The 1982 Express SR was virtually unchanged from the ’81 model except for revised decals on the sites with ‘express’ switched to upper case letters and a long stripe trailed along behind the new logo (not shown). Both Honda and Yamaha were enjoying strong demand for their modern scooter designs by 1983 and thus the decision was made to abandon mopeds all together. Honda’s decision to switch to the Aero line was likely due to the impressive overseas success of that model when it was released a couple years prior. The Express SR debuted for 1981 in both the USA and Canada and lasted just two years, with Honda’s Aero 50 taking over for 1983. All it lacked was side panels over the engine, under seat storage and a full height leg shield. While not employing all the traditional characteristics of a modern scooter, the Express SR used enough of them (electric start, oil injection, auto-choke, CVT, plastic panels) to become arguably the first modern scooter sold in North America. Perhaps concerned the modern scooter concept would be too radical for buyers, the Express SR was a way of fusing scooter practicality with Honda’s previous moped successes. The Express SR was designed during the same period as Honda was conceiving of their Aero line of fully modern scooters (called the Tact in Japan). The Express name typically brings to mind Honda’s family of 70’s mopeds, but the Express SR (model code NX50) was an interesting late addition to the family which blurred the line between a moped and a scooter.
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