For the Russian consumer, the Honda brand is, first of all, a car. But in Japan, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., is the leading motorcycle manufacturer, and this is the homeland of such motorcycle monsters as Suzuki and Kawasaki. Today it is difficult to find a category of motorcycles where there are no representatives from the Honda company.
Honda motorcycle
A little history
Oddly enough, Honda owes its birth to Toyota; the fact is that since 1938. Soichiro Honda begins producing piston rings in its own garage. And already in 1940. Toyota orders such a large batch from him that Soichiro had to build a new plant. After the war, he sells his plant and creates the Honda Technical Research Institute; Toyota was the buyer of the plant, thus for the second time playing a key role in the formation of the future Honda motorcycle company.
Thanks to engines of its own design, the power of which was 2 times higher than that of analogues of that time, Honda managed to win first places in all prestigious competitions. In 1976, Honda became a leader in the world of motorcycles and began a significant expansion of its product range on this wave.
Classification of Honda motorcycle models by purpose
Honda Super sport
1. Super sport / Super sport - this class of Honda motorcycles, created on the basis of racing models, has the same lowered handlebars and rider position, massive fairings, pumped-up engines, etc. – CBR1000RR Fireblade is the best Honda motorcycle model in its class, with a capacity of 999 cc. see, it has a power of 178 horsepower with a torque of 113 Nm. – The CBR600RR has 4 cylinders with a capacity of 599cc. Motorcycle power – 120 hp.
Honda Street Fighter
2. Naked or Streetfighter. Today, the Honda Naked motorcycle lineup is extremely popular all over the world. And it started like this: one motorcyclist took the broken plastic off his sports bike and started riding around, many people liked it and a whole movement was born. Motorcyclists began to remove plastic from brand new sports bikes, naturally this did not go unnoticed by manufacturers, and the Honda company was no exception. – SV 400 – this model is officially supplied only to Australia, but this fact does not prevent the Honda SV 400 from being the best-selling “naked motorcycle” in the whole world.
3. Sports Tourer / Sports Tourer - these Honda motorcycle models are a combination of classic and sports classes. – VFR1200FD has all the advantages of Super sport models (4-cylinder engine with a capacity of 1200 cc), but at the same time has a more comfortable fit; – VFR 800F Honda engineers installed a 4-cylinder engine of 781.7 cc on this model. cm, capable of developing 109 hp. (80 Nm); – 500RA and 300RA both models are distinguished by their simplicity and ease of operation, practicality and efficiency. The models differ from each other only in engines, in the first case it is 48 horses produced by a 2-cylinder engine with a volume of 471 cubic meters. cm., and in the second - 1 cylinder with a power of 30 hp. with a volume of 286 cubes; – CBR250R, single-cylinder motorcycle with a displacement of 249 cubic centimeters and a power of 26 hp. Developed by Honda for the markets of India and Thailand, where the demand for motorcycles of this class is high; – CBR650F, this Honda model will ideally act as the first budget bike, and will also appeal to experienced motorcyclists without “Freaks”. Having an unboosted 4-cylinder water-cooled engine, it is capable of producing 78 hp. (63 Nm).
Honda Touring
4. Tourer / Touring - limousines among motorcycles, the only purpose of this Honda model is travel. An engine like a car, a huge gas tank, a comfortable seating position, the presence of a mini refrigerator, a decent stereo system, as well as an airbag, this is not a complete list of differences between the Honda Tourer and a motorcycle. – ST1300 Pan European, this Honda model is not inferior, and in some aspects it surpasses competitors from Europe and America. V4 engine, 1261 cc. cm develops 126 hp; – GL1800 Bagger is a lightweight version of the legendary GL 1800 Gold Wing. An almost 2-liter, six-boiler boxer engine with 117 horsepower is capable of accelerating this Honda to hundreds in 5.5 seconds; – GL1800 Gold Wing is the flagship of the Honda company, one of the most expensive series models in the world.
Honda Cruiser
5. Cruiser – the Honda GL1800 Gold Wing can be classified in this category, although the company itself classifies it as a Touring class. – GL1800 F6C Valkyrie has the same power unit as the Gold and a sportier look.
Honda Dragster
6. Dragster / Dragster - the constituent features of this model are: an extended wheelbase and a forced engine. – CB1300DC (SC38) – also known as X4.
