Honda Super Cub is the most selling bike in the world, with production passing 100 million units since 1958.
The quick answer above names the model and gives the scale. This guide goes deeper so you can tell why the Honda Super Cub leads, how the count is verified, and what that means for buyers and fans today. You’ll also see a timeline of milestones and a compact comparison view that keeps the facts straight.
Which Is The Most Selling Bike In The World? Facts And Proof
Multiple official records point to one winner: the Honda Super Cub. Honda confirmed a 100-million-unit production milestone for the Super Cub series in 2017. That figure alone puts it at the top of any all-time list. Coverage since then notes that production kept rising, with reporting indicating the total has moved beyond 110 million units across many markets. A concise brand history page also marks the 100-million ceremony and long production run, reinforcing the same conclusion from the manufacturer’s side.
Why This Claim Holds Up
The Super Cub has been built since 1958 in many countries, sold in a wide range of engine sizes, and kept its step-through format that works for dense cities and daily errands. That mix—simple mechanics, huge factory footprint, and decades of continuous output—creates volume no other single motorcycle model has matched.
Super Cub At A Glance: Core Stats
| Item | Figure | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Model Family | Honda Super Cub (C-Series) | Underbone step-through format |
| Start Of Production | 1958 | Continuous production since launch |
| Cumulative Production | 100,000,000+ (by 2017) | Verified by Honda’s global newsroom announcement |
| Current Cumulative (Reported) | 110,000,000+ (by mid-2020s) | Referenced in independent reporting on model history |
| Countries With Assembly | Many (15+ historically) | Global manufacturing footprint over decades |
| Engine Sizes | ~50–125 cc (market-dependent) | Small, efficient commuter focus |
| Use Case | Urban and daily transport | Reliable, low running costs, easy step-through |
That snapshot frames the scale and the format. The headline number is clear: the Super Cub passed the nine-digit mark years ago. The broad manufacturing base and simple component set help sustain supply in markets where two-wheelers are everyday transport.
Method: How The Winner Was Verified
To answer which model sits at the top, the check is simple and strict:
Step 1: Confirm A Single Model Line
We’re talking about a distinct model series, not a brand. The Super Cub series counts because it’s a continuous line with closely related variants over time.
Step 2: Look For Primary Records
Honda’s own release sets the floor: 100 million produced by 2017. That’s a primary source from the manufacturer, not a secondhand recap. You can read it here: Super Cub 100-million milestone.
Step 3: Cross-Check Ongoing Totals
Independent coverage notes that production has continued beyond the 100-million mark into the mid-2020s, keeping the Super Cub out front. See this plain-language overview of the model’s growth and milestone context: evolution and global spread.
Most Selling Bike In The World — Why The Super Cub Leads
Three factors keep the Super Cub ahead of the pack: scale, suitability, and staying power. Each one feeds the others.
Scale: Factories Where Riders Live
Honda set up production where demand existed. That meant local assembly across Asia and beyond, steady parts availability, and prices that matched local incomes. When a model is built near its riders, volume follows.
Suitability: Easy To Ride, Easy To Keep
The step-through frame and semi-automatic gearbox invite new riders, delivery workers, and commuters alike. Maintenance stays simple. The format carries loads, slips through traffic, and sips fuel. In markets where two wheels are the daily default, those traits matter more than peak power or high-end tech.
Staying Power: Same Idea, Fresh Iterations
The Super Cub kept its silhouette but accepted updates—fuel injection, lighting, and trim changes—to meet rules and rider expectations. That balance preserves the identity while keeping the line viable in new eras.
What The 100-Million Mark Really Means
Hitting nine digits isn’t just a trivia point. It signals a model that solved a daily transport need across regions and generations. It also explains strong parts networks and abundant used inventory. If you’re buying or restoring, you’re tapping into one of the broadest ecosystems in motorcycling.
How It Shapes Ownership
- Parts Access: Common wear items and bodywork are widely available due to the massive fleet size.
- Resale: A deep buyer pool exists in many markets, which can steady prices for tidy examples.
- Upkeep: Simple service steps and community knowledge keep running costs low.
