In the August 2025 edition of the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics magazine they features a MBX80 Buyers guide spread over four pages. The bike featured was the excellent restoration by Steve Mawson that was displayed on the VJMC stand at the 2024 Stafford show
You can buy a copy of this magazine here. or pick one up at your local news agents.
A big thank you to the writer who gave this website and facebook page a shout out! 👍
When Honda finally got over the massive climbdown they'd made by accepting that two-strokes were a necessary evil they gave it their all.
From mopeds through to championship-winning GP bikes, Honda's stink wheels were up there with the best. In amongst all the various models was the M series that encompassed everything from air-cooled 50cc singles through to liquid-cooled 250cc triples. Within the M series were a raft of 80cc machines that Honda pitched at almost every possible market: road, trail, enduro, faux custom and even a baby NSR.
This month we're homing in on one of the most successful from that group – the MBX80. 80cc motorcycles might not seem like a good idea, but the FIM had replaced the 50cc GP bikes with 80s in 1982, partially in recognition of just how popular the larger capacity bikes were in certain markets... what wins on Sunday sells on Monday, etc.
It can hardly be coincidence that Honda's first MBX80 appeared in 1983, taking the earlier MB80 to a whole new level. Liquid-cooling immediately distinguished the new bike from the older air-cooled model together with a more conventional chassis layout: half fairing, 'big bike styling', Comstar wheels, twin front discs in some markets, and an engine balancer. Whereas the MB80 had a distinct moped look to it, the new 80 from Honda was built very much as a proper motorcycle in the eyes of potential buyers.
And this was important because the MBX80 was up against three ferociously competent rivals – Kawasaki's divine AR80 along with Yamaha's hugely successful RD80LC and RD80MX. You might wonder why the youth of the day bothered with 80s when there were 125s to be had. However, with learners restricted to just 12bhp, the 80s had a lot going for them. Just one pony down on a 125 and some 10 per cent lighter, the smaller bikes punched above their weight.
Just like the learner's 200/250 dilemma of the previous two decades, the smaller bike also came with an insurance premium advantage. If there was a downside to the Honda it was the fact that it was a much more expensive bike at £699 compared to the AR80 at £529, RD80LC at £646 and RD80MX at £557. Honda had certainly pitched their bike above the competition but still significantly cheaper than many 125s.
What was the appeal over the obviously cheaper opposition? Quality – even two decades on from seriously breaking into the British bike market Honda was still selling itself as a manufacturer of high(er) quality kit. Hype or reality? Well, the gearbox, for example, runs seven bearings whereas the Kawasaki's AR80 only has a basic four. And the Honda's electrics were 12-volt as compared to the 6-volt system of some marketplace rivals. Even the twin discs – as fitted to the UK Hondas – smacked of genuinely getting more for your money. The MBX80 brochure proudly boasted: '...the highest specification yet on an 80cc machine'. In Germany and Japan and possibly other markets, the bike came with full fairing and was sold as the MBX80 Integra, which presumably increased bragging rights and the like even further.
Like many sub-125cc bikes of the period, the MBX80 soon found its way into the hands of tuners... some good, some bad. But to get an idea of what's possible check out honda80ccracing.weebly.com where power outputs in the high teens or low 20s get discussed. Alternatively, look at rrd-preparation.com who will happily sell you an Athena kit that take the motor up to 110cc, giving you eight transfer ports into the bargain.
Obviously not every fan of classic Japanese motorcycles is going to want an 80cc lightweight, but don't knock it until you've tried it, etc. Yes, the MBX80 carries a bit more mass than its rivals, but that translates into a more planted feel on the tarmac.
For sure the Yamaha and Kawasaki are the more obvious choices for reliving mid-1980s teenage hooliganism and, just possibly, have a little more kudos. And yet the Honda's subtly understated lines, its build quality and 'big bike' feel might just close the deal. Prices are sensible and if a lightweight is your thing then hooning around the back roads on a quality tiddler like this one could be a seriously fun move.
What to buy and how much to pay
As always, buy on condition not just indicated mileage and remember some examples may be European or Japanese market imports with subtle differences.
Even though most enthusiasts remember the half-faired version with a belly-pan as per our shots, there was also a naked version along with a fully-faired one. Twin front discs seems to be very much a UK thing and there's a raft of colour schemes including a Rothman's tribute very like the NS400R. Avoid domestic examples missing discs, fork lowers, caliper and master cylinder as replacement parts are almost impossible to source.
At the October CMM show last year a very tidy example sold for £3220 in the auction. Privately you should be able to find a really good, all original, example for as little as £2000-2500 if you look hard enough. Examples missing a few key parts but in approximate running order turn up for as little as £750 with dog-rough parts donors significantly less. We'd seriously recommend getting in contact with the people behind www.mbx80.co.uk if an MBX80 floats your boat; a fantastic resource and knowledge base.
It's my bike – Steve Mawson
After being away from biking, I fancied something small to restore.
My choice was an MB5, being my first bike. I found one, but the wheels were rusted. Another search revealed a MBX80 in bits but with two sets of wheels; this was bought and the MB5 completed.
Research showed MBXs were rare, especially the 80cc water-cooled one. Luckily there were two bikes' worth of spares to go with what I bought. It won an award at the Uttoxeter show!
The bike was brilliant to ride. After a few years I moved the bike on to a chap on the island of Guernsey. Ten years on and I restored another black model that got another top award at the Stafford show.
Still hooked, I had another frame so during lockdown I did yet another; this one in Rothmans colours with a 110cc bore kit and NOS Micron exhaust. This was a special as I didn't have a lot of the original parts but turned out really nice; this one I won't sell. The MBX is my go-to bike when I just want to go out for a bit of fun.
Here is another look at Steve's bike
