AMERICAN SAMOA NATIONAL PARK'S

American Samoa National Park's 10,500 acres of paleotropical rainforests, pristine coral reefs, and magnificent white sand beaches are located on the three South Pacific islands of Tutuila, Ofu, and Ta'u.

Two lush rainforest preserves and a coral reef are home to unique tropical animals including the flying fox, Pacific boa, tortoises, and an array of birds and fish.

From the mountaintops down to the ocean's edge, these islands are covered with a diverse, mixed-species, paleotropical (Old World) rainforest. Samoa's rainforest is closely related to that of Asia and Africa, as opposed to the neotropical (New World) rainforests of Central and South America.

Depending on elevation, the forest can be characterized as coastal, lowland, ridge, montane, or cloud forest. In addition to many species of trees, vegetation here includes vines, ferns, lichens, epiphytes (air plants), and mosses.

The Manu'a Islands (Ofu, Olosega, Ta'u) of eastern American Samoa are famous for their history, culture, and spectacular beauty. The wildlife of Manu'a is also special. Since the Manu'a Islands are only 60 miles east of Tutuila, one might expect that the same kinds of birds and animals would be found in both places, but in fact, there are four species of birds living in Manu'a that do not occur on Tutuila.

The most beautiful of the birds of Manu'a is Samoa's only parrot, the segavao, or blue-crowned lory. This tiny jewel of a bird, only 7 inches long, is colored with emerald-green back and wings, ruby red face and throat, and a sapphire-blue crown. In historic times these colorful feathers were used to decorate fine mats.

American Samoa is home to many different birds and fish and a few very interesting mammals. There are more than 35 species of birds, both resident and migratory, including seabirds, water birds, forest birds, and shore birds. The cliffs and sea stacks are ideal nesting habitat for tropical seabirds, while the rainforest is home to collared kingfishers, cardinal and wattled honeyeaters, blue-crowned lories, Samoan starlings, purple-capped fruit doves, many-colored fruit doves, Pacific pigeons, and banded rails.

Bats are the only native mammals found in American Samoa. They are harmless to people. There are two species of flying foxes (fruit bat) and one insect-eating bat species here. The fruit bats, the Samoan flying fox and the white-collared flying fox, are as large as one pound, with a wingspan of 3 feet. They eat pollen and fruits and serve an essential role in the ecology of the native rainforest by pollinating plants and dispersing seeds.

Of the park's total area of 10,500 acres, about 8,000 acres are rainforest. Depending on elevation, this forest can be characterized as coastal, lowland, ridge, montane, or cloud forest. In addition to many species of trees, plants found here include vines, ferns, lichens, epiphytes (air plants) , and mosses.

Samoa's rainforest is closely related to that of Asia and Africa, as opposed to the neotropical (New World) rainforests of Central and South America. In mixed-species forest, no single tree or plant species dominates. The rainforests within park boundaries are largely intact, and extend uninterrupted from sea level up to cloud forests on mountain summits. This is the only rainforest of its kind protected within a US national park.

Subsistence farming is allowed on some park lands. Near villages that border on the rainforest there are small plantations where taro, coconut, banana, breadfruit, papaya, mango and other crops are grown for a family's consumption.

Amalau Valley
The Amalau Valley is a good place to watch above the trees for flying foxes.

Coral Reefs
The coral reefs off the coast of Ofu Island are among the healthiest in the South Pacific.

Flying Fox
The Samoan flying fox, a giant fruit bat, has a wingspan of about three feet and weighs almost one pound.

Matafao Peak
Matafao Peak is Tutuila Island's tallest mountain at 2,142 feet.

Mount 'Alava
Mount 'Alava rises up from the Amalau Valley to tower above the ocean at 1,610 feet.

ACADIA NATIONAL PARK

Acadia preserves about 40,000 acres of Atlantic Coast shoreline, mixed hardwood and spruce/fir forest, mountains, lakes, and several offshore islands. Each headland, bay, and inlet reveals the majestic interface between sea and land.

Acadia's rocky headlands bear the brunt of enormous energies unleashed in waves that batter cliffs and erupt in lofty spray. Behind these headlands lie Acadia's forests and mountains, made easy to explore by an extensive system of carriage roads.

Wildlife includes 40 mammal species, 11 species of amphibians, over 273 species of birds, and 7 species of reptiles; more than a dozen other terrestrial and marine mammals have been identified on adjacent lands or water bodies.

While most visitors spend their time within the Mount Desert Island portion of the park, the Schoodic Peninsula and Isle au Haut hold wonders of their own.

Deep shell heaps indicate American Indian encampments dating back 6,000 years here, but prehistoric records are scanty. The first written descriptions of Maine Coast Indians, recorded 100 years after European trade contacts began, describe American Indians who lived off the land by hunting, fishing, collecting shellfish, and gathering plants and berries.

BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison's unique and spectacular landscape was formed slowly by the action of water and rock scouring down through hard Proterozoic crystalline rock.

No other canyon in North America combines the narrow opening, sheer walls, and startling depths offered by the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. The Gunnison River within the Black Canyon drops an average of 95 feet per mile (18 meters per kilometer), one of the greatest rates of fall for a river in North America.

The canyon offers opportunities for spectacular drive-up viewing, short walks to many canyon overlooks, hiking trails and routes, wildlife viewing, birding, camping, picnicking, photography, fishing (physically demanding access), bouldering, inner-canyon hiking and climbing.

Inner Canyon
As in any wilderness experience, you should be prepared to adapt to the conditions found there. This is an on-your-own experience. There are no maintained or marked trails into the inner canyon. Routes are difficult to follow. Hikers are expected to find their own way and to be prepared for self-rescue.

While descending, study the route behind, as this will make it easier on the way up when confronted with a choice of routes and drainages. The hike into the canyon and back up is very strenuous. Bring high energy foods and at least 4 quarts of water per person.

A sports drink is recommended. River water must be treated but remember that wading in the cold water (40F) is hazardous. At levels above 450-500 cubic feet per second the combination of high, swift water and cold temperatures increases the danger. Also be aware that poison ivy grows in the drainages and along the river.

North Rim
Animal and bird life abound on the North Rim. Some commonly seen animals include deer, coyote, porcupine, yellow-bellied marmot, chipmunk, and squirrel. Occasional sightings are also made of badger, bobcat, and black bear. Bird watchers should keep an eye out for such species as red-tailed hawk, white-throated swift and violet green swallow, Clark's nutcracker, raven, western tanager and falcon (prairie and peregrine).

Rock climbing on the sheer, vertical walls of the North Rim is a popular activity with advanced and expert level climbers. Remember this when you get the urge to throw a rock over the edge. You can bike on the North Rim Road but not on the trails. Pets on a leash are welcome everywhere except for the North Vista Trail.

Hikers should be aware that limited cattle grazing is permitted on the North Rim. Please keep cattle gates closed should you encounter them. Horseback riding is permitted only on North Rim Drive and Deadhorse Trail. Hikers should give riders the right of way by stepping off the trail and avoiding sudden movements or noise.

South Rim
From the rim of the Vernal Mesa, enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the San Juan Mountain Range, Uncompahgre Valley, and Bostwick Park to the south. To the north, look for the West Elk Mountains, Painted Wall, Gunnison River, and Black Canyon.



NEXT

THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS SOUTH AMERICA

The Galapagos Islands are famous for the rich diversity of life found on their 120 volcanic islands, located directly on the Equator about 1000 km off the Pacific coast of South America.

