10 Reasons To Throw A Leg Over The Honda CB750 Hornet 

The original 1998 Honda CB600F Hornet was a marvelous machine that sold in large numbers. Compact, powerful, and agile were the praises bikers attributed to the machine. Over the years, the Hornet took many forms, sometimes sports tourers, and once, even a race bike for the Hornet Cup races. Everything great about the motorcycle boiled down to two things: fun and affordable.

But 26 years is a long, long time. Motorcycling has seen a large shift since, and so has the middleweight naked segment. The expectations are much higher, and the options are vast. So taking up the challenge, the Japanese giant birthed the all-new CB750 Hornet in 2022. Does it spark the same level of joy as its predecessor? Damn right, it does. But this time around, four adjectives sum it up: fast, agile, fun, and affordable.

Fuyuki Hosokawa, Test Project Leader, Honda R&D, Japan

The Hornet has always been a very special motorcycle for Honda. Exciting, engaging performance has always been matched to lithe, agile handling.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Honda and other authoritative sources, including Motorcycle News and Red Dot.

10 Excellent, Premium Build Quality

Honda motorcycles are known for a few things, one of which is reliability and premium build quality. The CB750 Hornet is no different. Don’t expect it to feel like an affordable middleweight naked (even though it is) because everything is high-quality and well-finished, from the paint to the switchgear. Plus, given it’s a Honda engine, it should be just as bulletproof as its predecessors.

9 Enough Equipment For A Joyous Ride, No Frills Attached

Honda has left no leaf unturned when it comes to the equipment list on the motorcycle — at least when it comes to the middleweight naked segment. The equipment list is long and promises a comfortable, enjoyable riding experience. But don’t expect radar cruise control just yet.

Equipment List

• 5-inch TFT display with Honda Road Sync
• USB charger
• All LED lighting with self-canceling indicators
• Emergency stop signal
• Throttle By Wire (TBW)

8 Rider Aids That Only Appeared On The Fireblade Five Years Ago

Complementing the equipment list is an even more comprehensive set of electronics and rider aids. The CB750 Hornet gets the same electronics that appeared on a CBR1000RR Fireblade five years ago. They help you enjoy the perky motorcycle without the risk of tasting dirt or testing your riding gear.

Electronic Rider Aids

• Three riding modes: Sport, Standard, and Rain (and an extra User mode)
• Three torque control settings and engine braking
• Standard ABS (not lean-sensitive, though)
• 3-level Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC)
• Honda Ignition Security System (HISS)
• Wheelie Control
• Optional bi-directional quickshifter with three levels of sensitivity

Seat Height: 31.29 in

One of the most surprising aspects of the Honda Hornet is how light and approachable it is. Swing your leg over, and you’ll feel like you’re straddling a much smaller motorcycle than it really is. Not surprising at all, since the motorcycle is developed by the same team that put the 2017 CBR1000RR on a diet.

The bike is small, almost toyish in proportions. The frame is narrow, the seat is low, the handlebars are naturally placed, and every inch of the motorcycle feels friendly. Most riders can get their feet flat on the ground, making it an excellent upgrade for beginner and intermediate riders.

6 Direct Steering Characteristics

Chassis Type: Steel Diamond

Let off the clutch, and you’ll notice that the light and compact dimensions of the CB750 Hornet also translate to a light steering feel. The bike will feel swift, but at first, expect it to feel a little darty. You’ll get used to it once you dial yourself into it, though. And once you do that, you’ll realize how fun this motorcycle is.

The new steel diamond frame is extremely light — 11 percent lighter than the CB650R’s frame — and it is paired with a shorter wheelbase and a steeper rake compared to the 650. This gives the middleweight Hornet excellent road manners. It’s not too sharp like the KTM 890 Duke, though. The original CB600F Hornet was a streetfighter with canyon carver credentials, and so is this one. There’s a high chance that most intermediate riders will never lean the motorcycle to its full potential, but experienced riders may bottom out in the corners.

Chassis And Dimension Specifications

(Specs sourced from Honda UK)

5 Fancy Suspension And Brakes

Suspension System: Showa; Braking System: Nissin

The handling story does not end there, either. Because the CB750 Hornet is suspended on brilliant Showa suspension. The front gets a Showa Separate Function Big Piston (SFF-BP) USD fork, and the rear gets a Showa Pro-Link monoshock with a 7-stage preload adjustment. These should ensure a plush ride quality without being wallowy.