Enduro tourer
7. Enduro / Enduro-tourer – Honda engineers took cross-country models as the basis for bikes of this class, resulting in a motorcycle for active recreation. – XL 600 V Transalp with a 583 cc engine, initially aimed at the European market, the Japanese created a model with a 400 cc engine – Honda XL400V Transalp.
Honda Motard
8. Motard / Supermotard - this class of motorcycles is located between the enduro and motocross models of Honda. He can move around the city and at the same time take part in serious sports competitions.
Honda Cross
9. Cross/Cross – motorcycles of this class are classified as sports equipment; they cannot travel on public roads and are not registered with the traffic police. However, there is a plus: you don’t need a license to drive.
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The Honda company was formed in the late 40s of the last century, when post-war Japan was making every effort to recover from the ruins of World War II. Honda is one of those companies in the history of which there were no grandiose scandals, shame or defeats. Even in the most difficult times, these courageous people found the strength to move on.
At this time, the company's founder, Soichiro Honda, founded a small business producing piston rings, but a year later he began assembling the first cheap mopeds. Since childhood, Soichiro Honda was possessed by the desire to design cars and motorcycles, and his genius was revealed in all its glory in the 1960s - during the heyday of the company, when Honda motorcycles began to win their first awards on the race tracks.
If in the fifties the Japanese could only imitate models from BMW and some American models, then after some time they managed to find their own style. Now other companies have begun to follow their example and even engage in outright plagiarism. Today, Honda is a recognized leader in the motorcycle world, producing the most advanced models of two-wheeled vehicles.
Prices for these Honda motorcycles have never been low, but this has not stopped them from selling a huge number of popular models all over the world. Honda motorcycles are timeless classics. And we all love her and appreciate her very much. The company produces all classes of modern motorcycles. From bikes in the spirit of Harley Davidson, to huge touring models that you can only dream of. Honda choppers are simply the embodiment of any motorcycle lover's sweetest dreams. Chrome parts, excellent design, perfect assembly. A fairy tale, not a car.
Millions of units are sold every year around the world. For a motorcycle enthusiast, buying a Honda motorcycle is not just a dream. People have been collecting money for years, looking at new models, waiting for news. The world follows every release, rejoices at successes and sincerely empathizes when a company fails. However, failures are very rare for Honda. At least when it comes to motorcycles. Today we present to you a brief chronology of the development of this brand.
1906 - Soichiro Honda was born in the Hamamatsu province of Japan into the family of a poor blacksmith. His father gradually masters the craft of a bicycle repairman, thanks to which Soichiro becomes familiar with technology for the first time.
1922 - At the age of 16, Soichiro Honda left school and became an apprentice auto mechanic and got a job in a Tokyo auto repair shop.
1928 - Soichiro Honda returns to Hamamatsu and opens his own auto repair shop. Being a fanatical racing fan, he builds his own racing car.
1936 - During the next sports racing competition, Soichiro Honda has an accident and is seriously injured.
1937 - Soichiro Honda opens a company producing piston rings. At first, his enterprise experiences difficulties, since Soichiro simply has no experience in this field. However, over time, the company became the main supplier of piston rings for Toyota, which during these years began producing its first cars.
1946 - While only a few companies prospered in Germany devastated by World War II, the Japanese motorcycle industry after 1945 numbered more than 100 manufacturers, seizing the opportunity to provide a country with a devastated economy with much-needed low-cost personal transportation. This was also facilitated by protectionist policies regarding basic duties on imported goods. Soichiro Honda is selling its piston ring business. The country is in the throes of a deep post-war crisis. Soichiro realizes that as industry, the economy and normal peaceful life are restored, affordable transport will become very popular and starts a new business - he installs small and inexpensive two-stroke motors on bicycles, which were used as generators for military radio stations during the war. Today many people call them Honda Model A.
1948 - Honda Motor Co. is founded. Ltd. Soichiro Honda focuses on technological processes, transferring control of all financial matters to his associate Takeo Fujisawa.
1949 - Honda produces its first motorcycle with a 98cc two-stroke engine. One of the assembly shop workers, seeing the new product, calls it like a dream. This name, “Dream,” stuck with the motorcycle, although it is officially known as the “Model D.”
