HONDA The Power of Dreams

In March 1989, a new model was released that brought a new era to the highly competitive 400 cc road sport category in Japan. It was the CB-1, the pioneer of the naked sports motorcycle, without fairing.

The CB-1 was developed at a time when road racing was gaining popularity in Japan, as was the 400 cc road sport category, and increased competition between manufacturers.

The motorcycle license system in Japan was changed in 1975, leading to 400 cc bikes gaining popularity, as they could be ridden with ordinary motorcycle licenses which were less difficult to obtain.

As road racing became more popular, 4-cylinder full-fairing sports models became extremely popular. Manufacturers competed to increase the performance of their racer-replica models, which resulted in higher prices.

This period, as the super sports bike category reached its peak, was when the CB-1 was developed with a completely new philosophy.

The development concept of the CB-1 was “the pursuit of sensory performance.” The goal was to create a motorcycle that would stimulate the senses by pursuing the high-performance appeal of a super sports bike, yet possess the simple functional beauty of a naked sports bike.

The CB-1’s engine was a liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, 4-valve, in-line 4-cylinder DOHC engine borrowed from the CBR400RR, boasting a maximum output of 57 PS. Its high quality appearance was achieved by pursuing the functional beauty of the liquid-cooled engine. Its newly developed twin-tube diamond pipe frame gave the bike a rugged look. Although the CB-1 was a naked sports bike, lacking fairing, its performance was comparable to that of a super sports bike.

Its price, in contrast, was set at 599 thousand yen, 100 thousand yen less than the CBR400RR or VFR400R.

The CB-1 was slated for export, and was shown to the public at a dealer meeting held in the U.S. in 1988, as the CB400F CB-1.

In 1991, the CB-1 Type Ⅱ was added to the line-up with semi-raised handlebars for touring and a 13-liter fuel tank, increased by 2 liters.

The CB-1 became the pioneer of naked sports motorcycles, and had a great impact on subsequent road sports models. However, other manufacturers also released naked sports models, which were gaining popularity. Despite Honda engineers’ passionate belief that high-performance engines and good sports riding characteristics would keep demand for road sports bikes high, many young people were attracted to the more emotional naked sports category.

In 1992, Honda capitalized on the experience gained with the CB-1 to launch the CB400 SUPER FOUR, a naked sports bike. The CB400 SUPER FOUR became a long-selling iconic 400 cc model in Japan.

The highly competitive 400 cc road sports class in Japan had led Honda to develop and launch unique models, such as the CB-1.

In the 1980s, Honda’s 400 cc full-fairing road sports line-up included two models with differing engines: the VFR (V-4 engine) and the CBR (in-line 4-cylinder engine). Both models were well-received, especially with young riders, as high-performance super sports models incorporating road racing-derived technologies.

The VF400F powered by a 4-stroke V-4 engine was released in 1982. Since then, it was improved and renamed as the VFR400R. In 1987, a model featuring a cantilevered swing-arm pro-arm was released.

The CBR400F with a 4-stroke in-line 4-cylinder engine was launched in 1983. The CBR was revamped, and in January 1988, the CBR400RR, with racing bike styling, was launched and became highly popular.

Distinct from the super sports models, two road sports models with basic, simple styling were released.

At the time, 4-cylinder full-fairing sports models were extremely popular. Although these two models captured a certain segment of rider, their popularity with younger riders was limited.

The GB400 TT, featuring traditional styling and powered by a 4-stroke single-cylinder engine, was launched simultaneously with the 500 cc GB500 TT.

The BROS Product Two, with a V-2 engine and twin tube frame, was released alongside its sibling, the 650 cc BROS Product One.

In the 400 cc road sports category, Honda offered a comprehensive lineup, including single-, 2- and 4-cylinder models, to meet the needs of an increasingly diversifying market.