Honda Motorcycles (Hardcover)

by Aaron Frank (Author) "Late in 1999, in a darkened conference room in a New Orleans hotel, Honda declared war on the rest of the motorcycle world..." (more)
Key Phrases: racing department, production motorcycle, motorcycle industry, Gold Wing, American Honda, Grand Prix (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This beautiful book is the foremost account of the history of Honda. The result of $3,200 and a dream in 1948, The Honda Motor Company has become synonymous with innovation and quality and leads the world in motorcycle technology. With every passing year and each new model, the Honda name becomes even more prestigious in the motorcycling world. The world of Honda and motorcycle enthusiasts both crave a comprehensive look at these bikes and the company that produces them and this outstanding chronicle offers a truly remarkable perspective of more than fifty years of Honda’s prowess.

From the Publisher
• Complete history of the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer and its legendary founder
• Covers in detail both racing and street bikes
• Outstanding photography from noted shooter Jeff Hackett

The Honda CB92 Benly was the first antique Japanese motorcycle to command a five-figure price back in the 1980s, and old Hondas now dominate the collector’s market for classic Japanese motorcycles.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Motorbooks; First edition (May 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760310777
• ISBN-13: 978-0760310779
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 10.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #175,121 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #21 in	Books > Nonfiction > Automotive > Motorcycles > Pictorial
  #28 in	Books > Nonfiction > Automotive > Motorcycles > History

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely fantastic. The REAL DEAL., August 13, 2003

By	jordan Liebman (Lombard, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This is what a good, accurate, detailed motorcycle book is supposed to be. You get great information and fantastic pictures of original, historically important motorcycles, their riders and the facts that go with them. There is so much speculation these days by people who think they remember what happened, or what a bike was supposed to look like, or when a particular feature was added or changed in a particular model line. This book sets a lot of that straight. It seems the author knows and has spoken personally to the factory racers, mechanics, engineers and competitors to get the information. I got the impression that the author and the historic people themselves were good friends! I got a kick out of the Soichiro Honda quote the first time he rode the great CB 750 in 1969. It really brings characters to life.

Jeff Hackett is frequently used as a resource, as he is one of the top authorities on photographing and restoring old Hondas among other motorcycles. Many of the top authorities, authors and restorers have been accessed to create this book. To top it off I get great, color, engine-out photos of the famous RC-166 and RC-160 motors that so much legend has been made of.

This all in consideration, the book is not the absolute last word on Honda motorcycles, as many models, specifically US models and some others have been omitted or intentionally left-out. Thankfully, there are other top notch books like that written by Bill Silver that pick up any slack that was omitted herein, but this is the best effort so far at being far better than any "coffee table book" and definitely a must for the restorer or researcher. This is not a re-hashed and fluffed-up "coffee table book", as it is really an up-to-date, detailed history with a bit of myth and legend mixed it for good balance and flow. You should read it end to end; but, you can just as easily flip through it now and then for a "fix" as well. Either way, this is one book you should have in your collection.

For the record, I have personally started restoring old Hondas and this book no doubt will pay for itself repeatedly over the years as I take on new projects!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, June 14, 2003

By	pdc (Birmingham, AL USA) - See all my reviews

Well written, great photography, well researched sidebars on significant, influential models, more than I expected for the price. Very well done.

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Honda Motorcycles, July 18, 2006

By	Scooterhead - See all my reviews

Very nice reference book. Glad to have it as an addition to my collection..