GALE SPEED introduces Type-X Forged Wheels for the Hunter Cub (CT125/Trail125): Conquer forest trails with enhanced performance!

Newly developed "Type-X" wheels for the Hunter Cub vigorously pursue the art of "riding", unlocking new possibilities for adventure!

The Honda Hunter Cub has enjoyed immense popularity since its inception. Over the years, many prominent parts manufacturers have released a wide variety of custom items for it, with most specializing in utility enhancements like improved comfort and load capacity, primarily for touring purposes.

In this context, ACTIVE presented a Hunter Cub Custom at the 2025 Tokyo Motorcycle Show that dramatically departed from conventional styling.

"Conventional Hunter Cub customizations have largely focused on improving its convenience as a utility bike, such as adding racks and bags," explains Mr. Kato from ACTIVE's Planning Department. "However, we chose to prioritize performance and luxury, akin to that of high-end SUVs. As a result, this fresh custom style resonated remarkably well with our customers."

Among the numerous parts installed on the company's Hunter Cub, the new GALE SPEED Type-X (cross) forged aluminum wheels garnered particular attention.

"The Hunter Cub comes standard with spoke wheels, which pose a challenge for repairs in the event of a flat tire. There's significant demand for tubeless tires, and while modified cast wheels or tubeless-compatible wire-spoke wheels already exist," notes Mr. Fukase from ACTIVE's Development Department, "Cast wheels have the disadvantage of adding considerable weight. Conversely, wire-spoke wheels are light but often lack durability."

"Our forged aluminum wheels, however, offer the best of both worlds: they can be made lighter than cast wheels while achieving comparable durability. The Type-X is tubeless, lighter than stock wheels, and rigid enough to confidently withstand off-road riding," Mr. Fukase elaborates.

There are 14 spokes, designed to give off the feel of wire spokes crossing each other.

To ensure this robust durability, the hub area is intentionally left without any cutouts.

The design features straight spokes connecting the hub and rim flange in an intersecting pattern, creating an aesthetic reminiscent of wire-spoke wheels. The 14 ribs strategically placed on the rim evoke the look of beadlocks used on four-wheeled cross-country vehicles, giving the wheel a style rarely seen on motorcycles.

In fact, these very ribs are key to the Type-X's exceptional rigidity.

The rim flange design is inspired by the "beadlock" design of 4-wheel drive wheels, with 14 ribs ensuring superior strength.

"Many owners of cross-country vehicles and SUVs upgrade to high-end forged wheels. We believed it would be interesting to create a product that offers a similar feel for motorcycles. During the design process, strength calculations were performed using CAD, and the ribs on the rim flange result in a rim that is approximately 10% more rigid than our previous products," Mr. Fukase explains.

The meticulously chamfered rim center reflects uncompromising attention to detail in the design, even while ensuring optimal strength.

Beyond their inherent strength, forged wheels also boast the advantage of being lightweight. The Type-X wheels are exceptionally light, allowing riders to feel the difference in agility both while riding and when pushing the bike. While the Hunter Cub's stock wire-spoke wheels are already light, the Type-X wheels are an impressive 0.31kg lighter at the front and 0.4kg lighter at the rear.

Furthermore, while the 80/90-17" tires used on the Hunter Cub are originally designed for a 1.85" rim width, the stock wheels feature a 1.6" rim. Therefore, to achieve the optimal tire profile, the TYPE-X rim has been precisely set at 1.85 inches.

"The Type-X was also designed for off-road use in mind, prioritizing sturdiness over extreme lightness," states Mr. Fukase. "Impact tests were conducted at load values equivalent to those for big bike wheels. The wheels are also designed to use stock components for auxiliary parts such as collars, dust seals, and hub dampers, thereby keeping repair costs down."

Many people may think of forged wheels as being expensive, but these are set at an affordable price. Despite the production time and effort being no different from that of big bike wheels, this accessible price was achieved through relentless corporate efforts, taking into consideration the Hunter Cub's price range, user trends, and other market factors.

Stock collars, sprocket carriers, and hub dampers can be used.

Available in three colors: Gold, Gloss Black, and Solid White. Optional services such as powder coating, color anodizing, and glass coating (CR-1) are also available. (The wheels photographed here have already been coated with CR-1.)

"At the Tokyo Motorcycle Show and Nagoya Motorcycle Show, where the Type-X was first unveiled, we received an overwhelmingly positive response from customers," shares Mr. Kato. "At the Tokyo show, a customer who typically uses GALE SPEED on his big bike approached us and expressed his desire to also use Type-X on his Hunter Cub, which he owns as a second bike."

ACTIVE plans to expand the Type-X wheel collection for motard bikes and other applications in the future.

The development process significantly leveraged the expertise of Mr. Fukase (right) from the Development Department, who has experience working with automobile wheels. On the left is Isao Kato of the Planning Department.

ACTIVE's custom Hunter Cub with Type-X wheels!

ACTIVE showcased this custom Hunter Cub, equipped with Type-X wheels, at the Tokyo Motorcycle Show in March 2025. The following week, a fully customized Hunter Cub featuring the Type-X was also displayed at the ACTIVE booth during the Nagoya Motorcycle Show in Aichi Prefecture. This custom build highlighted ACTIVE's distinctive approach, incorporating both already-released items and components still under development.

Using the JA65 as a base, this custom build not only features GALE SPEED wheels but also incorporates GALE SPEED brand custom brake parts, enhancing both performance and overall quality to create a truly unique style.

The Performance Damper eliminates excess vibration and shocks to the chassis, dramatically improving ride comfort and maneuverability. (Available for purchase)

The HYPERPRO steering damper reduces handlebar wobble and provides enhanced stability. (Available for purchase)

A 9-inch, 7-row round type oil cooler. Its mounting position is recessed inward as a countermeasure to protect against damage in the event of a fall. (Product under development)

A hose-type reservoir rear shock from HYPERPRO. This not only improves road-holding ability, but also dramatically enhances ride comfort. (To be released soon)

A GALE SPEED Elaborate VRE brake lever was added to the left side of the handlebar (where there is no lever in stock configuration), allowing for the combined use of both a hand brake and foot brake. (Kit under consideration)