From casting to welding, assembly and final testing. They do everything in this factory.
January 2, 2024 in 9:47pm ET
2 minute read
It goes without saying that the motorcycles we ride are marvels of modern engineering. The technology built inside them is all too easy to take for granted. In fact, a lot of research and development goes into every bike we see on the road, even simple bikes like commuters and scooters.
When it comes to manufacturing capabilities, few manufacturers are better than Honda. This Japanese manufacturer is one of the biggest in the world, and there’s a reason why. Honda has spent decades fine-tuning the entire product lifecycle, from product development to production, QA, and testing. Now, thanks to a YouTube video by automotive channel KondorCars, we can take a look inside Honda’s scooter assembly plant in Atessa, Italy.
Honda Italia first opened its doors in 1971 in Atessa, a city in the Chieti province of Abruzzo in southeastern Italy. At the time, it was an essential cog in the machine of Honda’s global operations, and in 1976 production began with models such as his CB125 and his NS125. These models were manufactured in Italy and then exported to other European markets starting in 1985. Honda Italia is now responsible for producing scooters for the European market. Honda scooters are very popular in Europe, with models such as the SH and ADV series enjoying strong sales.
Speaking of which, the Honda ADV350 is a popular adventure-style scooter in the vein of its sibling, the X-ADV. In fact, everything is done in-house at Honda Italia, from casting the aluminum parts to welding the frame and painting the body. It’s very interesting to find out how motorcycles are made, especially from an experienced manufacturer like Honda.
As you can see in the video, Honda uses cutting-edge technology to manufacture parts for its bikes. The engine parts, swingarm, and chassis parts are cast, and the frame is welded using automation and robotics. Meanwhile, the body panels are painted by skilled technicians, and final assembly takes place on a state-of-the-art assembly line. The final step is QA and testing, where the technicians mount the bike on the dyno and test not only the engine’s performance, but also all of the bike’s features such as the brakes, lights, suspension, and electronics.
For reference, the Honda ADV350 is a mid-weight ADV scooter from the Japanese manufacturer. Sitting between his entry-level ADV160 and the larger X-ADV 750, his ADV350 offers riders a middle ground in terms of performance and features. An approachable output of 29 horsepower means most riders can swing a leg up and ride with ease. Meanwhile, its long-travel suspension, dual-purpose tires, and increased ground clearance make it a go-anywhere machine.
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