The Honda CBX1000 was introduced in 1978 to technical fanfare. It was the first motorcycle Honda had produced with a six cylinder engine. The engine produced 105 bhp (78 kW) from its in-line six, twin cam, 24 valve engine configuration and also had a stacked engine accessory arrangement. This involved a jackshaft that provided the drive to the alternator and ignition equipment positioned behind the cylinder block. This arrangement produced an acceptable engine width and removed critical equipment from positions that would incur expensive damage in the event of contact with the ground.

The CBX was not the first production motorcycle to be powered by a six-cylinder engine (the Benelli 750 Sei had that honour), but it was the latest and the most advanced entry into the hotly contested superbike battle being fought by the Japanese manufacturers. Its blistering 11.36 second quarter mile time was considerably quicker than other superbikes of the day.