Number One Position By Volume Of Motorcycle Makers In 1959

Vehicles were his very first love, however Soichiro Honda's destiny was to develop the motorcycle that bore his name. He adored driving fast, as well as enjoying racing, and since he worked in an automobile repair shop as a teenager, he knew the mechanical things. He had plenty of experience with riding motorcycles, because he had both an Indian, and a Harley.

Honda ran a service shop in 1928, but was 41 years old in 1948, when he initially started the Honda Motor Company. He required well-made products that might possibly compete, so his focus was on design and quality. His firm nearly fell flat in 1953, even though motorcycle sales were increasing, because of economic depression in Japan. A small quantity of motorcycles ended up selling, and since he just didn't want to put people out of work, he kept the factory open. The perception of this decision was borne out in 1958, by the introduction of what became the most successful motorcycle in the world, the C100 Super Cub. The bike, which possessed a three speed transmission along with a four-stroke motor, was a functional bike that was cheap and could be used by anyone.

Not only could new users operate it readily, but it became a way of commuting for women. The buzz of this bike skyrocketed Honda to the number one position by volume of motorcycle makers in 1959. This directed them to choose to start broadening around the world. They planned to set a precedence, and so they decided to come to the United States. They believed if their models were accepted by the American people, they would likely win over the rest of the world as well. Honda had been first offered to the American public in June, 1959, in Los Angeles, and by 1960 you could buy a Honda from any of more than 75 stores.

Honda created more trust for their products with their community involvement, when they provided half of the funding for two organizations. Individuals with a passion for motorcycling identified and appreciated the importance of these organizations, namely the Motorcycle Industry Council and the Motorcycle Safety Council. People kept championing Honda as the number one motorcycle manufacturer during the seventies, as they continued developing new bikes which turned out irresistible. In 1973 Honda cycles were the champions of over 70 races around the globe, and they were soon famous as the speediest available. During 1975 the GL1000 Gold Wing was introduced as a touring bike, which added style and comfort to touring bikes, quickly copied by other manufacturers.

Cultures world wide remain fascinated as Honda keeps producing motorcycles with their trademark appeal. Each year Honda donate a lot of motorcycles to what they deem as worthwhile causes, and this helps retain the respect and fondness with which they are regarded. They continue being active in bike safety by funding training courses and making sure motor cyclists have the best information. For a number of decades they've proven their motorcycles to be some of the most reliable of those manufactured. They have become iconic rulers in the motorcycle industry, in no small part because of their readiness to innovate irrespective of the circumstances.