The Honda Motor Company

April 3, 2008 – 4:17 pm

Honda Motor Company, Limited shortened to Honda is a multinational corporation, engine manufacturer and engineering corporation headquartered in Japan.

The company manufactures automobiles and motorcycles, trucks, scooters, robots, jets and jet engines, ATV, water craft, electrical generators, marine engines, lawn and garden equipment, and aeronautical and other mobile technologies. Honda’s line of luxury cars are branded Acura in North America and China. More recently they have ventured into mountain bikes.

THE HONDA RACING CORPORATION(HRC):

Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) was formed in 1954. The company combines participation in motorcycle races throughout the world with the development of high potential racing machines. Its racing activities are an important source for the creation of leading edge technologies used in the development of Honda motorcycles. HRC also contributes to the advancement of motorcycle sports through a range of activities that include sales of production racing motorcycles, support for satellite teams, and rider education programs.

Soichiro Honda, being a race driver himself, could not stay out of international motorsport. In 1959, Honda entered five motorcycles into the Isle of Man TT race, at that time the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world. While always having powerful engines, it took until 1961 for Honda to tune their chassis well enough to allow Mike Hailwood to claim their first Grand Prix victories in the 125 and 250 cc classes. Hailwood would later pick up their first senior TT wins in 1966 and 1967. Honda’s race bikes were known for their “sleek & stylish design” and exotic engine configurations, such as the 5-cylinder, 22,000 rpm, 125 cc bike and their 6-cylinder 250 cc and 380 cc bikes.

TYPES OF MOTORCYCLES:

Everyday we are feasting our eyes on different types of motorcycles - big, small, vintage, modern, classic and flashy.

Actually, there are three basic categories of street motorcycles - touring, cruisers and sports bikes. However, modern design can incorporate some of the qualities of the other category. Nonetheless, let us stick with the basics and discuss them one by one.

TOURING MOTORCYCLES:

Touring motorcycles are so-named because of their equipments that are primarily designed to withstand long rides. Riders will feel comfortable even when on a protracted ride. Usually, touring bikes have hard-shell trunks on either side of the fender, windshields, full fairings, in-dash audio equipment (sometimes include GPS) and a dashboard. They also have high rounded back with armrest so that the riders will be at ease while riding. Examples of this category are Harley-Davidson’s Road King and Honda’s Gold Wing.

CRUISERS AND CHOPPERS:

Cruisers and choppers on the other hand, are not that heavy as compared to touring bikes. They are sleek, beautiful, captivating and are closely related with the legendary cruisers and customized choppers. In addition, they are somewhat perceived as cool and trendy. Choppers use a frame with a front fork extended and raked beyond the standard stock cruiser. As we can observe choppers are hot once again. They are enjoying the ongoing paranoia and hype. In fact, there are featured customized cruisers and choppers that are gaining its media exposure and success.

RACING BIKES:

If racing is your cup of tea, you will be highly delighted with sports bikes which are also called café racers. Sports bikes encourage a different sitting posture. The usual thing is that rider’s feet must be put in front, in a sport bike, it puts the rider’s feet underneath him. Thus, the rider’s tendency is to lean forward over the gas tank with the shoulders and the head straight. This was specifically designed to make quick and accurate turns. Sport bikes are great for nerve-racking riding adventures. Nonetheless, they are not basically used for long and steady trails. Examples of this category are Honda’s Interceptor, Yamaha’s TMAX and Ducati’s Supersport.

OFF-ROAD MOTORCYCLES:

When it comes to off road motorcycles, they are primarily designed to be tough and sturdy. Example of this kind is dirt bikes which are designed to conquer rough, difficult and grimy treks. They usually designed with tall frames and high tailpipes so that they will not bottom out. These bikes do not have street gear or license plates. To compensate this, they are given yearly green stickers by the Department of Motor Vehicles for the owners and riders alike to ride in off-road parks.