1951 - for several post-war years, the streets of Japanese cities are crowded with loud and very unenvironmentally friendly motorcycles with two-stroke engines. Honda begins development of its first motorcycle with a four-stroke “Dream E” engine (displacement 146 cm3)
1952 - despite the fact that Soichiro Honda, by his own admission, does not like “primitive mopeds,” his company develops and begins very successful sales of Cub F mounted motors with a displacement of 50 cm3, which are installed on bicycles. The motor is sold in stores throughout Japan. Honda will continue to produce this engine for the next two years, and then Cub will become an independent brand that will be popular for several decades. Honda Cub outboard motors, which are installed on bicycles, are still popular today, for example in India.
1953 - the Honda Benly J motorcycle model with a 4-stroke 90 cm3 engine appears. It quickly gained popularity among amateur motorcycle racers and existed for two decades, leaving a memory as one of the most reliable Japanese motorcycles of the 50s.
1954 - This year, Soichiro Honda shared with his colleagues and descendants his dream of achieving success in Grand Prix motorcycle racing. He wrote: “My childhood dream was to become a motorcycle racing champion. I had to take first place on a Honda motorcycle of my own design. However, as I got a little older, I realized that before you can win championships, you need to build a strong corporate structure, establish production, and create superior design. In recent years, we have been doing this and today we offer the Japanese products of very high quality, but we have not even begun to make efforts to participate in motorcycle racing. I promise to take part in the Isle of Man TT race and will put all my energy into winning it.”
A few months later, Soichiro Honda goes to the TT motorcycle race and attends it as a spectator. There he pays close attention to the German NSU motorcycles, which were considered the favorites in the 125 and 200 cc classes. This fact may have led to subsequent rumors that Honda copied these motorcycles, although there are a number of significant design differences between the NSU and Honda models.
1957 - a number of leading Italian motorcycle manufacturers, including MV Agusta, Gilera and Mondial, announce the withdrawal of their teams from the world motorcycle championship under the pretext of high costs. MV Agusta subsequently reverses this decision and returns to racing, and racing motorcycles from other manufacturers are sold. One of them (the Mondial racing model) is purchased by representatives of Honda. Japanese motorcycle designers did not copy this Italian motorcycle. He served as their inspiration and the standard to which they aspired.
1958 - the market was shocked by the appearance of the Honda Super Cub motorcycle model (it also has such designations as C100, CA100, Honda 50). Its distinctive features are a stamped steel frame, a lever fork and a 50cc four-stroke engine. Subsequently, models with 70 and 90 cc engines appeared. This motorcycle has become the most popular two-wheeled motorized vehicle in the world.
1959 - Honda takes part in the famous Isle of Man TT championship for the first time. 5 Honda motorcycles in the “Ultralight” class with two-cylinder engines are at the start. Rider Naomi Tanaguchi achieved the team's best result, finishing sixth overall. Honda wins the manufacturer's cup.
1961 - Honda motorcycles gain complete dominance in the 125 and 250 cc classes of the Isle of Man TT Championship. Honda's Mike Hailwood took first place in both classes. The Isle of Man Examiner newspaper published on this day with the headline “East wins unconditional victory” on the front page.
1963 - Honda concentrates on Formula 1 car racing. For this reason, the motorsports industry is experiencing some difficulties. Nevertheless, sales of Honda motorcycles remain very impressive. The Honda Super Cub motorcycle model wins prizes due to its popularity. This year, Honda opens its first foreign assembly plant - a plant in Belgium.
1964 - Models with two-stroke engines begin to dominate the world class of small-capacity sports motorcycles. To successfully compete in the 250cc class, continuing to rely on 4-stroke power units, Honda releases the 3RC164 model with a 250cc six-cylinder engine. This technical work of art makes a huge impression on the world of motorsports, but it is Phil Read on a Yamaha who wins this year's championship. However, in 66 and 67, Mike Hailwood at the world championships in the 250 cc class came first to the finish line on the Honda 3RC164 motorcycle model.
1968 - 19 years after Honda rolled out its first two-wheeled vehicle with a motor, the company produces its 10 millionth motorcycle.
1969 - At the Tokyo Motor Show, Honda introduces the CB750 - a motorcycle that forever changed the idea of what a modern city bike should be.
1970 - Honda enters four drivers in the Daytona 200. Only one of them finished, Dick Mann, but he finished first, overshadowing the failure of the other team members. Riding a Honda CB750 Racing Type, specially prepared by the company's racing division, Dick Man left Triumph and Harley-Davidson XR750 motorcycles behind.
