1990 Honda CB-1

1990 Honda CB-1
Miles: 14k
CA Title
Bid at post: $1,000
Auction ends: 5 days
No Reserve

Straight from BaT
This 1990 Honda CB-1 spent time in Virginia before it was acquired by the seller in August 2024. Finished in blue with red and white graphics, the motorcycle is powered by a liquid-cooled 399cc DOHC inline-four paired with a six-speed transmission. It is also equipped with an electric starter, a quartet of constant-velocity carburetors, a four-into-one exhaust system, a rear monoshock, front and rear disc brakes, three-spoke alloy wheels, dual mirrors, folding passenger foot pegs, a stepped two-up seat with a grab strap, and a side stand. This CB-1 is offered at no reserve with a California title in the seller’s name.

RSBFS
Dubbed the Practical Classic we have seen a few of these on RSBFS. Back in 2018 Tad found one in mint condition, “some folks just prefer smaller-engined motorcycles: on the road especially, you can barely get a modern sportbike into third gear unless you’re on the freeway, and winding one to redline, even in second gear, is likely to land you in jail if you do it in or around civilization… But that’s never a problem with something like the CB-1.

The 400cc class came about because of regulations that heavily taxed and otherwise displacements over 400cc in some markets, not because everyone was clamoring for them. In Japan, the 400cc sportbike, and even 250cc four-stroke sportbike classes were hotly contested, with Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, and Yamaha all producing smaller, more sophisticated machines than we ever saw officially in the USA. But licensing and laws aside, there are also fans of smaller displacement bikes that have the experience and skill to handle a legitimate sportbike and don’t want to be stuck with one of the torquey, but fairly crude-feeling singles or parallel twins you normally find powering bikes in the class…..

The CB-1 was one of only a couple of 400cc, inline-four sportbikes that were ever available in the United States, and that sophisticated little screamer is the main appeal here, along with the simple, sporty styling that has aged very well. ”

Good luck to the buyer and seller!