THE CB1000 HORNET
Undisputed King of the Stingers:
In 1998, Honda took the bulletproof engine from the CBR600F and bolted it to a lightweight chassis with distinctive styling. The rest is Hornet history. Sporting a concept that tapped into the pared-down streetfighter philosophy, the 600 Hornet was an immediate runaway success.
The launch of the CB750 Hornet in 2023 re-established the Hornet platform as the epitome of affordable, fast and fun motorcycling. Hot on its heels, the 24 year model A2 license-friendly 500 Hornet did the same for the middleweight sector. What was missing though, was a Hornet buzzing to take up the mantle as king of the hive.
The all-new CB1000 Hornet grabs the crown leaving rubber-streaked tarmac in its wake.
Class-Leading Powerhouse
Honda continues the tradition of using engines from the brand’s all-conquering Supersports range. The manufacturer’s CB1000 Hornet’s unit takes its inspiration from the 2017 year model CBR1000RR Fireblade. The liquid-cooled four-cylinder 16-valve DOHC engine comes in at a precise 1000cc with a compression ratio of 11.7:1:
The main engine changes include detailed work on inlet valve lift and timing. Plus, camshaft profiling, steel inlet valves, and reshaped die-cast pistons. However, these clever tweaks have changed the engine characteristics noticeably. Moreover, current power delivery offers a winning combination of flexibility around town and an adrenaline-pumping powerhouse on the open road.
The Hornet re-tuned for smooth, punchy low and mid-range delivery, kicks out a tyre shredding 150bhp. Torque of 104Nm hits the dial at 9,000 rpm making this fast-revving stump puller a buzz to ride.
Taut Responsive Chassis
The chassis marks a major departure from the CB1000R with the introduction of a twin-spar steel frame. This feature increases torsional rigidity by 70%.
The Showa 41mm SFF-BP USD forks raked at 25 degrees, are rebound/compression and spring preload adjustable. These clamp onto a 120/17 front wheel. The Pro-Link rear suspension features a Showa shock, adjustable for preload and rebound. Meanwhile, a return to a more conventional double-sided swinging arm supports the 180/17 rear wheel.
Slowing the CB1000 Hornet is courtesy of twin radial mounted 4-piston Nissin callipers. These bite down on 310mm discs. A single-piston Nissin calliper on a 240mm disc features at the rear. The braking system offers 2-channel ABS.
Real World Rider Aids
Marking out the Hornet's path is a pair of angled dual projector LED headlamps. The rear lights are LED as are the indicators, which feature Honda’s Emergency Stop Signal system. When the rider hits the brakes hard the indicators take on the function of hazard lights to warn other road users.
Throttle By Wire places the engine's enormous power in the grip of your right hand. Thanks to precision fuel injection and mapping, the response is instantaneous whether it's silky-smooth low-speed delivery or unleashing the bike's full potential.
To maximise the CB1000 Hornets 150bhp there are three riding modes; rain, standard, and sport along with two customisable modes. This allows the rider to dial in any combination of three levels of power/engine braking, four levels of Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) plus wheelie control.
All these features are easy to dial in via the left-handlebar-mounted, back-lit 4-way toggle switch and a 5” full-colour TFT screen. This information consul produces clear, bright instant and accessible information at a glance. It is switchable for bar, circle, or simple readouts.
Turn-by-turn satellite navigation, call-taking and music are all possible through the TFT screens Bluetooth connectivity. These features are accessed via Honda’s downloadable RoadSync app and the rider’s Smartphone.
Pared Down Design
Styling is where the spirit of the hornet fully awakens. Since the introduction of the CB750 and CB500, the new hornet platform has a distinctive muscular style that projects forward momentum even when stationary. It’s no surprise, that the new king of the Hornets has an awesome street presence.
A low-slung mini-fairing houses the twin projector headlights. These lead the eye directly into the angular lines of the broad-shouldered petrol tank. From there, the tank narrows dramatically. This design allows the rider to knee-hug the tank for maximum control.
The rider section of the seat flows seamlessly to a stepped, contoured pillion. Meanwhile, the seat is finished with minimalistic bodywork that mirrors the angles of the tank perfectly and shows off the trellis-style subframe.
True to its streetfighter roots and racing DNA, the CB1000 Hornet has no superfluous parts or padding and the result is a lean, mean, stinging machine.
CB1000 Hornet SP
If the launch of the all-new CB1000 Hornet isn’t news enough, Honda has revealed an SP version of the flagship super naked.
The CB1000 Hornet SP further ups the stakes with a host of top-shelf upgrades that elevate what is already an incredible bike.
The standard Hornet offers class-leading horsepower, but the SP turns the dial to 11. Thanks to different silencer internals that operate a servo-operated valve, the SP boasts an increase in torque and horsepower, pushing out a fiery 155bhp.
To keep the power flowing, a 3-level quick shifter allows for full throttle clutchless up and down shifting with auto-blip function and is fitted as standard.
Track Bred Quality
Look at the front wheel and you’ll see yet another unique feature of the SP with four-piston, radial-mount Brembo Stylema callipers taking centre stage. These lightweight, rapid-cooling, beautifully sculptured callipers are at the cutting edge of braking technology.
Race-quality brake performance is matched to the upgraded rear suspension. Here, the Hornet SP features an Ohlins TTX36 rear shock. This premium shock gives the rider race-quality feedback. It is adjustable for compression, rebound and preload.
The new CB1000 Hornet is available in matte iridium grey, grand prix red and pearl glare white. Meanwhile, the SP is a black-on-black masterpiece, accentuated with gold wheels and forks.
In the bang-for-buck category, the Honda Hornet 750 and A2 license-friendly Hornet 500 lead the way. However, the new king of the hive, whether standard or SP version, redefines the terms of fun, fast and fantastic value for money motorcycling.
The 1-litre super naked class just got stung!
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