Naturalist Charles Darwin's monumental work On the Origin of Species by Natural Selection was based largely upon observations he made during a five-week stay in the Galapagos in 1835, while on the 5-year journey of exploration of the HMS Beagle. Elevations range from sea level to the 1,707-metre summit of Wolf Volcano, one of many extinct, dormant, and active volcanoes found throughout the 766,514 hectares of protected islands and 7,990,000 hectares of marine reserve within the Galapagos Archipelago.

Habitats include varied coastal vegetation, mangrove swamps in coves and lagoons, arid zones of cactus and other species, and moist upland forests and shrublands in the high-elevation fog belt. Wildlife includes 11 subspecies of the Galapagos giant tortoise, each on a different island; marine iguanas, which graze on rocks under the sea; Galapagos penguin, Galapagos flightless cormorant, Galapagos hawk, lava heron, and dozens of other bird species; and mammals including Galapagos fur seal, Galapagos sea lion, and two species of bats.

Most of the breeding land birds of the Galapagos Archipelago are endemic to the islands, as are one-third of the vascular land plants. With the exception of two marine tortoises, all the reptiles of the Galapagos are endemic as well, including marine iguanas, terrestrial iguanas, many lizards and geckos, and 11 subspecies of Galapagos giant tortoise. Green turtles and hawksbill turtles are common in the waters surrounding the islands, and the green turtles breed on sandy beaches.

Native mammals of the Galapagos are few, owing to the 1,000 km span of Pacific Ocean between these volcanic islands and the mainland. The six native species include Galapagos fur seal, Galapagos sea lion, two species of rice rat, and two species of bat.

It is possible, in some seasons, to arrange tours of the Galapagos upon your arrival in the islands. This is reportedly less expensive than advance bookings on the mainland.

CORCOVADO NATIONAL PARK

This magnificent tropical wilderness domain is one of the last major old-growth rainforests in Central America.

Encompassing more than 54,000 land hectares and 2,400 of ocean, Corcovado National Park is a lush realm of misty cloud forests, oak woodlands, deep swamps, hot sandy beaches, and impenetrable rainforests.

More than 500 tree species occur here, in an incredibly diverse array of habitats that are home to 367 species of birds, 140 species of mammals, 51 species of amphibians, 64 species of reptiles, 40 species of freshwater fish, and more than 6,000 species of insects.

Crocodiles, jaguars, pumas, white-lipped peccaries, and howler monkeys roam the forests, while hummingbirds, parakeets, and scarlet macaws enliven the skies.

Activities include dayhiking, extended wilderness backpacking, beach swimming, snorkeling, and wildlife observation.

THE COPPER CANYON MEXICO

The Copper Canyon of Mexico is renowned for ruggedness, remoteness, and the vastness of its scarcely-explored reaches.

Encompassing the roughly 64,000 square kilometres of the Sierra Taruhumara, it is not a single canyon at all, but a vast domain of many deep canyons, abrupt precipices, torrential rivers, and spectacular waterfalls that comprise the largest canyon system in North America.

The name Copper Canyon, or Barrancas del Cobre, derives from a copper-walled segment of the larger Rio Urique canyon, and over time has been applied to the entire canyons region.

Within this region lie four or more canyons deeper than the Grand Canyon of Arizona, and the newly-discovered 453-metre plunge of Piedra Volada falls, the highest waterfall in Mexico and among the five highest on Earth.

Vegetation ranges from forests of oak, pine, juniper, and cottonwood to wildflower meadows and subtropical canyon bottoms. Wildlife includes black bear, puma, deer, boar, and 300 species of birds.

The Tarahumara Indians of Copper Canyon are runners over vast distances of rugged trails, and it is these trails that provide foot access from the railway trailheads to most areas of this scarce-developed region.

TOP 10 PARKS IN THE WORLD

SAGARMATHA NATIONAL PARK NEPAL

Sagarmatha National Park, is located in eastern Nepal, containing parts of the Himalayas and the southern half of Mount Everest. The park was created July 19, 1976 and in 1979 was inscribed as a Natural World Heritage Site.

Sagarmatha is Sanskrit for "Sagar = sky (not to be confused with sea/ocean) and matha = forehead or head " and is the modern Nepali name for Mount Everest.

The park encompasses an area of 1,148 km² and ranges in elevation from its lowest point of 2,845 m (9,335 ft) at Jorsalle to 8,850 m (29,035 ft) at the summit of Everest. Barren land above 5,000 m (16,400 ft) comprises 69% of the park while 28% is grazing land and the remaining 3% is forested. Most of the park area is very rugged and steep, with its terrain cut by deep rivers and glaciers.

Unlike other parks, this park can be divided into four climate zones because of the rising altitude. The climatic zones include a forested lower zone, a zone of alpine scrub, the upper alpine zone which includes upper limit of vegetation growth, and the Arctic zone where no plants can grow. The types of plants and animals that are found in the park depend on the altitude. The park contains the upper watershed of the Dudh Kosi river basin system.

The park's visitor centre is located at the top of a hill in Namche Bazaar, also where a company of the Nepal Army is stationed for protecting the park. The park's southern entrance is a few hundred metres north of Mondzo at 2,835 m (9,300 ft), a one day hike from Lukla.

Flora and fauna
In the lower forested zone, birch, juniper, blue pines, firs, bamboo and rhododendron grow. Above this zone all vegetation are found to be dwarf or shrubs. As the altitude increases, plant life is restricted to lichens and mosses. Plants cease to grow at about 5,750 m (18,690 ft), because this is the permanent snow line in the Himalayas.

Forests of pine and hemlock cover the lower elevations of the national park. At elevations of around 3500 meters and above, forests of silver fir, birch, rhododendron and juniper trees are found. The forests provide habitat to at least 118 species of birds, including Danphe, Blood pheasant, Red-billed chough, and yellow-billed chough.

Sagarmatha National Park is also home to a number of rare species, including musk deer, wild yak, snow leopard, Himalayan black bear and red panda. Besides, many other animals such as Himalayan thars, deer, langur monkeys, hares, mountain foxes, martens, and Himalayan wolves are found in the park. However, their numbers are not very large and many visitors may not be able to see them.

The partial pressure of oxygen falls with altitude. Therefore, the animals that are found here are adapted to living on less oxygen as well as a cold temperature. They have thick coats to retain body heat. Some of them have shortened limbs to prevent loss of body heat. The Himalayan bears go into hibernation in caves during the winter when there is no food available.

Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/

TOP 10 PARKS IN THE WORLD

IGUAZU NATIONAL PARK ARGENTINA

The park was created in 1934 and it contains one of the greatest natural beauties of Argentina, the Iguazu Falls, surrounded by the subtropical jungle.

The Iguazú National Park is a national park of Argentina, located in the Iguazú Department, in the north of the province of Misiones, Argentine Mesopotamia. It has an area of 550 km2 (212 sq mi). Across the Iguazu River lies its Brazilian counterpart (Iguaçu National Park).

Both sites were declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, in 1984 and 1986. The area of the park was inhabited 10,000 years ago by the hunter-gatherers of the Eldoradense culture. They were displaced around 1,000 CE by the Guaraní, who brought new agricultural technologies, and were displaced in turn by the Spanish and Portuguese conquistadores in the 16th century, though their legacy is still alive in this area (the name of the park and the river is Guaraní y guasu, "large water"). The first European to visit the zone was Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, in 1542; Jesuit missions followed in 1609.

Flora and fauna
The fauna of the park includes several endangered species: jaguar, jaguarundi, tapir, ocelot, tirica, anteater, pavas de monte, the jungle eagle, and the Yacare Caiman. One can also find birds like the vencejo de cascada and large toucans, mammals like the coatí, and a diversity of butterflies.

