Honda Motorcycles

About Honda

Honda is the largest motorcycle manufacturer in Japan and has been since it started production in 1955. At its peak in 1982, Honda manufactured almost three million motorcycles annually. By 2006 this figure had reduced to around 550,000 but was still higher than its three domestic competitors.

Soichiro Honda began producing motorcycles in 1946 to satisfy a thirst for cheap transportation in war devastated Japan. Honda began his effort by installing military surplus engines in bicycles. As Honda became more prosperous, he designed his own 50cc engine for the bicycles. The first motorcycle that featured a completely Honda designed motor and frame was produced in 1949. It was called the Model D for Dream. Soon Model J Benly appeared.

Honda wanted to sell a more powerful motorcycle that led to the 146cc over head valve four-stroke E-Type Dream with a top speed of 50mph. The motorcycle featured Honda's own designed frame and suspension on both wheels.

In 1952 Honda began producing the Cub with two-stroke engine. Its big sales became basis for future development.

In 1953 Honda began producing a four-stroke single powered motorcycle featuring more engineering sophistication. This small motorcycle was also called a Benly and featured a three-speed gearbox, pressed steel Frame, rear suspension with the engine and swinging arm on a sprung pivot, and telescopic front suspension and produced 3.8bhp.

A revolution in the motorcycle industry began in 1958 when Honda brought the C100 Super Club to the American market. It was the first Honda motorcycle sold in the U.S. The small step through design was easy to ride reliable bike. It was featured in the famous “you meet the nicest people on a Honda” marketing campaign that eventually made the C100 motorcycle the best selling motorcycle of all times. Eventually more than 30 million would be built.

CB models included the CA72 (250cc) and followed by the CA77 (305cc). The parallel twin engines proved very reliable, however their stamped steel welded frames handled poorly at higher speeds.

Performance and handling improved when the company bolted the little parallel twin engines to a steel tubular frame and added twin carburetors for more power. The motorcycles were known as the CB 72 and 77 super hawk models and gained a reputation of reliability.

The first commercially successful large motorcycle was the CB450, brought out in 1965 and called the black bomber. This innovative engine featured torsion bar valve springs that allowed high rpm and was the first serious effort by Honda to challenge English dominance in the American marketplace.

This was followed in 1969 with the Honda CB750 four. A powerful and reliable motorcycle that dominated the motorcycle market. The success of the CB 750 4 cylinder Honda led to a series of smaller Honda motorcycles with 350, 400, 550 cc motors and ushered in the era of the universal Japanese motorcycle.

This design would reach its fruition when it morphed into the cult classic inline 6 cylinder CBX in 1978.

The reliability and power of the four cylinder Honda 750 soon led to a new kind of motorcyclist, the long distance touring rider. Craig Vetter designed a full fairing for the motorcycle called a Windjammer. Before long thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts were touring the countryside on their motorcycles behind a Windjammer.

In 1974 Honda brought out the GL1000 Gold Wing. The motorcycle featured a flat four cylinder 999cc a water cooled engine with power delivered through a driveshaft. It proved to be as reliable as the cars of the day. Soon thousands of Goldwings were bought up and converted to touring motorcycles by their new owners.

With interest running so high for touring models, Honda brought out the Interstate model in 1980. This was the first Japanese produced motorcycle to roll off the assembly line as a complete touring motorcycle. The motorcycle featured a full fairing, trunk and saddlebags.

In addition to touring motorcycles, Honda began developing a series of V-four engines in the 1970s. This led to the production of the Honda Sabre and Magna in 1980. These two models led to a whole series of VF designated high performance motorcycles ranging between 400cc and 1000cc. But due to mechanical problems the VF line was unable to sustain itself.

Following the VF was the new VFR series of motorcycles. The VFR 750R was a sport touring motorcycle with lots of power, good balance and reliability. In 1996 Honda produced the fastest motorcycle in production with the CBR1100XX Super Blackbird (1137cc). The motorcycle became popular with the long range high speed touring crowd.

Soichiro Honda died on August 5, 1991 of liver failure.

Honda's entry into the U.S. motorcycle market during the 1960s is used as a case study for teaching introductory strategy at business schools worldwide. There are a few theories explaining their great success.

