Honda Helix CN250, Scooter

Honda is one of the most well-known Japanese motor vehicle companies in the world. Founded in 1948, it has been producing reliable automobiles and making a name for itself as one of the highest selling manufacturer in the industry.

Besides cars and other larger vehicles, Honda manufactures highly popular motorcycles as well. It has been known to over-engineer some of its vehicles to the extent that they are reliable for many years of use. None more so than the large scooter, Honda Helix CN250.

The Helix was first produced in 1986 and was the largest sized (engine capacity) scooter at the time. It is categorized under scooter based on its step-through frame and a platform for resting the rider’s feet and is made for a maximum of two persons, the rider and the pillion.

With a body length of inches, it is considered as having a long body of any motorcycle standard. This makes turning and parking a little more tricky for a scooter. However, the long frame has its benefits as the rider’s foot resting panel is extended far in front, giving the rider more leg room than normal and makes for a more comfortable ride.

The scooter also has a roomy storage space at the rear in the form of a boot. It is inch by inch and is enough to store most of what is needed, such as raincoats, boots and other essentials. What it is not big enough for, however, is for an open faced or full-faced helmet. For helmets, the rider has to store it someplace else, such as in the rear box (if it is installed) or locked on the rear handrail.

It is such a popular bike that until today, it is still in production. In 2000, Honda announced that it would stop production of the bike and they did. However, due to competition and growing popularity with this category of custom bike, they decided to bring it back with a lot more choices.

The current trend of maxi scooters for city riding is the main reason driving the popularity of this retro scooter. Not only does Honda still produce this bike in almost its original form (plus a few extras and modifications, mostly on the outlook), but it is still selling well enough to keep it going for more years to come

As the saying goes, “imitation is the best form of compliment”. In the case of the Honda Helix, many knock-offs and imitations have sprouted up from the world’s largest manufacturing and exporting country, China. In fact, some of the imitations are said to be made with former engineers of Honda and even partnerships between Honda and Chinese companies.

The parts are made to such precise , that they can be used interchangeably with valid the original bikes made by Honda. What this means is that there is a cheap source of spare parts with a wider variety that can be had from China. These parts are also more modern in that they cater to the maxi scooter trend that is popular today.