When it comes to the braking department, the front wheel has dual petal discs clamped by Nissin radial-mount four-piston calipers. While the rear gets a single petal disc clamped with a Nissin caliper. Predictable and powerful is how you’d define it post experiencing.

Suspension And Braking Specifications

(Specs sourced from Honda UK)

4 Minimal Yet Aggressive (Almost Mature) Styling

The Honda CB750 Hornet won the prestigious Red Dot Award for its design, and we can see why. According to Honda, the motorcycle was designed by the latest generation of creative minds at Honda’s Rome R&D facility. As a result, the design is minimal and functional in an uncomplicated way, but it is still aggressive without resorting to gimmicks. Honda calls this Sensual Dynamism, we call it an almost mature streetfighter styling, as it looks gorgeous. Sure, it won’t draw a lot of eyes, but those that it does will appreciate its understated frame.

Design Highlights

• The fuel tank is inspired by the shape of a hornet’s wing
• A metallic red frame and matching anodized forks add a pop of contrasting color
• Sharp lines, a compact tail section, and an aggressive front add drama to the minimalistic design
• The engine and headers are on full display, emphasizing the naked character of the bike

3 A Perky Parallel-Twin Engine With A Soundtrack To Match

Power Output: 90.51 HP @ 9,500 RPM

Let’s get one thing out of the way: Honda goofed up with the throttle response. The ride by wire feels too immediate from a closed throttle, as noted by our British buddies at Motorcycle News. Once you get used to it, though, the engine is a peach. Purists may hate the move to a parallel twin from an inline-four from the original Honda Hornet, but trust us, this engine is awesome.

Honda developed the engine specifically for the 750 Hornet in 2023, and it feels at home in the frame. The company has gone a long way to inject as much drama into the engine. As a result, the engine is responsive, loves to rev, and barks like a V-twin. Heck, even the power spread is linear with torque coming in at the low-mid range with a relatively perky high-end.

Engine Highlights

• A class-leading power-to-weight ratio of 0.21 HP/LB
• Competition CRF-derived Unicam eight-valve cylinder with downdraft air intakes and a Vortex Flow Duct
• 270-degree crank with the primary drive doubling as balancer shafts
• No balancer drive gear to keep the engine compact and light
• The water pump is tucked in the left-hand engine cover, and there’s no need for a water-cooled oil-cooler
• Ni-SiC (nickel-silicone carbide) coated cylinders, as also used on the Fireblade and CRF450R
• Assist and slipper clutch with oblique layout disc segments for lighter level feel and wheel hop mitigation under hard engine braking

Engine And Performance Specifications

(Specs sourced from Honda UK)

2 Hits The Sweet Spot Among The Competition

The middleweight naked segment is brimming with options, so there are many bikes the 750 Hornet has to tackle to get the crown. The segment has heavyweights like the Aprilia Tuono 660 and KTM 890 Duke, and peppy nakeds like the Yamaha MT-07, Triumph Trident 660, and Kawasaki Z650. So where does the CB750 Hornet fit in?

Exactly in the sweet spot between the two ends of the spectrum. It’s peppy and playful, gets essential riding aids and electronics, and feels premium. Still, it lacks the charisma of Euro nakeds to keep costs in check, which some riders may find boring. It’s a Honda, so it does everything it wants to without ever doing too much. It’s just right.

Honda CB750 Hornet Rivals

1 Affordable Pricing (At Least Where It’s Available)

Starting MSRP: $9,964 (Converted From Pounds to USD)

Unfortunately, the Honda CB750 Hornet isn’t sold in the US yet. Will it ever come to American shores? Probably, but Honda hasn’t hinted at it. Currently, our Euro brethren enjoy this motorcycle at a price that’s honestly hard to ignore. The nine reasons listed above cumulate and become even better when you consider this motorcycle comes right under the £6,999 mark. So much capability, a playful character, and a decent list of gizmos. All we can do now is keep our fingers crossed that this motorcycle makes its way to the States with similarly aggressive pricing.