Honda CBX1000 - History

History

In the late 1970s, the four major Japanese motorcycle manufacturers all began to build superbikes, road bikes with superior performance. Honda intended for the CBX to help re-establish the company's position at the forefront of motorcycle technology. American journalists were first introduced to the bike in 1977; a first review appeared in Cycle magazine. The review called the CBX a "breakthrough for the Japanese motorcycle industry" and praised its design, concept, and performance. Yamaha had already introduced the XS1100 in 1979; the CBX was available on the market in late 1979, and the production model was even faster than the prototype. The CBX was not the first production motorcycle to be powered by a six-cylinder engine—the Benelli 750 Sei had that honor—but it was the latest and the most advanced entry into the hotly contested superbike battle being fought by the Japanese manufacturers. The 1979 model's 11.36 second quarter mile time (at 117.95 mph) was quicker than other superbikes of the day.

By 1980, Suzuki had released its own superbike, the GS1100, and Honda came with a modified 1980 model which had revised cam timing and ignition for a better midrange performance. On the quarter mile, the Suzuki was a bit faster than the 1980 CBX, which was tuned down slightly; Motorcyclist tested them head-to-head on the quarter mile, with the Suzuki clocking 11.84 sec. at 116.1 mph, compared to 11.34 sec. at 118.9 mph 3800 for the CBX. Cycle World clocked the CBX at 12.13 sec. at 109.89 mph. Motorcyclist's dyno test on the 1980 model revealed that the engine had lost five hp compared to the 1978 model, from 103 down to 98.