Small bikes have always been fun. Not ironic fun. Not “you’ll appreciate it eventually” fun. Just straight-up, uncomplicated fun. Honda figured that out decades ago with its legendary “You meet the nicest people on a Honda” campaign, which basically rewired how people saw motorcycles. They didn’t have to be loud, scary, or rebellious. They could be friendly, approachable, and part of everyday life.
That idea never really went away. Even now, some of the best rides aren’t on big, expensive machines loaded with tech and ego, but on small bikes that make you grin at 25 mph and laugh at how little effort everything takes. Which brings us neatly to this thing. The AJS Imber.
If you’re not familiar with AJS, you’re not alone. The name sounds like something pulled from a dusty British racing book, and that’s because it is. AJS is a historic UK marque dating back to the early 1900s, once known for proper motorcycles and real racing success. Today, AJS Motorcycles exists in a very different form, focused on small-displacement bikes designed to be affordable, approachable, and unintimidating.
Modern AJS bikes are designed and supported out of the UK, but built in China for the European market to full Euro 5+ standards. That’s not a scandal, it’s reality. Outsourcing production is what keeps bikes like the Imber affordable, while AJS handles specs, emissions compliance, and aftersales support. Without that setup, this bike simply wouldn’t exist at this price.
And yes, let’s address the elephant in the room. Or rather, the Honda CT125-shaped elephant. Yes, the Imber looks a lot like a Honda CT125 Hunter Cub. Like, a lot a lot. Step-through frame, semi-automatic gearbox, high-mounted exhaust, chunky tires, spoked wheels, and a rear rack ready for groceries, camping gear, or questionable weekend decisions. It’s not subtle about where the inspiration came from.
And it's easy to see why. The Hunter Cub formula works. And AJS isn't alone in making Hunter Cub-inspired machinery. Yamaha, too, is guilty of this with the PG-1, something I'll tell you a whole lot more about very soon. It’s practical, unintimidating, and charming in a way that makes riding feel relaxed again. The Imber simply asks a modern question. What if we made this idea accessible to people who don’t want, or can’t afford, Honda money?
Under the rugged cosplay is a simple 125cc air-cooled SOHC engine paired with a semi-automatic clutch and four-speed gearbox. No clutch lever. No drama. Just twist, click, and go. It’s the kind of setup that lowers the barrier to entry so much that riding starts to feel casual again. You’re not thinking about technique or perfection. You're just riding for the sake of it.
And that’s where bikes like the Imber really make sense. They’re light, easy to manage, and completely unintimidating. They don’t punish mistakes. They don’t demand commitment. They encourage messing around. Ride to work. Take the long way home. Turn down a gravel road just because it’s there. Park it anywhere without stress.
Is it as polished as a Honda? Probably not. The Hunter Cub looks like it was engineered by people who lose sleep over tolerances and long-term durability, and in places like the Philippines where I'm from, gray market Hunter Cubs sell for more than triple the US MSRP. Meanwhile, the Imber looks like it was built to hit a price point and still offer that retro charm.
That price matters. In the UK, the AJS Imber carries an SRP of £2,349 including VAT, which works out to roughly $2,900 to $3,000 USD depending on exchange rates. That’s a big part of the appeal. It puts this style of bike within reach of riders who just want something fun, functional, and easy to live with.
So yeah, if a Hunter Cub lookalike with a friendly price tag is what helps more people get around on two wheels, that’s a win. Small bikes have always been about freedom without pressure. The AJS Imber just carries that idea forward in its own slightly cheeky, budget-conscious way.
And honestly, that feels very much in the spirit of meeting the nicest people on a motorcycle.
Source: AJS Motorcycles
