Kohama-san's best known works are arguably the NR750 and the RC211V. The NR 750 was first shown as a prototype at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show, and had the only engine ever with oval pistons, which was used to overcome the then current racing regulation limit of 4 cylinders. A road version was produced in a limited quantity of less than 300 units and cost around € 42,000 at the time.

The RC211V Moto GP bike won the world championship with Valentino Rossi last year and is leading the championship in 2003. It is considered a new direction for sports motorcycle design with its compact form and combination of flat surfaces and sharp edges in a more forward bias proportion, and has already influenced the CBR600 RR and CBR1000 RR production motorcycles.

Mitsuyoshi Kohama joined Honda R&D in 1979, and has designed chiefly big sports motorcycles. Most of his styling work for European models is very original and inspirational. He worked from 1993 to 1998 as design Manager in Germany HRE-G, and after returning to Honda R&D in Japan, is now in charge of styling design for worldwide motorcycle, All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and Powered Water Craft (PWC).

Some examples of Kohama's design work include:

1989 NR 750
1990 VFR750F
1991 CBR600F
1992 CBR900RR
1994 VFR750F
2000 CBR954RR
2002 RC211V
2003 CBR600RR
2004 CBR1000RR

To commemorate his receiving the Honorary Membership, Kohama-san was presented with an engraved plaque during the Designers Night on the evening of press day, Thursday 25 September, at the "Mondial du Deux Roues".

During the Designers' Night, Mr. Kohama also gave a presentation of his work with Honda R&D, including sketches and prototypes of many landmark models such as the oval-pistoned NR750 and the RC211V. The original prototypes of both these machines were shipped over especially from Japan, and were on display throughout the show on the mezzanine level of the Honda stand.

Kohama-sans work lined the room for the presentation