NSR500 and CB750 Daytona, plus RC174 and RC166 Isle of Man replicashonda celebrates racing history with freddie spencer and classic bikesHonda recently celebrated its motorcycle racing heritage at a pair of events in France, including the MotoGP round at Le Mans, and the Sunday Ride Classic 2026 at the Paul Ricard circuit.The highlight of the two events was the presence of three-time World Champion Freddie Spencer, who took part in demonstration laps on his 1985 NSR500 race bike. He was joined by Honda World Supersport rider Ana Carrasco, who rode on a CB750 Daytona, and replicas of two more classic Hondas: the RC174 and the RC166 Isle of Man.Honda also showcased its new 2027 CB1000F, a modern retro bike styled after the CB750F.AdvertisementAdvertisementBegin Press Release:Old school reborn: CB1000F showcased at two major events in France, where Honda celebrated the company's illustrious motor sport heritage which inspired itFour vintage race motorcycles celebrate Honda's illustrious on-track pedigree at Le Mans MotoGP and the Sunday Ride Classic at Paul Ricard circuit1985 NSR500 lined up alongside CB750F Daytona and replicas of the RC174 and RC166 Isle of Man race bikes2026 Honda CB1000F also on display – a modern-day homage to classic CBs, with a classically sport in-line 4 enginehonda celebrates racing history with freddie spencer and classic bikesHonda Motor Europe France and Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) played host to two landmark events celebrating the past, present and future of motorcycle racing, bringing together legendary riders, modern competitors and an evocative array of bikes at two major events in France. The French round of the 2026 MotoGP season at Le Mans, and the Sunday Ride Classic 2026, highlighted Honda's enduring racing DNA while showcasing a new chapter in its road-going lineage.Headlining the events was two-time World Champion Freddie Spencer, whose historic 1985 season, when he simultaneously claimed both the 500cc and 250cc world titles, remains one of the greatest achievements in Motorcycle Grand Prix history, sometimes involving sprinting from the podium of one race to the starting line of the next. Now, 41 years on, Spencer returned to the spotlight alongside iconic machinery and a new generation of Honda innovation.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe celebration coincides with the introduction of Honda's new CB1000F, a striking modern machine drawing clear design and engineering inspiration from the legendary CB750 Daytona. Both bikes, alongside Spencer's championship-winning NSR500, were showcased throughout the event weekends, underlining Honda's philosophy that heritage is not static, but alive and evolving.honda celebrates racing history with freddie spencer and classic bikes"The 1985 NSR500 changed everything," Spencer reflected. "It redefined how we approached geometry, testing, and rider connection. Riding it again feels like going home. It's more than a bike. It's part of me, and it shaped generations of racing machines after it."The NSR500, Honda's first V4 two-stroke Grand Prix machine, established a technical blueprint that continues today in the current MotoGP RC213V . Spencer's success on its debut version paved the way for the model to become one of the most dominant bikes in racing history.Joining Spencer at Le Mans was Ana Carrasco, Honda World Supersport rider, 2018 World Supersport 300 Champion, and the first female rider to win a motorcycle circuit world championship. Carrasco, who has more than 80 Moto3 GP starts, represents the modern face of Honda racing.honda celebrates racing history with freddie spencer and classic bikes"I feel more nervous about riding this bike than I do before a race," Carrasco admitted ahead of her opportunity to ride the NSR500. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Today we rely on data and electronics. But with this machine, it's all about feeling and connection. That's a real challenge, and a privilege."AdvertisementAdvertisementThe events also shone a spotlight on Honda's engineering heritage, with key figures from the Honda Collection Hall giving insight into the painstaking work required to preserve and operate these historic machines. The Collection Hall, established in 1998, houses more than 150 display vehicles, alongside hundreds more race and production bikes in storage, all maintained to operational condition.Project leader Fujii-san explained: "Our goal is to keep history alive - not only to display these machines, but to run them. Some bikes can be restored in months, others take years. But the philosophy is the same: Ensure every motorcycle remains a living example of Honda engineering."That commitment was echoed by veteran engineer Waguri-san, who began his career in the 500cc era. "In those days, there were no manuals," he explained. "We rely on original drawings and handwritten notes from engineers of the past. Passing that knowledge to the next generation is essential to keeping these bikes alive."honda celebrates racing history with freddie spencer and classic bikesThe contrast between past and present engineering was further explored by Ujino-san, a former Repsol Honda MotoGP mechanic and still a member of HRC's development team. He highlighted how modern machinery relies heavily on data analysis, whereas earlier eras demanded instinct and sensory awareness.AdvertisementAdvertisement"Today, we have telemetry and sealed engines," he said. "In the two-stroke era, mechanics needed to read the bike - its sound, vibration, even the smell. It required a completely different level of understanding."The events and demonstration runs also emphasised the continuity between Honda's racing heritage and its future. Spencer recently rode the new CB1000F in Japan and believes it embodies the same rider-focused philosophy."What impressed me most was the connection," he said. "You can feel the lineage, but with modern technology, stability, and forgiveness. Honda has always built bikes that allow riders to push to the limit and bring it back. The CB1000F carries that forward beautifully."Throughout the two events, fans were invited to experience this unique blend of past and present, with the 27YM CB1000F on display, and demonstrations runs of the NSR500 and CB750, and meet-and-greets for fans with Spencer.honda celebrates racing history with freddie spencer and classic bikesHonda Motor Europe France's Julian Muntzer, who helped organise the events, emphasised the broader purpose: "This is about more than nostalgia. It's about showing how our history continues to influence today's engineering. These bikes are not relics; they actively contribute to Honda's identity."AdvertisementAdvertisementAs MotoGP continues to evolve with advanced electronics and increasingly close competition, the event served as a reminder of the sport's origins and the ingenuity that shaped it.Carrasco summed up the importance of the occasion: "For today's riders and fans, understanding this history is essential. Seeing these bikes run, feeling their presence - it connects us to everything that came before."With one eye firmly on the future and the other proudly on its past, both events delivered a powerful message: innovation may drive progress, but heritage fuels the journey.Going Old School: Classic Honda Race Bikes in France GalleryGoing Old School: Classic Honda Race Bikes in France GalleryView Gallery29 photosCredit: Photos by Honda.Become a Motorcycle.com insider. Get the latest motorcycle news first by subscribing to our newsletter here.