The History of Honda Motorcycles

Soichiro Honda started his own company in 1937 to develop piston rings for Toyota. Though the initial designs were rejected, he eventually became an important supplier of these parts. Honda sold his business in 1946 after the building was bombed twice during World War II.

It was around this time that Soichiro recognized another opportunity — the need for reliable and cheap transportation in Japan. He began mounting two-stroke motors onto bicycles, which eventually led to the production of a completely motorized bicycle called the A-Type.

Since then, the Honda Motor Company has accomplished a lot and developed a reputation that has stood the test of time. Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI) and Honda have a relationship that led to the creation of the Honda HonTech specialized training program in 1986.

Keep on reading to learn more about the history of Honda motorcycles and the relationship the brand has with MMI.

Key Points:

- Soichiro Honda founded his own company in 1937, initially focusing on developing piston rings for Toyota before transitioning to creating motorized bicycles post-World War II, leading to the establishment of the Honda Motor Company in 1948.

- Honda's first motorcycle, the Model D or Dream D, was released in 1949, featuring a two-stroke, 98cc motor, marking the beginning of Honda's journey in producing high-quality motorcycles.

- Over the decades, Honda introduced several iconic motorcycles, including the 1953 Dream E, the first four-stroke motorcycle; the 1958 Super Cub, blending motorcycle and moped features; and the 1968 CB750, the first mass-market bike with a four-cylinder engine and a disc brake.

- The Honda HonTech program at Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI), endorsed by American Honda Motor Co. in 1986, offers specialized training for students who wish to become Honda technicians, covering a wide range of vehicles and systems.^1.1

- The HonTech program advantages include certification after 60 days of tenure in a Honda dealership, access to Honda technology and training materials and a variety of learning experiences across motorcycles, ATVs and other Honda vehicles. The program is available at MMI campuses in Orlando, Florida, and Phoenix, Arizona.

The Honda Origin

When was Honda founded?

Honda was founded on Sept. 24, 1948. Initially, the company focused on producing motorized bicycles using surplus military engines. Over the years, Honda has significantly evolved, expanding its product line to include motorcycles, automobiles and power equipment.

Today, Honda stands as a leading global manufacturer known for its innovation, quality and reliability in the automotive industry.

Who created Honda?

Honda was co-founded by Soichiro Honda and Takeo Fujisawa, two visionaries who played important roles in the company's early development.

Soichiro Honda, a gifted mechanic with a passion for engineering, initially set up a small workshop to produce piston rings. However, he moved on to create motorized bicycles using surplus military engines, setting the foundation for Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Takeo Fujisawa, a skilled businessman, joined Soichiro Honda in 1949, bringing his expertise in management and strategy. Together, they focused on innovation and quality, establishing Honda's reputation in the competitive automotive market.

Early Days

Soichiro had always been interested in automobiles. As an apprentice mechanic at the Art Shokai garage in Tokyo, he worked on cars and entered them in races. Eventually, he founded Tokai Seiki, which is where he began manufacturing piston rings.

It took several trips back to the drawing board before he could produce something that was acceptable to sell to Toyota, but eventually, things worked out. The automated process he developed helped employ unskilled wartime laborers.

Soichiro eventually sold his land and building to Toyota after World War II. This chain of events helped lead Honda to notice that people in Japan needed a new way to get around.

The creation of the motorized bicycle, referred to as the A-Type, took place in 1947. It featured a two-stroke, 50cc engine. This brought about the formation of the Honda Motor Company in 1948.

After the name change, the first Honda motorcycle was created from the ground up and released in 1949. It was known as the Model D, or the Dream D. It featured a two-stroke, 98cc motor. The success of the bike was quick right off the bat.

In 1950, Honda built a manufacturing plant in Tokyo. This became the start of the brand’s history of producing high-quality motorcycles for a range of uses.

Models by Decade

Covering all of the different Honda motorcycles by year would take a long time! So we’ve gathered information on some of the brand’s iconic releases throughout the decades, starting after the release of the Model A and Model D.

1950s Honda motorcycles

1953 Dream E: Soichiro found himself getting frustrated at the fumes and noise coming from two-stroke motorcycles, leading to the creation of the first four-stroke motorcycle, known as the Dream E.

