In 1969 after experiencing success with their smaller motorcycles HONDA introdduced the CB 750 motorcycle.The bike was targeted directly at the US market.
Under development for one year and finally introduced to the market, The CB750 offered two unprecedented features: A front disc brake (which could be easily doubled, for even more braking power) and an in line overhead cam four cylinder engine -- neither of which were previously available on mainstream, affordable, production bikes. These two features, along with the bike's introductory price of $1495.00, gave the CB750 considerable advantage over its competition, particularly its British rivals.
Cycle Magazine called the CB750 "the most sophisticated production bike ever" upon its introduction. Cycle World called the motorcycle a masterpiece, highlighting Honda's painstaking durability testing, the bike's 120mph top speed, the fade-free performance of the braking, the comfortable ride, and excellent instrumentation.
As the first modern four cylinder machine from a mainstream manufacturer, the term Superbike was coined to describe the CB750. The bike offered other important features, both great and small that added to its compelling value: electric starter, kill switch, dual mirrors, flashing turn signals, screw on oil filter, easily maintained valves and overall smoothness and freedom from vibration both underway and at a standstill. Later models (91 on) included maintenance free hydraulic valves. On the other hand, the bike was difficult to get on its center stand and tended to throw chain oil on its muffler.
The CB750 is sometimes referred to as a Universal Japanese Motorcycle or UJM, although certainly the bike has earned notoriety of its own.
The Discovery Channel ranked the Honda CB750 among the top ten greatest motorbikes of all time, giving the CB750 third place.
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