Honda CT110

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Honda CT110

Manufacturer	Honda
Also called	'Postie bike' in Australia and New Zealand
Engine	105 cc air-cooled single cylinder
Power	7.6 hp @ 7,500 rpm
Torque	0.85 kg-m @ 6,000 rpm
Transmission	auto-clutch four-speed, with or without a dual range subtransmission
Wheelbase	1.220 m
Dimensions	L 1.905 m W 0.755 m H 1.060 m
Seat height	.770 m
Weight	87 kg (192 lb) (dry), 92 kg (203 lb) (wet)
Fuel capacity	5.5 l (1.452 g)
Fuel consumption	60 km/l @ 50 km/h (140 m/g @ 31.1 m/h)
Turning radius	1.8
Related	Honda CT90

The Honda CT110 is a small motorcycle manufactured by Honda from 1980 to the present day and sold in various parts of the world. Perhaps one of Honda's hidden success stories, this bike has sold well worldwide and has a faithful following to this day.

The CT110 in its classic form is a 105cc 4-stroke air-cooled single with a four-speed transmission and an automatic clutch, coupled with a roughly 2:1 ratio gear reduction box known as the dual range subtransmission which switched into operation using a small lever under the transmission case and allowed the CT to climb steep slopes with no difficulty. The cylinder was nearly horizontal in the step-through tube/stamping frame.

The CT110 started production in 1980, replacing the Honda CT90, which was essentially the same machine.

In the United States the 1980, CT110 lacked the dual range sub-transmission, however, it returned in following years, and it was imported from 1980 to 1986. It is still in production and sold in other countries around the world, most notably Australia and New Zealand.

The CT110 is called a "Postie Bike" in Australia and New Zealand due to their use by Australia Post and New Zealand Post as a delivery bike, without the dual range subtransmission. In Australia this also makes them the highest selling motorcycle in the country. A slightly modified version, the CT110 AG, is sold for agricultural use. This version is not road-registerable in Australia, however, is road-registerable in New Zealand. The AG version has a dual range subtransmission.

Contents 1 Features 2 Usage 2.1 United States 2.2 Australia 3 See also 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Features

CT-110s are well regarded for their extreme reliability, economy and ease of operation. The clutchless four speed transmission (centrifugal clutch) does not require a clutch lever. In Australia and New Zealand the freeing of the left hand of the rider - makes mail delivery easier for Post workers.

[edit] Usage

[edit] United States

The CT series were originally designed for the outdoors person for trail riding fun. Most CT's, except the 1980, CT110, had the dual range subtransmission (or on the very early CT90's which had a large overlay rear sprocket) and could go easily with a novice on the seat, where only very experienced riders on other motorcycles could go.

Many improvements to the CT series were made over the years, culminating in the CT110. Even though the CT110 was last imported into the United States in 1986, there are many used CT110's available for purchase. Some Baby Boomers had a Honda CT in their youth and a resurgence in popularity is evidenced by retirees desiring to "re-live" those good times on a Honda CT. Prices of used CT110's have steadily climbed due to this resurgence in popularity.

There are plenty of stories today of people finding CT's in barns and garages, after going neglected for many years, returning the CT back to operation with just a little effort due to the bike's rugged and enduring construction. New and used parts are still widely available in Honda's dealer network.

[edit] Australia

Increasing fuel prices have seen second-hand CT110's become more common as commuter motorcycles in major Australian cities. The CT110 has a low top speed (just over 80 kilometres per hour) and acceleration compared to most other motorcycles, but their high reliability, fuel economy and low price make them a popular alternative to modern conventional motor scooters.

The novelty value of the bikes has seen their usage as racing and stunt motorcycles, though heavy modifications such as use of nitrous oxide, methanol fuel, supercharging or turbocharging engine additions are necessary. Australian Freestyle Motocross Rider Jono Porter jumped a 75 feet (23 m) gap jump on a CT110.^{[citation needed]}

In 2009, Aaron Maxwell Thew, a lawyer and engineer, rode a CT110 more than 7,500kms through some of the most remote and dangerous wilderness areas of Queensland to raise money for sick children. His adventures as The Lone Postie were well reported by the media.^[1] Mr Thew completed the remarkable feat without fellow riders or a support crew, and maintained extensive photography travelogues for both the trip up and the trip back legs of the ride.

After almost 30 years of only being available via second-hand sale from Australia Post in bulk lots, Honda began selling the road-registerable model to the domestic market in July 2009 for $3490 AUD MLP^[2] . The price for a good condition refurbished ex-Australia Post CT110 range from $1500 to $2500 AUD.

Apart from the Australian market, large numbers of CT110's and CT90's were also brought to Tanzania in east Africa, where many are still in use today. Among the original users was Danish aid organisation Danida. During the late 1970s and 80's they were the standard issue motorcycle for volunteers.

[edit] See also

• Mail carrier (known as a "Postie" in Australia and New Zealand)
• Honda CT series bikes: Trail Cub / Hunter Cub
• Honda CT90

[edit] References

This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations where appropriate. (October 2009)