They had a low centre of gravity, were mostly made of steel and seemed pretty well bullet-proof mechanically.Īustralian postie bikes were even tougher than ours, coming with extra-strength wheels for "crash bash" curb hopping. Though unsuitable for motorway speeds they were well proven as an economical round-town mount - or for light trail riding. The last CT 110s imported were hardly cheap at around $5000 new, yet they were arguably the perfect recession bike. Even with an engine bored out from 90cc to 105cc, the design was essentially the same as when it first arrived here in 1966. The bike seemed to be the last out of Japan with that odd 1960s style off-road step-through design. The first CTs had 90cc engines, primitive suspension and points, rather than today's electronic ignition. New Zealand and Australian postal services long used the CT 110, and its predecessor the Honda CT 90, to deliver mail and it's been a respected pack mule (in back blocks of both countries) for well over 40 years. It's a wonder that news of its demise, apparently a decision made by Honda Japan about three months ago, did not create uproar. It may have been been the ugly duckling of the motorcycle world but the CT 110 was probably the longest-serving, strongest and most respected four-stroke bike put to work in Australia and New Zealand.
The demise of the postie bike marks the end of an era, writes Paul Charman
0 kommentar(er)
