle.Com Bike Specs: 2009 Honda Silver Wing ABS
- ^ 2007 Suzuki Burgman 400 Introduction Report
- ^ Motorcycle.Com Bike Specs: 2009 Suzuki Burgman 650 Executive
- ^ Motorcycle.Com Bike Specs: 2009 Yamaha Majesty 400
- ^ Motorcycle.Com Bike Specs: 2009 Yamaha T-Max 500
- ^ The Scooter Review - 2009 Honda SH125i
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