Unexpectedly emerging from Japan, the Honda CB450 was a motorcycle that caught the established industry completely off guard, serving as a definitive challenge to the predominant motorcycle manufacturers. Mirroring the impact Japanese car imports had on America’s major automotive companies during the 70s’ oil crisis, the Honda CB450 made a significant dent in the big-twin motorcycle market with its unparalleled reliability and superior quality, features that were rare among its competitors.
The bike was offered in a singular color option — black. This could have been seen as a drawback, but Honda U.K.’s marketing cleverly turned it into a selling point, dubbing it the “Black Bomber” in an advertorial in Motor Cycle. This moniker has since been affectionately adopted by many and continues to be a popular nickname for the CB450.
Despite the bike’s innovative impact, it wasn’t flawless. Weighing in at a hefty 412 pounds without any fuel or a rider — in contrast, the Triumph 650 was lighter, tipping the scales at 365 pounds. Early reviews also criticized the CB450’s transmission for lacking a fifth gear and having unevenly spaced gear ratios. Although it may not be ranked among the most visually striking Hondas ever produced, the Black Bomber nonetheless achieved commercial success, paving the way for more Japanese big twin motorcycles from other manufacturers like Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Suzuki.
