The Fly Scout is Back (sort of)!

Remember the Scout by Fly Scooters? The company went out of business in 2010, having just introduced the Scout earlier that year. I, for one, didn't act fast enough to get one. Well, here it is again, available in the USA once more! It's the exact same bike as the Scout, re-christened as the "Metro" and sold under the BMS brand name. The Scout was warmly received by the Honda Cub enthusiast community, partly due to its closer resemblance to the classic Honda C100/C102/C70/Passport of earlier decades compared to the (albeit much better made) SYM Symba, which is the only other "Cub" style motorcycle currently available in the USA. Although this particular "version" of the cub costs considerably less than the Symba ($1600 delivered, vs $2400 MSRP (not including dealer prep/delivery)), don't expect it to come even close to either Honda or SYM in terms of quality. A Fly Scout owner went over the bike very thoroughly and found some pretty flimsy welds in places (such as the front fork stem) that, if they were to fail, would cause a crash and potential injury or death for the rider. The Symba is made by SYM, a world-class manufacturer of scooters, motorcycles, and automobiles, and is distributed in the USA by Alliance Powersports through a network of authorized dealers.  The Metro is sold direct to retail customers, albeit through "dealers" (like this one).

The Super Cub - "The Newest Idea Since the Scooter..."

The Best Honda Super Cub Video ... Ever!

Jawa Pioneer 50 - coming to USA.

Look familiar?  This is the Pioneer - Jawa's take on the Super Cub.  Note the motor (Lifan copy of Honda Cub engine), "retro" styling, and just general cuteness.  I mean, how about that integrated rear wheel skirt?


They'll be available soon, from this importer.  Price is unknown at this point, but I would guess it will be somewhere in the neighborhood of $1500.

Just had to post this - a BRAND NEW (really) '64 Honda Cub on Ebay!

Once in a blue moon something amazing like this pops up on Ebay. A BRAND NEW 1965 Honda Super Cub C100!  As told by the seller, the bike was won in a contest back in '65 and just covered and put away in a (thankfully!) dry basement for 46 years. Now it's back on the market - with 1 mile on the odometer and looking pretty much exactly as good and brand-spanking-new as it did in the showroom! The minimum bid is $5000, which pretty much limits this bike to serious collectors and museums.  Somebody call Jay Leno!

Did Don Draper Come Up With This One?

The ad reads:
"The old bus hasn't really retired.  She just doesn't get around much anymore.  Her owners have discovered a sure way to beat the traffic and parking problem (and have a barrel of fun in the bargain): the versatile Honda "50". There are a great many reasons why Honda has become America's new riding habit. The economy-minded love that Honda mileage - up to 225 miles per gallon - and the penny-pinching purchase price. The fun-minded love the way the Honda makes every trip a sheer delight. And everyone loves Honda's superb little 4-stroke engine that takes you places at a whisper-quiet 45-mph.  With its automatic clutch, 3-speed transmission, and advanced dual cam-type brakes both front and rear, even a youngster can ride the Honda "50" safely and easily the very first time! Discover the fun of two-wheel motoring at your Honda dealer soon. For the name of your nearest dealer (there are more than 800 across the country) call Western Union by number and ask for OPERATOR 25.
From $245
Copyright 1963 American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Alas, The Bell Tolls for Fly Scooters - and the Fly Scout

I've been meaning to post this sad news for over a month now, but just couldn't bring myself to do it.  Look at this bike - it's the Scout, by Fly Scooters. Like the SYM Symba, it's a pretty good copy of the Honda Super Cub we all know and love. It's made in China by DYK, and Fly put so, so much into it in terms of refinements and quality improvements. Industry people who tested and evaluated it gave it the thumbs-up (even though it's not quite the equal in quality to the Symba). It's just a crying shame that barely six months after they got it all DOT and EPA approved and added it to their USA product line, Fly had to close down due to the economic downturn that has been the ruin of so many powersports dealers and distributors since 2009. That leaves the SYM Symba the only "Cub-type" for sale in the USA for the foreseeable future - which isn't a bad thing, because the Symba is an excellent ride. It's just not quite as retro as the Scout (particularly in the handlebar area) - and for classic Cub lovers, it was good to have the choice.  SYM's exclusive USA distributor for the past three years, Carter Brothers, has been in limbo since last July when somebody torched (yes, the fire was ruled a case of arson - no arrests yet) their warehouse and turned approximately 3,000 SYM scooters into charred remains. Earlier this year it was announced that SYM was not renewing their contract with Carter Brothers, and distribution of SYM scooters (and the Symba) is being transferred to Lance Powersports. So, it seems the Symba has just barely survived into 2011 and (hopefully) beyond.


The Fly Scout should become something of a collector's item.