Honda to Market Riding Trainer through Authorized Honda Motorcycle Dealers and to Corporations

Tokyo, Japan, Jan 30, 2006 - (JCN Newswire) - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced its decision to market the Riding Trainer to authorized Honda motorcycle dealers1 and other corporations1 in Japan. Designed to teach motorcycle safety effectively, the Riding Trainer will be available by early February 2006.

Developed with a view to wider use of motorcycle safety training devices, the Riding Trainer teaches riders to foresee and predict the dangers encountered in motorcycle riding. Based on technologies created for the Riding Simulator, which is used at a variety of rider training centers, the Riding Trainer is both lighter and less expensive than the Riding Simulator. The Riding Trainer features a Riding Evaluation function to advise the user and is ideal for convenient and easy training in motorcycle dealerships and similar locations.

The total weight of the Riding Trainer is just 29 kg, and the device is compact: overall length is 1,575 mm, overall width is 568 mm, and overall height is 923 mm. The product includes motorcycle handlebar controls, pedal controls for clutch operation and braking, a seat, a frame, and a board to hold a video monitor. The Riding Trainer comes with proprietary software and is connected via a USB cable to the user's own PC. The software produces images on a video monitor with which a Riding Trainer user interacts to create a realistic riding simulation.

The proprietary software includes 2 beginner training courses (Clutch Operation practice mode, City Riding practice mode) and 15 hazard prediction courses (City Riding mode, Touring mode), for a total of 17 courses. Appropriate for both beginners and experienced riders, the Riding Trainer offers manual and automatic transmission simulation and a wide choice of other settings for a training experience that matches any skill level. In addition, the Riding Trainer offers on-screen visuals and audio guidance in English and eight other languages.2

Sales of the Riding Trainer commenced in November 2005 in motorcycle dealers across Europe, where annual sales of 1,000 units are planned. Going forward, sales will be expanded first to Asia and then throughout the world as a means to further strengthen Honda's commitment to safety - akey element of the company's activities.

1. The Riding Trainer is to be sold to dealers and corporations that employ graduates of the Riding Advisor program and Riding Trainer Training. 2. Available languages are English, Japanese, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, and Turkish (nine total).

About Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (LSE: HNDA.L) is one of the leading manufacturers of automobiles and power products and the largest manufacture of motorcycles in the world. Honda has always sought to provide genuine satisfaction to people worldwide. The result is more than 120 manufacturing facilities in 30 countries worldwide, producing a wide range of products, including motorcycles, ATVs, generators, marine engines, lawn and garden equipment and automobiles that bring the company into contact with over 19 million customers annually. For more information, please visit http://world.honda.com.