1972 - Honda designers recognize that in order to build a motocross motorcycle capable of competing on equal terms with competitors, it is necessary to develop a new two-stroke engine. The new engine was installed on the CR250 Elsinore, which immediately received recognition from athletes as one of the best motocross motorcycles.
1973 - Soichiro Honda resigns as president of the company, but remains a member of the board of directors; employees call him “Chief Advisor” among themselves.
1974 - the start of production of the legendary Honda Gold Wing model - GL1000. It was first presented to the public at a motorcycle exhibition in Cologne, and just a year later it began to be actively sold on the US market. The motorcycle has the first four-stroke liquid-cooled engine. In addition, it uses a cardan shaft as the main gear. Another innovation was the fuel pump - its installation was required because the Gold Wing had two fuel tanks - one between the handlebars and the seat and the second hidden under the seat for optimal mass balancing of the motorcycle.
1978 - Honda is trying to create a powerful sports motorcycle specifically for participation in the 500GP series of the world motorsports championship. It was the NR500 model, whose V-shaped four-cylinder engine used oval-shaped pistons. This was a real breakthrough for engine designers. However, during testing of the motorcycle, many problems were identified that were resolved only a year later. However, in the races, the Honda NR500 suffered one failure after another and ultimately did not bring the company’s motorcycle team a single victory.
1981 - Production of the Honda Gold Wing motorcycle model moves from Japan to a new assembly plant in Ohio in the USA.
1983 - Honda team driver Freddie Spencer wins the world championship in the 500cc class for the first time. Previously, the company had managed to win in this class only in the Manufacturers' Cup in 1966.
1986 - After an unsuccessful experience with V-shaped four-cylinder engines in the late 70s, Honda finally returns to this engine layout and releases the VFR750F Interceptor model. For the next ten years, this motorcycle was considered the best road bike.
1987 - the company releases the Honda CBR600F motorcycle model - the first four-cylinder streetfighter with a full plastic body kit.
1990 - Four years after the start of production, the Honda VFR750R motorcycle (special sports version) was sold in the United States for the first time. It's priced at double the price of a regular stock Interceptor model.
1991 - The company mourns the death of its founder Soichiro Honda, who died of kidney disease.
1992 - a limited edition of the legendary Honda NR motorcycle was released, which participated in MotoGP races without much success. Its civilian version is equipped with a 750 cm3 engine. and unique for its time carbon fiber body, digital instrument panel, cantilever swing arm and electronic fuel injection. Despite the widespread use of ultra-light materials, the model weighs more than 200 kilograms, and the price is breathtaking - $60,000!
1993 - the sports world is turned upside down after the presentation of the first Honda CBR900RR sportbike. The creation of designer Tadao Baba combines the power of an open class motorcycle with the weight and handling of a 600.
1995 - a new specially prepared cross-country motorcycle Honda EXP-2 with a two-stroke 400 cc engine takes first place in its class in the Grenada-Dakar rally. Its engine, thanks to the use of a floating exhaust valve, uses complete fuel combustion technology.
2001 - Valentino Rossi wins the world championship in the 500 class, riding a motorcycle with a Honda NSR500 two-stroke engine. The following year, the championship organizers abandoned races in this class.
2002 - Valentino Rossi wins the MotoGP championship on a Honda motorcycle in the 990 cc class. see model RC211V, equipped with a five-cylinder, four-stroke engine.
2004 - Honda produces a prototype motorcycle whose engine receives energy from fuel cells.
2006 - The 50 millionth model of the Honda Super Cub motorcycle is sold. In total, more than two hundred million motorcycles based on the Honda Cub engine have been produced in the world.
2007 - Honda becomes the first motorcycle manufacturer to equip one of its models (Honda Gold Wing) with an airbag.
2010 - the Honda VFR 1200F model was introduced. Although this is not a sportbike, as fans of the brand expected, no one was disappointed in the motorcycle. Its main advantage was the optional automatic transmission with two clutches, the speed of which can be changed using buttons.
Another bright premiere of this year was the Honda Fury model - a classic road motorcycle in the “chopper” style. The new product gave experts reason to say that Honda again wants to enter into fierce competition with Harley-Davidson, as it was in the 60s and 70s of the last century.
2011 - Honda makes an attempt to return to the segment of small-capacity sportbikes and succeeds with the release of the Honda CBR 250R model, equipped with a 249 cc engine. The motorcycle is produced at the company's assembly plant in Thailand and sold throughout the world.
