Japanese/USA maker of scooters, motorcycles, and ATVs established in 1948.
In 1948 Soichiro Honda, at the age of 41, started the Honda Motor Company. Hooking up with the numbers man Takeo Fujisawa together they started what was to become an empire. In 1948 Honda produced it's first motorycle, the D-Type Dream, a 2-stroke which Mr. Honda was involved in every step of the design and manufacture. In 1954 Honda entered the scooter market.
By 1959 Honda had established the American Honda Motor Company, Inc. which commenced with 12 employees. The building still stands on the original site at 4077 Pico Boulevard in Los Angeles. The first Honda motorcycle sold in the U.S., the C100 Super Cub eventually becomes the world's best-selling vehicle with 30 million sold by 2006.
Baby brother to the CT family.
Started in 1963 with pushrods, then 1966 it went OHC, there have been some 21 million produced, and still being produced in (at various times) 11 countries. Original model was the probably the 49(50)cc model, and there were 70's, 90's and 100's all sorts of permutations, but it is the original step-thru. Three speed, auto clutch, kick and electric start.
Scooter/moped first introduced in 1959.
The Super Cub almost single-handedly transformed Honda.
Capable of smoothly reaching 40mph (64kph) put the Super Cub ahead of traditional 2-strokes that were inferior in both top speed and evenness of throttle. Unlike 2-strokes there was no requirement for the rider to mix oil and gasoline for the fuel.
The appeal of the Super Cub was completely utilitarian. Many Americans flocked to it because it was a quick, easy and inexpensive form of transportation. Its step-through design and lightweight frame opened the door to motorcycling for many people. The automatic centrifugal clutch let entry-level riders engage the gear without fussing with a hand clutch. Up until its release, the only two-wheeled vehicles on the road were heavy and difficult to maneuver and only the most experienced riders dared to mount them. The Super Cub was so effortlessly driven, it could be used by almost anyone.
The Super Cub represented a milestone in reliability and durability. It's simple design meant little time in the workshop and a long life. One of the world's best-selling motorcycle with over 30 million sold. In many Asian countries the Super Cub can be found as the standard form of transportation for families and businesses. Yes, it really is possible to fit you, your partner, some children and the shopping on it. People have even been known to use them as trail bikes!
Honda cites the Super Cub as crucial to Honda's ultimate success let alone Honda's survival as a company.
The Super Cub has in time been surpassed in technology but represents a classic period of motorcycle history.
The Cub of the C series.
Pretty small for the big city.
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Staple road bikes.
A mixed bag of more classic-style and tourers.
Unexciting, basic tourer from the late 1960s.
In 1968 Honda produced a new line of high performance SOHC twins with five-speed gearboxes called the CB250 (and CB350).
Apparently some US market models have front drum brakes which is going to make them a bit slow to pull up.
Reliable but old. Large and sluggish. Good for tall, light people who don't want to go fast but want a big mount. The CB250N is very solid. There are also "R" and "T" models.
Nicely styled, reliable, fun ride - a good beginner bike without looking like a 250cc (wide rear tyre for a 250cc).
Unfaired standard road bike, launched in 1996, predating the CB600. A smooth, quiet inline 4-cylinder with a distinct whine at higher revs from the gear-driven cams (no cam chain so low maintenance). Neutral riding position, higher footpeg setup and low seat will make taller riders and pillion cramped for longer rides.
Same engine as CBR250 (maybe de-tuned), redlines at 16,000RPM. 16litre tank. Good low-end power bias but no real low spots, good cornering (16" front wheel) and general hanndling. Max speed of 180 (190km/h if you're lucky). Good brakes, but can be expensive to replace. Single rear shock (watch the speed bumps). Need to keep up regular maintenance (eg oil chains important). No centre stand. Grey import into UK and as always that can mean more expensive spares.
All up, a recommended ride for new riders and anyone who wants a good all-rounder.
The CB250N is very solid.
Not great but unkillable and cheap. Really a sleaved down CB400N.
Predecessor to the CBX, just as powerful.
Older but small, light, (30kg lighter than the N model), single cylinder quick, nice. Hard wearing and cheap.
Nice little forgiving commuter manufactured between 1992 and 2003. Mated CD motor with Superdream chassis. Efficient and economic if not exciting.
May not be too many on the secondhand market. Thrashed engines have loose gearboxes and loud rattles.