The vinaceous-breasted parrot, named for its wine-colored plumage, is found in this park. The Iguazú River ends in the Paraná River 23 km beyond the falls, after a 1320 km course. Inside the park it becomes up to 1,500 m wide and turns first south, then north, forming a large U-shape.

Its banks are densely populated by trees, including the ceibo (Cockspur coral tree), whose flower is Argentina's national flower. The flora of the park also features lapacho negro and lapacho amarillo (family Bignoniaceae), as well as palmito trees and the 40-metre-high palo rosa (family Apocynaceae).

Recreation
Admission for non-Argentine residents is ARS $60 (around USD $20), and ARS $30 the following day if one gets their ticket stamped before leaving the park on the first day, the admission includes transport on the Rainforest Ecological Train which permits visitors access to different walkways. The park only accepts Argentine pesos for entrance.

Park hours are 8.00 to 18.00 between April and September, and 7.30 to 18.30 between October and March. To get from Puerto Iguazu, Argentina to Iguazu Falls National Park, one can utilize the El Practico bus service which departs from the main bus terminal in Puerto Iguazu and runs service approximately every 30 minutes between 7.15 and 19.15. Each way ticket is ARS $5 as of August 2008. Bus tickets can be purchased at the bus terminal, or on the bus. Exact change is not necessary.

Source : http://www.en.wikipedia.org/

TOP 10 PARKS IN THE WORLD

TIKAL NATIONAL PARK GUATEMALA

Tikal was a dominating influence in the southern Maya lowlands throughout most of the Early Classic. The site, however, was often at war and inscriptions tell of alliances and conflict with other Maya states, including Uaxactun, Caracol, Dos Pilas, Naranjo, and Calakmul.

The site was defeated at the end of the Early Classic by Caracol, which rose to take Tikal's place as the paramount center in the southern Maya lowlands. It appears another defeat was suffered at the hands of Dos Pilas during the middle 7th century, with the possible capture and sacrifice of Tikal's ruler at the time (Sharer 1994:265).

Tikal Hiatus
The "Tikal hiatus" refers to a period between the late 6th to late 7th century where there was a lapse in the writing of inscriptions and large-scale construction at Tikal. This hiatus in activity at Tikal was long unexplained until later epigraphic decipherments identified that the period was prompted by Tikal's comprehensive defeat at the hands of the Caracol polity in A.D. 562 after six years of warfare against an alliance of Calakmul, Dos Pilas and Naranjo.

The hiatus at Tikal lasted up to the ascension of Jasaw Chan K'awiil I (Ruler A) in A.D. 682. In A.D. 695, Yukno’m Yich’Aak K’ahk’ of Calakmul (Kanal), was defeated by the new ruler of Tikal, Jasaw Chan K'awiil I, Nu’n U Jol Chaak’s heir. This defeat of Calakmul restored Tikal’s preeminence in the Central Maya region, but never again in the southwest Petén, where Dos Pilas maintained its presence.

The beginning of the Tikal hiatus has served as a marker by which archaeologists commonly sub-divide the Classic period of Mesoamerican chronology into the Early and Late Classic

Modern History
As is often the case with huge ancient ruins, knowledge of the site was never completely lost in the region. Some second- or third-hand accounts of Tikal appeared in print starting in the 17th century, continuing through the writings of John Lloyd Stephens in the early 19th century (Stephens and his illustrator Frederick Catherwood heard rumors of a lost city, with white building tops towering above the jungle, during their 1839-40 travels in the region).

Due to the site's remoteness from modern towns, however, no explorers visited Tikal until Modesto Méndez and Ambrosio Tut visited it in 1848. Several other expeditions came to further investigate, map, and photograph Tikal in the 19th century (including Alfred P. Maudslay in 1881-82) and the early 20th century.

In 1951, a small airstrip was built at the ruins, which previously could only be reached by several days’ travel through the jungle on foot or mule. From 1956 through 1970, major archeological excavations were made by the University of Pennsylvania. In 1979, the Guatemalan government began a further archeological project at Tikal, which continues to this day.

Popular Culture
* Tikal was used as background scenery of the Rebel base on Yavin 4 in the film Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.
* The character Tikal the Echidna from the videogame Sonic Adventure is named after the ruins, and several areas in the game are designed based on the ruins.
* Tikal is a level of the game of Fantastic Four
* Tikal is the name of a board game by Rio Grande Games.
* The song Temple of the Cat by musician Arjen Anthony Lucassen makes reference to the Jaguar Temple and the city of Tikal. Samples on the song come from a Maya festival.
* Tikal appears in the videogame Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis.
* Tikal is the title of second song on E.S. Posthumus' album Unearthed.
* One of the Temples of Tikal features as a Wonder in the computer game Rise of Nations.
* Tikal appears as exterior of Drax's pyramid headquarters in the Amazon rainforest in Moonraker (film).

Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/

HISTORY OF LEXUS

Established in the early 1980s and launched in 1989, the Lexus marque soon became associated with quality,luxury and superior customer satisfaction.

The brand reputation grew quickly until, barely a dozen years after its founding, Lexus became America's best-selling line of luxury motor vehicles.

Lexus belongs to the global Toyota family, whose members together constitute the world's third-leading automaker.

History
August 1983
At a top-level, top-secret meeting, Toyota Chairman Eiji Toyoda determines the time is right to create a luxury vehicle to challenge the world's best.

May 1985
A study team visits the U.S. to conduct focus groups while a design team moves to California to develop concepts.


July 1985
The first of the LS 400 running prototypes is built.

May 1986
Performance testing begins on the Autobahn in Germany.

September 1986
Extensive testing on American roads begins.

May 1987
Management approves the final design of the LS 400.

January 1989
The LS 400 and ES 250 are unveiled to the world at Detroit and Los Angeles auto shows.

September 1989
The LS 400 and ES 250 go on sale.

January 1990
The LS 400 is named a Car and Driver 10Best.

February 1990
The Motoring Press Association names the LS 400 Best Imported Car of the Year.

July 1990
Lexus first appears in a J.D. Power and Associates study, ranked as the #1 Carline in the Initial Quality Study (IQS).SM

May 1991
Lexus unveils the first new addition to its product line, the SC 400.

August 1991
The SC 300 is introduced.
Lexus sweeps the J.D. Power and Associates studies, topping the Customer Satisfaction StudySM as the #1 Carline, the Initial Quality Study (IQS)SM as the Best Overall Carline, and the Sales Satisfaction StudySM as the Best Overall Carline.

September 1991
The ES 300 replaces the ES 250.

January 1992
The SC 400 and ES 300 are named Automobile Magazine All-Stars, and SC 400 a Car and Driver 10Best. Lexus outsells BMW and Mercedes-Benz to become the number-one luxury import.

March 1992
Motor Trend and the Motoring Press Association name the SC 400 Import Car of the Year.

July 1992
Lexus again tops the J.D. Power and Associates Customer Satisfaction StudySM as the #1 Carline, and the Sales Satisfaction StudySM as the Best Overall Carline.

September 1992
A freshened LS 400 appears with more than 50 changes, many as a direct response to dealer and customer requests.

January 1993
Lexus introduces its first luxury performance sedan, the GS 300. The SC 300 is named to the Car and Driver 10Best list and to Automobile Magazine's All-Star list.

June 1993
The LS 400 is named the Best Import Car for 1993 by The Robb Report.

