AS THE UK ENTERED THE SECOND HALF OF THE 1970s, motorcycle sales had gone through the roof. The vital 250cc learner sector was especially buoyant, acting as a feeder mechanism to larger-capacity bikes. And manufacturers were only too aware that brand loyalty was hugely important. A youngster who had learnt their craft on a 250 from one particular marque and enjoyed it was very likely to buy a bigger machine from the same firm. In this vital transitioning process, corporate styling also played a big role, with unified looks across a particular model range. It certainly wasn’t happenstance that Honda’s DOHC 750s and 900s ran profiles, decals and paint schemes similar to the CB250N Super Dreams!
From here on in, customers would see the market change with the promise of and/or introduction of new models. Some would be considered revisions of what had gone before, while others would be fresh off the drawing boards from Japan. All four players had now realised that the designs and technologies with roots in the 1960s needed to be amended and changed to remain competitive.
Elsewhere, Her Majesty’s Government was once again beginning to show concern some 16 years after the introduction of the 250cc learner law. Truth be told, it had been keeping a watchful eye over kids on
