Talk:List of Honda motorcycles/Workpage

This list of Honda motorcycles has one row for each significant model, by default ordered by year of introduction. Data then includes name (if any) and the letter broken out from the letter and number model code, followed by displacement, number of cylinders, two or four stroke and they general type and class of motorcycle, and finally, one or more citations.

Nomenlature
Beginning with the first complete motorized bicycle from Honda, a straightforward system of Model A, Model B and Model C was used. The Model D was the first Honda to also have a name, Dream. This historic bike's name would be re-used many times since then, as well as appearing in Honda advertising slogans and campaigns.

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Comment: This is an ambitious project, but given the sheer number of motorcycle models Honda has manufactured, it will be very difficult to complete.

As for nomenclature, the system described above may be correct for early models, but Honda has used an entirely different model numbering system since at least the 1980s. Perhaps the best known example of Honda's model numbering system is illustrated by the 1987-91 VFR750R, which has become better known by its model code "RC30". The first letter relates to the engine capacity of the motorcycle: A (50cc to 79cc), H (80cc to 124cc), J (125cc to 149cc), K (150cc to 184cc), L (185cc to 199cc), M (200cc to 349cc), N (350cc to 449cc), P (450cc to 649cc), R (650cc to 899cc) and S (for 900cc and up). The second letter relates to the type of motorcycle, with "C" referring to a street motorcycle, "D" referring to a dual-sport, "E" for an off-road model and "F" for a scooter, among many others. Finally, the two digits are simply the sequential number assigned to each new model of a particular engine capacity and type. Accordingly, an "RC30" refers to the 30th 650-899cc street motorcycle model manufactured by Honda since the introduction of the new model numbering system. As of 2013, Honda has continued to use this system (the latest "RC" model being the RC63 NC700 family of motorcycles).

Model years have been assigned in a consistent way to Honda motorcycles since approximately 1979, using the same model year convention as used in the VIN system.

In contrast, Honda's motorcycle model names have not rigorously followed any convention that I am aware of and seem to be at least in part based on marketing considerations within the company's various markets. Accordingly, I think that using model names as the primary basis for organising a list of Honda motorcycles could be potentially quite confusing. At least since 1980, the best way to organise Honda motorcycle models would be to utilise model numbers (e.g., RC30, NC29, etc.--but not "RC51", which is actually a US-specific model name, not a model number).

Sources: Primarily OR, based on various Honda and non-Honda sources, unfortunately. Some of this information can be found in official Honda publications, however. JZH (talk) 14:30, 3 September 2013 (UTC)