July 1993
For the third year in a row, Lexus is ranked as the #1 Carline in the J.D. Power and Associates Customer Satisfaction Study.SM

February 1994
Lexus is ranked as the Best Overall Carline in the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Performance Study,SM reflecting satisfaction after three years of ownership.

May 1994
Lexus sweeps the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS),SM with the Best Overall Carline ranking.

July 1994
Lexus is ranked as the #1 Carline in the J.D. Power and Associates Customer Satisfaction StudySM for the fourth straight year and as the Best Overall Carline in Sales Satisfaction for the third time in four years.

November 1994
The redesigned second-generation LS 400 goes on sale.

December 1994
The new LS 400 is designated Best of What's New by Popular Science.

January 1995
The SC 300 is named a Car and Driver 10Best. The LS 400 receives Popular Mechanics' Design and Engineering Award. And Lexus was the best-selling luxury import in 1994.

March 1995
In its first year of eligibility, Lexus is ranked by J.D. Power and Associates as the Best Overall Carline in Vehicle DependabilitySM after five years of ownership.

July 1995
For an unprecedented fifth consecutive year, Lexus ranks as the #1 Carline in the J.D. Power and Associates Customer Satisfaction Study.SM

January 1996
Lexus introduces the LX 450 luxury sport-utility vehicle. Just two months later, it climbs to the top of the luxury SUV segment, surpassing Range Rover in units sold.

March 1996
In its second year of eligibility, Lexus is again ranked first by J.D. Power and Associates as the Best Overall Carline in Vehicle DependabilitySM after five years of ownership.

May 1996
The ES 300 and SC 400/300 rank as the Best Entry Luxury Car and Best Premium Luxury Car, respectively, in the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS).SM

June 1996
Lexus is ranked a Best Overall Nameplate in the J.D. Power and Associates Sales Satisfaction Index.SM

July 1996
The LS 400 is named one of the Twenty-Four Most Important Automobiles of the Century by Automobile Magazine.

September 1996
A more luxurious, more powerful, second-generation ES 300 is introduced. LS 400 is ranked Most Appealing Premium Luxury Car in the J.D. Power and Associates APEAL study.SM

February 1997
SC 300 named an Automobile Magazine All-Star for the fifth time.

March 1997
For the third consecutive year, Lexus ranks as the #1 Nameplate in the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study,SM registering the fewest problems after five years of ownership.

July 1997
For the sixth time, Lexus ranks as the #1 Nameplate in the J.D. Power and Associates Customer Satisfaction Study.SM

October 1997
Dramatically more powerful GS line introduced, with the V8-powered GS 400 joining the GS 300. LS 400 gets a more powerful V8 and new appearance.

December 1997
The GS line is named Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year.

January 1998
Lexus unveils a new breed of SUV, the RX 300, at the North American International Auto Show. Along with the more powerful LX 470, this creates the ultimate luxury SUV line.

April 1998
Lexus once again is named the #1 Nameplate in long-term dependability after five years of ownership by the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Index.SM Lexus has earned this honor every year it's been eligible.

October 1998
The RX 300 becomes the first SUV to be named Sport/Utility of the Year by Motor Trend magazine, which creates the new category in recognition of the immense popularity of SUVs.

January 1999
The GS 400/300 is honored as one of Car and Driver's 10Best.

March 1999
Lexus is the #1 Nameplate in the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability IndexSM for the fifth straight year.

July 1999
Lexus ranks as the #1 Nameplate in the J.D. Power and Associates Customer Satisfaction IndexSM for the eighth time in nine years.

September 1999
Lexus celebrates the 10th anniversary of its first vehicle going on sale in the U.S.

November 1999
Lexus sells its millionth vehicle in the U.S.

December 1999
For the fourth consecutive year, Lexus posts best-ever annual sales.

June 2000
Lexus launches a car to rock the performance sedan world: the IS 300.

October 2000
The all-new LS 430 flagship sedan launches.

November 2000
Lexus is the #1 Nameplate in the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Index (VDI)SM for the sixth straight year.

March 2001
A historical union of love and power: The 2002 Lexus SC 430 is launched.

August 2001
Launch of the power-potent 2002 IS 300 5-Speed and SportCross.

October 2001
Lexus redefines luxury with the launch of the 2002 ES 300.

October 2001
Lexus finishes first in all three luxury car categories in the J.D. Power and Associates 2001 Automotive, Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study.SM The Lexus LS 430 is ranked Most Appealing Premium Luxury Car, the GS 430 and GS 300 are ranked Most Appealing Mid Luxury Car, and the ES 300 is ranked Most Appealing Entry Luxury Car.

November 2001
Lexus is awarded the #1 Nameplate in Long-Term Dependability in the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Index (VDI)SM for the seventh year in a row.

August 2002
The Lexus LS 430 ranks as the Best Premium Luxury Car in the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS)SM for the sixth year in a row.

November 2002
A new kind of adventure begins with the launch of the ruggedly luxurious 2003 Lexus GX 470.

March 2003
The entirely new Lexus RX 330 has arrived, offering a stunning combination of style, technology and luxury.

May 2003
For the seventh consecutive year, the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS)SM names the LS the Highest Ranked Premium Luxury Car. The same study also designates the GS as the Highest Ranked Mid Luxury Car, while the ES earns the title of Highest Ranked Entry Luxury Car.

April 2004
For the second year in a row, the J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS)SM names the GS as the Highest Ranked Mid Luxury Car and the RX as the Highest Ranked Entry Luxury Sport Utility Vehicle. Additionally, the SC was voted Highest Ranked Premium Luxury Car and the LX was dubbed the Highest Ranked Premium Sport Utility Vehicle.

May 2004
Three's a charm, as IntelliChoice magazine chooses the LS and ES as Best Overall Values in their categories, and the RX as the Best SUV Over $30,000.

March 2005
Euphoria is the perfect word to describe the introduction of the powerful all-new 2006 GS, loaded with breakthrough innovations in performance and luxury.

TOP 10 PARKS IN THE WORLD

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

Stretching over 350 miles from north to south, and teeming with wildlife, Kruger National Park is justly rated as one of the world's finest game reserves. Kruger is home to more species of wildlife than any other game sanctuary on the continent, and is one of Africa's few remaining havens for big cats.

Well over a thousand lions, and large populations of leopard and cheetah, roam freely here, along with substantial numbers of elephant, zebra, rhino, giraffe, hippopotamus, impala, and kudu--more than enough to satisfy even the most shutter-happy photographer. Kruger is also--like South Africa as a whole--an outstanding destination for birdwatchers, offering a scarcely believable diversity and abundance of species.

Founded in 1898 by Paul Kruger, the park has over the last century been well tended and carefully developed. Unlike many reserves and sanctuaries, it is blessed with an outstanding road network, and in recent years its perimeter fencing has been substantially reduced, allowing greater migration ranges and increased wildlife populations.

Stretching along the park's western border are a number of private reserves, supplementing the land available to Kruger's game and allowing greatly enhanced opportunities for safari visits. On the private reserves, visitors are permitted to travel on foot, in open vehicles, and to view wildlife at night, none of which activities are permitted within the park itself.

HISTORY OF YAMAHA

Yamaha's history goes back over a hundred years to 1887 when Torakusu Yamaha founded the company, which began producing reed organs.

The Yamaha Corporation in Japan (then Nippon Gakki Co., Ltd.) has grown to become the world's largest manufacturer of a full line of musical instruments, and a leading producer of audio/visual products, semiconductors and other computer related products, sporting goods, home appliances and furniture, specialty metals, machine tools, and industrial robots.

