Honda’s U.S. operations began in 1959 at a modest storefront on West Pico Boulevard in Los Angeles, California. (Photo courtesy Honda)

With just eight employees and three models, Honda began selling motorcycles in the U.S. 60 years ago, in September 1959. To celebrate the milestone, American Honda hosted an event in late September in conjunction with the American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo) in Columbus, Ohio.

Colin Miller, Motorcycle Press Relations Onroad Media Coordinator at American Honda, provides a technical overview of the new 2020 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES during a special presentation at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. (Photo by Jen Muecke)

It began with a technical briefing and in-person look at the new CRF1100L Africa Twin and CRF1100L Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES, held at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum in Pickerington, Ohio. The next day, aboard a selection of 2019 models from its demo fleet, Honda’s motorcycle press relations staff, select dealers and members of the press rode through the central Ohio countryside to Marysville, home of the Honda Heritage Center, which houses a museum highlighting the company’s achievements in North America, as well as Honda of America Manufacturing, where the company began building motorcycles in 1979.
READ: 2020 Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin First Look Review

The Honda Heritage Center is located in Marysville, Ohio, across the street from the aut...