Honda built the ST90 bike for only three years in the 1970s. But the low-power motorcycle’s cult following continues to grow. The 1973 Honda ST90 recently for sale on eBay is an unrestored survivor.
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Why the Demand?
The Honda ST90’s appeal may not be obvious. It has such a modest motor (six horsepower at best) and just three speeds. But its low sales when the bike was new are vital to its desirability today.
The ST stands for Sport Trail, and the 90 is the engine size in cubic centimeters. It’s the more rugged follow-up to the Honda CT70/CT90/CT110 line from the 1960s. Those bikes were a big hit in the States, particularly if you were in your early teens and had access to land to ride on. They were enormously fun to ride. Unburstable engines with simple three-speed semiautomatic transmissions made the CTs novice-friendly. They sold very well.
When the ST replaced the CT range in 1973, Honda had high hopes for another home run. The new bike was reportedly a hoot to ride. However, making the ST slightly larger than the CT caused confusion with the public, as it brought the ST more in line with Honda’s other small bikes.
Sales were disappointing. After just two years, at the end of 1975, Honda stopped production. But the Honda ST90 was a fine piece of kit, featuring Honda’s ingenious stamped-steel frame, Ceriani front forks - opens in new window or tab., folding handlebars, and a frame sized to accommodate children and adults alike.
Now that the original riders of these machines are grown up and have more spending power, supply is straining against demand. That bolsters the value.
Original Survivor
There's nothing wrong with a mirror-finish paint job and a raft of new-old-stock parts to top off a restoration. But there’s something extraordinary about a bike past its 50th birthday that still looks good. This unrestored Honda ST90 ticks those boxes.
The 1973 example has minor imperfections, and it isn’t overly shiny. It appears to be a factory original, not a resto. The many fasteners don’t look like they were recently removed from a package. Aside from the reupholstered seat, this ST90 looks like the real deal—a mostly original bike in superb condition.
Good examples of little classic Honda bikes—CTs - opens in new window or tab., STs, Monkey Bikes - opens in new window or tab., or even the ubiquitous Super Cub - opens in new window or tab.—have sustained long-term demand. The ST’s limited production run suggests that demand will continue to outstrip supply.
This is a small classic bike that’s road-legal and rugged. It’s as usable to ride today as it was a half-century ago. What’s not to like?
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