The Yamaha Motor Corporation, Ltd., begun on July 1, 1955, is a major part of the entire Yamaha group, but is a separately managed business entity from the Yamaha Corporation. The Yamaha Motor Corporation is the second largest manufacturer of motorcycles in the world. Yamaha Motor Corporation owns its wholly-owned subsidiary in the U.S. called Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA, that is handling not only motorcycles, but also snow mobiles, golf carts, outboard engines, and water vehicles, under the brand name of Yamaha as well.

In 1954 production of the first motorcycles began, a simple 125cc single-cylinder two-stroke. It was a copy of the German DKW design, which the British BSA Company had also copied in the post-war era and manufactured as the Bantam.

The first Yamaha, the YAI, known to Japanese enthusiasts as Akatombo, the "Red Dragonfly", established a reputation as a well-built and reliable machine. Racing successes helped boost its popularity and a second machine, the 175cc YCI was soon in production.

The first Yamaha-designed motorcycle was the twin-cylinder YDI produced in 1957. The racing version, producing 20bhp, won the Mount Asama race that year. Production was still modest at 15,811 motorcycle, far less than Honda or Suzuki.

The company grew rapidly over the next three years and in 1959 introduced the first sports model to be offered by a Japanese factory, the twin-cylinder YDSI with five-speed gearbox. Owners who wanted to compete in road racing or motocross could buy kits to convert the machine for both road and motocross racing.

By 1960 production had increased 600% to 138,000 motorcycles. In Japan a period of recession followed during which Yamaha, and the other major Japanese manufacturers, increased their exports so that they would not be so dependent on the home market.

To help boost export sales, Yamaha sent a team to the European Grand Prix in 1961, but it was not until the 1963 season that results were achieved.

After the Korean War the American economy was booming and Japanese exports were increasing. In 1962 Yamaha exported 12,000 motorcycles. The next year it was 36,000 and in 1964 production rose to 87,000.

In 1963 Yamaha had produced a small batch of 250CC road racing motorcycles for sale, the air-cooled, twin-cylinder TDI. Ever since then Yamaha has built and sold motorcycles that could be raced successfully "straight out of the crate", and as a consequence Yamaha machines have won more road races than any other make, exposing Yamaha to a good deal of publicity.

By 1965 production was 244,000 units, split about 50/50 between home and export sales. One of the biggest drawbacks to the sales of two-strokes was that the rider had to mix oil with their gas. Yamaha technicians accomplished a major technical feat by the development and introduction of a new Autolube system.

Basically an oil tank that fed lubricant to a pump that metered oil to the big ends, main bearings and cylinder barrels. It proved very reliable and did away with mixing oil and gas at every fill up.

The first overseas factory was opened in Siam in 1966 to supply Southeast Asia. In 1967 Yamaha production surpassed that of Suzuki by 4,000 at 406,000 units. Yamaha established a lead with the introduction of the first true trail bike "the 250cc single-cylinder DTI". The company also developed a two-liter, six-cylinder, double overhead-camshaft sports car unit for Toyota Motor. Which proved helpful when Yamaha produced their own high-performance four-stroke motorcycles.

In 1969 Yamaha build a full size road racing circuit near their main factory at Iwata.

By 1970 the number of models had expanded to 20 ranging from 50cc to 350cc, with production up to 574,000 machines, 60% of which were for export. That year Yamaha broke their two-stroke tradition by launching their first four-stroke motorcycle, the 650cc XSI vertical twin modeled on the famous Triumph twins.

Yamaha realized the long-term potential of the two-stroke engine and continued to develop two-stroke bikes, concentrating on engines 400cc and under.

In 1973 production topped one million (1,000,000) motorcycles per year for the first time, leaving Suzuki way behind at 642,000 and catching up on Honda's 1,836,000. During the 1970's Yamaha technicians concentrated on development of four-stroke models that were designed to pass the ever-increasing exhaust emission laws and to be more economical than the two-strokes that had made Yamaha's fortune.

Over the years Yamaha produced some less successful motorcycles:

* The TX750 twin of 1972.
* The TX500 double overhead-camshaft, four-valve per cylinder, twin of 1973.
* The XS750 shaft-drive, double overhead-camshaft, three cylinder of 1976.
* And the XS Eleven, four-cylinder of 1977, was at the time the biggest bike produced by a Japanese manufacturer.
* Other four-strokes were more successful, notably.
* The XT500 single-cylinder trail bike of 1976.
* And the XS350 single overhead-camshaft, twin.

In the 70's the RD twin cylinder sports models were a big success as well as the RD250LC and RD350LC water-cooled versions that replaced them in the eighties which were based on the famous TZ race bikes.

Production in 1980 was 2,214,000, with export sales of 1,383,000. In the 1980's the company introduced the compact XJ four cylinder models, ranging from 550cc to 1100cc. Not wanting to miss anything the company also introduced the 750cc and 1000cc air-cooled V-twin models followed by the XZ550 water-cooled, mid-weight sports bike.

Source : http://smokeriders.com/

TOP 10 PARKS IN THE WORLD

SNOWDONIA NATIONAL PARK

Snowdonia National Park was established in 1951 as the third national park in the UK, and the first in Wales. It covers 2,142 km² (840 square miles, 217'000 hectares) of the Snowdonia region of north-western Wales. It is also an area steeped in history and legend as the natural fortress for the Princes of Gwynedd and for Llewellyn, the last true Prince of Wales

Landscape
Dominated by Mount Snowdon, Snowdonia National Park is to Wales what the Lake District is to England. An area of outstanding natural beauty, this National Park is set in northern Wales and visitors can paddle their feet on a sandy beach in the morning and be sitting atop the highest peak in England and Wales that same day.

Lakes are almost as much of a feature of Snowdonia as the peaks, so much so that several hydro-electric schemes have been built to harness the potential energy stored within them (See Dinorwig Power Station in the Do section). The water sports that feature so prominently in this region are fed from the high rainfall in the park and this in turn feeds into the rivers and lakes. Much of this water is exported to England; Liverpool's water comes from here.

Much of the world's slate comes from this region and the landscape is dotted with the scars of slate pits, some of which are still active today. The casual walker needs only bend down and pick up a handful of shale to see where much of the local industry came from.

Main Mountain Groups
* Snowdon Group - Consisting of Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), Crib y Ddysgl, Crib Goch and Y Lliwedd.
* Glyders and Tryfan - The two Glyders (Fach and Fawr) and Tryfan are the most spectacular but the group also includes Y Garn and Elidyr Fawr.
* Carnedds - the most northern group including Carnedd Llewellyn, Carnedd Dafydd, Pen yr Olewen, Yr Elen.
* Moelwyns - a lower group near Blaenau Ffestiniog. Cnicht, sometimes described as 'the Welsh Matterhorn' because of its shape (in spite of its lack of height) is often included.
* Rhinogs - spectacular heather growth makes for some hard walking - inland from Harlech.
* Nantlle Ridge and Moel Hebog - to the far west and separating Snowdonia from Lleyn.
* Cadair Idris and the Tarrens - in the southern end of the National Park. South of Dolgellau and inland from Tywyn. Softer and greener than some of the northern ranges.

Flora and fauna
Snowdonia National Park is an ornithologists paradise with buzzards, ospreys, choughs, peregrines, thrushes, blackbirds, robins, wrens, tits, finches, owls, cuckoos, jays.... you get the idea. Perhaps suprisingly, there is only one RSPB [2] reserve actually located within the National Park — at Mawddach Woodlands, on the beautiful Mawddach estuary between Dolgellau and Barmouth.

