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1949 - The Honda Dream D-Type, Honda’s first motorcycle. (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=161730)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/1949_Honda_Dream_D-Type.jpgWayne Gerdes – CleanMPG (cleanmpg.com) – Oct. 30, 2008

1949 Honda Dream

Honda first motorcycle was named the Dream, a name that seemed to symbolize Honda itself. This machine was the embodiment of the company’s dream of becoming a full-fledged motorcycle manufacturer.

TOKYO – Honda today announced that Honda's cumulative worldwide motorcycle production reached the 200 million-unit milestone last month. Honda achieved this milestone in the 60th year since the company began motorcycle production in 1949 with the Dream D-type (shown). It was just 11-years ago when Honda passed the one-hundred million mark.

The history of Honda’s motorcycle business began with the start of mass-production of the Dream D-type in 1949. The Dream D-Type was Honda’s first full scale motorcycle that no longer had the look of a bicycle with an auxiliary engine. The design had evolved into something appropriate for a motorcycle with an innovative for the time, clutchless transmission…

Production outside of Japan began at Honda’s motorcycle plant in Belgium in 1963, and since then Honda has been expanding its local production to many countries around the world based on Honda’s commitment to “build products close to the customer.” Honda first cultivates new markets and establishes a business foundation with motorcycles, which later serves as the foundation of automobile business. Honda currently produces motorcycles at 32 plants in 22 countries around the world. Moreover, Honda established local motorcycle R&D operations in the U.S., Germany, Italy, Thailand, China, and India dedicating its effort to develop motorcycles that meet the needs of local customers.

Honda Motorcycle Milestone’s

1949 - Honda Dream launched

1951 - Honda’s E-Type 4-stroke

1959 - American Honda Established

1963 - Motorcycle Production in Belgium

1969 - Honda CB750 Four

1976 - CG125 Large Scale Production in Brazil

1979 - Return to the Motorcycle World Grand Prix

1997 - 100 Million Motorcycles sold worldwide

2008 - 200 Million Motorcycles sold worldwide

Honda’s annual worldwide motorcycle sales exceeded 10 million units in 2004. Honda envisions sales of more than 18 million units in 2010.

Honda motorcycles is part of my "roots" in the working world. I worked in a Honda shop from 74-79 during high school (& a year after). Started at a whopping $2.25 per hour.

You meet the nicest people on a Honda.
From Mighty to Mini, Honda has it all: Is a couple of the slogans I remember.

Here is a link to a brief article about the start of Soichiro Honda's empire (http://motorcycleviews.com/honda/hondaandaquiztoo.htm).

That bike is a classic beauty. They still make a Dream. The Dream 50R. http://world.honda.com/HRC/products/dream50r/

It's a 49cc race bike. :D

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2004models/2004-HondaDream50Ra.jpg

My user name is in tribute to the first Honda motorcycle I ever owned. It was a 1961 Honda Dream 305cc. Little did I know at the time that I would eventually be driving Honda cars. In fact, it's the only brand I've bought in nearly 30 years.

The Dream 305, as it was known in Canada, opened the market to larger machines when the Super Cub 50 was all the rage. Soon after there were the Super Hawks and the Elsinore dirt bikes. California (and elsewhere) would never the same again with so many of these inexpensive and reliable machines being sold.

Thinking back, I recall being impressed by the quality and clever design of the Dream. Compared to the typical British bike of the day, it was quite sophisticated: OHC, electric start, 90 mpg, quiet and reliable.

Several years later I got back to riding enduro (dual sport) Hondas and still enjoy exploring the network of forestry roads in this part of Canada.

If there is any better proof of the results of Honda's long-standing commitment to research and quality, it has to be their well deserved reputation. Sadly this is something too many other manufacturers don't seem to understand.

Cheers,

Roger

I did my part! I bought 7 Honda motorcycles. Each was different and all were outstanding.

I would say that the CB750 was probably the most important motorcycle of the last 50 years.

I had a Honda C90 moped when I was a kid, that thing was a blast.

My first mode of transportaion was a roughly used Honda XR80. I purchased it when I was 13 or 14 and drove it home without telling my parents - oops.

I've never owned or even ridden a motorcycle, but that '49 Dream in the article is a work of art. Beautiful piece of machinery.

With the pinstriping, that Honda Dream looks like a vintage BMW motorcycle.

Harry

I love Honda...started out learning to ride on a Honda 160 street bike. I've owned 2 XL 185 bikes, and a couple of trail 90s. Bought my first Honda car in 1976...a new CVCC Civic, and have owned a string of Civics and Accords since.

I rode a Honda CB100 (http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/honda_cb_100_1973.php) back in the mid 70s. It was fun and practical, and got over 90mpg. It would cruise great at 55, and was perfect for suburban riding.

I also had a 1971 Honda 600 Sedan (http://www.honda600source.com/) in the late 70s. It fit *inside* a 4 x 8 foot U-Haul trailer that I used to bring it home. Rebuilt the 2 cylinder 600cc engine and drove it over 50K miles without a single problem. No oil gauge or idiot light - the original owner threw a rod when it ran low on oil! Fun times - $5.00 filled it and gave me change. Drove from San Diego to Seattle on $20 a number of times in that car. Always got in the low 40's for mpg.

I've also had 3 Honda Accords. Fun to drive. All had under 2 liter engines and 5 speed trannies. ;)