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This list of Honda motorcycles has one row for each significant model, by default ordered by year of introduction. Data then includes name (if any) and the letter broken out from the letter and number model code, followed by displacement, number of cylinders, two or four stroke and they general type and class of motorcycle, and finally, one or more citations.

Nomenlature[edit]

Beginning with the first complete motorized bicycle from Honda, a straightforward system of Model A, Model B and Model C was used. The Model D was the first Honda to also have a name, Dream. This historic bike's name would be re-used many times since then, as well as appearing in Honda advertising slogans and campaigns.

... [1]

Comment: This is an ambitious project, but given the sheer number of motorcycle models Honda has manufactured, it will be very difficult to complete.

As for nomenclature, the system described above may be correct for early models, but Honda has used an entirely different model numbering system since at least the 1980s. Perhaps the best known example of Honda's model numbering system is illustrated by the 1987-91 VFR750R, which has become better known by its model code "RC30". The first letter relates to the engine capacity of the motorcycle: A (50cc to 79cc), H (80cc to 124cc), J (125cc to 149cc), K (150cc to 184cc), L (185cc to 199cc), M (200cc to 349cc), N (350cc to 449cc), P (450cc to 649cc), R (650cc to 899cc) and S (for 900cc and up). The second letter relates to the type of motorcycle, with "C" referring to a street motorcycle, "D" referring to a dual-sport, "E" for an off-road model and "F" for a scooter, among many others. Finally, the two digits are simply the sequential number assigned to each new model of a particular engine capacity and type. Accordingly, an "RC30" refers to the 30th 650-899cc street motorcycle model manufactured by Honda since the introduction of the new model numbering system. As of 2013, Honda has continued to use this system (the latest "RC" model being the RC63 NC700 family of motorcycles).

Model years have been assigned in a consistent way to Honda motorcycles since approximately 1979, using the same model year convention as used in the VIN system.

In contrast, Honda's motorcycle model names have not rigorously followed any convention that I am aware of and seem to be at least in part based on marketing considerations within the company's various markets. Accordingly, I think that using model names as the primary basis for organising a list of Honda motorcycles could be potentially quite confusing. At least since 1980, the best way to organise Honda motorcycle models would be to utilise model numbers (e.g., RC30, NC29, etc.--but not "RC51", which is actually a US-specific model name, not a model number).

Sources: Primarily OR, based on various Honda and non-Honda sources, unfortunately. Some of this information can be found in official Honda publications, however. JZH (talk) 14:30, 3 September 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Year Name Letter Letter + number Displacement Cylinders 2-stroke or 4-stroke Street, dual-sport, off road, or racing Class Notes
1946 n/a n/a n/a 50 cc (3.1 cu in) Single 2-stroke Street Motorized bicycle (engine only) War surplus Tohatsu generator[2]
1946 Unofficially, "The Chimney" n/a n/a 50 cc (3.1 cu in) Single 2-stroke Street Motorized bicycle (engine only) Copy of Tohatsu[2]
1947 Model A A n/a 50 cc (3.1 cu in) Single 2-stroke Street Motorized bicycle [3]
1948 Model B B n/a 90 cc (5.5 cu in) Single 2-stroke Street Tricycle [4]
1948 Model C C n/a 90 cc (5.5 cu in) Single 2-stroke Street Motorized bicycle [4]
1949 Dream D n/a 98 cc (6.0 cu in) Single 2-stroke Street Standard [4][5]
1949 Dream 3E n/a 146 cc (8.9 cu in) Single 4-stroke Street Standard [6][7]
1952 Cub (Model F) F n/a 50 cc (3.1 cu in) Single 2-stroke Street Motorized bicycle (engine only) [8]
1953 Benly J n/a 90 cc (5.5 cu in) Single 4-stroke Street Standard [9]
1954 Juno K n/a 200 cc (12 cu in) Single 4-stroke Street Scooter [9][10]
1954[verification needed] Dream 4E n/a 220 cc (13 cu in) Single 4-stroke Street Standard [6][7]
1954[verification needed] Dream 6E n/a 189 cc (11.5 cu in) Single 4-stroke Street Standard [6][7]
195?[citation needed] Juno KA n/a 220 cc (13 cu in)[verification needed] Single 4-stroke Street Scooter [9][11]
195?[citation needed] Juno KB n/a 220 cc (13 cu in)[verification needed] Single 4-stroke Street Scooter [9]
19??[citation needed] Juno M M80 124 cc (7.6 cu in) Flat twin 4-stroke Street Scooter [9]
1955 Dream SA n/a 246 cc (15.0 cu in) Single 4-stroke Street Standard [11][12]
1962 Juno M M85 169 cc (10.3 cu in) Flat twin 4-stroke Street Scooter [9][11]
195?[citation needed] Juno KB n/a 200 cc (12 cu in) Single 4-stroke Street Scooter
1958 Super Cub C C100 49 cc (3.0 cu in) Single 4-stroke Street Moped [13]
1964 Super Cub CM CM90 90 cc (5.5 cu in) Single 4-stroke Street Moped [11]
1966 Super Cub C C50 49 cc (3.0 cu in) Single 4-stroke Street Moped [11]
1997 Little Cub C C50 49 cc (3.0 cu in) Single 4-stroke Street Moped [11]
1982 Lead (aka Aero or Vision) NH NH50 50 cc (3.1 cu in)[verification needed] Single 2-stroke Street Scooter [11] Also NB50?
[verification needed] Lead (aka Aero or Vision) NH NH80 80 cc (4.9 cu in)[verification needed] Single 2-stroke Street Scooter also NE50, SA50 Met-In? [citation needed]
[verification needed] Lead (aka Aero or Vision) NH NH125 125 cc (7.6 cu in)[verification needed] Single 2-stroke Street Scooter [citation needed]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Brown (1991) p. 35
  2. ^ a b Brown (1991) p. 13
  3. ^ Brown (1991) pp. 13-14
  4. ^ a b c Brown (1991) p. 14
  5. ^ Staff (1998) American Motorcyclist
  6. ^ a b c Brown (1991) p.16
  7. ^ a b c Honda Motor Co. (2009a) "Mutual Trust and Friendship" Communication from the Heart Sustained Honda (1954)
  8. ^ Brown (1991) p. 17
  9. ^ a b c d e f g Brown (1991) p. 18
  10. ^ Honda Motor Co. (2009a) "Declaring Entry in the Isle of Man TT Races (1953)"
  11. ^ a b c d e f g Honda Motor Co. (2009b)
  12. ^ Brown (1991) p. 21
  13. ^ Brown (1991) pp. 20-24

References[edit]

  • Brown, Roland (1991), Honda: The complete story, Wiltshire, England: The Crowood Press, ISBN 1852235446
  • Honda Motor Co. (2009a), Limitless Dreams: An outpouring of passion, retrieved 2009-12-25
  • Honda Motor Co. (2009b), Honda Worldwide | Collection Hall Search:, retrieved 2009-12-25
  • Staff (May 1998), "1951 Honda Dream Type D", American Motorcyclist, vol. 52, no. 5, Westerville, Ohio: American Motorcyclist Association, p. 111, ISSN 0277-9358


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