Honda Motorcycles
Honda is the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer by volume — over 400 million Honda motorcycles built since 1948. From the Grom mini-bike to the Honda Gold Wing touring flagship, Honda makes more motorcycle models than any other brand, with a focus on universal usability, lowest cost of ownership, and the broadest dealer network in the US.
Honda Rebel 1100
Honda Trail 125
Honda Monkey
Honda Rebel 500
Honda Africa Twin
Honda Grom
Honda CBR500R
Honda CBR1000RR
Honda Gold Wing
Honda Navi
Honda Rebel 300
History of Honda Motorcycles
Honda Motor Co. was founded in 1946 by Soichiro Honda, a mechanic from Hamamatsu, Japan. The first Honda motorcycle — the 98cc Dream D-Type — debuted in 1949. By 1958, Honda had entered the US market with the Super Cub, which has since become the best-selling motorized vehicle in history (over 100 million units sold cumulatively).
Honda's two pivotal moments in motorcycle history shaped the entire industry. In 1969, the CB750 introduced the world to the first mass-produced inline-four engine — a layout that defined the universal motorcycle for the next 50 years. In 1975, the Honda Gold Wing GL1000 launched the modern touring segment. By the 1990s, the CBR900RR Fireblade had redefined the open-class sportbike. Today Honda motorcycles continue to lead the industry — the Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L leads the mid-weight ADV segment, the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP competes at the WSBK level, and the CRF450R remains one of the most competitive motocross bikes available.
History of Honda Motorcycles
Honda Motor Co. was founded in 1946 by Soichiro Honda, a mechanic from Hamamatsu, Japan. The first Honda motorcycle — the 98cc Dream D-Type — debuted in 1949. By 1958, Honda had entered the US market with the Super Cub, which has since become the best-selling motorized vehicle in history (over 100 million units sold cumulatively).
Honda's two pivotal moments in motorcycle history shaped the entire industry. In 1969, the CB750 introduced the world to the first mass-produced inline-four engine — a layout that defined the universal motorcycle for the next 50 years. In 1975, the Honda Gold Wing GL1000 launched the modern touring segment. By the 1990s, the CBR900RR Fireblade had redefined the open-class sportbike. Today Honda motorcycles continue to lead the industry — the Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L leads the mid-weight ADV segment, the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP competes at the WSBK level, and the CRF450R remains one of the most competitive motocross bikes available.
Key milestones in Honda motorcycle history
- 1948 — Honda Technical Research Institute founded; Dream D-Type (98cc) debut in 1949
- 1958 — Honda motorcycles enter the US market (Super Cub)
- 1969 — CB750, the first mass-produced inline-four; defines the universal motorcycle
- 1975 — Honda Gold Wing GL1000 launches the modern touring segment
- 1982 — Honda Africa Twin XRV650 launches the adventure line
- 1987 — CBR600F Hurricane, the first modern Honda CBR sportbike
- 1992 — CBR900RR Fireblade redefines the open-class sportbike
- 2009 — Honda CRF450R becomes a dominant motocross weapon
- 2016 — Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L relaunches Honda in the ADV segment after a 15-year absence
- 2018 — Honda Gold Wing Tour redefines the touring category
- 2020 — Honda CRF Trail 125 brings small-displacement off-road to Honda
- 2024 — Honda CB750 Hornet launches the new mid-weight parallel-twin platform
What Honda motorcycles are known for
- Broadest Honda motorcycle lineup — Honda makes more motorcycle models than any other manufacturer. From the 125cc Honda Grom to the 1833cc Honda Gold Wing, Honda covers every category with multiple options per segment.
- Universal usability — Honda motorcycles work for first-time riders, commuters, long-haul tourers, off-roaders, and racers with the same low-maintenance reliability. The Honda CRF Trail 125, Rebel 300, and CB300R are approachable entry points; the Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L and Honda Gold Wing are capable of any journey.
- Engine reliability and longevity — Honda motorcycle engines are documented past 100,000 miles with routine maintenance. The Honda Gold Wing flat-six and Honda Africa Twin parallel-twin are particularly known for engine longevity.
- Lowest cost of ownership — Honda motorcycles have the cheapest parts, widest US dealer network (~1,200 dealers), and best resale value in most categories. The Honda CRF Trail 125, Rebel 300, and Grom are also among the most affordable new motorcycles in the US.
- Innovation at scale — Honda was first to mass-produce inline-four motorcycles (CB750), first to use a flat-six in a touring bike (Honda Gold Wing), and continues to lead with the DCT (dual-clutch automatic) transmission available on the Honda Africa Twin and Honda Gold Wing.
