Most people fear hornets, but they are surprisingly shy and only become aggressive when they have to be. This is also true for two new-for-2025 Honda Hornet motorcycles. After creating buzz in Europe since 2023, the long-awaited CB750 Hornet and CB1000 Hornet SP have finally landed in the U.S., ready to inject fresh energy into the streetfighter category. Both offer aggressive styling, modern tech, and finely tuned performance that targets everyone from new to veteran riders.
Honda invited us to test both Hornets during a two-day press ride across nearly 400 miles of California’s scenic Sierra Nevada foothills and historic Gold Country. From twisty canyons to roller-coaster roads and sun-drenched highways, we got friendly with these two sharp additions to Honda’s lineup.
Day 1: Honda CB750 Hornet
We kicked off from downtown Sacramento, riding northeast into the Sierra Nevada foothills toward Auburn State Recreation Area, looping back via Placerville. This 200-mile route gave us a chance to put the CB750 Hornet through its paces, and it delivered.
The CB750’s 755cc Unicam parallel-Twin is shared with the XL750 Transalp, and it’s an absolute treat. It’s smooth down low but really comes alive in the mid to upper rev range. The 270-degree crank gives it a throaty, engaging feel, and for a stock exhaust, the sound is surprisingly deep and growly. I love the tune of the exhaust; it impressed me more and more throughout the ride.
What really sets the CB750 apart is its handling. With a 422-lb curb weight and a stiff steel-diamond frame, it feels flickable and light on its feet. The Michelin Road 6 tires with a 160/70 rear help the bike dive into corners confidently and carve through canyon roads. The Showa suspension, a nonadjustable Separate Function Fork-Big Piston and preload-adjustable, remote-reservoir Pro-Link shock with 5.1 inches of travel front and rear, punches above its weight. It handled whatever I threw at it! From soaking up bumps and keeping things planted during spirited riding to bringing the front wheel up on command, it took it all in stride.
Comfort and usability were clearly top of mind when designing the CB750. At 5-foot-6, I found the 31.3-inch seat height approachable, and the upright ergos, wide handlebar, and slightly rear-set pegs provide a natural, in-control position. There are multiple ride modes to choose from: Standard, Sport, Rain, and customizable User 1 and User 2. User modes allow the rider to set preferences for throttle response, engine braking, and traction control, adding to the bike’s versatility. The 5-inch TFT display is crisp and easy to read, and Honda’s RoadSync integration adds smartphone functionality like navigation, calls, and music. Menus and settings are controlled via a four-way backlit switch on the left grip. All lighting is LED, there’s a USB-C port under the seat, and turnsignals are self-canceling.
The CB750 Hornet is the definition of a “sleeper.” It might not scream superbike, but it delivers thrills in abundance, especially on twisty roads. It’s more composed and less twitchy than rivals like the Yamaha MT-07, yet it still has that raw 2-cylinder charm. The electronics are helpful without being overbearing, and the ergonomics make it accessible for a wide range of riders. The handling is sharp, the powerband is exciting but manageable, and the whole package feels light, intuitive, and fun. Keeping up with the other riders on the CB1000 was no issue while riding the CB750, and I couldn’t hold back my grin while chasing them down!
GEAR UP
- Helmet: Arai Corsair-X
- Jacket: Alpinestars Stella
- Airbag Vest: Alpinestars Tech-Air 5 Plasma
- Gloves: Sedici Chicane 2 Women’s Glove
- Pants: Alpinestars Daisy V3 Jeans
- Boots: Sedici Tourisma WP Women’s
For commuting, backroad bombing, or anything in between, the CB750 Hornet is a confident, charismatic middleweight that delivers versatile performance for a reasonable price. It’s a perfect entry-level or upgrade machine for newer riders, but it won’t leave seasoned riders bored.
Day 2: Honda CB1000 Hornet SP
The second day brought a shift in character and machinery. Riding through California’s Gold Country on a 190-mile loop, I stepped up to the CB1000 Hornet SP. This bike brings big-boy performance with premium touches, and you feel it the moment you twist the throttle.
Powered by a re-tuned 998cc inline-Four from the 2017 CBR1000RR, the CB1000 Hornet SP is smooth, fast, and full of character. It’s paired with a throttle-by-wire system with rider modes (Sport, Standard, Rain, User 1, and User 2) and a 6-speed transmission with a slip/assist clutch. The SP is also equipped with a quickshifter with auto-blip capabilities, and the quickshifter’s sensitivity can be adjusted to respond to a softer to harder press of the shifter.
Despite being derived from a superbike engine, the CB1000 Hornet SP felt entirely controllable. The power never seemed too much and certainly not too little. The linear power delivery was so smooth that I didn’t realize how fast I was going until I looked down at the speedo…and saw a high number!
