Honda, from Kocinski to Valentino Rossi: Carlo Fiorani takes us through the bikes that made history
Honda, from Kocinski to Valentino Rossi: Carlo Fiorani takes us through the bikes that made history
A journey through Honda's history, exploring some of the motorcycles that helped build the Japanese manufacturer's legendary reputation. Carlo Fiorani, consultant to Honda Motor Europe, takes us on a tour of a remarkable collection featuring racing icons and motorcycles rarely seen by European enthusiasts.
From the RC45 endurance racer to the machine that carried John Kocinski to the 1997 World Superbike title, alongside MotoGP machinery and rare exhibits from Honda's Motegi museum, Fiorani revisits decades of racing success and technical innovation.
He also shares memories of the Suzuka 8 Hours and the unforgettable partnership between Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards, two riders he personally worked with.
The journey continues with fascinating road bikes, including the beautiful GB500 Clubman, the historic Benly twin-cylinder and the Italian-built 125cc sports bikes, among them the extremely rare NS125R Adriatico developed for the Japanese market.
And what about Honda's future? Fiorani admits he would love to see some classic design elements return on modern motorcycles, while emphasizing that Honda's greatest strength has always been its relentless pursuit of innovation.