Most individuals concern hornets, however they’re surprisingly shy and solely develop into aggressive once they must be. That is additionally true for 2 new-for-2025 Honda Hornet bikes. After creating buzz in Europe since 2023, the long-awaited CB750 Hornet and CB1000 Hornet SP have lastly landed within the U.S., able to inject contemporary power into the streetfighter class. Each supply aggressive styling, fashionable tech, and finely tuned efficiency that targets everybody from new to veteran riders.
Honda invited us to check each Hornets throughout a two-day press trip throughout practically 400 miles of California’s scenic Sierra Nevada foothills and historic Gold Nation. From twisty canyons to roller-coaster roads and sun-drenched highways, we bought pleasant with these two sharp additions to Honda’s lineup.
Day 1: Honda CB750 Hornet
We kicked off from downtown Sacramento, driving northeast into the Sierra Nevada foothills towards Auburn State Recreation Space, looping again by way of Placerville. This 200-mile route gave us an opportunity to place the CB750 Hornet by means of its paces, and it delivered.
The CB750’s 755cc Unicam parallel-Twin is shared with the XL750 Transalp, and it’s an absolute deal with. It’s clean down low however actually comes alive within the mid to higher rev vary. The 270-degree crank offers it a throaty, partaking really feel, and for a inventory exhaust, the sound is surprisingly deep and growly. I like the tune of the exhaust; it impressed me an increasing number of all through the trip.
What actually units the CB750 aside is its dealing with. With a 422-lb curb weight and a stiff steel-diamond body, it feels flickable and lightweight on its toes. The Michelin Street 6 tires with a 160/70 rear assist the bike dive into corners confidently and carve by means of canyon roads. The Showa suspension, a nonadjustable Separate Perform Fork-Large Piston and preload-adjustable, remote-reservoir Professional-Hyperlink shock with 5.1 inches of journey entrance and rear, punches above its weight. It dealt with no matter I threw at it! From absorbing bumps and retaining issues planted throughout spirited driving to bringing the entrance wheel up on command, it took all of it in stride.
Consolation and value had been clearly prime of thoughts when designing the CB750. At 5-foot-6, I discovered the 31.3-inch seat top approachable, and the upright ergos, extensive handlebar, and barely rear-set pegs present a pure, in-control place. There are a number of trip modes to select from: Customary, Sport, Rain, and customizable Person 1 and Person 2. Person modes enable the rider to set preferences for throttle response, engine braking, and traction management, including to the bike’s versatility. The 5-inch TFT show is crisp and straightforward to learn, and Honda’s RoadSync integration provides smartphone performance like navigation, calls, and music. Menus and settings are managed by way of a four-way backlit change on the left grip. All lighting is LED, there’s a USB-C port beneath the seat, and turnsignals are self-canceling.
The CB750 Hornet is the definition of a “sleeper.” It may not scream superbike, but it surely delivers thrills in abundance, particularly on twisty roads. It’s extra composed and fewer twitchy than rivals just like the Yamaha MT-07, but it nonetheless has that uncooked 2-cylinder attraction. The electronics are useful with out being overbearing, and the ergonomics make it accessible for a variety of riders. The dealing with is sharp, the powerband is thrilling however manageable, and the entire package deal feels gentle, intuitive, and enjoyable. Maintaining with the opposite riders on the CB1000 was no concern whereas driving the CB750, and I couldn’t maintain again my grin whereas chasing them down!
GEAR UP
For commuting, backroad bombing, or something in between, the CB750 Hornet is a assured, charismatic middleweight that delivers versatile efficiency for an affordable worth. It’s an ideal entry-level or improve machine for newer riders, but it surely gained’t go away seasoned riders bored.
Day 2: Honda CB1000 Hornet SP
The second day introduced a shift in character and equipment. Driving by means of California’s Gold Nation on a 190-mile loop, I stepped as much as the CB1000 Hornet SP. This bike brings big-boy efficiency with premium touches, and you’re feeling it the second you twist the throttle.
Powered by a re-tuned 998cc inline-4 from the 2017 CBR1000RR, the CB1000 Hornet SP is clean, quick, and filled with character. It’s paired with a throttle-by-wire system with rider modes (Sport, Customary, Rain, Person 1, and Person 2) and a 6-speed transmission with a slip/help clutch. The SP can also be outfitted with a quickshifter with auto-blip capabilities, and the quickshifter’s sensitivity might be adjusted to reply to a softer to more durable press of the shifter.
Regardless of being derived from a superbike engine, the CB1000 Hornet SP felt solely controllable. The ability by no means appeared an excessive amount of and positively not too little. The linear energy supply was so clean that I didn’t notice how briskly I used to be going till I seemed down on the speedo…and noticed a excessive quantity!
