Motorcycles By Honda Surely have Appealed To Many Nationalities

Soichiro Honda's obsession was motor vehicles, but, paradoxically, he designed Honda motorcycles. Driving fast plus racing were endeavors he enjoyed, and this passion was complemented by his mechanical knowledge, picked up from working in an auto repair shop while he was in his teens. He owned both a Harley Davidson and an Indian, and he was in fact quite experienced at motorcycle riding.

It appeared to be only when he was 41, in 1948, that Honda began his very own Honda Motor Company, but he had already owned an auto repair shop, starting way back in 1928. He believed he needed to design it well, and make it well, to compete well, so his primary focus was on design, followed by quality. In spite of motorcycle revenue being on an upward trend in 1953, the economic depression in Japan almost sank his company. A small amount of motorcycles had been selling, and since he just didn't want to put people out of work, he kept the factory open. The perception of this judgement was borne out in 1958, by the release of what became the most successful motorcycle in the world, the C100 Super Cub. The bike, which possessed a three speed transmission and a four-stroke motor, was a versatile bike that was cheap and could be used by anyone.

Folks new to motorcycles found it easy to use, and it soon found a big following amongst female commuters. Honda reached the standing of the largest manufacture of motorcycles by 1959, mainly because of the success of this bike. This led them to decide to start extending around the world. They felt that the United States was the most important market to take at the outset. Acceptance by the American public would signify acceptance by the rest of the world. June of 1959 noted the first time a Honda could be bought from a retail store in America, namely in Los Angeles, and the number of well-to-do dealerships had mushroomed close to 75 just a year later.

Through community involvement , largely through sponsoring 50% of the funding needed by a pair of organizations, Honda became a trusted brand. The organizations, each of which were sincerely appreciated by motorcycling enthusiasts, were the Motorcycle Safety Council and the Motorcycle Industry Council. Honda went on to develop new motorcycles during the 1970's, which people couldn't get enough of, keeping them atop the industry. Their versions won more than 70 races all over the world in 1973, giving them the reputation of the fastest bikes around. The ground breaking GL1000 Gold Wing was launched in 1975, making touring bikes comfortable and stylish, and the style was hurriedly emulated by Honda's competition.

Honda continued to develop innovative motorcycles which interest a cross-spectrum of cultures. In addition they try to maintain a good reputation with the public by donating many motorcycles each year to causes that are deemed worthy. Bike safety keeps benefiting by Honda's sustained funding of training courses and dissemination of important information for the promotion of motorcycling safety. Through many decades now Honda have confirmed that their motorcycles are amongst the most reliable around. The success they already have accomplished with some of the big risks they have taken has contributed to Honda becoming a virtual emperor of motorcycles.