Tips: You can put a 32 tooth sprocket on the rear to replace the 33T which quietens down the cruising noise and smoothes the shifting. Rejet to a #38 slow jet to replace the #35, replace the #110 main with a #115.
Sporty and much revered at any capacity.
Expensive but hot.
Perhaps not imported into all countries. Hot equivalent to GSXR250 (Suzuki). Can get "Aero" (fast) & "Hurricane" (really fast and go to 18500RPM).
The Baby Blade.
Now officially imported into Australia by Honda, so avoid the grey imports to get proper warranty.
Successor to CB series.
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Fun, cheap, slow, low power, consistent good beginner bike. Not pretty.
Fun, cheap, slow, low power, good beginner bike. Parallel twin.
Discontinued range but still available 2nd-hand.
Distributed in USA, England, and Japan (and probably other areas as grey imports) under various names such as Freeway (Japan), Elite (USA), and Spacy (everywhere else).
Quiet little commuter.
Top speed 60 mph flat out or 50~55 mph comfortably. The CH125 came out after the CH250 and you'll trade off better economy and quieter running for a big reduction in power.
Enhanced version of the CH125.
Top speed 60 mph flat out or 50~55 mph comfortably. Came out after the CH125.
80's / 90's scooter since overtaken by new technology but still holding a loyal following.
The Honda CH250 was an automatic transmission scooter capable of 70 mph (112kph) at around 70 mpg. A highly collectible scooter today!
The various common names stem from whichever region they were distributed. Elite: North America, Freeway: Japan, Spacy; rest of the world.
Various types probably made between 1985-1998 although from around 1989 on it was a completely different bike( body style, motor, fuel tank, frame). It has since been replaced by Honda bikes such as the Foresight, Forza, Reflex et al.
They have a pedal on the right side for the rear brake, and a hand grip on the right handlebar for the front disc brake. The rear brake pedal is a little disconcerting because you have to move your foot over to and above it to apply the brake. As an automatic there is no gear shift, but the brake pedal seems to incorporate a clutch for the automatic transmission. Electric starts reliably on the first try of the switch. The radiator fill-cap is located in the handy glove box. There is plenty of underseat luggage area, and some also have a cargo box on the rear rack which also adds lots of storage space as well as a nice backrest for the rear passenger. Perfect for the family outing and bringing home the groceries.
The egine delivers plenty of power, even for hill climbing at freeway speeds. Reports in that it tends to run wide on turns but otherwise handles like a regular motorcycle but with the advantage of stepping through and not having to through your leg over. The windscreen is reported as a little low for freeway cruising in wet weather, the rider needing to pull their head down (which of course leaves your pillion wide open to the inclement weather).
In Japan, the Freeway model is a natural choice for narrow roads while the (relatively) larger scooter engine means you have the power to travel in (and escape from) traffic. A full tank is about Y800 (US$7.) which lets you ride at least 200 kilometers (125 miles). The economy of the CH250 is a definite plus in Japan where gasoline is very expensive - approx. Y108 per liter (US$4/gallon) for regular.
Thanks to Jim in Japan for the Japanese Freeway information. A nice picture of his bike is show below (1996 model).
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Big but quite manageable as a beginner bike feels small and upright in hindsight.
The CL model is street and dirt trim. Reliable, easy to service, and torquey. This bike is essentially the CB160 with a higher exhaust pipe. Produces 8-10 horsepower, can maintain a highway speed of about 100 km/hr on a its reliable 4-speed transmission. If not tuned properly is prone to holing pistons (cooling problem) but has to be ridden hard to cause this. Check cables reliability, can retrofit newer
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"custom" style along the lines of GN250 & SR250
Equivalent in many ways to an EL250. Looks a bit Harley-ish, given the constraints of size.
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Stretched scooter with a low seat height, watercooled 250cc single with a belt drive automatic gearbox. Good weather protection. Large luggage trunk. Comfortable, safe, commuter with a top speed of about 75mph. Very popular in France / Italy / Japan. Not currently available in UK except as Grey import.
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Amazing supercross racer with balance of handling and power.
Great looks, strong suspension, tough, ease of maintenance, solid power band, but above all - power! A superb bike, very unforgiving for the inexperienced but really delivers the goods if you know what you're doing. The plugs tend to foul quickly (but they're at least quick to change).
