Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1531151
"B eing newer," read the Cycle News headline, "is not always being better." The year was 1973, and the new - er machine was Honda's 1974 CB-360, the replacement model for the company's venerable CB-350. Released in 1968, the 350 was not only one of Honda's best-selling machines, it was also one of the most popular street bikes of all time. So, why mess with a proven formula? If it ain't broke, well, it ain't broke! But Honda didn't become num- ber one by following the advice of the proletariat and the nifty 350 was retired and replaced with the CB-360 (and CB-360G, with a front disc brake). Gone were the covered forks and shocks. The straight, flat mufflers of the old days were now sporting a racy upswept look. The tank was restyled, and the new motor was punched out to 356 cubic centimeters, 31cc more than the 325cc of the old 350. What could be wrong with any of these improvements? Viewed as parts, and on paper, abso- lutely nothing. But motorcycles are the sum of their parts, and in the matter of the new Honda, all of the pieces didn't add up to a better motorcycle. "The CB-360…contradicts itself," wrote CN in the November 13, 1973, issue. The test contin- ued with the staff chiding Honda for the 360's six-speed gearbox, which was "nothing more than a gimmick. You don't need six speeds. You'd manage splendid- ly with five; four would be okay. Six speeds are to be coupled to peaky, powerful, performance- oriented engines. The Honda CB-360 powerplant is none of these." The new machine gave new meaning to the term "slug- gish," with the staff claiming that it was a drag-race loser to every bike above 200cc. Alas, this might be the one area where Honda's engineers may have all been on the same page: a gutless engine hasn't earned the right to be cradled in a beefy frame and a punchless powerband isn't worth the extra millimeters of forking material. This Honda was a flexi-flyer! According to the testing team at Cycle News, the Honda bent, shimmied, gyrated and wiggled like Gumby on a hot plate. "The frame will flex, and both wheels get out of line at times." A new (low) bar for frame flex! Numerous backhanded compli - ments were sprinkled throughout the story. "The frame doesn't get a chance to flex too much," wrote CN, "because of the horrible sus- pension, particularly at the rear… everyone who rode the bike com- pared the shocks to pogo sticks." The staff conceded that the springs did provide a somewhat comfortable ride while going in a straight line on the freeway, but that good feeling disappeared, along with the damping when the bike was pitched into a corner CNIIARCHIVES P100 NEW ISN'T ALWAYS BETTER BY KENT TAYLOR Our 1974 Honda CB-360 test bike. No need to be afraid of the cops on this bike. THE 1974 HONDA CB-360 WAS PROOF