Where The “Which Is The Most Selling Bike In The World?” Debate Pops Up
You’ll see arguments citing current yearly charts by brand or region. Those lists talk about brands or annual winners. The question here is lifetime, single-model volume. That’s a different lens. The Super Cub wins that race by a huge margin.
Brand Totals Aren’t The Same As A Single Model
Honda as a brand builds many types of motorcycles. In 2025, Honda noted 500 million total motorcycle units produced worldwide across all models since 1949. That figure is impressive, but it covers the whole range. The single model series crowned here is still the Super Cub.
Milestones That Mark The Lead
This timeline lays out the big steps that confirm the answer and show how the total grew across decades.
| Year | Milestone | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Super Cub launch | Step-through design debuts in Japan |
| 2008 | 60 million cumulative | Model passes a major global mark after 50 years |
| 2014 | 87 million cumulative | Production and sales continue across regions |
| 2017 | 100 million cumulative | Confirmed by Honda; ceremony held at Kumamoto Factory |
| Mid-2020s | 110 million+ reported | Coverage notes continued growth into the 2020s |
| 2025 | Honda 500 million motorcycles (all models) | Brand-wide milestone; Super Cub remains the top single model |
What About Other Big Sellers?
Other commuter icons pull large totals, especially in markets like India and Southeast Asia. Annual leaders change by region, and some nameplates run up big numbers over time. Still, none has posted a verified lifetime total that clears the Super Cub’s nine-digit bar.
How These Claims Are Often Confused
- Yearly Sales Charts: A model can top one country’s rankings for a year and still sit far from all-time global leadership.
- Brand Vs. Model: A company can sell more bikes overall in a year than another, yet have no single model near the Super Cub’s lifetime total.
- Nameplate Changes: Some bikes switch platforms often under the same name; counting across major redesigns can blur the single-series line.
Buying Sense: Who Should Pick A Super Cub Today?
If your daily rides are short, crowded, and practical, a Cub-style machine makes a lot of sense. You get step-through ease, nimble manners, and simple upkeep. You also get that big ecosystem of parts and knowledge. Riders chasing highway pace or long-range touring will want a different format, but for errands and local hops, the original recipe still works.
Checklist For A Used Example
- Papers: Verify frame and engine numbers match the title where required.
- Service Items: Chain, sprockets, tires, battery, and brake shoes/pads are wear points—budget for refresh.
- Fueling: Older carbs may need a clean; later fuel-injected bikes often start and idle with less fuss.
- Bodywork: Check leg shields and side covers for cracks; clips are cheap, panels can add up.
“Which Is The Most Selling Bike In The World?” In Plain Words
If someone asks in a shop or on a ride, you can give a short reply that lands:
which is the most selling bike in the world? It’s the Honda Super Cub. Honda marked 100 million built in 2017, and the count has kept climbing since then. No other single motorcycle model has confirmed totals in that range.
How The Super Cub Shaped Two-Wheel Transport
By being simple, sturdy, and easy to ride, the Super Cub made two-wheeled transport less intimidating. Delivery fleets adopted it in many cities. Parents taught kids on it. Shops stocked parts for it. That everyday presence is the real story behind the record: when a tool fits daily life this well, the numbers take care of themselves.
Design Traits That Still Matter
- Step-Through Frame: Easy mounts and dismounts in stop-and-go traffic.
- Semi-Automatic Gearbox: No clutch lever to juggle when juggling packages.
- Compact Wheels: Quick steering in tight streets; friendly at parking speeds.
- Bodywork: Leg shields and covers keep splashes down and parts tucked away.
Answers To Common Follow-Ups
Does The Super Cub’s Record Depend On A Single Country?
No. The count comes from many markets over many years. That’s the advantage of a long-running commuter—steady demand across regions adds up.
Do Modern Rules Change The Picture?
Regulations can shift powertrains and trim mixes. The record we’re talking about is lifetime production of a model series. Even as markets evolve, the banked total stands.
Bottom Line
The answer hasn’t changed in years, and the gap is wide. The Honda Super Cub is the most selling bike in the world, documented by the manufacturer’s own milestone and supported by ongoing reporting. If you wanted one line to carry into any debate, this is it.