The bike debuted in 1966 and won five out of nine races that season, three with Mike Hailwood and two with Jim Redman.

Hailwood finished second in the championship standings behind Giacomo Agostini on a MV Agusta.

The Honda however won the constructor championship.

The next season Hailwood finished again second in the championship having the same number of points as the winner Agostini.

At the end of the 1967 season Honda withdrew from the Grand Prix motorcycle racing.