2025 Honda CB1000 Hornet Review

With a reputation originating in the late 1990s – first with the CB600F Hornet, with its four-cylinder CBR engine, followed by the CB900F Hornet in the early 2000s – the Hornet name brings with it a clear identity: to be a Hornet, a motorcycle has to be fast, fun and affordable.

Review – Key Features – Features & Benefits – Specifications

2025 Honda CB1000 Hornet: FAST, FUN AND AFFORDABLE.

Introducing the 2025 Honda CB1000 Hornet…

Honda unleashes its most potent Hornet yet, a motorcycle packing huge performance potential. The CB1000 Hornet loads with a four-cylinder CBR1000RR Fireblade engine, Throttle By Wire control, three riding modes with pre-set combinations of settings for Power, Engine Braking, HSTC and Wheelie Control, plus two customisable options. With gear ratios designed for optimal acceleration, the six-speed gearbox also features an assist/slipper clutch. 41mm Showa SFF-BP USD forks are matched by a Showa rear shock and Pro-Link; four-piston radial-mount front brake calipers work with 310mm floating discs. Twin LED projector headlights define the pure naked aggression of a streetfighter’s style. And for straightforward on-screen navigation – and more – the five-inch colour TFT instrument display connects the rider to their smartphone via Honda RoadSync.

The 23YM CB750 Hornet bought the evocative Hornet name back to Europe. And its combination of taut streetfighter silhouette, exhilarating power and razor-sharp agility has justifiably earnt much admiration and impressive sales, making it the best-selling naked bike in Europe in 2023.

With a reputation originating in the late 1990s – first with the CB600F Hornet, with its four-cylinder CBR engine, followed by the CB900F Hornet in the early 2000s – the Hornet name brings with it a clear identity: to be a Hornet, a motorcycle has to be fast, fun and affordable.

That trend continued with the arrival of the sparky, A2-friendly CB500 Hornet for 24YM. Now, for 25YM, come the headline acts of the modern Hornet family: the new CB1000 Hornet and CB1000 Hornet SP.

Packing real punch, the CB1000 Hornet represents remarkable ‘bang per buck’ and turns the excitement dial up to 11, in every way possible.

Powered by the 17YM CBR1000RR Fireblade’s formidable engine – with 111.6kW power and 104Nm torque – and built as a potent cocktail of strong four-cylinder performance and ultra-sharp handling, the CB1000 Hornet delivers maximum riding fun from city block to snaking back road.

Throttle By Wire (TBW) delivers 3 default riding modes with preset combinations of Power, Engine Brake, Wheelie Control and HSTC settings, plus 2 USER options allowing the rider to choose their own preferred settings. The optically bonded five-inch TFT screen offers intuitive usability, clarity even in bright light and easy Honda RoadSync smartphone connectivity through the simple switchgear on the left handlebar.

Stripped back style drips with pure aggression, led by the concentrated stare of twin LED headlights. The new twin-spar frame is also used as a design feature, and the subtly blacked out 41mm Showa SFF-BP USD front forks and Showa rear shock deliver adjustable, high-quality suspension control. Four-piston radial-mount front brake calipers work 310mm floating discs while CBR1000RR-R-inspired cast aluminium wheels mount 120/70-ZR17 and 180/55-ZR17 front and rear tyres.

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.

The 25YM CB1000 Hornet will be available in the following colour options:

• Grand Prix Red
• Mat Iridium Gray Metallic
• Pearl Glare White

2025 Honda CB1000 Hornet Totalmotorcycle.com Key Features

• CBR1000RR-derived four-cylinder engine with Throttle By Wire
• Smooth mid-range delivery and hard-hitting top-end power
• Revised gear ratios for acceleration, assist/slipper clutch control
• Three default rider modes plus two USER custom options
• Three levels of Power and Engine Brake
• Four levels of Honda Selectable Torque Control and Wheelie Control
• New steel twin-spar frame holds the weight forward, with high torsional rigidity to improve handling agility
• Fully adjustable 41mm Showa SFF-BP USD forks, Showa Pro-Link rear shock
• Four-piston, radial-mount front brake calipers and floating discs
• 120/70-ZR17 and 180/55-ZR17 front and rear tyres
• Twin LED projectors lead stripped-back style and Hornet signature fuel tank
• Five-inch TFT screen with full Honda RoadSync smartphone connectivity
• Honda’s Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) integrated

