The new rugged Honda CT125 has a name and a launch date

The new rugged version in the long line of Honda’s ‘C’ series motorcycles will be known as the Honda CT125 Hunter Cub, it has been confirmed along with a launch date at the end of this month.

Revealed at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show a year ago as a production ready-looking concept model, the Honda CT125 Hunter Cub was set to be getting its grand unveiling at the 2020 edition of the event.

However, with the coronavirus forcing the cancellation of both that and the Osaka Motor Show, Honda will take its launch online alongside a handful of others models it was planning to showcase, including an as-yet-unseen FUN concept, the updated Asia-only CBR250RR and a Super Cub 110 Special Edition.

The launch will take place at 12.00 (Japan time) on March 27 2020.

The listing therefore appears to confirm the model will be known as the Honda CT125 Hunter Cub, one of two names it trademarked – along with Trail 125 – to run with the bike. 

It is possible the Trail 125 moniker could be used in other markets, not least Europe where recent patent filings appeared to suggest Honda is considering selling this in more markets than simply Japan.

Those filings revealed earlier this month showed the final version has changed relatively little from the model that was presented in Japan twelve months ago.

Retaining a familiar silhouette that has remained relatively unchanged since the C-Series was launched way back in the 1960s, the Hunter Cub is a more robust take on the design with its pressed steel frame.

Changes to concept we can see include a revised exhaust plating and slightly different arrangement at the front-end, plus changes to the seat and pillion arrangement. The front forks have also been altered and the front fender looks to be longer too.