2013 - Honda continues to expand its line of motorcycle models by developing intermediate classes. This is how sales of three models equipped with a 500 cc engine begin - CBR500R, CB500F and CB500X. At the beginning of 2014, company representatives promise to begin sales of the CBR300R model.
Well, at the end of the material I would like to say a few words about the legendary lines of Honda motorcycles: In the tourist class, the ageless Honda Gold Wing has always been in the lead. The modern model - 1800 F6B - is a luxury classic with an updated design. The chassis has been updated, and long trips have become even more comfortable. The 6-cylinder 12-valve engine with a volume of 1.8 liters has a power of 118 hp. at 5500 rpm. Tank volume - 25 liters.
The classic GL1800 Gold Wing also holds its own. For Honda, motorcycles in this series have always been favorites. They were never neglected. Therefore, every year they become better, more qualitative, more perfect. Here, too, they did not forget about good brakes, ABS and other pleasures for the driver. The powerful V6 pleases not only with a pleasant sound, but also with excellent speed. Electronic ignition and so on are present. The Goldwing five-speed gearbox is also very good.
The next popular motorcycle around the world is the legendary “400”. Initially, in the 90s, it was produced only for the Japanese domestic market and had power limitations - 53 hp. This is due to the legislation of this country, which has a limit on cubic capacity and power for non-professionals. The Honda CB 400 motorcycle that is being produced now is very different from what was produced in the 90s, even in appearance. The speed of the CB400SF model with V4 is 190 km/h. The model is so loved by the people that it has not stopped being produced since 1992, only periodically modernizing it. This is one of the best urban road builders of all time. Therefore, it is not surprising that people willingly buy used cars even with 15 years of driving experience. The Honda CB 400 motorcycle is an immortal Japanese classic that has gained an army of millions of fans.
Those who remember the legendary BigOne series have not forgotten about the flagship CB 1300 Super Four. Externally, it looks like the good old SV 1000. An open engine, a large tank, a tubular frame - everything makes it look like an old classic. Except for one thing - a modern motor and electronics. 240 kilometers per hour is what the owner of this car can afford. It weighs a lot - 250 kg. But at the same time it has very good maneuverability and excellent controllability.
The next model that I would like to mention is the Honda cbr 600 motorcycle. There are many good models in the Super Sport class. And not only from Honda, but also from other leading manufacturers. But the CBR 600 has something of its own, unique. The classic 600, produced in 1999, doesn’t seem outdated even now. Its powerful four-cylinder engine with an incomparable deep sound delights the hearts of motorcyclists all over the world. The power of this beast is 100 hp. There was another interesting sample - Honda CBR 600 °F Sport. Excellent carburetor engine, PTS and chic appearance. A car for real athletes.
From sports equipment, let's return to the one that everyone loves - choppers. These bikes are not produced for high speeds. They are bought by people who value the spirit of true freedom. For them, the road is life, and a motorcycle is a faithful horse, a companion until the end of their days. Honda Phantom (TA200) was produced for such people. Firstly, it is very convenient and easy to use. If you are a beginner, then the “start” will be easy. 200cc engine, electric starter, stylish design. This is a technique for true connoisseurs. These still fairly new Honda motorcycles were released in 2008.
Another favorite of all bikers is the custom Rebel 250. A motorcycle made with taste, for fans. 234 cubes, 18 horses, 2-cylinder carburetor engine. He looks like he came out of some old American motorcycle gang movie.
Chic and simply incomparable in design, the VT750 Shadow Spirit. This is truly a god in the world of cruisers. Available in 3 modifications: VT750DC Shadow Spirit model 2007, Honda Shadow 750 motorcycle 2010 and VT750 C2S Shadow Spirit. If you love custom bikes and know how Honda makes them, you'll love these bikes. Black Spirit of 2010 expressed a number of conceptual ideas accumulated over ten years of searching.
The VT1300 CX Fury chopper can easily be called another Japanese legend. Even in some southern state, few people consider this Honda motorcycle to be bad. Impeccable appearance and the same reliability made this model the king in its class.
Honda is a company that has not slowed down for almost 70 years and is improving its technology every year. This is the best service in the world, high-quality spare parts, hundreds and even thousands of victories in major international competitions, rallies such as Dakar. Honda has repeatedly won honorary prizes in competitions.
