Here’s a little secret about the Japanese motorcycle industry: They make some really, really cool stuff that never comes to Canada. In the past, that was true of their quarter-litre models like the Tricker. Those seem to have died out, but we still see them building big-bore four-cylinders that we never get at a sniff at. That includes the Honda CB1300, which is now about to be punted out to pasture.
But—not before we get the Honda CB1300 Super Four SP Final Edition, and the CB1300 Super Bol D’Or SP Final Edition. Or rather, some select markets get these bikes. They’re confirmed for the JDM scene, and it would be unsurprising if Europe also got the machine, as long as it passes their emissions tests. As far as we know, it’s Euro5-compatible, but not Euro5+.
The CB1300 has a lineage that goes all the way back to 1992’s CB1000 Super Four, which was part of Project BIG1, Honda’s plan to sell the baddest bikes in the industry. Well—at least, the baddest UJM-style bikes. In 1998, the CB1000 became the CB1300, and since then, this machine has stood atop Honda’s lineup as a big-bore four with little serious competition in this market segment. Kawasaki sold the similar retro GPZ900 in the JDM for years, and Yamaha had a big-bore four as well, but Honda stuck with their model the longest.
But now, it’s all over, Baby Blue. Or rather, Baby Red-and-White, because that’s the colour scheme Honda picked for the end-of-production machines. Will they be replaced by a new, modern equivalent? It seems unlikely, as Honda has nothing similar in the lineup right now, with an attractive-looking engine. Although these 1300 four-cylinders came with liquid cooling and EFI, they still retained the attractive looks of the earlier air-cooled UJMs, and that’s not likely to happen with the 500 and 750 twins that Honda is using these days.
For a closer look at the last hurrah of the golden age of the four-cylinder, check out Honda’s Japanese-language website here.
Not to mention the likes of the Blackbird, ZX-14 and Hayabusa of which there’s only the Suzuki left. Nothing succeeds like excess.
the zx14 is still available in Canada
I agree the lines are classic but I doubt there is much of a market for big naked bike currently. I wish Honda would import the CB350 they sell in India. Similar lines but much smaller engine. I suspect the sales would be very good if priced right.
The Super Bol D’or SP is just such a beautiful bike. They had a 400cc version of the Bol D’or in years past as well, but that already left the line-up. I will miss such classic lines.