The Honda CBX motorcycle has a 24 value, twin cam, in-line six-cylinder engine which produces 103 BHP at 9000 RPM and has a top speed of 140 miles per hour. It’s believed that Honda produced 40,000 of these motorcycles from 1979-1982.
Back in the day these bikes were being sold for twelve dollars shy of $4,000, however today you can expect to spend somewhere around $3,900-$6,500. With an approximate weight of 600lb, you’ll get anywhere from 25-40 MPG.
It has been written that back in 1978, nothing like the Honda CBX existed. While there are motorcycles that get great reviews, when the magazines hit the stands back in the day, the praise for this motorcycle was nothing short of magnificent.
Cycle magazine stated that it was “magic” and made the promise that it was a rare and precious motorcycle which would never, ever be forgotten. It’s 30 years later, so they might be on to something. Cycle Guide referred to it as “the Vincent Black Shadow of 1979.’”
The CBX was built to be a rockstar of the super-sport category of motorcycles, it was considered to be a street rod and the press loved it for the most part.
Strangely enough, the Honda CBX failed in the US market, yet this mighty machine experienced sales success in other parts of the world. So if the press had a love affair with this sweet bike why were sales so poor in the US?
Well that’s because of some good old US government regulations at the time. The late 70’s were fraught with government regulations along with insurance restrictions that made the production and importation of the CBX unprofitable.