THE HONDA TRIALS HISTORY
ホンダのトライアルの歴史
The Honda Trials History webpage is a review of all the four-stroke Honda trials bikes from the beginning at early Sixties to later eighties with the RTL 250s.
Focussed on these nice and special bikes, also I joined to them, a brief history of the involved people on the History of this great Japanese brand.
I wish to express my sincere thanks to all the people that is giving me their support on this project.
Also my very sincere thanks to the other Honda Trials friend websites that are a good complement and I strongly recommend to also visit and enjoy them.
Many thanks also to RTLR People for their support, help and knowledge. If this website has no so much mistakes or wrong information is thanks to them, if some can be done was sure my fault. Thanks Patrick, thanks Olivier, and many thanks Jean!
Special thanks to Tommy Sandham:
Tommy was the first to open the «closed box» of the Honda trials history with his valuable book FOUR-STROKE FINALE? that wrote with John Dickinson. Tommy Sandham was one of the most popular, appreciate and expert trials bike journalists.He also wrote three books dedicated to the «Scottish», the Scottish 1900-1962, the 1963-1989 and the 1984-2009, essential for your library!!
Tommy with his nice TL250
Today retired of his job, he has had the great kindness to dedicate me these beautiful words:
«Joan Forrellad has put together an extraordinarily interesting site about Honda trials motorcycles. Well done!»
I was lucky enough to ride three of them, or should that be four of them? I had a 125cc Honda TL which was a brilliant bike. I then added a Sammy Miller frame and increased the engine capacity to 150cc which made it even better. I then had a TL250 which was a heavy lump but that bike provided the best fun you can have with your clothes still on! And of course I was very lucky to have the opportunity to ride the 360cc works Honda of Rob Shepherd in January 1981 for a couple of hours. What an incredible bike! Of course I was never a good enough rider to use it to its full potential!! Great memories!
Good luck with the site.»
Tommy Sandham, Co-Author of “Four-Stroke Finale? The Honda Trials Story”
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Special Thanks to Mr. Hiroshi Kondo. Hiroshi was the winner of The Japan Trials Championship in 1974 with Yamaha TY250J and with Honda in 1977, 1978 and 1979.
Hiroshi Kondo rode with the special Honda RS250T, the Works RTL305 long stroke type and in 1982 he made the amazing Honda first aluminum frame, called «Alien» because its special appearance.
After reading the webpage The Honda Trials History let me say:
«Joan san, I enjoy it very much!!!» Hiroshi Kondo
My acknowledgments also to John Moffat, Ryosuke Ikuno, Jimmy Young, Iain Lawrie and Patrick Jay for his active support on this site.
I also strongly recommend to visit Moffat’s Honda folder at Trialsguru. Nice recab of pictures and articles from around, very well documented and complementary to Honda Trials History website or other Honda trials classic sites. Good job John!!
Thanks to RTLR People for his support, help and knowledge. If this website has no so much mistakes or wrong information is thanks to them, if some can be done was sure my fault. Thanks Patrick, thanks Olivier, and many thanks Jean!
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Pat (Aspen Cafe owner and Trials passionate) and Joan (The Honda Trials History founder) at Aspen Cafe bar, winter 2011. Aspen Cafe is an important meeteing point for all the natur lovers and trials bike passionates. You can find there people from everywere of the world, Japanese people, French, English, Spanish, Italian, German,….from everywere!! Charm place, carried from a friendly and hospitality way by my friend Pat.
Any information you would like to send me, please feel free to use following email adress: honda@onlytrial.com
Many thanks also for following words and support:
» Should Honda trials bikes interest you then have a look at www.onlytrial.com – an excellent website for Honda fans.»
Tim Britton, Editor Classic Dirt Bike
«Le site où l’on truve tout sur les Honda trial à partir de 1965. Une mine d’or pour les passionnés du poum-poum nippon!»
Charles Benhamou, Trial Classic Magazine, Horse serie nº4
«…Pour les amateurs de Honda classic, voici un site qui retrace l’histoire de cette marque dans le milieu du trial au fil des ans…»
Jackrider post at Trial en ancienne Forum
«You will love this. It’s possibly the best web site I have seen on Honda trials machines. Check out to view the history of Honda trials.»
John Hulme news on Trialmag.net
«Excellent resource about the history of Honda Trials…»
Honda-Trials.com
«…sin duda una lugar de visita imprescindible para todos los Honda-trial-adictos que son un colectivo amplísimo…»
«En el mundo de los aficionados y seguidores de Honda trial está empezando a ser un referente.»
Nandu from Zonatrial.net
«Congratulations on a great website , its really enjoyable.»
Retrotrials.com
«L’historique des Honda de Trial, Tout est ici, c’est en anglais, mais super bien fait ! www.onlytrial.com
Le Forum des Honda Trial
«Obviously your website answers a need from Honda trials lovers from all over the world. When I see so many contributors, including several friends of mine and others I had never heard of, it shows that you are doing it the right way. I can only imagine how much work and effort it takes !»
Jean Caillou
«For much more information on Honda Trials machines it is worth looking at The Honda Trials Story on www.onlytrial.com«
Trials Guru