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By 1973 [[Honda]] was known as a builder of four-stroke motorcycles. Two-stroke bikes were offered by other manufacturers and they were winning the road racing events. In the 70's, four-stroke motorcycles did not stand a chance against two-strokes in motocross racing. In | By 1973 [[Honda]] was known as a builder of four-stroke motorcycles. Two-stroke bikes were offered by other manufacturers and they were winning the road racing events. In the 70's, four-stroke motorcycles did not stand a chance against two-strokes in motocross racing. In 1973 Honda stunned everyone with its revolutionary Elsinore CR250M two-stroke. | ||
It was Honda's first two-stroke (apart from some early attempts 25 years before) and the first purpose-built, production motocross machine from Honda. It changed motocross bikes forever with its light weight, 29 horsepower over a broad [[Revolutions per minute|RPM]] band, and superlative handling. As a complete package, it challenged the established European dominance. | It was Honda's first two-stroke (apart from some early attempts 25 years before) and the first purpose-built, production motocross machine from Honda. It changed motocross bikes forever with its light weight, 29 horsepower over a broad [[Revolutions per minute|RPM]] band, and superlative handling. As a complete package, it challenged the established European dominance. | ||
In | In 1973, a modified Elsinore ridden by Gary Jones won the first AMA 250 Nationals. In time, it became the most successful motocross bike in AMA history, winning 24 National and Supercross titles. | ||