Given that most journalists of the era already complained about the absolutely underdimensioned suspension, I find it a bit difficult to believe that the bike is easy to handle in corners. Hell, most motorcycle journalists of the time were actually taken aback by the suspension, as much as they liked the engine. That's why the GSXR fork and swingarm mod are so popular with people riding this bike today. Furthermore, the CB1100 is marketed to people looking for a CB750 - not a CBX. The CB1100 is supposed to appeal to buyers that want an inline 4 UJM, not the rather weird looking CBX with an inline engine that got it's design cues from a BMW R1200, as far as width goes. The CBX does not have a true successor, nor a true predecessor. It's a halo bike. Fascinating for windowshoppers, but far from flawless. Synchronizing 6 carbs is a nightmare( never mind fuel consumption), so is the suspension, but both of those can be fixed if you're willing to pretty much strip it down to almost nothing. Ditch the fork, change the rear swing arm and move over to monoshock, change to EFI ( there are specialists who routinely swap these bikes over) and it remains, to this day, a very rideable, albeit heavy ( at 270kgs BMW GS heavy) bike. What's left to say is this: The engine really sets it apart. Nothing, absolutely nothing on the bike market sounds like this. But this video gives a glimpse of the screaming 6 cylinders, redeeming the otherwise mediocre research that went in to this video.
Thanks for your input. I'm not a racer nor do I claim to be a suspension expert. Although I have owned virtually every make of bike: Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, Moto Guzzi, Triumph, Norton, BMW, Indian (modern), Ariel, to name a few, admittedly I'm not a cognescenti of any of the late model computer controlled and designed bikes, and I have little interest in a 200HP crotch rocket made of carbon fiber. My assessment of the CBX came not from reading other journalists or armchair rider's reviews, but from my own personal riding experience, in comparison to every other bike I have owned or ridden. At the end of the day, when I am looking for the most thrilling ride of my current garage of 7 bikes, it is ALWAYS the CBX that gets my first nod. No, it is not a bike to ride on a coast-to-coast trip.. for that I'll choose my Indian Chieftain and it's 43 mpg average at cruise. But for the country backroads riding that constitute likely 95% of my activity, I could really give a damn about fuel consumption. I fail to see the argument with your comment regarding Honda's "intended market" for the CB1100. It in no way refutes my observation (based on my own "mediocre research" of the manufacturer's spec sheets) that the 3 decades older CBX produces significantly higher horsepower than it's slightly larger (displacement) wannabee sibling CB1100. Plenty of excuses for that I suppose, but still a factor I find intriguing. Finally, regarding reliability, I can't speak for other owners, except for what I've gleaned from postings on the Honda CBX forum (where there doesn't seem to be any critical repetitive mechanical issue to be endemic with this model). I can, again, only share my own experience of my now 6+ year ownership of my CBX. Short of basic standard maintenance, fluid change, etc., this bike has performed flawlessly, and those 6 carbs remain as perfectly in sync as the day I got it, operating this glorious engine from idle to red line with nary a stumble or hiccup. Did you ever hear a V12 Ferrari owner complain that he wished his engine only had one carburetor so it would be easier to adjust? I've owned one, and the joy of hearing those 12 throats operating in unison is worth every bit of additional complexity in my book, same as the CBX. To those for whom complexity is a concern, by all means go get yourself a single-cylinder BSA. To each his own.
It’s easy to handle in corners on the road where it was designed to be ridden. Take any 70’s or early 80’s bike on track and they will have handling problems, try the Kawasaki Z1 on a track, that will scare you. The Honda is only 37lbs heavier. As for balancing carbs, not a big deal, if you can do it on a four, you can do it on a six, Honda make a nice tool to make the job easier. They are a very nice bike on the road at the posted speed limits .I’m guessing you have never owned one.
Thanks!! Most enjoyable and took me back many years.... Never mind what people say about the CBX, most of them can not afford one today and have to settle for the new norm - snappy ride by wire throttles - ask me... and try a Ducati if you disagree.
Yep.. Recently I had a Jones for a (very expensive) Ducati Diavel.. Did lots of research, read reviews, finally headed down to the dealer to take a test ride with cash in hand, fully expecting to come home with one. It took me about 5 miles to turn around and head back to the dealership.. Most disappointing bike I've ever ridden, and I'll be damned if I could figure out where they hid those so called 160 ponies. Doubtless not true but I would swear my CBX had more usable power Saved myself 20 large +!
Hi Texcarguy :) My brother has an A model bike and its frame number finishes with 23 and books say the first bike put together in the US started with a number ending in 12. My brother is into finding out whether there are 'A' model bikes still running which have a number between 12 and 23 (ending number). Would you mind checking your bike's frame number and telling me what it is. Not crowing information, just very interested. Yours,
the bike is beautiful, the engine is unique. But by modern standards, the cornering capabilities are weak, the braking is meh. It's a beauty to ride in a relaxed manner but as you push it, every single year of the 40yrs old design will emerge. As expected.
Still one of the best looking bikes ever made
Good video on an amazing bike. I have a perfect 1978. I love it. By the way they
all HAD electronic ignition.
Thanks for the video. CBX 1000 is an amazing bike! :)
Walking to the garage in full leathers. Riding in sneakers, jeans and a t-shirt. Exemplary!
I like that too!
Full leathers? I saw a man in a leather jacket. Snarky
Pretty impressive 6-1 at 19 mine had a Marshall 6-1front pipes different but ,, amazing sound ,, ☘️☘️☘️ from northern Ireland great video 👍☘️
Hey could I use some of this footage for a video I'm working on about the CBX?
Aaaaahhhh that sound!
