HONDA The Power of Dreams

As the export-model Monkey CZ100 was well received in Europe, development of the next model for public road use had finally begun.

In addition to lights and brakes necessary for riding on public roads, leisure-use, the ability to be loaded into a car’s trunk for use in the suburbs, was also an important factor.

The Monkey Z50M was complete, packed with ideas to combine playfulness and functionality.

Despite its very small size, the Z50M’s seat and handlebars were designed to be high enough for an adult to maneuver, but foldable, making it small enough to be stored in a car’s trunk.

It’s engine was a 4-stroke, OHC, single-cylinder 50 cc engine made popular by the Super Cub, paired with an automatic centrifugal clutch and a 3-speed transmission for easy operation and enjoyable riding.

The birth of the Monkey Z50M is strongly related to Honda automobiles at the time.

In 1963, Honda launched its first automobile, the T360 kei (mini) truck, becoming the latest Japanese automobile manufacturer. The N360 kei car, launched in 1967, became a huge hit, solidifying Honda’s foundation as an automobile manufacturer.

Despite the launch of the Z50M, which was designed to be stored in a car’s trunk, Honda did not have passenger cars with trunks big enough for the Z50M.

With the introduction of the 1300 in 1969, two years after the Z50M was launched, Honda finally sold a car with a trunk large enough for the Z50M.

At the time, the word “leisure” gaining traction in Japan. The Monkey Z50M was ahead of its time and became a leisure bike that conveyed the fun and appeal of motorcycles to automobile users.

This model marked the beginning of the Monkey series becoming a long-selling hit.