Honda Motorcycles Possess Cross-Cultural Attraction

Soichiro Honda’s obsession was motor vehicles, but, paradoxically, he developed Honda motorcycles. He adored driving extremely fast, as well as enjoying racing, and since he worked in an auto repair shop as a teenager, he knew the mechanical things. He got a good amount of experience with riding motorcycles, because he owned and operated both an Indian, and a Harley.

It was only when he was 41, in 1948, that Honda started his very own Honda Motor Company, but he had already owned an auto repair shop, starting way back in 1928. He wanted well-made products that might possibly compete, so his concentration was on design and quality. Even with motorcycle profits being on an increasing trend in 1953, the economic depression in Japan almost sank his company. A small amount of motorcycles were selling, and since he just didn’t want to put people out of work, he kept the factory open. The perception of this judgement was borne out in 1958, by the release of what became the most successful motorcycle in the world, the C100 Super Cub. The bike was versatile as well as cheap, near anybody’s reach, driven by a 4-stroke motor with a 3-speed transmission.

Not merely could new drivers operate it effortlessly, but it became a way of commuting for women. The recognition of this bike catapulted Honda to the number one position by number of motorcycle makers in 1959. This led them to choose to start broadening around the world. They assumed that if they could initially capture the United States market, it might start the ball rolling. They believed if their items were accepted by the American people, they would certainly win over the rest of the world as well. The original store promoting Honda motorcycles opened in June of 1959, in Los Angeles, and by 1960, successful dealerships, selling Honda’s, were more than 75.

By means of community involvement , mainly through sponsoring 50% of the funding needed by a pair of organizations, Honda became a trusted brand. These were the Motorcycle Industry Council, and the Motorcycle Safety Council, both highly valued by enthusiasts of motorcycles. Honda carried on to develop new motorcycles during the 1970′s, which people couldn’t get enough of, keeping them atop the industry. Their models won more than 70 races around the world in 1973, giving them the status of the fastest bikes around. The revolutionary GL1000 Gold Wing was launched in 1975, making touring bikes comfortable and stylish, and the style was hurriedly emulated by Honda’s competitors.

Honda continued to develop novel motorcycles which appeal to a cross-spectrum of cultures. Part of their good image is due to their continued practice of donating motorcycles to causes that they regard as worth supporting. They continue to be active in bike safety by financing 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. A few of the big risks they have taken, have earned them such a prosperous empire in motorcycles.
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