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Friday, April 6, 2012

Honda Motorcycles Possess Cross-Cultural Attraction

By Fredrick Schemm


Autos were his very first love, nevertheless Soichiro Honda's destiny was to develop the motorcycle that bore his name. Driving fast in addition to racing were activities he enjoyed, and this obsession was complemented by his mechanical knowledge, picked up from working in an auto repair shop while he was in his teens. He acquired lots of experience with riding motorcycles, because he had both an Indian, and a Harley.

Even though he already owned and operated an auto repair shop in 1928, it was only in 1948, when he was 41 years old, that Soichiro Honda started the Honda Motor Company. He needed well-made products that could very well compete, so his emphasis was on design and quality. His firm just about failed 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 being bought. 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.

Women specifically accepted it for the purpose of commuting, but novice riders of both genders loved it for its ease of use. By 1959, due to this bike, the biggest manufacturer of motorcycles was Honda. At that point they made a decision to set their sights on the global market. They believed that the USA was the key market to seize at the outset. They believed if their models were accepted by the American people, they would certainly win over the rest of the world as well. The original retail outlet promoting Honda motorcycles opened in June of 1959, in Los Angeles, and by 1960, successful dealerships, selling Honda's, were more than 75.

Honda produced more trust for their products with their community participation, when they provided half of the funding for two organizations. These were the Motorcycle Industry Council, as well as the Motorcycle Safety Council, both highly valued by fans of motorcycles. People kept championing Honda to be the number one motorcycle manufacturer during the seventies, as they continued developing new bikes which were irresistible. They were quickly thought to be the quickest bikes in the world, flowing from their winning of over 70 global races in 1973. The innovative GL1000 Gold Wing was launched in 1975, making touring bikes comfortable and stylish, and the concept was hurriedly emulated by Honda's rivals.

Honda continued to produce unique motorcycles which interest a cross-spectrum of cultures. In addition they try to maintain a good reputation with the public by donating many motorcycles each year to causes that are deemed worthy. They continue to be active in bike safety by backing training courses and ensuring that motor cyclists have the best information. Through many decades now Honda have demonstrated that their motorcycles are amongst the most reliable around. The success they already have accomplished with some of the big risks they have taken has resulted in Honda growing to be a virtual emperor of motorcycles.




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