History of Honda Motorcycles
When you start noticing the other motorcycles on the road, you’ll start to see how many of them are Honda. The legendary Japanese motor company is one of the most popular motorcycle brands worldwide, and it is the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the United States. Their bikes can be found on highways, streets, and boulevards around the country. So how did this company become such a success across an ocean from where they were designed?
Below, we outline the history of Honda motorcycles and how they became successful in the United States. When you’re ready to take a Honda for a test ride, call or email Interstate Cycles. We’re located in Lake City, Florida, serving the areas of Gainesville, Tallahassee, Alachua, Valdosta, Jacksonville, and Sanderson, Florida. Stop by today or check out our Powersport Vehicles For Saleonline right now!
Founding & Early Years
Before Honda was the massive, globe bestriding motorsports giant it is today, it was the brainchild of an ambitious engineering school dropout named Soichiro Honda. Despite his incomplete formal training, Honda wanted to build a better quality engine for cars and motorcycles. When he founded the company in 1948, he focused on the engine, which the customer could then strap to a normal pedal bike. Later, he was able to graduate to larger bore engines designed specifically for motorcycles. Then, in 1949, Honda brought on engineer Takeo Fujisawa to push the designs to a higher level. The result was the D-Type motorcycle (the D standing for “dream”) which was released in 1949. It didn’t take long for the D-Type to explode in popularity, and it was less than a decade before Honda would become the most popular motorcycle manufacturer on the planet.
American Market Dominance
By 1959, Honda was the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world and ready to branch out into new markets. The company launched their first overseas subsidiary that year in the United States, launching the American Honda Motor Co. in Los Angeles, California. Once again, Honda’s bikes would become incredibly popular in almost no time at all, and soon the company becomes one of the largest motorcycle manufacturers in the country. It only took Honda nine years for Honda to sell one million motorcycles. Honda was able to tap into a new market by making accessible, easy-to-ride motorcycles that normal people wanted to ride.
Their next success came in 1969 when they released the CB750. Thanks to advanced engineering, the bike achieved incredible performance and is thought of as the first superbike. Its four-cylinder inline engine used an overhead camshaft engine layout that was adapted from a racing design. But since the bike was marketed for mass appeal, it was also very affordable. The bike would eventually be called “the motorcycle of the century.”
Innovation
While some brands might be satisfied with their past successes, Honda has continued to push the boundary on motorcycle innovation. The company offers a wide range of bikes that span multiple styles, from dual sports and trail bikes to cruisers, touring bikes, and of course, superbikes. As with previous eras, Honda’s racing division and their multiple successful racing teams have helped to push the innovation forward. Made with the latest materials using the newest designs, their bikes are lightweight, quick, and fun to ride. Their bikes continue to be some of the most reliable on the market, too.
Interstate Cycles carries some of Honda’s best motorcycles, so give us a call to set up a test ride. You’ll be able to see for yourself what makes Honda motorcycles so exceptional. Located in Lake City, Florida, we proudly serve the areas of Gainesville, Tallahassee, Alachua, Valdosta, Jacksonville, and Sanderson, Florida.