The Honda CB-1 NC27 was a naked street bike first manufactured in 1989 for Honda’s Japanese domestic market. As a result, it has an unusual 399cc engine displacement, a size not generally seen outside of Japan. However, this motorcycle was imported to both the US and Canada, with many reaching the shores of the UK as a gray import. Another unique quality about this particular Honda street bike was that it was designed to be traveler friendly, with surprisingly good fuel efficiency. While praised by motorcycle critics and loved by motorcyclists, the CB-1 NC27 never became as popular as other Honda motorcycles, and production was stopped in 1990.
The liquid-cooled 399cc engine in the Honda CB-1 definitely lived up to expectations, putting out 55bhp at 10,000rpm. This was more than enough to propel the 400-pound CB-1 NC27 at speeds in excess of 110 mph. The bike came with 41mm telescopic front forks and a Pro-Link monoshock component at the rear. These worked very well to provide a comfortable driving experience at high speeds, while the 70-17 tires came with disc brakes for safer handling and stability.
Passengers also loved the low seating position of the Honda CB-1 NC27, which was very similar to the larger Honda CBR600. The first and secondary gear ratios were also more in tune with the larger bikes, giving CB-1 owners an advantage in taking off from a standstill. Equipped with a typical Honda six-speed racing gearbox, the Honda CB-1 NC27 was a fun and exciting ride. One unique thing was that, even with its sporty performance, this Honda motorcycle gave efficiency figures of up to 50 mpg, depending on riding conditions. With its 2.7 gallon fuel tank and good efficiency, the CB-1 is a good touring bike.
An important point is that the Honda CB-1 was also sold in some countries under the name CB400F. However, this was a marketing decision in certain export markets to connect with the original CB400F (1974). If you look closely, the 1989-90 CB400F bikes are actually identical to the CB-1 NC27. Today, there are very few CB-1 bikes left in good condition, they are still in demand from collectors and enthusiasts. In the UK, it is difficult to get genuine spare parts except for a few expert dealers. The air filter is especially important as the CB-1 NC27 engine tends to overheat if there are leaks in the intake tract. However, the Honda CB-1 NC27 still delivers a real dose of power for surprisingly low running costs, so if you’ve got your hands on one, consider yourself lucky!
