The NH series of Honda

Honda

is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...

 scooter

Scooter (motorcycle)

A scooter is a motorcycle with step-through frame and a platform for the operator's feet. Elements of scooter design have been present in some of the earliest motorcycles, and motorcycles identifiable as scooters have been made from 1914 or earlier...

s was sold worldwide beginning in 1983, in 50, 80, 90, 100 and 125cc versions. All models have an air-cooled two-stroke engines with CDI ignition

Capacitor discharge ignition

Capacitor discharge ignition or thyristor ignition is a type of automotive electronic ignition system which is widely used in outboard motors, motorcycles, lawn mowers, chainsaws, small engines, turbine-powered aircraft, and some cars...

. All models except the Lead 50 have leading link front suspension, electric and kick start, and a fuel gauge

Fuel gauge

A fuel gauge is an instrument used to indicate the level of fuel contained in a tank. Commonly used in cars, these may also be used for any tank including underground storage tanks.As used in cars, the gauge consists of two parts:...

. The Lead 50 has a traditional telescopic fork front suspension and only electric start. All models have drum brakes and CVT

Continuously variable transmission

A continuously variable transmission is a transmission that can change steplessly through an infinite number of effective gear ratios between maximum and minimum values. This contrasts with other mechanical transmissions that offer a fixed number of gear ratios...

 transmission.

Models

• Aero (USA, 1983-1986)
• Lead (Outside USA, 1983-1987)
• Vision (Outside USA, 1987-1994)
• Mascot (Canada)

Engine sizes

• NH 50 (49cc)
• NH 80 (79cc)
• NH 125 (124cc)

There is also a more modern Lead in 100cc, 110cc and 125cc versions.

Regional variations

There were other regional variations as well as going by a different name in the USA. Most notably, the headlights were different on the early European models. The front handlebar moulding was later changed to be common across all models, allowing the same headlights to be used. Although the specific light arrangements still vary because of the regulations in different countries. Stickers, badges and mirrors are also different across regional versions.

Other manufacturers

During the 1980s Honda

Honda

is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...

 invested in non-Japanese motorcycle manufacturing - most notably they bought a large percentage of French company Peugeot

Peugeot

Peugeot is a major French car brand, part of PSA Peugeot Citroën, the second largest carmaker based in Europe.The family business that precedes the current Peugeot company was founded in 1810, and manufactured coffee mills and bicycles. On 20 November 1858, Emile Peugeot applied for the lion...

, which resulted in Peugeot Motorcycles

Peugeot Motorcycles

Peugeot Motorcycles is a subsidiary of the French automaker Peugeot that builds small motorcycles primarily for the French domestic market.-History:...

. Elsewhere, the Kinetic Motor Company

Kinetic Motor Company

Kinetic Engineering Limited is an automotive component manufacturer in India which formerly sold two-wheelers under the brand names Kinetic Honda and later Kinetic. In 2008, it stopped selling two-wheelers after entering into a joint venture with Mahindra Automobiles, where Mahindra held the major ...

 from India, which resulting in Kinetic Honda

Kinetic Honda

Kinetic Honda was a joint venture between Kinetic Engineering Limited, India and Honda Motor Company, Japan. The JV operated during 1984 - 1998, manufacturing 2-stroke scooters in India...

. Both of these joint ventures saw the NH series given various degrees of cosmetic overhaul and released as a number of different models. Peugeot released the SC 50, SC 50L, SC 80L and SX 80L whilst Kinetic Honda released the DX, ZX, ZX Zoom and 4s.