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IMPORTANT MODEL The Honda motorcycle F-Type 50 cc Cub will later involve in the 50 cc Super Cub (1958). This smart combination between a moped and a scooter was a very important model in the history of Honda Motorcycles and a key factor in the future success of the company. Do you want to learn more about the specifications of the Honda 50cc Super Cub, click here. |
Just to give you an idea of the impact this had in the history of Honda motorcycles:
In November 1952, their production of 7,000+ units represented 70% of the total outcome of Japanese motorcycles for that year.
Thanks to the 50 cc Cub, from 1953 to 1954 Honda Motorcycles lead sales in the local market. It’s worth mentioning that those were very competitive days. There were many manufacturers competing for a very fast growing and demanding market.
ANOTHER KEY MODEL Although certainly modeled after German motorcycles, the sales of the J, JA, JB and JC models were the cash cow for Honda in those early, difficult years. As we know, Honda was close to closing business in 1954 and ended up convincing Banks to loan Honda enough money to allow the purchase of US and German made machine tools. This upgrade in machine tool technology was a key component in allowing Honda to produce the later bikes that came to dominate the world in the early 60's. The sales of the J-Series is a key part in the history of Honda and often overlooked. |
As from 1955 and after going public in the Tokyo Stock Market, the success of the less expensive models - particularly the 50cc Super Cub - permitted to Honda Motorcycles a very healthy business practice:
-->To ensure that low cost motorbikes were sold in a number big enough to maintain $$$ the development of the higher level motorcycles as the 250/350 overhead camshaft machines.
Honda Motorcycles also understood very quickly that Production had to be backed by Sales Promotion, and following their always innovative spirit Honda Motorcycles were:
• The first Japanese manufacturer to export to the United States in September 1954.
• The first to build their own racetrack to fine tune their machines inhouse, May 1958.
• The first to go abroad with American Honda Motor Co., Inc. in Los Angeles, 1959.
• The first manufacturer to offer a One Year Guarantee.
Another model of that time worth mentioning was the CS71.
Before 1958, most Japanese motorcycles were copies of American and European motorcycles, but this machine inspired in the C70 Series, finally and definitely gave birth to a unique Japanese style.
There is an anecdote that says that Soichiro Honda, at the time deeply involved with mysticism, designed these motorcycles following the lines of a typical Shinto Temple.
For that time, the 348 pounds, 250cc, 18hp, 75 mph, with electric starter motorcycle was a definitely a dream machine!
IMPORTANT MODEL The Honda Dream CS71 (1958). This was the first sport model from Honda Motorcycles and a beautiful machine that will later involve in the CB72 (1960). The CB72 became very popular in the whole world due to its excellent cost/performance ratio. |
Then came 1959 and Honda Motorcycles made their debut in the Isle of Man TT, the biggest race on earth for that time. This event was considered back then as the Tour of France, the Soccer World Cup or the Super bowl of motorcycling.
After an exciting race, the team obtained the 6th, 7th, 8th and 11th places with four of their five riders. This gave to the “rookies” their first team victory and marked the entrance of Japanese Motorcycles to the global and competitive scene.
IMPORTANT
DATE AND EVENT 1959
at the Isle of Man TT. If
you want to learn more about the
Isle of Man TT, click here.
And the history of successes of this great company goes on and on...
... I would need a to write a whole book to tell you about all the important facts, events and models in the history of Honda Motorcycles. This page would never be long enough!
So, instead, I have decided to guide you through the evolution of Honda Motorcycles using some of their most representative models.
Click on the links below and you will find general information and technical specifications for each of the models.
Links will open in a new window. Don’t forget to come back! :-)
HONDA MOTORCYCLES 1950's 1950
Dream D-type 1960's 1960
CB72 1970's 1970
CT70 1980's 1981
CX500 1990's 1992
CBR900RR FireBlade The 2000's are still being written, but we have some new models that will definitely make it to this list. Just check the CBR1000 RR and the NRX1800 Valkyrie Rune. |
If you think this list is incomplete and you would like to add something, please do not hesitate to send me your comments, favorite model and even photos and I would happily add them to this site.
Just click here to go to the contact form and send me your message.
Looking
for more IN DEPTH information about Honda Motorcycles?
Check
out this books:
Do you need Motorcycle
Parts for your Honda? Get them at Bike
Bandit. Easier than buying books at Amazon! Click here.
Looking for Honda motorcycle dealers?
Perhaps Vintage Honda Motorcycles?
Honda motorcycle parts, Click here.
Well this is it for this page on Honda Motorcycles. Interested in
more information about Japanese Motorcycles? Visit the pages about
Suzuki, Yamaha and Kawasaki motorcycles.
Didn't find what you were looking for? Try Google.
Enjoy the ride!
Daniel
Levy
www.Japanese-Motorcycles-Only.com
P.S. Do you own a Honda or any other Japanese motorcycle? Why don't you send me your picture and your story, I would happily add it to this site. Click here to go to the contact page.
Honda Motorcycle
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