Honda has given us a long list of exceptional motorcycles over the years, with each new model building on what was brought to the table by the motorcycles that came before it. A commitment to quality has helped develop a reputation that precedes the brand. Everyone seems to just “know” that Honda motorcycles are reliable.
While there is always an exception that proves the rule, the vast majority of Honda motorcycles that have rolled off the production line have all proven to be reliable. Among all the understressed cruisers and bullet-proof sports bikes, there is one bike that sums up the brand better than any other model. Even though these bikes have been around for over 50 years, they are still being ridden and modified all over the world.
Meeting The Nicest People
In the years after the Second World War, motorcycles were largely seen as counter-cultural. This worked well for brands like Harley-Davidson and Triumph, who happily leaned into this “bad boy” image. Honda knew all too well that this wouldn’t fly. The brand sought to break into the lucrative US market back in the 60s, and it was the “You meet the nicest people on a Honda” ad campaign that got a foot in the door. The little Cub delivered on its promise and showed US customers what this Japanese upstart was all about. A couple of other handy CB models followed, but it would be the original “superbike” that rewrote the history books.
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The Original CB750 Explains Honda’s Reputation In One Ride
To be very clear, the original CB750 was not a “superbike” by any modern measure, but back when it came out in 1969, it was nothing short of revolutionary. Not only was it more powerful than pretty much anything else on the road, but it also offered the one thing no other manufacturer at the time could: basic reliability. Up until the CB750 came out, you were forced to choose between a motorcycle that was mechanically reliable or fast. Asking for both was quite simply asking for too much.
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The CB750 Kick-Started The Inline-Four Revolution
Power: 67 Horsepower
While the inline-four engine was not a new concept within the motorcycle industry – other manufacturers had been using it for many years already – this was the first mass-produced four-stroke inline-four. This made it genuinely accessible. This did not come about by accident, either. Honda had immense success with the Cub scooter, but other larger-displacement models fell flat. American Honda Motor put in a request for a 750cc model that could achieve a top speed of over 120 MPH.
Shifting The Perspective
The CB750 delivered exactly that. It proved that Honda was not just a scooter manufacturer, and it suddenly became a threat to the status quo. Up until this point, the leading European and American brands had not taken the Japanese brands seriously. They were not perceived as a threat, as they only offered reliable commuter bikes, a part of the market they were not particularly interested in. The CB750 flipped that theory on its head, and also proved that a high-performance motorcycle could also be comfortable and reliable.
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The CB750 Is A Truly Accessible Classic
Price Range: $3,000 – $5,000
Other motorcycles from this era have either disappeared off the face of the planet or have become collectible classics. The CB750 is still just an affordable motorcycle. Prices for bikes with unique backstories are certainly worth something, but for the most part, you can find a 70s bike in running condition for under $5k. Getting four carbs balanced is an art form, though, so while finding a bike that is running is not particularly hard, finding one that is running right is a little more challenging.
Finding one in original condition is even more of a challenge. These bikes are one of, if not the most popular, platforms for custom motorcycle builders. It has become the default choice for anyone building a café racer, and if you like that design aesthetic, it is pretty easy to find one selling for next to nothing these days.
The Universal Japanese Motorcycle
Honda’s success with this platform led the charge for the Japanese manufacturers, but the other three were quick to respond with equally good bikes through the 70s. Most notable of which was the Kawasaki Z1 (pictured above), which moved the performance needle and helped give rise to the term “Universal Japanese Motorcycle” or UJM for short. UJMs pretty much owned the 70s, offering buyers affordable, reliable high-performance motorcycles.
They certainly lived up to their name because people would use their bikes for anything from touring to track days, but they were all far from perfect. Engine performance was way ahead of chassis, suspension, braking, and tire technology. So while these bikes were all pretty fast, they were also dangerous in the wrong hands. It is worth remembering that all these bikes predate the first radial motorcycle tires, a basic innovation that we almost take for granted these days.
This is not as much of a concern today as it is both easy and affordable to upgrade the brakes and tires of these old motorcycles. As long as you are willing to accept their limitations on a canyon road, with an old steel chassis that turns into spaghetti if you push too hard, they are still fun to ride. By modern standards, these bikes are not particularly reliable, and it is not advisable to own one as your only mode of transportation – although technically possible. If you are not that way inclined, Honda recently rebooted the CB750 name, and while it is a somewhat fitting modern interpretation, the CB1000 Hornet SP is the bike that really feels like a modern CB750.