All out attack
Nothing just for show. This is the motorcycle in its rawest form, tautly defined. Stripped for action the CB1000 Hornet’s uncompromising, streetfighter style is led by the piercing stare of super-compact twin LED projector headlights, tightly wrapped in a discreet nose fairing. The subtly blacked out frame brings a strong element of lithe design, underpinning the lines as does the trellis-style rear subframe. Adding menace, the engine, wheels and swingarm are also finished in black. And the Hornet-signature, broad-shouldered fuel tank tapering radically to the rear outlines pure performance.

Honda’s new flagship naked CB1000 Hornet arrives together with SP version to turn the excitement dial up to the max

• CBR1000RR Fireblade engine provides the exhilarating power
• New frame with high torsional rigidity, short gear ratios and Showa suspension deliver classic Hornet handling 
• Pure and aggressive streetfighter styling is built around the Hornet trademark narrow waist and broad-shouldered front end with high-output dual LED headlights
• SP variant adds high-performance Öhlins suspension and Brembo brakes to take the dynamism to the next level 

The 2024 CB750 brought the evocative Hornet name back to Europe, and generated instant popularity: its combination of taut streetfighter silhouette, exhilarating power and razor-sharp agility made it Europe’s best-selling naked bike in 2023.

For 2025, the Hornet family grows again with the introduction of not one, but two exciting new flagships. Following the addition of the CB500 Hornet as a 24 year model, the new CB1000 Hornet arrives – together with an SP version – to headline the family and turn the excitement dial up to the max.

Honda’s new naked flagship delivers a potent cocktail of intense acceleration and ultra-sharp handling to deliver maximum riding fun from busy city street to twisting mountain road. The performance is delivered through the formidable CBR1000RR Fireblade-based engine (producing peak power of 112kW at 11,000rpm and 104Nm at 9,000rpm) with short gear ratios, which works in combination with a new twin spar frame with a high degree of torsional rigidity, Showa’s ‘big piston’ SFF-BP upside down forks and Nissin brake calipers.

The bike’s styling is pure and aggressive. It’s led by the piercing gaze of super-compact dual LED projector headlights and the Hornet-signature fuel tank; the look is broad-shouldered up front and tapers radically to the rear, via the minimal seat unit that underlines the traditional narrow-waisted Hornet look. The subtly blacked out frame and trellis-style rear sub-frame underpin the design lines.

The minimalistic look hides premium technology in the form of multiple riding modes with different combinations of Power, Engine Braking and Honda Selectable Torque Control, an optically bonded five-inch full colour TFT screen, Honda RoadSync connectivity, and Honda’s Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) as standard.

For riders looking to amplify their riding experience even further, the CB1000 Hornet is available with an SP variant. Power is boosted to 115.6kW and torque to 107Nm, and high-end chassis and drivetrain components such as an adjustable Öhlins TTX36 rear shock, standard fit quickshifter, and Brembo Stylema brakes elevate the CB1000 Hornet SP to the next level.

The 2025 CB1000 Hornet will be available in the following colour options:

• Grand Prix Red
• Mat Iridium Gray Metallic
• Pearl Glare White

The SP variant of the CB1000 Hornet is available exclusively in a special Mat Ballistic Black Metallic finish, which is complemented by gold-finished forks and unique ‘desert gold’ metallic wheels.

2025 Honda CB1000 Hornet Totalmotorcycle.com Features and Benefits

Premium Full Colour 5-Inch TFT Screen
Intuitive to use – with backlit switchgear – and loaded with smartphone connectivity; just download the Honda Roadsync App for on-screen navigation and all other features.

Riding Modes with Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC)
Choose between Standard, Sport or Rain or go fully custom in User mode between 3-level Engine Power/Engine Brake and 4-level HSTC and Wheelie Control.