The Snowdon lily (lloydia serotina), as the names suggests, is only found in Snowdonia National Park, where it is a rare and protected species. Populations are small and currently make up six different locations, each with small numbers. Distant cousins of this species can be found in Europe. This species is undergoing a biodiversity action plan in order to spread awareness of its importance to this region of Wales.

Another species unique to Snowdonia is the Gwyniad (Coregonus pennantii), a freshwater fish of the salmon family. The Gwyniad is native only to Bala Lake and until recently existed nowhere else in the World. A project to introduce it to another nearby lake has recently been undertaken, to mitigate the risk of it's extinction should some tragedy (pollution or similar) befall Bala Lake. The deep waters of the lake are also said to be home to Tegi, Bala's answer to the Loch Ness Monster. Visitors can make up their own minds as to the likelihood of her existence.

The critically endangered Freshwater pearl mussel is another important freshwater species which makes its home in the area.

Mammals including bats, red squirrels, badgers, weasels and polecats may also be glimpsed in this region, while seals, porpoises, dolphins, and even the occasional turtle can be spotted offshore.

5 PLACES TO SEE BEFORE CLIMATE CHANGE RUINS THEM FOREVER

CNN.com has an interesting article naming the five places that everyone should see before they are forever altered by climate change, which is already having an indelible effect on our planet.

This list was compiled by Bob Henson, the author of The Rough Guide To Climate Change, who wants to give travelers a heads up on the best places to visit in the near future, as they are also the most likely to see the most drastic changes in the near future.

The list includes The Great Barrier Reef, whose coral reefs are now threatened by warming waters, causing them to die at an alarming rate. The GBR is a popular tourist destination and is considered one of the best places to SCUBA dive and snorkel in the world, which has hastened some of the damage. With so many people visiting, and the environment already fragile, the likelihood of causing harm is increased.

New Orleans, Louisiana also finds its way onto Bob's list for obvious reasons. Hurricane Katrina made us all painfully aware that the city sits below sea level and is precariously protected by a series of walls and levies. As the planet warms up however, and the polar icecaps melt, the sea levels are going to rise, endangering New Orleans further. It's possible that the city may not even exist at all in the future.

Of course, the ongoing debate is, should we rush off to visit these places, as well as the other three on the list, thereby increasing the chances of those places being altered forever. Or should we stay home, and limit our footprint? That is a question that all travelers will be wrestling with for years to come.

HISTORY OF SUZUKI

Suzuki Motor Co. Ltd., now one of the big four, started over sixty years ago in Japan making spinning looms. Branching out into the motorcycle market, they have again branched out into cars, vans, trucks, outboard motors and many other types of manufacturing.

But it is motorcycles that Suzuki is best known for, and their arrival on the motorcycle market started in June 1952, with a little machine, called the "Power Free", a 36cc single-cylinder two-stroke. It had an unprecedented feature which was the double-sprocket gear system, which enabled the rider to pedal with the engine assisting, pedal without engine assist, or disconnect the pedals and run with engine power alone. The system was so ingenious, the Patent Office granted Suzuki a financial subsidy to continue research into motorcycle engineering.

Nine months later, the "Power Free" got a two-speed transmission, and was joined by a more powerful 60cc version called the "Diamond Free." It was simple and easy to maintain, with the engine mounted onto the front wheel of a bicycle. Suzuki employees, who had been making looms, were now making motorcycle parts.

By 1954, Suzuki had made their first "real" motorcycle, the "Colleda CO". They were producing 6,000 motorcycles per month; Suzuki was moving on to bigger, more powerful motorcycles. The Colleda CO was a lightweight 90cc single-cylinder four-stroke. Winning a national Japanese race in its first year of production ensured its future and made it an instant success.

In June 1954, the company changed its name from Suzuki Jidosha Kogyo (meaning Suzuki Automotive Industries), to Suzuki Motor Co. Ltd.

March 1955 saw the introduction of Suzuki's largest machine, the Colleda COX, a 125cc single-cylinder four-stroke with more modern styling. Also introduced was a redesigned version of the popular two-stroke Colleda, named the Colleda ST. It came with more sophisticated suspension and lighting. To meet the needs of the market, it was bored out from 90 to 125cc and a great many were sold. The forethought of the Suzuki engineers was shown when the last models of the Colleda, made in May 1959, were fitted with electric starters, astonishing their European competitors.

In 1956, Suzuki technicians were developing a completely new competition machine, known as the TT. Based on the successful Colleda, it was the forerunner of the Grand Prix machines. It was a high-performance machine of its day, being able to do over 80 mph and capable of out-performing machines with far more powerful engines, despite making only 18bhp from its 250cc twin-cylinder two-stroke engine. With its indicators, and built-in, four-speed gearbox it was considered very advanced.

As 1958 rolled in, Suzuki Motor Co. Ltd. had 50, 125 and 250cc machines in its arsenal. In May of that year it introduced the "Suzumoped SM", using the successful Mini Free power plant mounted in a spine-type frame.

In October of that year, Suzuki introduced their corporate "S" logo, which was used on all their bikes and is still used by the motorcycle division.

June 1960 Suzuki takes their factory-prepared 125cc Colleda racers to the Isle of Man to compete in the lightweight TT. Although they did not win at their first attempt, they managed respectable fifteenth, sixteenth and eighteenth places. Suzuki was anxious to show the buying public their machines were fast and reliable.

The 'Selped' moped was one of the company's biggest sellers; it was later boosted to 80cc, and was to become one of Suzuki's best sellers, the A100.

By the end of 1962, Suzuki had won their first World road racing Championship in the 500cc class, and in America, Suzuki was setting up their new headquarters under the "U.S. Suzuki Motor Corporation" banner. The company decided that it needed to test its prototype machines on a purpose-built track, construction was started in 1962 on its 5-mile Ryuyo test track near the factory and was completed in 1963.

Suzuki made steady progress in road racing and in 1964 they surprised the road-race fans by entering into the world of motocross Grand Prix. Entering the Japanese motocross champion, Kazuo Kubo, in the Swedish 250cc Grand Prix, but without the same success they had achieved earlier in road racing. Although their machines were fast, they did not handle well. Suzuki's engineers went back to the drawing board and returned to Europe in 1966, with completely redesigned machines, which saw moderate success. In 1967 Suzuki signed up their first non-Japanese motocross rider, the Swede, Olle Peterson.

It was European, Joel Robert, who in 1972 won the World Championship, Suzuki's first. Suzuki won several more times, and won the 125cc class every year since 1975. October 1967 saw the introduction of the 500cc Titan road bike. This was known through its 11-year production as the Cobra, Titan and the Charger, finishing production as the GT500. It was a 500cc twin-cylinder two-stroke, which handled quite well and became very popular.

The trail bike, with its on and off-road capabilities, was the big success story for all the Japanese manufacturers and in March 1969 Suzuki launched their TS range, with knowledge gained from the motocross World Championships.

But it was with the two-stroke machines that Suzuki achieved their greatest successes, both on and off the track. In October 1969 they opened another factory at Toyama to produce small capacity two-strokes.

A machine, which took the motorcycling world by surprise, was the astonishingly quick GT750 Two-Stroke triple cylinder capable of well over 110 mph with acceleration to match. At 540lbs, it was not a lightweight, but with 67bhp it could push itself from 0 to 60mph in only five seconds.

With the confidence gained from producing the large capacity GT750 Two-Stroke triple, Suzuki announced to the world that they would introduce a totally new 500cc four-cylinder, Two-Stroke racer called the RG500. As a mater of fact, the RG500 was to become the single most successful racing machine of modern times, and by the time it had completed three racing seasons it had won two World Championships with Britain's Barry Sheene aboard.