Whereas heavier than the CB750, the CB1000 didn’t really feel like a lumbering brute. Its Bridgestone Battleax S22 tires with a 180/70 rear delivered wonderful grip and agility. It took extra muscle than the CB750 to flick it into tight turns, but it surely responded predictably and with poise. The absolutely adjustable 41mm inverted Showa SFF-BP fork and absolutely adjustable Öhlins TTX36 rear shock are an enormous improve, retaining the trip composed even when pushing arduous on lower than good pavement. The CB1000 totally stunned me with how snug it felt at differing speeds and driving environments. It dealt with excellently within the twisties, comfortably on the freeway, and straightforward in metropolis commuting.
Braking was equally spectacular, because of Brembo Stylema entrance calipers squeezing 310mm discs, severe {hardware} with actual chew. The rubber brake traces didn’t appear to restrict the efficiency of the brakes, and the ABS was not intrusive. The one hiccup for me was the Honda Selectable Torque Management (aka traction management), which felt a bit too longing for my style. Wheelie management can also be built-in into HSTC, however fortunately, it’s simple to show off so I may check how gentle I may make the entrance finish.
Just like the CB750, the CB1000 has a 5-inch TFT show with three show modes and Honda’s new RoadSync system, which pairs to a smartphone by way of Bluetooth. It additionally has a four-way backlit menu controller on the left grip, LED lighting, self-canceling turnsignals, and a USB-C port beneath the seat.
The CB1000 Hornet SP is the grown-up sibling. It’s not as instantly playful because the CB750, but it surely brings a degree of refinement, velocity, and tech that locations it firmly amongst different bare bikes such because the Yamaha MT-10. Regardless of its energy and measurement, it’s surprisingly approachable. The engine is predictable and tractable, the electronics make it customizable, and the chassis feels stable at each excessive and low speeds. The Öhlins shock offers it an edge in trip high quality, and the Brembo brakes present loads of stopping energy. And let’s not overlook that basic inline-4 sound and efficiency, a staple amongst sportbike fans.
The SP is a motorcycle that feels proper at dwelling on a Sunday backroad dash, on lengthy stretches of freeway, and even within the shut quarters of metropolis driving. For skilled riders who need sportbike thrills with out committing to clip-ons and race ergonomics, the CB1000 Hornet SP hits the candy spot.
Honda Hornet Last Ideas
Honda has given us two very totally different expressions of the streetfighter with the 2025 Hornet lineup, and each sting in their very own approach.
The CB750 Hornet is the scrappy boxer that’s light-weight, flickable, and loaded with attraction. It’s simple to trip however rewards confidence, and its parallel-Twin delivers simply the correct amount of punch for real-world enjoyable. It’s supreme for newer riders or anybody who desires a motorcycle that’s as playful as it’s sensible.
The CB1000 Hornet SP is the polished heavyweight that’s highly effective, refined, and high-tech. It brings in severe efficiency chops from the Fireblade household however is packaged for the road. For seasoned riders who need liter-bike energy with out sacrificing consolation, this one’s a knockout.
Maybe probably the most enticing issue to think about is the value of those engaging machines, with the CB750 Hornet priced at $7,999 and the CB1000 Hornet SP at $10,999. These are aggressive costs when contemplating different bare bikes of their respective lessons.
Take a look at extra new bikes in Rider’s 2025 Bike Consumers Information
2025 Honda CB750 Hornet Specs
- Base Value: $7,999
- Web site: Powersports.Honda.com
- Guarantee: 1 yr., unltd. miles
- Engine Kind: Liquid-cooled, transverse parallel-Twin, Unicam SOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl.
- Displacement: 755cc
- Bore x Stroke: 87.0 x 63.5mm
- Horsepower: 83 hp @ 8,500 rpm (manufacturing facility declare)
- Torque: NA
- Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated slip/help moist clutch
- Last Drive: Chain
- Wheelbase: 55.9 in.
- Rake/Path: 25 levels/3.9 in.
- Seat Top: 31.3 in.
- Moist Weight: 422 lb (manufacturing facility declare)
- Gas Capability: 4.0 gal.
2025 Honda CB1000 Hornet SP Specs
- Base Value: $10,999
- Web site: Powersports.Honda.com
- Guarantee: 1 yr., unltd. miles
- Engine Kind: Liquid-cooled, transverse inline-4, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl.
- Displacement: 1,000cc
- Bore x Stroke: 76.0 x 55.1mm
- Horsepower: 129 hp @ 9,000 rpm (manufacturing facility declare)
- Torque: NA
- Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated slip/help moist clutch
- Last Drive: Chain
- Wheelbase: 57.3 in.
- Rake/Path: 25 levels/3.9 in.
- Seat Top: 31.9 in.
- Moist Weight: 465 lb (manufacturing facility declare)
- Gas Capability: 4.5 gal.
