Honda’s new Hornet promises to be a flyer

The Intermot Motorcycle Fair in Cologne, Germany, played host to the reveal of Honda’s fast-looking CB750, aka Hornet.

Powered by a new 68kW/75Nm 755cc parallel twin, the bike weighs in at a claimed 190kg, thanks to a lightweight frame, promising streetfighter performance to match the sharp styling. 

With four ride modes (three plus a user selectable mode) and three ready-to-go accessory packs – Sport, Style and Touring – Honda reckons its new middleweight will offer ‘fast and agile fun’. There’s both traction control and wheelie control as standard.

The compact and lightweight parallel twin produces its peak power at 9500rpm while the torque peak arrives at 7250pm. Engineers promise strong low to midrange operation, meaning useful acceleration across a range of riding situations. With a claimed overall fuel use figure of 23km/L (4.35L/100km), expect range of almost 350km.

With a 270° crank and uneven firing order the engine should also produce a character-laden ‘V-twin-like’ pulse and an exhaust tuned to make the most of that. Vortex Flow Ducts are said to distribute airflow into the airbox evenly, resulting in a sharper throttle response and pick-up. Nickel-Silicon Carbide coating for the cylinders aids longevity while the eight-valve Unicam head helps keep the engine compact. 

A new diamond-shaped frame design evidently weighs only 16.6kg, 2kg lighter than that of the CB650, while up front are fixed Showa 41mm Separate Function Fork Big Piston USD suspension units. The rear shock has adjustable preload and there’s a new steel swingarm. Radial-mount four-piston calipers clamp onto twin 296mm discs. 

Special features include a five-inch TFT colour display, connectivity via the Honda Smartphone Voice Control system for both Android and IOS devices, full LED lighting, self-cancelling indicators and an Emergency Stop System to show following motorists that the rider is braking hard (hazard lights are activated).

Styling was led by Honda’s R&D Centre in Rome and hints at a compact, sporty proportion with a sharply chiselled 15.2L fuel tank, aggressively angled nose fairing and minimalistic tail to underscore the Hornet’s sporting intent.

Colour options include white, black (with red frame and forks) gray and yellow. Expect it here sometime next year.