History of Honda Bikes
Written by admin on January 18th, 2009The motor giant Honda originated way back in the mid 1940s. Soichiro Honda was a Japanese racing driver with a passion to bring both a cheap and economical mode of transport to as many people as possible. An astute businessman and small-time manufacturer, Soichiro began to make his dream a reality when, in 1947, he created and designed his first motorbike, the A-Type.
Whilst not a motorbike for sale as such - Soichiro purchased a bulk lot of unwanted two-stroke motors left over from World War II and modified them to be attached to a push bike - they were extremely popular. Ideal for both the city worker and country liver, the A-Type is widely regarded as one of Honda’s most influential motorbikes.
Over the coming years, several more small engined motorbikes were created, all with the pre-fix “-Type” (B-Type, C-Type and so on). The B-Type was a more powerful, 90cc version of the A-Type, which was produced in the same year, 1948, that Soichiro, along with Takeo Fujisawa, a like-minded individual with a financial mindset, established the Honda Motor Company. Whilst only a small company to start with, they had big intentions for the Honda Motor Company. However, both Soichiro and Fujisawa were not prepared for the sheer size of how big their small company was about to become.
It wasn’t until 1959 when Honda began to make a name for themselves on the motorbike racing circuit. Entering five motorcycles in the same year into the then most celebrated motorbike race in the world, the Isle of Man TT. Managing respectable positions over the coming years, 1961 saw Honda’s first Grand Prix victory, after some fine tuning of the already powerful engines, in both the 125cc and 250cc races. Throughout the rest of the 1960’s and 1970’s, Honda took home several prestigious racing accolades. However, it was in the 1980’s when Honda really began to come alive in the racing circuit. Winning their first 500cc Grand Prix World Championship with Freddie Spencer in 1982, from then on, Honda have been at the forefront of the motorbike racing world. With Mick Doohan and Valentino Rossi being the two most popular and coveted racers for Honda, they both aided Honda’s fantastic trophy cabinet.
Even today, Honda is one of the leading names in the motorcycle racing world. With copious amounts of trophies to their name for motorbike races, Honda can also hold their hands up to being one of the most medal wielding companies on the Formula One circuit. Firstly entering Formula One in the 1964 season, they have had an illustrious career ever since. Last winning the Formula One Grand Prix in 2006 with Jenson Button, Honda have had several ups and downs throughout the Formula One racing career, including the tragic 1968 year, when Jo Schlesser was involved in an accident which took his life. Honda made the decision to withdraw from all racing events this year.
Honda are a world wide name on most racing circuits. Most popular in the motorbike racing world, Soichiro Honda’s dream of taking motorbikes to the masses, as well as his own personal racing love, has without a doubt become reality. Honda Motorcycle owners are recommended to purchase Honda Motorbike Insurance and not resort to regular bike insurance to get the adequate high quality coverage required.
