The Illustrious History of Honda® Motorcycles
As one of the leading international motorcycle manufacturers, Honda has a long legacy of creating convenient and compact transportation for commuters, long-distance riders and avid motorcycle enthusiasts alike. It might interest you to know just how long Honda has been in business and when their first motorcycles were created.
Cowboy Powersports in Beaumont, serving Pasadena and Lake Charles, is your Lone Star State Honda® motorcycle dealer. Read on to learn more about the fascinating history of the Honda enterprise and its motorcycles.
Early Days
Japanese founder Soichiro Honda attended engineering school, but grew tired of its rigidity. He wanted to build engines that would be efficient and powerful. In 1948, Soichiro founded the Honda Motor Company, naming it after himself, and began to construct small engines for motorcycles.
After launching his company, Soichiro met another engineer named Takeo Fujisawa via a business contact and hired him to assist with creating vehicles that were easy to ride and accessible to many different people. Honda himself worked on the model launches, leaving Fujisawa to conquer the finances.
The first Honda motorcycle was called the D-Type, with “D” standing for “Dream.” When it rolled off assembly lines, the D-Type motorcycle proved extremely popular with the public and helped the company to expand beyond Japan’s shores.
Conquering America
In 1959, the American Honda Motor Company was launched in Los Angeles, California, becoming Honda’s first overseas division. Soon, Honda was the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer. In 1968, the company sold its one-millionth motorcycle in the United States, thanks to their unique marketing approach.
Instead of trying to build big, bulky muscle bikes, Honda focused on smaller commuter motorcycles, constructing an ad campaign around the concept, “You meet the nicest people on a Honda.” This unique approach led to everyday citizens purchasing Honda motorcycles to use for running errands, pleasure rides and daily commuting. The affordability of Honda’s bikes also helped the company to succeed.
Into the Future
Today, Honda has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a small engine company developed by an engineering student. Honda became the leading motorcycle manufacturer for the common man, producing a wide variety of motorcycles for all types of riders from many unique backgrounds. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get a really fast and powerful Honda motorcycle. The long-distance Gold Wing motorcycle and the company’s supersport bikes prove that Honda offers plenty of diversity in its product lines.
Ready to check out some Honda motorcycles? Visit our Beaumont, TX, dealership today to view our full stock of new and used Honda motorcycles for sale. We can even assist you with financing options on your purchase. Cowboy Powersports proudly serves the cities of Lake Charles and Pasadena, TX.