"Honda Lead" (Honda Lead): specifications, photos and reviews

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

When the Honda Lead scooter was launched back in 1982, it became an instant bestseller. The little car didn't even need an introduction, it was so technically advanced that customers lined up for a scooter that looked like a toy and weighed only 64 kilograms.

Main parameters

The model was called "Honda Lead 50" and was a small-sized single-seat vehicle with a miniature two-stroke engine with a power of 5 hp. With. and consuming only 1.3 liters of fuel for every 100 kilometers. The volume of the engine did not exceed 49 cc, cooling was air.

The scooter "Honda Lead 50" did not have a gearbox, the transmission was a CVT type. The small car was distinguished by good maneuverability, the minimum turning radius was only 1.7 meters. The fuel tank held 5.3 liters of fuel.

Honda Lead 50 sales have been consistently strong for six years. BUTwhen the scooter was upgraded in 1984, got a more powerful engine and turned from a single to a double, the demand for it increased by an order of magnitude.

1988 models

Six years after the start of production, the company released a new Honda Lead scooter with an AF-20E engine. The popularity of this scooter was striking in its scope. At that time, there were two more fifty-cc models on the market, the Suzuki Adress and the Yamaha Axis. With the advent of the Honda Lead AF-20E, sales of Yamaha and Suzuki plummeted. Dealers of the three leading Japanese companies had to share the sales market.

Technical characteristics of the scooter "Honda Lead AF-20":

• cylinder capacity - 49cc;
• engine power - 6.5 HP. p.;
• torque - 0.73 at 6000 rpm;
• compression - 7, 2;
• fuel consumption - 1.72 liters per 100 kilometers at a speed of 40 km/h;
• cooling - air;
• gas tank capacity - 7.2 liters;
• front brakes - disc, ventilated;
• rear brakes - drum.

Model HF05

The second most popular was the Honda Lead 90 scooter, also created in 1988. The double scooter was produced under the brand name HF05.

Weight and dimensions of the model:

• 78kg dry weight:
• full weight - 85 kg;
• seat height - 735 mm;
• roadclearance, ground clearance - 110 mm;
• center distance - 1235 mm;
• scooter length - 1755mm;
• height - 1060 mm;
• width - 715 mm;
• gas tank capacity - 7.2 liters.

Powerplant:

• cylinder capacity - 89 cc/mm;
• cylinder diameter - 48.0 mm;
• stroke - 49.6mm;
• compression - 6, 4;
• maximum power - 8.4 liters. With. at 6500 rpm;
• torque - Nm 1, 0 at 4000 rpm;
• fuel consumption - 1.85 liters per 100 km at a speed of 50 km/h.

Honda's next development

In 1998, another model of the popular scooter was launched. It was a two-seat Honda Lead 100 scooter. The new car was distinguished by streamlined shapes and a large headlight in one block with "turn signals". The high-quality plastic cladding flowing smoothly around the wide double seat gave the impression of solidity and good design.

Headlights include a powerful reflector with two built-in halogen bulbs that create a double, sharp beam of light that covers a sixty-degree wide area in front of the scooter. The rear lights are not as powerful, their design corresponds to low-speed scooters, when powerful brake and turn signal lamps do not make sense, 10-15 watt bulbs are enough.

Technical characteristics of the "hundredth" scooter

Honda Lead 100 engine, two-stroke, single-cylinder:

• cylinder volume - 101 cc;
• cylinder diameter - 51 mm;
• stroke - 49.6mm;
• cooling - air;
• compression - 6, 5;
• maximum power - 9.3 liters. With. at 6750 rpm;
• torque - 1.0 Nm at 6000 rpm;
• fuel consumption - 2.32 liters per 100 kilometers at a speed of 60 km/h;
• gas tank capacity - 7.5 liters.

Dimensional and weight parameters:

• scooter length - 1795mm;
• height - 1060 mm;
• width - 680 mm;
• center distance - 1255 mm;
• ground clearance, clearance - 115 mm;
• rider seat height - 660mm;
• turning radius, minimum - 2 meters;
• dry weight - 92 kg;
• gross weight - 99 kg.

Comfort and dynamics

Riding the Honda Lead is a pleasure, the scooter ride is smooth, the complete absence of vibration is impressive. The scooter was clearly designed for lovers of calm and measured movement at low speeds on a good road. Ideal for beginners who have no experience riding sports bikes and who prefer to stay away from the extreme. Comfort is undoubtedly present when operating a scooter. However, the dynamics of the car is kept at a rather modest level, you can’t accelerate the Honda Lead so immediately and suddenly. Speed has to be picked up gradually. Then the scooter is obedient and responds to the slightest movement of the throttle. If you add gas sharply,the engine will stall.

Running parameters

The undoubted advantage of the scooter is its running gear, rationally designed brakes and suspensions. Front brake - disc, ventilated, very effective. The rear drum, which works softly, never wedges, turns on with a slight delay relative to the front one, and thus the scooter stops in a split second, without skidding and skidding.

The scooter is equipped with a Nissan brake system that never fails. The front suspension is a powerful linkage fork combined with a hydraulic shock absorber. It does not cause any complaints, but requires attention when entering a sharp turn. If the speed is above the optimum, the suspension arm will vibrate and the scooter may lose control. Therefore, when driving on a winding road, you must observe the minimum speed.

Some models produced in 1999 were equipped with telescopic front suspensions, but they did not take root, because they had to work within a limited amplitude and high loads often caused the assembly to break. In addition, such a suspension was more rigid, unlike the lever one, and "caught" all the bumps, causing shaking.

Leadership

Scooter "Honda Lead" in the history of production was considered the most successful model among its kind. The model is still in the lead today, thanks to its exceptional technical characteristics.

Initially, the scooter was createdfor intensive use, so parts of increased strength were immediately incorporated into the design. Therefore, the machine turned out to be super-reliable, with a large resource and wear resistance. The performance data of the scooter provides a high degree of cross-country ability, which is sometimes of no small importance. At the same time, the engine does not suffer from dust, dirt and other external factors, since clean air enters the carburetor from under the seat. The scooter is quite adapted for operation in the conditions of country roads. In winter, the car can overcome snow cover up to twenty centimeters thick.

From the first days of the release of the scooter, the company "Honda" took care of high-quality and varied painting. Initially, the classic white and black colors in various combinations were taken as the basis, and then they began to use a range of twelve colors. A variety of bright color combinations have greatly increased the attractiveness of the small two-wheelers, and this has had a positive impact on sales.

How to choose a model

The most popular modifications from the "Lead Honda" line are "50" and "90" versions. Both scooters are assembled in the same cases, but the engine power differs significantly. On the thrust of the motor and you need to focus in the first place. Some buyers will be satisfied with the engine power of 5 liters. With. (50 cc), most scooters are equipped with these. For owners who are accustomed to traveling together, it is better to purchase the HF05 model with an 8 hp engine. with., which according to all data exceeds 50 cubic meters.

Customer feedback

Numerous feedback from the owners of the Honda Lead model for more than thirty years of production of the legendary scooter differed little from each other and was positive. All owners of the scooter noted a high level of comfort, smooth running and stable engine operation. But the main advantage of the scooter, the owners considered its reliability.