Difference between revisions of "Defining the '80s (Honda)"

Other models also showed Honda's willingness to think off the page, venturing into the rarefied air of discovery. These included the [[Honda GL500I|1982 GL500I Silver Wing® Interstate, a mini Gold Wing]]; the recumbent [[Honda CN250|Helix™]] [[scooter]]; the CBX sport tourer; the ferocious [[Honda CX500T|'82 CX500 Turbo]], Honda's first [[turbocharged]] production street bike; and the [[Honda PC800|1989 Pacific Coast®]]. The most successful of all was Honda's line of Shadow® cruisers. The technical accomplishments of the original [[Honda VT750C|'83 VT™750C V-twin Shadow]] cruiser are often overlooked in the bright glare of other Honda innovations of the time. Even so, the Shadow's liquid-cooled, narrow-angle V-twin engine offered a variety of innovative technologies, including three-valve [[combustion chamber]]s and a vibration-canceling offset dual-pin crankshaft, a classic Honda feature still in use today. More importantly, the Shadow line helped strengthen the Japanese cruiser segment, currently the fastest-growing class in today's marketplace.

Other models also showed Honda's willingness to think off the page, venturing into the rarefied air of discovery. These included the [[Honda GL500I|1982 GL500I Silver Wing® Interstate, a mini Gold Wing]]; the recumbent [[Honda CN250|Helix™]] [[scooter]]; the CBX sport tourer; the ferocious [[Honda CX500T|'82 CX500 Turbo]], Honda's first [[turbocharged]] production street bike; and the [[Honda PC800|1989 Pacific Coast®]]. The most successful of all was Honda's line of Shadow® cruisers. The technical accomplishments of the original [[Honda VT750C|'83 VT™750C V-twin Shadow]] cruiser are often overlooked in the bright glare of other Honda innovations of the time. Even so, the Shadow's liquid-cooled, narrow-angle V-twin engine offered a variety of innovative technologies, including three-valve [[combustion chamber]]s and a vibration-canceling offset dual-pin crankshaft, a classic Honda feature still in use today. More importantly, the Shadow line helped strengthen the Japanese cruiser segment, currently the fastest-growing class in today's marketplace.

Cross-feeding technologies helped evolve the dual-sport XL and off-road XR™ machines. Four-stroke race bike and street bike technology improved the XL and XR singles, as did motocross frame and suspension technology. This cross pollination further indicated Honda's willingness to experiment, as motocross suspension technology was even applied to road racing. In 1986, this crossover helped Honda win every available National motocross title as well as the coveted AMA Superbike road racing title. Meanwhile, on the street, Honda models introduced technology such as integrated cylinders and [[crankcase]]s for the V-4 engines and the GL1500 Gold Wing's Reverse System.

Cross-feeding technologies helped evolve the dual-sport XL and off-road XR™ machines. Four-stroke race bike and street bike technology improved the XL and XR singles, as did motocross frame and suspension technology. This cross pollination further indicated Honda's willingness to experiment, as motocross suspension technology was even applied to road racing. In 1986, this crossover helped Honda win every available National motocross title as well as the coveted AMA Superbike road racing title. Meanwhile, on the street, Honda models introduced technology such as integrated cylinders and [[crankcase]]s for the V-4 engines and the GL1500 Gold Wing's Reverse System.