Does Honda still make a fat cat?
The Short Answer: No, But Let’s Talk About Cats
If you’re asking whether Honda currently manufactures a chonky feline capable of parallel parking itself in your driveway, the answer is a resounding *“meow?”* Honda’s engineering prowess has given us hybrids, robots, and engines that outlive cockroaches, but a literal fat cat remains outside their portfolio. Unless you’re referring to their 1980s ATC250ES “Big Red” – nicknamed the Fat Cat – which was less of a cuddly pet and more of a three-wheeled, mud-slapping beast. That model, sadly, went extinct in 1987. RIP, King of Dirt.
Why a “Fat Cat” Would Be Honda’s Weirdest Flex
Imagine Honda announcing: *“Introducing the 2024 Fat Cat – now with 20% more fluff and self-replenishing kibble storage!”* While the idea of a corporate-engineered cat is delightfully absurd, Honda’s focus remains on things with fewer legs and more horsepower. That said, if they *did* make a Fat Cat, we’d expect:
- VTEC Purring Technology (for sudden bursts of nap acceleration)
- Eco-Friendly Shedding Mode (hairballs now 50% more biodegradable)
- All-Wheel Cuddle Drive (perfect for climbing onto forbidden furniture)
The Real Fat Cat: A Nostalgia Trip
The original Fat Cat wasn’t feline at all – it was a rugged ATV built for farmers and off-road enthusiasts who enjoyed the phrase *“hold my soda, watch this.”* Its boxy design and comically large seat earned it the nickname, but Honda discontinued it decades ago. Today, the only “fat cats” associated with Honda are executives grinning at sales charts. Meanwhile, the rest of us are left wondering: *could a Honda-designed cat outrun a Roomba?* The world may never know.
Is the Honda 450 street legal?
Depends: Is your Honda 450 a ninja or a librarian?
The Honda 450 isn’t a single entity—it’s a family of machines with personalities as varied as your weird uncles. The CRF450L? That’s the street-legal overachiever who shows up to the dirt bike party wearing a reflective vest and carrying paperwork. Meanwhile, the CRF450X is its feral cousin who’d rather eat gravel than signal a turn. If your Honda 450 has mirrors, blinkers, and a license plate holder (bless its compliant heart), it’s probably legal. If not, you’re just riding a very enthusiastic metal cheetah on public roads.
The government’s checklist (aka “How to Not Annoy the Law”)
To be street legal, your Honda 450 needs to pass a vibe check from the DOT and EPA. Think of it like a job interview where the bike must prove it can:
- Whisper sweet emissions nothings (thanks, EPA compliance)
- Blink rhythmically like a confused robot (DOT-approved turn signals)
- See its reflection without crying (mandatory mirrors)
If your bike’s missing these, you’re not “street legal”—you’re “street hopeful.”
When in doubt, blame the state (seriously, they’re picky)
Some states act like your Honda 450 is a misbehaving Roomba: “Why is this here? Who programmed it? WHY IS IT COVERED IN MUD?” Places like California demand a smog compliance stamp, while others (looking at you, Arizona) might shrug if your bike has a headlight and a prayer. Check local laws, or just move to Montana, where “street legal” is a loose suggestion involving duct tape and optimism.
So, is your Honda 450 street legal? If it’s got the paperwork, lights, and a horn that sounds less like a kazoo? Congrats, it’s ready to commute. If not, enjoy your expensive lawn ornament.
How fast does a Honda Fat Cat go?
If you’re asking how fast the Honda Fat Cat can go, imagine a housecat wearing a tiny leather jacket—cool, quirky, and in absolutely no hurry. This 1980s oddball, officially known as the NX650, wasn’t built to break land-speed records. It was designed to chug up mountainsides, laugh at mud puddles, and occasionally commute to the grocery store for a six-pack of “motivational beverages.” Top speed? Let’s just say it’s more “scenic route” than “autobahn.”
Speed: The Fat Cat’s Philosophy (Spoiler: It’s Napping)
With a 124cc single-cylinder engine, the Fat Cat’s velocity peaks around 65-70 mph—assuming you’ve bribed it with premium fuel and a tailwind. Push it harder, and it’ll respond with vibrations that make your fillings rattle like a maraca band. This bike isn’t fast; it’s enthusiastically adequate. Think of it as the two-wheeled equivalent of a toaster oven: reliable, charming, and utterly uninterested in your deadlines.
Why Isn’t It Faster? Let’s Blame Physics (Or Maybe Goats)
- Weight distribution: Built like a tank’s friendlier cousin, it prioritizes durability over aerodynamics.
- Gearing: Optimized for climbing rocks, not outrunning sports cars.
- Intentional quirkiness: Speed would ruin its reputation as the “meme lord” of vintage bikes.
Could you mod it to go faster? Sure, if you enjoy questionable life choices. But the Fat Cat’s magic lies in its ability to make 45 mph feel like an adventure. It’s the motorcycle version of getting lost on purpose—just with more dirt stains and inexplicable grinning.
How big is the engine in the Honda Fat Cat?
Let’s cut to the chase: the Honda Fat Cat’s engine is about as “big” as a hamster wheel powered by a single, over-caffeinated squirrel. This quirky little beast—officially known as the Honda NPS50—roars to life with a 49cc, two-stroke single-cylinder engine. To put that in perspective, it’s roughly the same displacement as three espresso shots or half a hairdryer on full blast. Yet, somehow, it’s enough to make the Fat Cat scoot around like it’s late for a very important nap.
The Fat Cat’s Engine: By the Numbers (and Absurd Comparisons)
- 49cc of fury: Perfect for outpacing snails, losing races to electric scooters, and startling pigeons.
- Max power: Approximately 4.5 horsepower. That’s right—your blender might have a higher “kill count.”
- Top speed: A blistering 30 mph… if you’re going downhill with a tailwind and existential motivation.
Now, before you ask, “Is that all?”—remember, the Fat Cat wasn’t built to drag race. It was built to sip fuel like a polite British tea drinker and survive the apocalypse (or a mildly aggressive pothole). The engine’s size is the automotive equivalent of a survivalist who packs a spork instead of a shovel: small, weirdly efficient, and weirdly endearing.
Could Honda have stuffed a bigger engine into the Fat Cat? Sure, if they wanted to turn it into a lawnmower with identity issues. But the 49cc masterpiece strikes a delicate balance between “functional transportation” and “mechanical haiku.” It’s not here to flex. It’s here to putter into your heart, one comically undersized combustion cycle at a time. And honestly, wouldn’t you respect it less if it tried?
So yes, the engine is small. But in a world obsessed with “more power,” the Fat Cat’s 49cc soul whispers: “Why go fast when you can go… eventually?” Plus, you’ll never have to worry about accidentally outrunning your own charisma. Priorities, people.