A model worthy of mention is the RE5. This was Suzuki's attempt at producing a rotary-engine machine. Based on the Wankel design from Germany, it proved to be a costly and expensive failure.

In 1976 Suzuki made a bold decision to introduce a range of four-stroke machines. The first machines were the GS400, a 400cc twin, and the potent four-cylinder 750cc GS750, with double-overhead camshafts.

In 1977 Suzuki dropped its line of large street going Two-Stroke triples. This was a sad year for the Two-Stroke.

In October 1978 Suzuki unveiled the powerful shaft-drive GS850G. They also introduced a completely new look and styling for a new and revolutionary range of Superbikes. Called "Katana", it promised a performance and handling never before seen on a road-going bike. Featuring Twin-Swirl combustion chambers and many other highly advanced technical features, the first Katana was the GS1000S.

March 1982, saw the introduction of the XN85 turbocharged 650cc superbike. By the end of the 1982 road-racing season, Suzuki had won the 500cc road-racing World Championship for the eighth consecutive time, the 125cc motocross World Championship, and their sixth 500cc motocross World Championship.

Source : http://smokeriders.com/

HISTORY OF HONDA

Soichiro Honda was a racer, a businessman, and a manufacturer. But most of all he was a dreamer. He dreamed of a better way of making piston rings, founded a small company, and began production.

He dreamed of giving people everywhere an economical form of transportation, and began producing small motorcycles, including one built in 1949 called the D-Type Dream.

He also loved racing too. So his company built bigger and faster machines, two, four, five and six-cylinder race bikes and won the Isle of Man.

Honda Motor Company is by far the world's biggest motorcycle maker. Honda's first motorcycle was born out of necessity in immediate post World War II Japan, where public transportation was desperately overcrowded and gasoline severely restricted.

Looking for a solution to his, and thousands of others', personal transport problems, Honda came across a job lot of 500 war surplus two-stroke motors designed to power electric generators; nobody else wanted them so Honda picked them up cheap.

His aim was to adapt them for attachment to push-bikes and, by October 1946, his small factory in Hamamatsu was making complete, makeshift motor bikes using proprietary cycle frames. Because gasoline was in short supply, Honda adapted his motors to run on turpentine, a fuel that he himself distilled from pine trees and sold throughout Japan. Turpentine (or gas thinned out with turpentine) was not the best thing for powering motorbikes, and required a lot of strenuous pedaling to warm the engine up enough before you could get going.

Honda's first bikes were very successful and supplies of the surplus engines ran out after a few months. Business was good by then, so he decided to manufacture his own motors. Using the surplus motor as a model, Honda designed and built his own 50cc engine.

In November 1947, the 1/2 horsepower A-Type Honda was being manufactured and sold as a complete motorbike. Because the motorbike gave off a lot of smoke and a stench of turpentine it was known as the "Chimney".

Soichiro Honda started Honda Motor Company in 1948, at the age of 41. Soon after he hooked up with financial whiz Takeo Fujisawa and together they built an empire.

1948 saw Honda introduce a 90cc version of the A-Type known as the "B-Type".

By 1949 Honda came out with the "D-Type". Mr. Honda was involved in every step of the two-stroke D-Type Dream's design and manufacture. This was Honda's first motorcycle. This was far from simply slotting a motor into a pushbike frame. Honda called his machine 'The Dream', because his dream of building a complete, motorcycle had come true. Soichiro Honda was an engineer and was always looking to produce better and more sophisticated machines.

It turned out to be the 146cc, OHV, four-stroke E-Type Dream. A powerful machine producing 5 1/2bhp capable of 50mph. It had a steel frame and proper suspension front and rear. By October 1951 the new Dream was in production at the rate of 130 units per day.

In 1952 Honda produced the first "Cub" F-Type, a 1/2 horsepower, 50cc, two-stroke engine that was produced in huge numbers. You could get one to fit to your pushbike or buy the complete red and white Honda "Auto Bai". Less than a year after its Introduction, production was 6500 units per month, at that time it was 70% of Japan's powered two-wheeler market.

In 1953 Honda produced the 90cc, four-stroke single, a motorcycle of even greater sophistication. This was known as the Benly, in Japanese this means "convenience". The J-Type Benly had a three-speed gearbox, produced 3.8bhp, a pressed steel Frame, rear suspension with the engine and swinging arm on a sprung pivot, and telescopic front suspension. Before long they were selling at a rate of 1000 units a month.

In 1954 a 200cc scooter, the Juno, was introduced to capture some of the sales from the Vespa scooter copies that were being built in Japan. Honda produced different versions of the Dream and Benly motorcycles over the next few years incorporating different size engines (up to 350cc) and other refinements.

In September 1957 Honda introduced their first twin-cylinder motorcycle, the sophisticated 250cc OHC four-stroke C70 Dream. It was the forerunner of Honda's high-performance 125 and 250cc twins.

In early 1958 Honda fitted an electric starter to the 250cc Dream and named it the C71 and, in 1959, the latest Benly an incredibly sophisticated 125cc OHC four-stroke twin, capable of 70mph was introduced as the C92.

In July 1958 Honda introduced in Japan what became the world's most successful motor cycle, the C100 Super Cub.

The Super Cub was developed over three years to be a cheap and practical motorcycle that literally anyone could use. It used a 50cc four-stroke OHV motor and centrifugal clutch with three-speed transmission. It was so easy to operate that even new riders could ride it as easily as a pushbike. Its innovative frame without a crossbar made it popular with the ladies and set a new trend in commuter motorcycling. The word "scooterette" was coined to describe this step-through style motorbike which sold in 50, 70 and 90cc versions.

In 1959 it was the first Honda motorcycle sold in the U.S., eventually becoming the world's best-selling vehicle (30 million to date). As proof the original concept and design was perfect is the fact that today's C50, C70 and C90s have only detail changes to set them apart from the machines of 25 years ago.

That same year, 1959, Honda introduced the 250cc C72 Dream in Amsterdam. This was the first Japanese bike to be officially shown in Europe. It surprised the crowd with its unusual pressed steel frame, swing arm and front leading link forks, sophisticated OHC all aluminum engine, electric starter and indicators.

In the UK learners had just been restricted to motorcycles of this size and wanted the fastest bikes they could legally ride. The Honda's were the fastest 250s around, and the C72 with its improvements like 12-volt electric's and wet sump lubrication, successor of the C71, was capable of 80mph and could still get 66 miles per gallon.

The CB92 retained the pressed-steel frame and leading link forks while the CB72 received a tubular style frame and telescopic front suspension.

In 1961 two years after Honda started selling Super Cubs, Honda stunned the racing world with "Mike the Bike" Hailwood's twin victories at the Isle of Man. It was the first of an unprecedented string of victories that was only the beginning of Honda's racing tradition.

From the beginning, Mr. Honda dedicated his company to racing, racking up over 100 major motorcycle championships around the world. What was learned from building high-performance racing machines later led to the development of groundbreaking production motorcycles.

The classic CB72 and CB77 helped fuel interest in riding, got America on two wheels, and established Honda as a serious player. The Hawk name has appeared on Honda models CB72, CB77, CB400T, NT650, VTR1000F ever since, the latest being the 1998 VTR1000F.

In 1962 this breakthrough advertising "You meet the nicest people on a Honda" shattered the myth that motorcycles were only for tough guys and rebels. It reached out and made Honda and motorcycling in general, appealing to everyone.