1958 Super Cub: Also known as the C100 or “the Honda 50,” the Super Cub was introduced as a mix between a motorcycle and a moped. The advertising campaign for the model made a lasting impact on the image of Honda and helped shift American attitudes toward motorcycles.

1960s Honda motorcycles

1961 CB77: Also called the Super Hawk, this model became known as Honda’s first sport bike. It is commonly referred to as one of the bikes that helped set the standard for modern motorcycles due to its power and reliability.

1968 CB750: Unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show, the CB750 made a huge impact as it had the first modern mass-market four-cylinder engine. It also was the first mass-market bike that came with a disc brake.

1970s Honda motorcycles

1973 CR250M Elsinore: Honda’s first production two-stroke motorcycle and its first purpose-built competition model. It was followed in 1974 by the CR125M.

1974 Gold Wing GL1000: The first of many Gold Wing editions was introduced at the Cologne Motorcycle Show in Germany and reached the American market in 1975. The introduction of this model helped distinguish Honda as a leader in the industry.

1978 NR500: The NR500 was another model developed out of a desire to compete in grand prix racing. The motorcycle was introduced as a four-cylinder V-8 with 32 valves and oval-shaped cylinders.

1980s Honda motorcycles

1986 VFR750F: Also known as the Interceptor, the VFR750F is a road bike that was a complete redesign of previous VF models and had numerous improvements, including a more powerful and reliable engine. It became referred to as “the best all-around road bike.”

1987 CBR600F: The vehicle, also known as the Hurricane in the United States, was Honda’s first inline, four-cylinder sport bike.

1990s Honda motorcycles

1992 CBR900RR: Also called the Fireblade, the 900cc motorcycle made a big impact in the sport bike world. It was much lighter than other large-displacement motorcycles in the superbike class.

1995 EXP-2: This vehicle was an off-road prototype motorcycle featuring a two-stroke engine that was developed by Honda to comply with emissions standards. The engine concept utilized a valve that would close the exhaust port.

2000s Honda motorcycles

2001 RC211V: This four-stroke racing motorcycle was developed to replace the NSR500 (which debuted in 1984) and to comply with new regulations for the World Championships. It was also the first bike to feature a V-5 engine.

2003 CBR600RR: This 599cc sport bike was marketed as the brand’s top-of-the-line middleweight bike in its class. It won eight of 12 titles in the Supersport World Championship from its introduction through 2015.

2010s Honda motorcycles

2010 VFR1200F: Production of the motorcycle began in 2009, and models were introduced in 2010. It’s the first production motorcycle with an optional dual-clutch transmission.

2011 CBR250R: This vehicle followed the style of the VFR1200F closely, which featured a Y-shaped headlight. The motorcycle was developed to try and tap into the beginner-bike market.

Honda continues to produce high-quality motorcycles suitable for a range of uses. By choosing to enroll in the Honda HonTech program at MMI, students get the opportunity to train exclusively with the brand.

Honda HonTech Program at MMI

The HonTech program was endorsed by American Honda Motor Co. in 1986 to allow MMI students to learn to become technicians on Honda-brand motorcycles with hands-on training.¹⁸

After completing the 18‑week Motorcycle Technician Prerequisite (MTP) program at MMI, students are eligible to enroll in the 12-week HonTech program. The course is split up into four different modules:

• Module 1: Students focus on learning the design characteristics of different engines in Honda motorcycles, side-by-sides and ATVs. They also become familiarized with the electronic parts lookup system.
• Module 2: All aspects of ATV servicing are covered in this module, including model identification and safety procedures. Students also will be taught how to service steering systems and suspensions.
• Module 3: The third module is designed to give students an understanding of Honda electrical systems and wiring diagrams that are used on a range of vehicles.
• Module 4: The final module focuses on maintenance, encompassing a range of Honda vehicles. Other topics covered include fuel delivery systems and emissions control systems found on street bikes.

Receive Specialized Honda Training at MMI

If becoming a Honda motorcycle technician is something that interests you, enrolling in the HonTech program at MMI is something that could help give you a leg up in the workforce. Our specialized training can help you prepare for an entry-level position at a Honda dealership.^1.1

You can find out more about admissions requirements by visiting us online and requesting more information. You can also contact us at 1-800-834-7308.