The 23YM CB750 bought the evocative Hornet name back to Europe. And its combination of taut street fighter silhouette, exhilarating power and razor-sharp agility has justifiably earnt much praise and impressive sales, making it 2023’s best-selling naked bike in Europe year to date through August.
Now, for 24YM, the Hornet family has expanded with the introduction of not one, but two exciting new members. With the CB500 Hornet taking its place alongside the CB750 Hornet, headlining the trio is the new CB1000 Hornet which turns the excitement dial up to maximum. Powered by the 17 year model CBR1000RR Fireblade’s formidable engine, and designed as a potent cocktail of strong in-line 4 engine performance and ultra-sharp handling, the CB1000 Hornet delivers maximum riding fun from busy city block to twisting back road.
Designed in Japan, its transformative looks are driven by two words: AGGRESSIVE and PURE. Led by the piercing gaze of super-compact dual LED projector headlights, the Hornet-signature fuel tank – with wings folded forward – is broad shouldered up front but tapers radically to the rear, mirrored by the minimal seat unit that underlines the traditional narrow-waisted Hornet look. The new frame is also used as a design feature, but subtly blacked out – like the tubular trellis-style rear subframe.
The CB1000 Hornet’s huge performance potential, high-quality specification, compact dimensions and refreshing new style make it a hard bike to ignore, especially for those riders with a mid-capacity naked bike looking for their next step up the ladder.
TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHTS
- 999cc, inline four-cylinder DOHC 16V engine: over 110kW peak power and more than 100Nm torque
- Downdraught intake, 4-2-1 exhaust system
- Throttle By Wire (TBW), 3 default riding modes plus Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) and assist/slipper clutch
- All-new steel twin spar frame
- Showa 41mm SFF-BP USD forks, adjustable for compression and rebound damping
- Showa rear shock operating through Pro-Link
- Radial-mount four-piston front brake calipers and 310mm floating discs
- 180/55-17 rear tyre; 120/70 ZR17 front
- Full colour 5-inch TFT screen with Honda RoadSync smartphone connectivity
- All LED lighting, with dual LED projector headlights