While heavier than the CB750, the CB1000 didn’t feel like a lumbering brute. Its Bridgestone Battleax S22 tires with a 180/70 rear delivered excellent grip and agility. It took more muscle than the CB750 to flick it into tight turns, but it responded predictably and with poise. The fully adjustable 41mm inverted Showa SFF-BP fork and fully adjustable Öhlins TTX36 rear shock are a big upgrade, keeping the ride composed even when pushing hard on less than perfect pavement. The CB1000 thoroughly surprised me with how comfortable it felt at differing speeds and riding environments. It handled excellently in the twisties, comfortably on the highway, and easy in city commuting.
Braking was equally impressive, thanks to Brembo Stylema front calipers squeezing 310mm discs, serious hardware with real bite. The rubber brake lines did not seem to limit the performance of the brakes, and the ABS was not intrusive. The only hiccup for me was the Honda Selectable Torque Control (aka traction control), which felt a bit too eager for my taste. Wheelie control is also integrated into HSTC, but luckily, it’s easy to turn off so I could test how light I could make the front end.
Like the CB750, the CB1000 has a 5-inch TFT display with three display modes and Honda’s new RoadSync system, which pairs to a smartphone via Bluetooth. It also has a four-way backlit menu controller on the left grip, LED lighting, self-canceling turnsignals, and a USB-C port under the seat.
The CB1000 Hornet SP is the grown-up sibling. It’s not as immediately playful as the CB750, but it brings a level of refinement, speed, and tech that places it firmly among other naked bikes such as the Yamaha MT-10. Despite its power and size, it’s surprisingly approachable. The engine is predictable and tractable, the electronics make it customizable, and the chassis feels solid at both high and low speeds. The Öhlins shock gives it an edge in ride quality, and the Brembo brakes provide plenty of stopping power. And let’s not forget that classic inline-Four sound and performance, a staple among sportbike enthusiasts.
The SP is a bike that feels right at home on a Sunday backroad sprint, on long stretches of freeway, and even in the close quarters of city riding. For experienced riders who want sportbike thrills without committing to clip-ons and race ergonomics, the CB1000 Hornet SP hits the sweet spot.
Honda Hornet Final Thoughts
Honda has given us two very different expressions of the streetfighter with the 2025 Hornet lineup, and both sting in their own way.
The CB750 Hornet is the scrappy boxer that’s lightweight, flickable, and loaded with charm. It’s easy to ride but rewards confidence, and its parallel-Twin delivers just the right amount of punch for real-world fun. It’s ideal for newer riders or anyone who wants a bike that’s as playful as it is practical.
The CB1000 Hornet SP is the polished heavyweight that’s powerful, refined, and high-tech. It brings in serious performance chops from the Fireblade family but is packaged for the street. For seasoned riders who want liter-bike power without sacrificing comfort, this one’s a knockout.
Perhaps the most attractive factor to consider is the price of these enticing machines, with the CB750 Hornet priced at $7,999 and the CB1000 Hornet SP at $10,999. These are competitive prices when considering other naked bikes in their respective classes.
Check out more new bikes in Rider’s 2025 Motorcycle Buyers Guide
2025 Honda CB750 Hornet Specs
- Base Price: $7,999
- Website: Powersports.Honda.com
- Warranty: 1 yr., unltd. miles
- Engine Type: 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 (factory claim)
- Torque: NA
- Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated slip/assist wet clutch
- Final Drive: Chain
- Wheelbase: 55.9 in.
- Rake/Trail: 25 degrees/3.9 in.
- Seat Height: 31.3 in.
- Wet Weight: 422 lb (factory claim)
- Fuel Capacity: 4.0 gal.
2025 Honda CB1000 Hornet SP Specs
- Base Price: $10,999
- Website: Powersports.Honda.com
- Warranty: 1 yr., unltd. miles
- Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, transverse inline-Four, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl.
- Displacement: 1,000cc
- Bore x Stroke: 76.0 x 55.1mm
- Horsepower: 129 hp @ 9,000 rpm (factory claim)
- Torque: NA
- Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated slip/assist wet clutch
- Final Drive: Chain
- Wheelbase: 57.3 in.
- Rake/Trail: 25 degrees/3.9 in.
- Seat Height: 31.9 in.
- Wet Weight: 465 lb (factory claim)
- Fuel Capacity: 4.5 gal.
Honda’s styling has been so bland as of late, and with their choice of paint colors should change their nickname from Big Red to Big Matte Black/Bondo Gray
Very pleasantly surprised at the pricing. Hard to justify almost that price for, say, a 650 RE, when the Honda has almost twice the HP and a lot less weight. Nothing in the Triumph lineup is competitive price wise either. Never owned one. Worth a look!
You comment that the Honda 1000Sp is 129bhp. Does your USA version have lesser horse power than the european and australaisan version as the SP there is 155bhp and for the non SP version it is 150bhp?