Precise Handling Agility
Confidence on the brakes, scalpel sharp in corners. The steel twin-spar frame balances the rigidity to deal with power with the suppleness required for a smooth ride.

Stunning Inline Four-Cylinder Engine
This is power. And built to drive hard through the gears taking you from carving city blocks to clipping backroad apexes in a twist of throttle.

Piercing LED Lighting
Dual LED projector headlight emits a penetrating, hard-edged stare and lead the uncompromising front-end styling. All other lighting is sharp-edged LED.

Premium Full Colour 5-Inch TFT Screen
Intuitive to use – with backlit switchgear – and loaded with smartphone connectivity; just download the Honda Roadsync App for on-screen navigation and all other features.

Turn It Up
Performance Boost
The Hornet SP’s engine pumps out an extra 4kW peak power and 2Nm torque – and a quick shifter makes use of it.

Race Quality Braking
Radial-mount Brembo Stylema® four-piston calipers grip 310mm floating discs.

Engine

At its core, this is a Fireblade powerplant. Drawn from the 17YM CBR1000RR, the 1000cc, DOHC four-cylinder engine provides an exhilarating dose of power and torque, with maximum figures of 111.6kW @ 11,000rpm and 104Nm @ 9,000rpm.

This engine is tuned to deliver torque with a heavyweight punch in the low to mid-range,  with performance and throttle response that works smoothly around town. And, out on the open road, the top-end is thrilling, with an exhilarating rush of power delivery at higher rpm – all the way to the redline.

A variety of detail work has gone on in the engine to create the change in character and delivery. Inlet and exhaust valve lift and timing have been developed alongside the camshafts to ‘pump’ more efficiently across the rev-range. The inlet valve material is steel, and the lightweight die cast piston shape has been optimised for strength and durability. The engine covers shrink-wrap the muscular powerplant; the ACG cover is aluminium as is the oil pan.

The transmission has also been matched to the Fireblade heart. Gears two through five have been optimised for acceleration to match the engine’s all-round drive while sixth offers relaxed highway cruising. An assist/slipper clutch helps manage rear wheel hop under hard, rapid downshifts and braking.

Bore and stroke are set at 76mm x 55.1 mm with compression ratio of 11.7:1. A 44mm diameter throttle body feeds air/fuel mixture into large diameter inlet ports and carefully shaped combustion chambers. The exhaust adds to the CB1000 Hornet’s mid-range muscle and light weight. It’s a 4-2-1 design, which features OBD2 sensors and a 7.1L muffler volume.

The engine returns fuel efficiency of 16.9km/L and the fuel tank holds 17 L.

Engine Electronics

Throttle By Wire (TBW) allows the rider maximum control over the CB1000 Hornet’s powerful engine via 3 default riding modes with preset combinations of Power, Engine Brake and HSTC (with integrated Wheelie Control) settings, plus two user defined options that allow the rider to choose their own preferred mix of settings. Selection is managed via the left handlebar and TFT screen.

There are three levels of Engine Power (P) and Engine Brake (EB), and 4 levels of Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) available; HSTC can also be switched off.

• RAIN mode employs the lowest Power setting for the least aggressive power delivery, medium amount of EB and high HSTC. The lower levels of power and torque delivery are focused on the first 3 gears.
• STANDARD mode uses the middle setting for Power, HSTC and EB. It softens the power delivery a little out of first and second gear and uses a power delivery just below that of SPORT mode, with reduced torque at partial throttle openings.
• SPORT uses the highest Power delivery and lowest levels of EB and HSTC to deliver 100% performance through all six gears, maximum torque and power at all throttle positions and minor intervention from HSTC.
• USER modes 1 and 2 allow the rider to choose between the settings for each parameter and save the setting for future use.

Chassis

The frame is a new, one-piece steel twin-spar unit that has been designed to complement the engine and – through narrow pivot point width – deliver the classic slim-waisted Hornet feel as well as a 70% increase in torsional rigidity compared to the 24YM CB1000R, for sharper turn in and side-to-side handling agility. Rear rubber engine mounting matched to carefully shaped front mounting plates minimise vibration and increase feel.

