Honda CB-1: Flogged on Airline Hwy (CA-25)

January 10, 2026

The Magnificent Seven set out on a 330-mile round trip chasing tacos in Coalinga, a quiet petroleum town in the heart of Central California.

After a week of relentless rain, the crisp winter air felt like freedom (heated gloves helped). We raced the limited daylight, and ripped through the countryside with grins and giggles hidden behind our visors.

Having just turned off of CA-198 (another gem), Airline Highway was the star of the day: 63 miles of pure riding bliss. Long, arrow-straight stretches interrupted by sweeping curves framed by wide-open flatlands that city folk like us rarely see. No gas stations, no crowds, just endless pavement and skies that seemed to go on forever. The road was smooth, the traffic sparse, and not a single law enforcement car in sight. It felt like our own private racetrack.

And my little 1990 400cc Honda CB-1? She held her own like a champ. While the bigger bikes easily stretched their legs on the straights, Charo danced at and beyond redline with heart, proving that sometimes it’s not about displacement it’s about soul.

By the time we rolled into San Benito we were 1-1/2 hours ahead of schedule. Charo delivered an impressive 35 mpg!

HIGHLIGHTS
1:20 passing the tail
13:30 stray cow
17:50 Kathy gets on it
19:40 CB-1 meets CBR1100XX
25:30 catching S1000XR
38:30 170hp vs 50hp

BIKE: 1990 Honda CB-1. 43k miles. Yoshimura muffler
CAMERA: Chin mounted DJI Osmo Action 5.

20250110 CA 25 Airline Hwy