The Ninja-dissing TV ad Honda used to launch its brand new 600 Hurricane in 1987 was so skillfully executed that I’ve clearly recalled it for 23 years. While going through some old VHS tapes last week, I stumbled across a copy of it.

The 30-second spot managed to do the near-impossible: comparative selling that doesn’t really doesn’t do anything to highlight the competition. This ad cleverly plays on the perception that Kawasaki’s current bike was the bike to beat, while simultaneously making it clear their new bike intended to kick Kawasaki right in the Ninja.

GO HERE to view the video if the YouTube link dies.