The C77 a 305cc version of the Dream and the CB77, a Super Sports motorcycle producing 28.5bhp were introduced in 1963.

In 1964 the C95 a 154cc version of the Benly and a 161cc version Of the CB160 was also offered.

The Hondells recorded "Little Honda" in 1964. Honda entered the American pop culture as the subject of this hit song.

In 1965 Honda, always eager for a new market, jumped into the big leagues with their first big, fast production motorcycle, the innovative 43bhp CB450 twin. This was a double overhead-camshaft machine with torsion bar valve springs that would do a genuine 104mph, a machine to challenge the 500cc-plus bikes.

Despite its performance, sales of the CB450 worldwide were Poor. A number of engineering changes were made, in 1967 a five-speed gearbox was added.

In 1967 Honda had their first big off-road win in the "first" Baja 1000.

In 1968 Honda stopped production of the CB72 and CB77 and produced a new line of high performance SOHC twins with five-speed gearboxes, called the CB250 and CB350, with the CB350 able to hit 106mph.

At the Tokyo Show of 1968 Honda, after months of tantalizing rumor, unveiled a landmark achievement that would change the motorcycling world forever. A 750cc bike with four cylinders and a disc brake that was so fast and powerful a new word, "superbike", was coined to describe it. The CB750F four was the biggest bike out of Japan, proving that a high-performance motorcycle could also be very reliable.

In April 1969 Honda set the motorcycle world on fire with the introduction of the CB750. Performance was staggering, easily hitting 120mph and at the time it had better acceleration than anything else on the road.

In 1969 the first Honda automobile sold in the U.S., leading Honda to become a preeminent automotive power.
The CT70 was Honda's biggest seller for a single year, with nearly 100,000 CT70s sold in 1970 alone.

Around the mid '70s Honda produced a two-stroke moped known as the Amigo. It was cheaper to manufacture than the four-stroke bikes and started a whole new generation of lightweight Honda two-stroke mopeds.
In February 1970 Honda jumped into the three-wheel off-road market with the introduction of the ATC90, Honda once again reached out to new consumers by inventing a whole new category, the ATV or "All-Terrain Vehicle".

After years of winning in Europe, Honda's CB750-based Race bike won there first big event in the U.S., serving Notice that Honda was going to be a dominant force on tracks all across America.

In April 1971 Honda introduced the 500CC four and in 1974 It was replaced by a 550cc version.

In the 1970s 250 and 350CC motorcycles were constantly being modified to keep pace with the other manufacturers and fashions. Both were given disc brakes and the 350s were eventually upgraded to 360cc.

In April 1972 the CB350F was introduced, a beautiful 350CC SOHC four.

In 1970 Honda entered the off-road market with the two-stroke motocross bike, the Elsinore. And later in 1973 with trail versions, known as the MT125 and MT250.

Late in 1970 Honda introduced a "semi-serious", four-stroke trail bike, the SL125 four-stroke single in Japan, and followed with the more serious SL250 in 1972. The SL250 had long travel suspension, lots of ground clearance and performed well both on and off road.

Honda produced XL versions of both bikes in 1973 with improved off-road performance.

1973 was also the year that Honda entered into motocross with a revolutionary two-stroke, winning right from the start. Honda's been a dominant force ever since, winning more than 70 titles.

Up to now, off-road bikes were just modified street bikes. The XR75 was Honda's first XR, a true off-road motorcycle right off the production line.

In 1974, after several years of selling B75 and B45 outboards, Honda dedicated itself to being the technological leader not only on land, but also on water.

In 1975 Honda again dared to think big, creating the first long-distance touring machine, the GL1000 Gold Wing, a sophisticated, water-cooled, flat four. In the process, Honda didn't just create a new motorcycle; they created a whole new touring culture. Here was a touring bike that set the standards of comfort and sophistication. It had a shaft-drive, disc brakes and to keep the weight low a 4.8-gallon gas tank under the seat.

Also the original CB400F introduced the world to cafe-bike styling on a modern production machine. Its graceful four-into-one exhaust made it an instant classic, and while it looks mild today, in its time it was a radical departure from the standard models.

In 1976 yet another technical innovation from Honda, the CB750A was the first modern motorcycle with an automatic transmission.

In 1977 Honda announced the completely new and re-styled CR250 and CR400 twins with three-valve per cylinder heads to replace the aging 250 and 400 twins.

Also that year Honda pushed the envelope not only in motorcycle design, but also in alternative product concepts, like the three-wheel scooter and the one-man dune buggy.

1979 brings in the first full-scale Japanese motor-vehicle production facility on U.S. soil.

Also that year The CBX. Powered by an incredible 1047cc, 6-cylinder engine, the CBX harks back to Hailwood's RC166 that won the Isle of Man.

Debuting in 1979 Honda's NR500 race bike, oval pistons eventually found their way into production in Honda's exotic NR750.

1981

Honda's first two-stroke ATV, transforming a fun utilitarian vehicle into a high-performance machine.

1982

Conquering yet another sophisticated technological challenge, Honda introduced the industry's first production turbocharged motorcycle.

1983

Perhaps the biggest single leap in the sportbike industry, the Interceptor instantly elevated the level of both technology and performance available in a production motorcycle.

Honda's first "traditional" V-twin custom motorcycle, the Shadow combined modern features like liquid cooling and shaft drive with a classic look and style, and helped build the modern custom market for Honda.

Unlike other customs, this one was built for performance, reigning as the most awesome production motorcycle of its day. Together with the Interceptor, the Magna showed the explosion of technology from Honda.

Honda made riding scooters cool, creating edgy advertising with hip celebrities like Grace Jones. This marketing blitz paid off and scooter sales soared.

1984

Riding the wave of demand for scooters created by Honda, the Spree became the best-selling scooter of all time.

Honda Research of America was established in September 1984. This think tank was created specifically to develop new products for the American market and to keep Honda on the cutting edge.

1985

Unbelievably, Spencer won Grand Prix World Championship titles in both the 250 and 500cc classes in the same year. This feat had never been done before, and hasn't been done since.

1986
Honda led the way by creating the first Japanese luxury car.
1987

With the introduction of the Hurricane in 1987, Honda began an 11-year domination of the 600 Supersport class, with five championships on the track, and dozens of enthusiast-press best-bike awards.

1989
Soichiro Honda was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame (USA) in October 1989. The "Old Man," as he's affectionately known, received worldwide recognition for his enormous accomplishments and contributions.

1996
By combining a hot-rod Gold Wing engine in a custom chassis, Honda again defied conventional limitations, and the Valkyrie clearly established itself as the ultimate power cruiser.

1997

Using a surprisingly stock GL1500 motorcycle engine, Kenny Lyon broke a land-speed class record. He hit 232.4 miles per hour at the Bonneville Salt Flats aboard his 33-inch-high, 24-foot-long bullet-shaped bike.

The first production of aluminum-framed MX bikes. Once again, Honda pushed the technological envelope.

1998

We have indeed traveled a long road since Mr. Honda began to chase his dream 50 years ago. Which may leave you to wonder--what of the next 50?

Where will they take us?

There is one thing of which you can be certain: Honda will continue to stand for what has made the company special and successful.

Our racing teams will still be the force to be reckoned with around the world. We'll constantly push the technological envelope, ensuring that radical ideas you can only begin to imagine today will find their way to the showroom tomorrow. And Honda will build revolutionary new machines that capture the imaginations and the hearts of new riders.

And most of all, you can be certain that our competitive fires will continue to burn. Keeping Honda at full throttle and leading the way into the next century.

Source : http://smokeriders.com/