Since selling their first motorcycle in 1949, Honda quickly established itself as a force to be reckoned with in the motorcycle marketplace. By 1964, the Japanese company was the world's largest manufacturer of motorbikes. And things have gone swimmingly ever since for the brand, which continues to build incredible machines every year. And 2021 is shaping up to be another stellar year.
The motorcycles produced by Honda have moved people across the planet like no other. The numbers are staggering. The company reached an impressive milestone in 2019, having built a monumental 400 million motorcycles since launching the very first "Dream D-Type." Damn, that's a lot of bikes.
For the 2021 model year, Honda has again outdone themselves with several all-new rides to stir your motor oil-infused blood, as well as a few upgraded models and continuations of tried and true "new" classics. Here's what we have learned about Honda's 2021 lineup that you should know about.
10 2021 Honda CBR1000RR-R SP Fireblade
When a Honda fan sees a CBR Fireblade, even before riding it, they know that the bike handles like no other. So folks are excited about the all-new CBR1000RR Fireblade SP, which was heavily influenced by the wants and needs of circuit-riding. They are also pumped about the new engine, which Honda Pro Kevin called "the most powerful inline four-cylinder engine that Honda has ever made." This bike is fast and agile. It has 215 hp (at 14500 rpm) and weighs only 443 lbs. You do the math.
9 2021 Honda CRF250R
You are looking at a bike with a championship pedigree. So why change it? The 2020 version of the Honda CF250R was the 2020 AMA Arenacross top dog, thanks to the daring of rider Kyle Peters and the wizardry of the Phoenix Racing team. And since they made zero changes to the bike, expect more of the same from the Honda hotshots. The bike doesn't need anything, really, with plenty of power and expert handling. Why mess with greatness? How much does perfection cost? $7,999.
8 2021 Honda Monkey 125
Part of the brand's miniMOTO line-up along with the Super Cub C125 ABS and the Grom - the diminutive Monkey is as historic as it is tiny. This little guy has been moving people since 1961. But do not be fooled by its name or its age - the Monkey is modern and reliable. It is not, however, all new for 2021. In fact, everything is an exact repeat of 2020 right down to the paint options (Banana Yellow is rather appealing).
7 2021 Honda CT125 Hunter Cub
The bike that wowed them at the trades has made its way to the showroom floor for 2021. And what a good-looking bike it is. Expect the 2021 Honda CT125 Hunter Cub - which gets its mojo from the Super Cub C125 - to feature the familiar low-range transmission, perfect for tooling around the city or surveying the rougher ground. There have also been security upgrades, rigidity tweaks, and handling improvements. Note the extended area for carriers for package transport.
6 2021 Honda CB300R ABS
They call the CB300R a "Neo-Sports Café" bike. Sounds like something George Clooney would enjoy. The ABS stands for anti-lock brakes, which is a big deal on a ride this size and this lightweight. You'll definitely notice similarities between the 300R and the CB1000R, especially in the fuel tank department. Looking for high-rpm fun? This nimble beauty sports a "free-revving, responsive" 286cc DOHC four-valve engine that is liquid-cooled. This bike is all about minimalism, including the single cylinder.
5 2021 Honda Super Cub 125 ABS
The Super Cub is the highest-selling motor vehicle of all time and has been riding the nostalgia wave since its re-introduction back into the U.S. market back in 2018. Limited color offerings, the same specs as the previous year, and an MSRP of $3,749 await buyers in 2021. Honda wants to remind folks that while the devilishly cute bike is a throw-back design, underneath lurks major modern advancements in technology like a clutch-less semi-automatic transmission that's left-foot shifted like the big boys.
4 2021 Honda ADV150
It sure doesn't look like a scooter, but the Honda ADV150 is 100% scoot. This new configuration is aimed at adventure types looking for a little more fun than their average death-defying daily commute. Driving something this light on wet roads can be tricky, and a new ABS package will help with that. Also, there's a 12-volt adapter for electronics. What's not included? Something to help with the shame one feels driving one of these in heavy traffic wearing a dirty McDonald's uniform.
3 2021 Honda GL 1800 Gold Wing Tour
Honda Gold Wings are incredible machines worth every penny. These big, beautiful bikes comfortably cruised their way into the hearts of riders for decades and now Honda is unleashing a revamped model for 2021. The new cycle is shorter, lighter, and uses less fuel. The exhaust has been redesigned to "improve cooling and make engine snoring more pleasant." Want more new tech? Dial-up "Walking Mode," which enables the rider to more easily maneuver the bike at very slow speeds, such as parking.
2 2021 CTX700
This just in from the nothing-to-see-here file: The popular CTX700 DCT sees no changes from the previous year. In fact, the bike has basically been the same since 2018. There is still plenty to write home about, including a digital instrument cluster, and upper and lower fairing parts that are only available on this model. Honda has found great success with the new handlebar-button shifting Automatic Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT), which is also a feature of the CTX700.
1 Africa Twin & Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES
The Africa Twin models changed the game when they were let loose on unsuspecting terrain in 2020. And now they are back and, well ... exactly the same. It is understandable that Honda wouldn't want to tinker with rugged perfection. And if you are deadly serious about getting the best adventure bike, the Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES is the one you want. The bike is feature-laden with Earth-assaulting goodies like tubeless tires, a bigger gas tank, heated handle grips, and an electronically controlled suspension.
Sources: Total Motorcycle, Honda Powersports, Motobike 2020