Post-Sale Update: Unfortunately, this Honda Benly 90 failed to attract a single bid at $1,000.
Ok, we’ll admit it – we have a problem. We’re addicted to the Honda S90 (and the very similar Honda Benly 90). We’re almost obligated to feature one when we find one for sale every 4 months or so. How much do we love this bike? Look at our logo, and that should tell you everything you need to know.
This Honda was based on the Super Cub, another 90cc engine bike that was much more popular. Those 90cc pumped out 8 horsepower, allowing for a top speed of up to 65mph when piloted by a small rider. 90 mpg was easily possible, making this an economical (and beautiful) commuter bike, as long as you don’t need to spend any time on the freeway! Back in the 60s, the state of Nevada had requirements for motorcycle riders between the ages of 14-16. They couldn’t own a bike more powerful than 6.5 horsepower, and they had to stay under 35 miles per hour – though the latter was not regulated by the bike and had to be controlled by the rider him/herself. Though the Honda S90 produced 8 hp, Honda denied having more than 6.5 hp at the rear wheel, amusingly done so in a letter to a Honda dealership in Nevada to counter complaints by the Nevada Highway Patrol that the motorcycles were too quick.
This specific Honda Benly 90 has a distinctive feature (one that you won’t find on the S90) – a rotary transmission. For those of you that are unfamiliar, a rotary transmission doesn’t stop once you hit top gear…you can upshift again to get to neutral, and then have access to either first or fourth! Designed to spare you the trouble of shifting all the way down to first from fourth when you were coming to a stop, we always felt like this transmission was asking for trouble. There’s a couple of small cosmetic issues – ignoring the slight chrome pitting, it seems to be missing the chain cover, but it does come with the front fender that many riders have scrapped, as well as an aftermarket set of cafe bars. This bike has just 319 miles!
EDIT: A contributor at Modern Buddy and someone more knowledgeable than us about the Benly notes that the low bars are not aftermarket, but are actually OEM for earlier models. Also note that the rear footpegs don’t fold! Seems like an odd manufacturing decision, and we definitely did not notice that as the pegs do fold on our idol, the S90.
Find this Honda Benly 90 for sale here on eBay with an opening bid of $1,000 in Riverside, California.