Honda’s New Hornet with SP Superpower

It is EICMA bike show time and all manufacturers are getting into the new model swing of things. Two years ago Honda launched the CB750 Hornet that we still have yet to ride, despite asking politely and repeatedly. It has since gone on to become Europe’s best selling naked bike.

Hornet History

Hornet first arrived in the 1990s, essentially a naked version of the CBR600, with its four-cylinder engine. In the 2000s Honda launched the CB900F Hornet, borrowing its engine from the Fireblade. It came to be synonymous with fast, fun and affordable motorcycling.

Now, for 2025, comes the headline act in the form of the CB1000 Hornet. There’s also a CB1000 Hornet SP. It’s essentially the same bike, only with slightly more power and better suspension and brake components. 

Fireblade mill still

At the Hornet’s core is the 2017 CBR1000RR Fireblade engine packing 112kW of power (at 11,000rpm) and 104Nm of torque (9000rpm). That gives it the most sting of any Hornet ever. Expect lots of low down urge and a top end rush. An assist and slipper clutch is standard, while intermediate gears are close for optimised acceleration. Mean fuel use is rated at 5.9L/100km so range from the 17L tank so touring range should be around 300km.

By-wire electronics

With throttle by wire, electronics include three ride modes (Sport, Standard and Rain) with preset combinations of power, engine braking, wheelie control and traction control (four levels for the latter). There are also two user options where the rider chooses power and safety settings. A five-inch TFT screen relays the data while a Honda app ensures smartphone connectivity via the switchgear.

Good components for CB1000 Hornet 

Other features include twin LED headlights, a steel twin-spar frame, and adjustable 41mm Showa big piston USD forks and shock. Nissin brakes comprise four-piston radial-mount front calipers working 310mm floating discs. Tyres are the usual 120/70-ZR17 and 180/55-ZR17 sizes for upper middleweight (211kg) machinery.

Style and accessories

Styling is ‘an expression of aggression’ featuring lots of blacked out components. The riding position is streetfighter, so relatively upright. A short wheelbase, upright forks and slight frontal weight bias aim for agile handling. 

The CB1000 Hornet will be available in red, grey and white hues, as per the images. Accessories include Alcantara rider seat, heated grips, a quickshifter and flyscreen, among other things.

SP Range Topper

Almost forgot, there’s also an SP version of the CB1000 Hornet. This gets added engine output (116kW/107Nm) plus fully adjustable 41mm Showa SFF-BP USD forks, an Öhlins TTX36 rear shock, four-piston radial-mount Brembo Stylema front brake calipers and a standard-fit quickshifter. It is distinguished by its matte black paint job, and gold coloured forks and wheels.