Rake and trail are set at 25° and 98mm, with wheelbase of 1,455mm. For reduced yaw inertia and therefore agile and light handling, the centre of gravity is set forward toward the front wheel. A new design, the engine is forward set. The rear shock and battery are located ‘forward’ to further aid agility, with the airbox sat above the cylinder head rather than behind it. Weight distribution is a forward-focussed 51.2%/48.8%. Kerb weight is set at 211kg.

The riding position is pure streetfighter. Seat height is 809mm, and the handlebar position is set up and back, paired to a sporty footpeg position and a rider triangle with relatively upright upper body position.

Showa 41mm Separate Function Fork Big Piston (SFF-BP) USD forks are adjustable for spring preload and rebound/compression damping. The single tube separate-pressurisation Showa rear shock operates through Pro-Link and adjusts for preload via cam; rebound damping is adjustable. A cast aluminium swingarm – 619.1mm long – provides tuned rigidity balance for optimum grip and feel.

A radial master cylinder operates the dual, radial-mount Nissin four-piston calipers which grip 310mm floating discs. The rear 240mm disc employs a Nissin single-piston caliper.

5Y-spoke design wheels are drawn from the concept of the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade and are cast in lightweight aluminium. Tyres are sized 120/70-ZR17 front and 180/55-ZR17 rear.

Styling & Equipment

Designed in Japan, the CB1000 Hornet’s transformative looks are driven by two words: AGGRESSIVE and PURE. Blending a sensual dynamism with balance of mass, for the design team behind it the big Hornet’s stripped back style is very much an ‘expression of non-decorative aggression’.

Led by the piercing gaze of super-compact dual LED projector headlights (all lighting is LED) the Hornet-signature fuel tank – giving the impression of 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 subtly blacked out frame is also used as a design feature, underpinning the lines – as does the trellis-style rear subframe. The engine, wheels and swingarm are also finished in black. Handlebars are a new tapered steel design.

Premium technology, in the form of a five-inch full colour TFT screen, uses optical bonding to improve visibility in bright sunlight. By sealing the gap between the cover glass and TFT screen with resin, glare is reduced, and backlight transmittance improved. It’s customisable between Bar, Circle and Simple display patterns and offers the IOS/Android smartphone connectivity of Honda RoadSync.

This feature – alongside a simple, easy-to-use, backlit four-way toggle-switch on the left handlebar – allows straightforward, on-screen turn-by-turn navigation as well as the option (via a Bluetooth helmet headset) for the rider to make calls or listen to music. All an owner has to do is download the Honda RoadSync app from either the Play Store or the App Store, connect to the CB1000 Hornet, and go.

The indicators also incorporate an Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) function: Under hard braking, the hazard lights flash to warn other road users a hard stop is in process.

Accessories

A range of Genuine Honda Accessories are available for the CB1000 Hornet. These are available in combinable packs or individually:

Style Pack

Designed to add even more style to the Hornet package. The Alcantara Rider’s Seat adds premium feel alongside an Oil Filler Cap, Handlebar Holder, Radiator Grill and Rider Footpegs. Wheel Stripes are the finishing touch.

Sport Pack

Pumps up dynamism with Quickshifter, instrument Flyscreen, Under Cowl and Seat Cowl. A Tank Pad adds practical protection.

Comfort Pack

Increased cold weather rideability from Heated Grips plus the flexible, easy to attach carrying capacity of a Tank Bag and Rear Seat Bag.

All items are available individually.

2025 Honda CB1000 Hornet – Totalmotorcycle.com USA Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: $ TBA USD
Canada MSRP Price: $ TBA CDN (includes Freight, PDI and Fees)
Europe/UK MSRP Price: £8,999 GBP (On The Road inc 20% Vat)

NA

2025 Honda CB1000 Hornet – Totalmotorcycle.com Canada Specifications/Technical Details

NA

2025 Honda CB1000 Hornet – Totalmotorcycle.com Europe Specifications/Technical Details

Manufacturer Specifications and appearance are subject to change without prior notice on Total Motorcycle (TMW).