Motorcycle specifications HondaCB 1000 Hornet 2025 Programmed for success at last?

Honda today unveils a new Hornet. As in the early 2000s, the Japanese manufacturer's aim is to capitalize on the popularity of the Hornet name. Unfortunately for the world's leading manufacturer, the 900 Hornet was not a success, owing to a sulphurous reputation due to its sweeping front end.

today , the market for large roadsters has become elitist, following the same technical foundations as Superbikes; motorcycles have become expensive and are becoming rare on our roads. Buyers' renewed interest in trail bikes is not entirely unrelated to the lack of interest in these street-fighters. The new Hornet 1000 falls into this category, and let's see why.

A heart of thunder ... 2017 version

to bring you the most powerful Hornet ever produced, Honda has grafted the inline 4-cylinder engine of the impressive CBR1000RR Fireblade into a new double-beam steel frame.

but it's not the latest generation Fireblade that serves as the donor for the engine. Honda has taken the basics from the 2017 model. It's a 1,000 cm3, 16-valve, 4-cylinder DOHC engine that claims 111.6 kW (152 hp) at 11,000 rpm and 104 Nm at 9,000 rpm. A copious amount of power, but more reasonable than the insane fire pumps - a competitor it's not aiming at, by the way. Honda is more often pragmatic than crazy.

however, Honda points out that engineers have reworked the engine's character to offer more flexibility and body at mid-range revs. The transmission has also been modified (no doubt shortened) so that gears 2, 3, 4 and 5 give priority to acceleration (according to the press release), while the 6th gear has been sized for cruising on the freeway. You'll note that Honda didn't include a quick shifter as standard equipment ... no doubt to keep the price down.
the gearbox is assisted by a slipper clutch that prevents the rear wheel from locking up when downshifting at high revs. All in all, this engine claims a fuel consumption of 5.9 l/100 km (WMTC), giving a range of around 290 km with the 17 l contained in the fuel tank.

Cutting-edge electronics, Honda's trademark

this Hornet 1000 features :
- 3 default riding modes, 2 user-configurable modes
- 3 levels of power and engine braking
- 4 levels of torque control (HSTC) and anti-jamming
Thanks to a TBW (Throttle By Wire) electronic throttle, Honda offers 3 predefined riding modes (Standard / Rain / Sport) (each offering specific combinations of power, engine braking and torque control / anti-wheeling), plus 2 USER modes that let the owner create 2 totally personalized modes. Modes are selected via the left-hand switch and TFT display.

in detail, there are 3 levels of power (P) and engine braking (EB), as well as 4 levels for the HSTC torque control system, which can be disconnected for possible track use?
STANDARD for everyday use
This mode covers most situations, with an intermediate level for power, engine braking and torque control. Power is softened in the first 2 gears, while performance is slightly muted compared to SPORT mode, with reduced torque when the throttle is partially open.

SPORT
Performance is delivered without limitation, engine braking and torque control are at a minimum, so you can enjoy 100% power and torque in all 6 gears, whatever the degree of throttle opening.

RAIN
The power setting is at its minimum for the least aggressive engine behavior possible. Engine braking is at intermediate level, while torque control intervention is at maximum. Power and torque limitation are concentrated on the first 3 gears.

Optimized chassis, farewell to the single-arm design

while Honda has created a new chassis and not simply adopted the chassis of the "neo-sport-café" CB1000R (its predecessor in the 1,000 cm3 range), it is already regrettable that Honda has not retained what has often been the signature feature of the winged brand: a single-arm. Instead, we find a traditional aluminum swingarm, 619.1 mm long. With its double-beam architecture designed to integrate the engine, the torsional rigidity of this frame is 70% higher than that of the CB1000R 2023. Another important detail is the silent-blocks that hold the engine in place at the rear, designed to limit vibrations and enhance feedback to the rider.
Caster angle and drag are 25° and 98 mm respectively, with a wheelbase of 1,455 mm. To enhance the bike's agility and avoid dead weight in corners, Honda has thoughtfully positioned the rear shock absorber, battery and engine as far forward as possible in relation to the frame. As a result, the airbox is housed above the cylinder head rather than behind it. The final weight distribution is 51.2% front and 48.8% rear, with a total kerb weight of 211 kg.
the ø 41 mm Showa Separate Function Fork Big Piston (SFF-BP) inverted fork is fully adjustable (preload, compression and rebound damping). The Showa shock absorber also features adjustable preload and rebound damping.

Front braking is provided by a radial master cylinder driving 2 Nissin 4-piston calipers, also mounted radially. The discs are of the floating type, 310 mm in diameter. At the rear, the CB1000 Hornet relies on a Nissin single-piston caliper which bites a 240 mm disc. Naturally equipped with ABS, the 1000 Hornet also features automatic activation of the hazard lights in the event of emergency braking. The wheels are 5-spoke Y-shaped cast aluminum, with 120/70-ZR17 tires at the front and 180/55-ZR17 at the rear.

Hornet-style styling

the design of this new 1000 Hornet is very much in the spirit of the little insect that forged the reputation of the 600 roadster (then the Honda 750 ). This time, it even looks as if the styling department has taken on the challenge of mimicking the Hornet as closely as possible. The front features a generous head, while the body is in two parts, consisting of the tank/engine unit and the rear shell. The optics form a low-positioned mask equipped with two false LEDs. The tank seems to be hollowed out at thigh/knee level, to form one with the bike. The rear end is quite successful, with a hull that doesn't feel heavy - quite the opposite, in fact! Sharp and dynamic, the Hornet looks ready to take on the competition. A few details mark the contrast, with black finishes for the mudguards and radiator scoops. As always with Honda, it's clean and not too transgressive to appeal to the widest possible audience.

on the fork head is a 5-inch color TFT display that looks very exposed. The display is configurable between "bar", "circle" or "simple" modes, while the Honda RoadSync application (free) lets you use phone functions such as navigation, listen to music or make calls using a Bluetooth intercom. Screen functions can be accessed via a new backlit 4-axis control on the left handlebar.

to personalize the bike, the future owner can choose from the catalog of options or equip it with one of Honda's packs: Style, Sport and Comfort.

Style Pack :
- Alcantara rider seat
- Oil filler cap
- Handlebar supports
- Radiator grill
- Rider footrests
- Wheel decals

Sport Pack :
- Quickshifter for upshifting and downshifting
- Windscreen
- Engine cover
- Passenger seat cover
- Fuel tank protection

Comfort Pack :
- Heated grips
- Fuel tank bag
- Seat bag
behind its sporty looks, the new Hornet 1000 is unlikely to be the most exclusive roadster on the market. If it looks like one, its target is clearly not a Ducati Streetfighter, with which it can rival neither for power nor lightness. Honda is probably more interested in overshadowing the GSX-S1000 and Streetfighter V2, while positioning itself as the ideal compromise between mid-size bikes(Street Triple, MT-09, Z 900, etc.) and hyperfighters with stratospheric performance. To achieve this, Honda will have to price its Hornet 1000 at under €15,000.
Certain indications, including prices announced in other countries, lead us to believe that the CB 1000 Hornet will be offered at around 11,000 euros. If this is the case, it would be an absolutely insane and incredibly affordable price for a motorcycle of this calibre. A success or a tidal wave for the big Hornet!?!!

the CB1000 Hornet 2025 will be available in the following colors: Red, Matte Grey or White.

Vincent Beaucousin- Manufacturer's photos