Honda, the well-known car and motorcycle brand, has been a household name in Vietnam for a long time. However, not many people are aware of the rich history behind this world-renowned motorcycle company.
>> The History of Honda Motorcycle (Part 1)
>> The History of Honda Motorcycle (Part 2)
Emerging from a solid foundation of technology…
In the 1970s, Honda introduced the Amigo, a two-stroke moped. The production cost of the Amigo’s small two-stroke engines was significantly lower compared to four-stroke engines, which marked the beginning of a new era for two-stroke motorcycles.
Honda Amigo
In February 1970, Honda entered the off-road three-wheeler market with the ATC90. With a growing presence in this segment, Honda developed the All Terrain Vehicle (ATC) technology for three-wheelers. Alongside the three-wheelers, Honda also improved their range of two-stroke and four-stroke motocross bikes.
Honda ATC
After establishing dominance in Europe, Honda’s racing bike based on the CB750 emerged victorious in a major race in the United States. This win drew the attention of the American public to Honda’s formidable presence on race tracks. Honda continued to enhance their engines, increasing the 500cc-four engine to 550cc and the 350cc engine to 360cc.
The 250cc and 350cc motorcycles also underwent consistent design improvements. The continuous advancements in Honda’s sports models led to the introduction of the first automatic transmission for the CB750A in 1976 and the improved three-valve V-twin engine for the CR 250 motocross bikes.
GL 1000 Gold Wing
In the late 1970s, Honda introduced the SL 250 trail bike, designed for both off-road and on-road usage. Building on the success of the SL 250, Honda strategically entered the touring bike market with the GL 1000 Gold Wing. Featuring a premium 180-degree V-four engine with water cooling, the GL 1000 redefined the concept of comfortable and convenient travel. Equipped with a shaft drive, disc brakes, and a sleek 4.8-gallon fuel tank (compared to the standard 6-gallon tank of Harley bikes), the GL 1000 set the benchmark for comfort and luxury.
Entering the 1980s, Honda achieved new milestones such as obtaining a license to manufacture large-displacement motorcycles in the United States. They immediately introduced the CBX 1047cc with a 6-cylinder engine, and an enhanced version of this bike emerged victorious in the Isle of Man race.
…To Pioneering in the New Century
To showcase their technological leadership, Honda introduced the first turbocharged engine for motorcycles in 1982. In the custom bike market, Honda launched the Honda Shadow – an amalgamation of classic design and cutting-edge technologies such as water cooling and shaft drive. Unlike other heavy custom bikes, the Shadow was designed to be versatile and excel on various terrains.
Honda Shadow
Following the success of the Shadow in the US market, Honda made significant investments in this market. They established Honda’s Research Center in the US in 1984, responsible for developing new products tailored to the roads, preferences, and lifestyle of the American market.
Throughout the 1990s, Honda continued to conquer the world with technological advancements and a profound understanding of different market cultures. In October 1989, Soichiro Honda was honored at the Automobile Hall of Fame in the US.
Honda Cub in the future
Building on the foundation laid by Soichiro Honda, Honda looks towards the next 50 years after 50 years of relentless development. Honda is committed to continuing what has made it special and successful. Recognizing technological advancement as a crucial path, Honda assures its customers that what they envision today will be available at Honda showrooms tomorrow. And above all, the passion will continue to burn, propelling Honda to lead the way into the new century.
Thao Anh (Based on TTTD)
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