Texcarguy, We're in Australia. It's been a while and I got it wrong. The 'A' model numbers actually start at 2010021 and his is 2010033 :)
Given that most journalists of the era already complained about the absolutely underdimensioned suspension, I find it a bit difficult to believe that the bike is easy to handle in corners. Hell, most motorcycle journalists of the time were actually taken aback by the suspension, as much as they liked the engine. That's why the GSXR fork and swingarm mod are so popular with people riding this bike today. Furthermore, the CB1100 is marketed to people looking for a CB750 - not a CBX. The CB1100 is supposed to appeal to buyers that want an inline 4 UJM, not the rather weird looking CBX with an inline engine that got it's design cues from a BMW R1200, as far as width goes.
The CBX does not have a true successor, nor a true predecessor. It's a halo bike. Fascinating for windowshoppers, but far from flawless. Synchronizing 6 carbs is a nightmare( never mind fuel consumption), so is the suspension, but both of those can be fixed if you're willing to pretty much strip it down to almost nothing. Ditch the fork, change the rear swing arm and move over to monoshock, change to EFI ( there are specialists who routinely swap these bikes over) and it remains, to this day, a very rideable, albeit heavy ( at 270kgs BMW GS heavy) bike.
What's left to say is this: The engine really sets it apart. Nothing, absolutely nothing on the bike market sounds like this. But this video gives a glimpse of the screaming 6 cylinders, redeeming the otherwise mediocre research that went in to this video.
Thanks for your input. I'm not a racer nor do I claim to be a suspension expert. Although I have owned virtually every make of bike: Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, Moto Guzzi, Triumph, Norton, BMW, Indian (modern), Ariel, to name a few, admittedly I'm not a cognescenti of any of the late model computer controlled and designed bikes, and I have little interest in a 200HP crotch rocket made of carbon fiber.
My assessment of the CBX came not from reading other journalists or armchair rider's reviews, but from my own personal riding experience, in comparison to every other bike I have owned or ridden. At the end of the day, when I am looking for the most thrilling ride of my current garage of 7 bikes, it is ALWAYS the CBX that gets my first nod.
No, it is not a bike to ride on a coast-to-coast trip.. for that I'll choose my Indian Chieftain and it's 43 mpg average at cruise. But for the country backroads riding that constitute likely 95% of my activity, I could really give a damn about fuel consumption.
I fail to see the argument with your comment regarding Honda's "intended market" for the CB1100. It in no way refutes my observation (based on my own "mediocre research" of the manufacturer's spec sheets) that the 3 decades older CBX produces significantly higher horsepower than it's slightly larger (displacement) wannabee sibling CB1100. Plenty of excuses for that I suppose, but still a factor I find intriguing.
Finally, regarding reliability, I can't speak for other owners, except for what I've gleaned from postings on the Honda CBX forum (where there doesn't seem to be any critical repetitive mechanical issue to be endemic with this model). I can, again, only share my own experience of my now 6+ year ownership of my CBX. Short of basic standard maintenance, fluid change, etc., this bike has performed flawlessly, and those 6 carbs remain as perfectly in sync as the day I got it, operating this glorious engine from idle to red line with nary a stumble or hiccup.
Did you ever hear a V12 Ferrari owner complain that he wished his engine only had one carburetor so it would be easier to adjust? I've owned one, and the joy of hearing those 12 throats operating in unison is worth every bit of additional complexity in my book, same as the CBX. To those for whom complexity is a concern, by all means go get yourself a single-cylinder BSA.
To each his own.
I gather from this that you dislike the CBX.. but that sound? awesome.
It’s easy to handle in corners on the road where it was designed to be ridden. Take any 70’s or early 80’s bike on track and they will have handling problems, try the Kawasaki Z1 on a track, that will scare you. The Honda is only 37lbs heavier. As for balancing carbs, not a big deal, if you can do it on a four, you can do it on a six, Honda make a nice tool to make the job easier. They are a very nice bike on the road at the posted speed limits .I’m guessing you have never owned one.
Thanks!! Most enjoyable and took me back many years.... Never mind what people say about the CBX, most of them can not afford one today and have to settle for the new norm - snappy ride by wire throttles - ask me... and try a Ducati if you disagree.
Yep.. Recently I had a Jones for a (very expensive) Ducati Diavel.. Did lots of research, read reviews, finally headed down to the dealer to take a test ride with cash in hand, fully expecting to come home with one. It took me about 5 miles to turn around and head back to the dealership.. Most disappointing bike I've ever ridden, and I'll be damned if I could figure out where they hid those so called 160 ponies. Doubtless not true but I would swear my CBX had more usable power
Saved myself 20 large +!
There should have done what Suzuki did with the gs models and made a shaft drive cbx or at least have the choice of either 👍👍
Hi Texcarguy :) My brother has an A model bike and its frame number finishes with 23 and books say the first bike put together in the US started with a number ending in 12. My brother is into finding out whether there are 'A' model bikes still running which have a number between 12 and 23 (ending number). Would you mind checking your bike's frame number and telling me what it is. Not crowing information, just very interested. Yours,
mine ends in 33
@@texcarguy Thank you for the information :)
the bike is beautiful, the engine is unique. But by modern standards, the cornering capabilities are weak, the braking is meh. It's a beauty to ride in a relaxed manner but as you push it, every single year of the 40yrs old design will emerge. As expected.
Hi Texcarguy, Your frame number was 2010033? Sorry to be unclear :)
No it just ENDS in 33
I have a 79 and 82
Wow,how hokey and rediculous.11.4 ets ? What source?
Yes they did won't ever sell mjne
Z1rtc kawasaki en mangeais nimporte quand des cbx! Sur route comme sur piste! 10.93 sec 1/4 mille a 133 mph. Et top speed 162 mph! Bye bye cbx en 1979
Kawasaki Z1300.
ew knockoff