Facts About Honda Motorcycles
The Honda Motor Company began building motorcycles in 1946 with its 2-cycle motorbikes and started exporting small motorcycles to the United States in 1959 by opening offices in Los Angeles. By the 1970s Honda matched or dominated most of the U.S. domestic market and chased away British-made motorcycles Norton and Triumph.
Small Package
Honda developed its 49cc Super Cub in 1958 and it remains in production today with 60 million sold worldwide.
Breakthrough
The Honda CB125 sold in the United States between 1973 and 1985, and it popularized the use of light motorcycles for daily transportation with its 122cc engine generating 12 horsepower, which is just enough to handle freeway speeds.
More Power
Hondas powered by 174cc engines in 1967 to 1979 included the CD 175, the sports-style CB 175 and the off-road CL 175. These could comfortably keep up with modern freeway traffic.
Nighthawk
The CB 250 Nighthawk, still produced today, hits the right note with a 234cc engine, more powerful than the 125 and 175 models, but easy to handle for the inexperienced rider.
Valkyrie
The 1999 to 2003 Valkyrie is equipped with a high-performance 1520cc engine and could be equipped as a tourer with a windscreen, saddlebags and cargo compartment for extended travel.
Racing
The NSR 500 is developed in 1984 to compete in the Grand Prix 500cc class, winning ten 500cc championships and more than 100 first-place finishes in other races through 2002.
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