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Underbone
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Underbones or Underbone Motorcycles are a class of small motorcycles (also known as mopeds in some countries) that are halfway between true scooters and motorcycles. Underbones are popular in East Asian and South East Asian countries for their low cost, reliability and fuel efficiency. They are referred to as kapchai in Malaysia.
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Underbones are usually built around a singular tube frame (the "underbone") that supports the whole
Most underbones are still using carburetors for the fuel system, with the exception of Honda Wave 125i which uses fuel injection. While most motorcycles have their fuel tanks positioned at the top front part, the fuel tanks in underbones are located below the seats. All modern underbones use capacitor discharge ignition for the ignition system.
Underbones usually carry engines of about 50 cc to 125 cc with the largest displacement being 150 cc for bikes such as the Suzuki Raider 150.
Most modern underbone models are capable of reaching highway speeds (at least 110-120 km/h) and allowed to be used on expressways in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. However, underbones are not allowed to be used on Indonesian tollways and Philippine tollways.
Most underbone motorcycles sold in Southeast Asia comes with standard steel basket, allowing riders to carry goods. For more storage capacity, riders can also purchase optional removable storage compartment (also known as the top box), which comes with free installation of the bracket to the frame to attach the storage compartment.
Some underbone models such as Honda Wave and Modenas X-cite comes with additional storage compartment under the seat (motorcycle trunk) for more storage capacity.
Underbones developed from early moped models introduced in the early 1950s, many of which were simply bicycles with motors attached. One of the first underbone like motorcycles was the Honda Super Cub and it was arguably the success of the Cub that brought about the modern underbone. However, it was later plastic bodied, tube frame mopeds like the Honda Wave that set the modern standards from which most, if not all underbones are drawn from today.
The word "kapcai" or "kapchai" is originally a slang derived from Malaysian Cantonese and Hokkien, its origin is from the word Honda Cub. In Cantonese "Cai" means "little" or "Son". Therefore,"Kapcai" literally means a "Small Cub". Honda is a popular brand in Malaysia and as a result of this, all underbone motorbikes were called "kapchai".
Basically, the market for underbone motorcycles are mostly dominated by Japanese manufacturers. However, Chinese and Taiwanese manufacturers also produce their underbone models, but most models are copied directly from the existing models by Japanese manufacturers, which some considered as copyright violation issue. Some of the mostly copied models include Honda Cub, Honda Wave series and Yamaha Lagenda series.
MZ Motorrad of Germany currently produces underbone models not in Germany but rather in Malaysia by their main share holder, Hong Leong Group which is also the sole distributor of Yamaha motorcycle in Malaysia and Singapore.
The major underbone manufacturers are as follows:-
- Japanese: Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki
- Malaysian: Modenas, Momos Motor rebadge of Cagiva, Naza Bikers rebadge of Zongshen.
- German: MZ Motorrad
- Italy: Cagiva
- China: Zongshen, Lifan
- Thailand: Tiger Motorcycle
In South East Asia, underbones are very popular. There exists a healthy market for aftermarket and tuner parts. Many enthusiasts modify their underbones either for show, such as installing small sound systems, neon lights and custom paint jobs or for racing, like increasing the engine power and fine tuning the suspension. Illegal underbone drag racing has become popular in countries like the Philippines, this poses a problem as underbones offer little protection in the event of a crash. The most popular underbone for these purposes is the Honda XRM although similar models from Kawasaki and Yamaha are also frequently used.
The street racers who are known as Mat Rempit in Malaysia posed a dangerous manner as well to other road user beside the loud exhaust sound.
Basically, these type of motorcycles are really not meant for tuning and for high speeds. It is both dangerous for the motor itself and especially for the rider.