Moto blog

The unseen Honda collection

IN AN UMARKED warehouse in Torrance, California, lies a collection of classic Honda cars and motorcycles from the past four decades - most have never been seen by public eyes.The collection was started by a former executive of American Honda, Tom Elliott, Honda USA's executive vice president for sales, John Mendel, tells the New York Times.“The problem was, we kept turning up more and more significant models that we couldn’t let go of,” said Mr. Mendel. We just kept parking them in this warehouse.

Top Motorcycle News of 2009

The year is coming to a close so let’s take a look back at the top stories of 2009 in the world of motorcycles after the jump. Buell Motorcycles Shut Down Harley-Davidson made the shocking announcement Oct. 15 it would discontinue Buell Motorcycles.

honda design book

Those of you with a penchant for coffee table books will love this little gem from Japan. Honda Design 1957-1984 does exactly what it says on the tin and allows us an insight to the work behind many of our favourite motorcycles. Sketches, pre-production drawings and plenty of retro pictures of a golden era.

Electric Moto Corporation

After launching their website last week, the California based Electric Moto Corporation has now announced the IPG Group as their agency of record to help increase brand awareness and bring in some investor interest.  According to their website, other then the EMAX 72 DS electric motorcycle, there is a scooter, ATV, bicycle and a personal watercraft on the drawing board. Some available specs after the jump. Weight:  210 lb Voltage:  72 V Capacity:  14 kW Top Speed:  60 mph HP (approx):  21 Torque:  40 Nm Range:  3 hrs Construction:  Aluminum Wheels (front/back):  21/19 Hubs:  Talon Brakes:  Disc/F&R Type:  Brembo Suspension:  Ohlins Price (est):  $9,995 Mitch Leonard is the newly appointed CEO of Electric Moto Corporation and has more than eighteen years in the motorcycle industry.  Leonard, credentials include working with: American Honda Racing, Pro Circuit Racing, Suzuki Racing, Yoshimura Racing, Troy Lee Designs, Showa Suspension, Ohlins Suspension and Dunlop Tire.

2010 Honda CB Twister Launch [video]

UPDATE:  READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE! Unveiled last Friday in India, this new Honda motorcycle features an air-cooled 4-stroke single-cylinder 110cc engine, gets 164 mpg and will sell for $900 US!  How do they do it?  Volume!  It will only be available in India (world’s second biggest motorcycle market) at the end of February, 2010. Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Do You See the Motorcycle?

The Honda crotch rocket rider was traveling at approximately 85 mph. The VW driver was talking on a cell phone when she pulled out from a side street, apparently not seeing the motorcycle. More photos after the jump.

Honda VFR1200 blog: Dearly Beloved

FOR WHAT we are about to receive... We all know motorcycling's a religion, which may be why Honda chose a defunct church to launch the 2010 VFR1200F - the bike the company reckon will take the sports-touring market by storm. Rain-soaked Spain is the venue for the European launch of the all-new Honda VFR1200F.

You Know the Economy is Hurting Manufacturers When…

Yamaha Motor Co. announced Monday that it is cutting the ringers from its company rugby team. The Yamaha Jubilo rugby club competes in the Top League, the highest level Japanese Rugby Football Union pro league.  The team currently sits fifth out of 14 teams with a 3-2-2 record with a roster of 17 professional players including nine non-Japanese imports.

Honda VFR1200F – First Impressions

Honda’s new VFR1200F in action at Sugo in Japan. UPDATE: 2010 Honda VFR1200F Review -  First Ride Article I’m here at the Sugo Sportsland racetrack in Japan, an odd place for what seems to be a sport-touring machine like the new VFR1200F. But my time at Sugo today was one of the most incredible riding experiences of my career.

Best Helmet Designs from the 2009 MotoGP Season

Unlike with most athletes, motorcycle racers’ faces remain hidden during competition. Except for promotional events or pre- and post-race interviews, the faces of our racing heroes are shielded under protective helmets with tinted visors. You don’t see the same human emotion in their faces like you can when soccer players score a goal or baseball players hit a home run.