Honda is a staple in the industry, renowned for building some of the best and most reliable machines ever made. Yet, ironically, Honda didn’t always have this reputation, at least not when the young Soichiro Honda started his first company, building piston rings for Toyota in the late 1930s. Soichiro’s naivete and lack of training caused him and the company several setbacks, but he eventually turned those failures into learning opportunities that paved the way to his future success. Within a decade, Soichiro sold his parts company and set his sights on a new type of transportation--the motorized bicycle.
Honda brought his vision to life in 1949 with the debut of his first motorcycle, a 98-cc machine dubbed the "Dream." Officially known as the Model D, the Dream D set the stage for Honda’s future in the transportation industry. Over the years, Honda fine-tuned its motorcycle design to offer class-leading bikes in nearly every category. The result is phenomenal, as we see with the 2022 Honda lineup and everything it provides drivers looking to get in the saddle of a revolutionary and reliable two-wheeled powerhouse that bears the Honda name. So, for San Francisco residents looking to experience a Honda for themselves and are wondering, "Is there a Honda motorcycle dealer near me?" look no further than SF Moto and our extensive selection of Honda motorcycles.
Honda’s Touring Motorcycles
The legendary Gold Wing makes up Honda’s touring lineup and continues to impress long after its 1974 debut. The 2022 Gold Wing pays homage to its touring roots and is powered by a 1833cc six-cylinder engine, which is 13 lbs lighter than the previous model and gives the Gold Wing a curb or wet weight of 804 lbs. Moreover, Honda makes it easy to harness this power by giving riders a choice between a traditional six-speed transmission and the exclusive automatic seven-speed DCT transmission.
As a touring bike, the Gold Wing is laden with everything you need to ride longer and farther. It offers ample cargo and luggage storage, weather protection, and a state-of-the-art sound system that delivers an immersive listening experience when you’re in the saddle. Honda also ensures you stay connected with USB connections and smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which make it easy to answer calls and use voice commands even when navigating the road ahead.
Honda’s Adventure Motorcycles
The Africa Twin is Honda’s signature adventure bike and sits amid many options like the NC750X, XR650L, CB500X, and the CRF family. But what makes the Africa Twin such a standout in the segment? First introduced in the late 1980s, the Africa Twin immediately distinguished itself as a go-anywhere bike. The 2022 model continues that tradition, encouraging riders to travel anywhere adventure calls.
In many instances, answering the call of adventure on a bike means sacrificing state-of-the-art technology for reliability and performance. However, that’s not the case with the Africa Twin, which offers a four-trim lineup that answers a broad range of riding needs. The standard Africa Twin is designed for serious off-roaders, while the Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES is designed for long-distance adventures where comfort is necessary. Because of this, the Adventure Sports ES comes with unique components like an electronically controlled suspension, heated grips, tubeless tires, and an adjustable windscreen that make longer rides more enjoyable even when venturing off the beaten path.
Honda’s Cruiser Motorcycles
Honda’s cruiser bikes have several things in common—they’re all stylistically impressive and deliver an exceptional ride. This is true whether you’re in the saddle of the Fury, Shadow Phantom or Aero, or any of the Rebel models. So, how do the models differentiate themselves?
The Rebel is available in three unique models—a 300, 500, and 1100. The bikes share the classic cruiser style but have critical differences in their power plants, i.e., the size of the engine and its power output. For example, the Rebel 300 relies on a 286cc single-cylinder or thumper engine, the Rebel 500 on a 471cc twin-cylinder, and the Rebel 1100 on a 1084cc twin-cylinder. The powertrain differences give the bikes different weights and driving dynamics, with the Rebel 1100 designed as a performance cruiser that can handle itself at any speed.
While the Rebel lineup differentiates itself with its power plants, the rest of the cruiser fleet focuses on style. The 2022 Shadow Phantom is a stealthy warrior with its blacked-out V-twin engine, throaty exhaust, and low seat. Likewise, the Fury distinguishes itself with its longer and lower design, boasting a raked front end that immediately sets it apart from every other cruiser in the lineup.
Honda’s Standard Motorcycles
Honda gives drivers plenty of options with its standard lineup, which includes versatile models like the CB500F, CB1000R Black Edition, CB650R, and CB300R. The CB500F is widely acclaimed for its value and versatility because it offers a remarkable combination of performance, capability, comfort, and state-of-the-art technology. The 2022 model is a prime example of this because it pairs its classic streetfighter style with an all-new Showa upside-down SFF-BP fork, lighter wheels, and dual front brake discs with radial-mount four-piston calipers for exceptional stopping power.
The CBR300R takes a different approach with its lightweight design making it incredibly agile and easy to maneuver. On the opposite end of the spectrum is the 2022 CB1000R Black Edition, which exudes sophistication and performance with its handcrafted, elegant design. Completely blacked out, the Black Edition is engineered to perform with its 998cc inline four-cylinder engine and forged pistons that optimizes its strength. In addition, the open riding position and exclusive components like the three-level quick shifter give the rider more control, allowing you to harness the bike’s power for your specific needs.
Honda’s Sport Motorcycles
Many bikes, like the CB1000R Black Edition and the rest of the CBR family, overlap with Honda’s segment of sport bikes. These models focus less on long-distance touring and more on performance, showcasing Honda’s remarkable history of building competent and reliable bikes. You’ll find models like the CBR500R lay the foundation for this segment, especially with the 2022 model introducing an all-new front end, fork, and dual front disc brakes. These updates and the bike’s lighter wheels and swingarm improve the CBR500R’s handling and performance, making it incredibly responsive and engaging to ride.
The CBR650R takes a similar approach and builds on its legendary engine—a transverse inline-four that Honda pioneered. The result is remarkable, making the CBR650R responsive, smooth, and wildly capable without sacrificing its overall weight or design. These characteristics and the bike’s unique aesthetic have earned the CBR650R its reputation as a sportbike superstar with a penchant for speed and adventure.
What Will You Ride?
Honda is a pioneer in the motorcycle industry in many ways, from its engine design to its exceptional success in delivering affordable and reliable power and performance. But it’s also a pioneer in another regard; it offers class-leading options in nearly every motorcycle segment. Why does this matter? Honda’s diverse lineup makes riding accessible to more riders. Whether you’re looking for an adventure, touring, or cruiser, Honda has something for everyone.
This diversity and Honda’s stellar reputation for its engineering and reliability make it easy to choose a two-wheeled powerhouse from the Honda lineup. The question is, what will that choice look like for you? Will it be a legendary tourer like the Gold Wing, or will it mean getting in the saddle of a versatile adventurer like the African Twin? Come into SF Moto today, and we'll be more than happy to help you answer that question!
