Quality Is A Priority

Honda motorcycles were designed by Soichiro Honda, but his passion was vehicles. He loved driving really fast, as well as enjoying racing, and since he worked in an automobile repair shop as a teenager, he knew the mechanical things. He owned both a Harley Davidson as well as an Indian, and he was quite experienced at motorcycle riding.

Despite the fact that he already owned an automobile repair shop in 1928, it was only in 1948, when he was 41 years old, that Soichiro Honda started the Honda Motor Company. He paid plenty of attention to quality, because he trusted that to compete he needed well-designed products that were made well. His business almost went under in 1953, even though motorcycle sales were increasing, due to economic depression in Japan. He kept his factory in operation so as to avoid laying off people, even though only a small number of motorcycles were actually selling. It turned out to be a good decision, because in 1958 the most successful motorcycle ever, the C100 Super Cub, was launched. The bike, which had a three speed transmission along with a four-stroke motor, was a functional bike that was cheap and could be used by anyone.

People new to motorcycles found it easy to use, and it soon found a big following amongst women commuters. Honda arrived at the standing of the largest manufacture of motorcycles by 1959, mainly because of the success of this bike. They determined that it was time for advancement all over the world. They wanted to set a precedence, so they elected to come to the United States. Achieving success in America would undoubtedly bring about success worldwide, they believed. The original retail outlet selling Honda motorcycles opened in June of 1959, in Los Angeles, and by 1960, successful dealerships, selling Honda's, were more than 75.

By way of community involvement , mainly through sponsoring 50% of the funding needed by two organizations, Honda became a trusted brand. People with a passion for motorcycling accepted and appreciated the significance of these organizations, namely the Motorcycle Industry Council and the Motorcycle Safety Council. In the 70's the Honda company kept developing new models that people just couldn't resist, and they stayed number one in the industry. Their motorcycles won more than 70 races around the world in 1973, giving them the reputation of the fastest bikes around. The ground breaking GL1000 Gold Wing was launched in 1975, making touring bikes comfortable and stylish, and the style was hurriedly emulated by Honda's rivals.

Innovative motorcycles, attractive to different cultures, have continued to be made by Honda. Every year Honda donate numerous motorcycles to what they deem as worthwhile causes, and this helps retain the respect and fondness with which they are regarded. They remain active in bike safety by funding training courses and making sure motor cyclists have the best information. Over many decades now Honda have demonstrated that their motorcycles tend to be amongst the most reliable around. A number of the big chances they have taken, have presented them such a profitable empire in motorcycles.