Honda motorcycle model lineup
Honda adventure motorcycles
- Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L — flagship ADV, 1084cc parallel-twin, available with DCT automatic transmission
- Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports — long-distance ADV variant, larger fuel tank, longer-travel suspension
- Honda XL750 Transalp — mid-weight parallel-twin ADV (755cc)
- Honda NX500 — 471cc parallel-twin ADV, replaces the CB500X
- Honda CRF300L Rally — small-displacement ADV, 286cc single
- Honda CRF300L — standard dual-sport, 286cc single
Honda sport motorcycles (CBR + CB)
- Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP — flagship inline-four superbike (999cc, WSBK-homologated)
- Honda CBR1000RR — standard liter-class sportbike
- Honda CBR600RR — middleweight supersport (599cc)
- Honda CBR650R — mid-displacement sport bike (649cc)
- Honda CBR500R — entry sport bike (471cc)
- Honda CBR300R — entry sport bike (286cc)
- Honda CB1000R — naked sport, 998cc inline-four
- Honda CB650R — naked mid-weight
- Honda CB750 Hornet — new 2024 mid-weight naked, 755cc parallel-twin
- Honda CB500 Hornet — small naked, 471cc
Honda Gold Wing touring motorcycles
- 1948 — Honda Technical Research Institute founded; Dream D-Type (98cc) debut in 1949
- 1958 — Honda motorcycles enter the US market (Super Cub)
- 1969 — CB750, the first mass-produced inline-four; defines the universal motorcycle
- 1975 — Honda Gold Wing GL1000 launches the modern touring segment
- 1982 — Honda Africa Twin XRV650 launches the adventure line
- 1987 — CBR600F Hurricane, the first modern Honda CBR sportbike
- 1992 — CBR900RR Fireblade redefines the open-class sportbike
- 2009 — Honda CRF450R becomes a dominant motocross weapon
- 2016 — Honda Africa Twin CRF1000L relaunches Honda in the ADV segment after a 15-year absence
- 2018 — Honda Gold Wing Tour redefines the touring category
- 2020 — Honda CRF Trail 125 brings small-displacement off-road to Honda
- 2024 — Honda CB750 Hornet launches the new mid-weight parallel-twin platform
What Honda motorcycles are known for
- Broadest Honda motorcycle lineup — Honda makes more motorcycle models than any other manufacturer. From the 125cc Honda Grom to the 1833cc Honda Gold Wing, Honda covers every category with multiple options per segment.
- Universal usability — Honda motorcycles work for first-time riders, commuters, long-haul tourers, off-roaders, and racers with the same low-maintenance reliability. The Honda CRF Trail 125, Rebel 300, and CB300R are approachable entry points; the Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L and Honda Gold Wing are capable of any journey.
- Engine reliability and longevity — Honda motorcycle engines are documented past 100,000 miles with routine maintenance. The Honda Gold Wing flat-six and Honda Africa Twin parallel-twin are particularly known for engine longevity.
- Lowest cost of ownership — Honda motorcycles have the cheapest parts, widest US dealer network (~1,200 dealers), and best resale value in most categories. The Honda CRF Trail 125, Rebel 300, and Grom are also among the most affordable new motorcycles in the US.
- Innovation at scale — Honda was first to mass-produce inline-four motorcycles (CB750), first to use a flat-six in a touring bike (Honda Gold Wing), and continues to lead with the DCT (dual-clutch automatic) transmission available on the Honda Africa Twin and Honda Gold Wing.
Honda Gold Wing touring motorcycles
- Honda Gold Wing Tour — flagship touring, 1833cc flat-six, DCT standard
- Honda Gold Wing — standard touring, same 1833cc flat-six engine
- Honda NT1100 — sport-touring, 1100cc parallel-twin (DCT optional)
Honda Rebel cruiser motorcycles
- Honda Rebel 1100 — DCT cruiser, 1084cc parallel-twin
- Honda Rebel 500 — entry cruiser, 471cc parallel-twin
- Honda Rebel 300 — starter cruiser, 286cc single
Honda CRF off-road and dual-sport motorcycles
- Honda CRF450R / CRF450R Works Edition — flagship motocross, 449cc single
- Honda CRF450RX — closed-course off-road racing, 449cc single
- Honda CRF250R / CRF250RX — 250cc class motocross
- Honda CRF450L / CRF450RL — street-legal enduro, 449cc single
- Honda CRF300L — dual-sport, 286cc single
- Honda CRF300L Rally — rally-styled ADV variant
- Honda CRF Trail 125 — entry trail bike, 124cc single
- Honda CRF Trail 50 — youth trail bike, 49cc single
Honda standard and commuter motorcycles
- Honda Grom (MSX125) — 125cc mini-bike, cult favorite, ~$3,899
- Honda CB300R — naked standard, 286cc single
- Honda CB350R — modern classic standard, 348cc single
- Honda CB500F — naked standard, 471cc parallel-twin
- Honda CB650R — mid-weight naked, 649cc inline-four
Who Honda motorcycles are for
Honda motorcycles fit riders who prioritize universal usability, lowest cost of ownership, and the broadest model range. The Honda motorcycle lineup covers first-time riders (Honda Rebel 300, Honda CB300R, Honda Grom, Honda CRF Trail 125), commuters (Honda CB500F, Honda NT1100), touring enthusiasts (Honda Gold Wing, Honda Gold Wing Tour), track-day riders (Honda CBR600RR, Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP), adventure riders (Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L, Honda Transalp), and motocross racers (Honda CRF450R, Honda CRF250R). Honda buyers typically cross-shop Yamaha and Kawasaki as alternatives — Honda is the safest practical choice; Yamaha is the engineering choice; Kawasaki is the performance-per-dollar choice.
Best Honda motorcycle by use case
- Best beginner Honda motorcycle — Honda Rebel 300 or Honda CB300R (low seat, low weight, affordable price)
- Best Honda for commuting — Honda CB500F or Honda NT1100 (DCT option eliminates shifting in traffic)
- Best Honda for touring — Honda Gold Wing Tour (DCT, 1833cc flat-six, factory luggage)
- Best Honda for adventure — Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L Adventure Sports (largest fuel tank, longest suspension)
- Best Honda for the track — Honda CBR600RR or Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP (WSBK-grade braking and suspension)
- Best Honda for off-road — Honda CRF450R for motocross, Honda CRF Trail 125 for entry-level trail riding
- Best cheap Honda motorcycles — Honda Grom (~$3,899), Honda CRF Trail 50 (~$2,749), Honda CRF Trail 125 (~$3,599), Honda Rebel 300 (~$4,699)