Built with steel frames up to 1995, and then in aluminum chassis from 1997.
A postman would be seen on nothing else than this family.
This family of bikes do provide interesting transport options in certain circumstances.
They _are_ actually the most popular (in terms of numbers produced) of any model of motorcycle, but traffic conditions in USA/Australia don't really suit them. Perhaps, as local transport in a quieter "country" town, they may be considered a good thing...beats walking! ;-). ..but in fast traffic, they are well out of place.
See CT110
See CT110
In 1970 Honda sold 100,000 CT70s.
See CT110. It's possible there is also a variant of the CT90 which is a trail bike(?)
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V3 Slightly earlier than the NS250. Environmental disaster.
Not related to NS400R (also V3 stroke). Performance would suit a learner nicely. Maintenance requirements would NOT suit a learner at all. Badly designed engine is prone to shredding the inside of the middle cylinder.
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(not to be confused with NSR250!!) 90 degree V-twin, contemporary of RG250. Can be thrashed to death quite easily. Strange looking fairing on some. All had exhausts faired into seat hump. About $1500- $2000NZ for a good one.
The racing family.
Amazing little pocket rocket sports bikes.
Two dramatically (looking) different models - the earlier, naked NSR125F with a square headlight and the fully-faired sibling NSR125R with twin headlamp. (Mainly) European market.
Ceased production in 2001 with stock still being shifted as late as 2003/2004.
found in Indonesia, different from the model in Thailand.
Proddy racer bike.
RGV-beater, imported in small quantities. Check for lockwiring! 90-degree V-Twin.
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Is a 250 racer just like the TZ250, used in 250 GPs and such. Again, v. expensive and not legal post 91/92. V twin 2-stroke available in NZ
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Harley/Cruiser style V-twin. 8 valve DOHC engine. Disc front, drum rear brakes. Looks meaner than the Rebel.
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Dated sporty ride.
First came out in 1983. DOHC, 8-valve 90 degree V-twin four-stroke. Pro-link rear suspension, but drum brake, and problematic "inboard" disc on front. Engine had crankshaft and timing chain problems. Be wary of the older VT's. Check them out thoroughly.
Sexy but subjectively ugly paint job.
Crankshaft fixed. Full-fairing. 160kmh@12.5krpm
Decent but aging sportster.
Double-row timing chain (still noisy but mechanically sound). New frame & fairing. 14lt tank (280km). TRAC anti-dive and twin rotors up front. Comstar wheels. Has about 40HP, revs to 13,500, which equals 170kmh.
Smaller fairing, but a nice, good looking bike.
Timing chain completely fixed.
Good looking sports/tourer.
No fairing, modern frame, more power, more appeal, more money. Some companies make aftermarket fairings bearing "VTr" insignia, which makes them look like a VFR or Ducati. Replaced the VT250 FII Integra, mid-seating (between touring and racing position). Good bottom power range and peaks at 140-165kmh. Responsive. 180-200km/tank.
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See XL250R
Road/Trail. Good for the odd scrub dash. monoshock, roadgoing XR. 1983 had 250S motor, later had RFVC motor which came standard with crack between spark plug and exhaust valve. Honda used smaller spark plug in 1986 on to reduce problem. Same story for XR250.
Super Reliable single.
Looks like an XL250 but uses XR350 engine.
SOHC. Well built, easily replaceable parts (except for the engine which is more difficult to find) Need both XL250 and XR350 manuals to service it. Big looking. Check in the brake hub for speedo-drive nylon - expensive to replace. Avoid one with Bottom end damage - hard to get aftermarket parts. Remove spark plug - if thread burred head will need to be rebored or replaced. Will require regular maintance (ie. oil change after long ride due to engine repair costs) Damaged pay: $450 - $1800 Road Worthy pay: $1200 - $2500
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See XR250
See XR250
See XR250
See XR250
See XR250
The more "serious" Honda road/trail. More of a dirtbike. See XL250R.
A '93/'94 model might go for around $4,000-$5,000. Try to avoid one that's been raced (worn brake disks, speedo may have been disconnected for a lot of it's life so misleading mileage, worn rear suspension & wheel bearings, head stem bearings, generally scratched plastics and/or ingrained dirt.
See XR250
See XR250
See XR250
See XR250
See XR250