The Exhaust Note That Made V-Twins Sound Broken

Insight summary

• •Honda engineers recorded F-4 Phantom jet fighters at a Japanese Air Force base to inspire the CBX1000's exhaust sound.
• •The Honda CBX1000 was a breakthrough inline-six motorcycle produced from 1979 to 1982 with about 103-105 horsepower.
• •The CBX's six-cylinder engine design solved the packaging challenge by using a jackshaft to keep the width manageable.
• •The exhaust had a unique six-into-two layout, creating a smooth, high-pitched note unlike V-twin or four-cylinder bikes.
• •The bike weighed around 599.95 lbs wet and could reach a top speed of 134-140 mph, with a quarter-mile time of 11.55 seconds.
• •In 1981, Honda converted the CBX from a street weapon into a sport tourer by adding a full fairing and saddlebags.
• •The CBX1000 legacy remains significant for pushing engineering boundaries and influencing motorcycle design and sound.