History of Honda Motorcycles

For 70 years, Honda has been a major player in some of the most popular and important industries of the 20th and 21st century. While almost everyone has heard of Honda cars, those who are also interested in the powersports industry know that Honda is also a major player for motorcycle manufacturers. Today, it’s one of the largest motorcycle manufacturers in the world and has spent the last several decades improving their craft and providing you with quality machines that will last for years to come. This is because Honda motorcycles come from a long history of engineers and business innovators that prioritize excellence. Take a look at some of the highlights of Honda’s history, and then stop by Big St. Charles Motorsports in St. Charles, Missouri to see these amazing motorcycles for yourself. We welcome all patrons from St. Louis, Columbia, and St. Peters, Missouri.

Founding and Early Years

The year is 1948. An engineering school dropout by the name of Soichiro Honda just can’t seem to get away from his love for cars and motorcycles, tinkering with engines and finding ways to improve the quality of the ride. This led him to assembling a bicycle with a smaller engine mounted to it and then later moving on to larger engines and bigger bikes. A year after beginning the company, Honda hired Takeo Fujisawa to help him engineer the D-Type motorcycle, the first true motorcycle for the company. This wasn’t just their first motorcycle, but the start of a massive breakthrough into the market. Within the next ten years, Honda would secure the title of the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer.

American Market Dominance

With their reputation catapulting them through global markets, Honda launched an overseas subsidiary in 1959: the American Honda Motor Co. Located in Los Angeles, California, Honda quickly took over the American motorcycle market, selling their one millionth U.S. bike by 1968. Part of the appeal was the stark difference in style. Many American motorcycle companies had created a big muscle aesthetic. Honda provided slimmer, more practical models for the average rider that wanted a simple way to travel from one place to another.

In 1969, Honda unveiled one if it’s most important motorcycles of the 20th century: the CB750. In fact, this bike was so influential that it was named “Motorcycle of the Century.” This bike raised the engineering bar by adding a four-cylinder engine with an inline cylinder, overhead camshaft layout, something that had originally been made for racing bikes. Eventually, they classified this motorcycle as a superbike because the superior engineering, combined with the race bike performance, put this motorcycle in a league of its own. Not to mention, it was still offered at a lower price to make it appealing to average buyers. It’s often regarded as one of the most influential motorcycles ever made.

Innovation & Imagination: Honda’s Current Bikes

Today, Honda still dominates the motorcycle market with their excellent bikes, innovative engineering practices, and affordable prices. They offer even more awesome models like the Gold Wing®, which is better suited for long-distance riding, and the RC213V-S supersport bike, a bike built for speed. With each new ride and upgrade, Honda raises the industry’s standards again and again. They’ve also diversified the types of motorcycles they offer, so no matter what you need from your bike, there’s a Honda model that will perfectly fit your needs.

Want to check out some models for yourself? Need a little more convincing? Stop by Big St. Charles Motorsports and let our experienced staff know how we can help you. We’re located in St. Charles, Missouri, near St. Louis, Columbia, and St. Peters.