Honda Hornet: since 1998

The original 1998 CB600F Hornet grew to become a hugely popular motorcycle in Europe for many reasons. It was a very fun bike to ride. And the fun came with an affordable price tag.

Different versions of the Hornet moved toward sporty touring and – in the hands of Hornet Cup racers – an outright race bike, while a 2007 upgrade added additional RR-derived top-end power and a much more aggressive design.

New generation Hornet

25 years is a long time, and since the arrival of the first Hornet, motorcycling has undergone some major changes. The naked motorcycle segment continues to grow in both size and complexity, with many niches, and riders’ expectations have never been higher.

“So the perfect time for a new Hornet – a bike for now and a whole new generation of riders. It has a lot of potential and serious competitors to contend with. None of that was lost on Honda’s development engineers,” said Fuyuki Hosokawa, test project leader, Honda R&D, Japan.

New power source

The
brand new engine is an interesting
. The key figures: 755 cc parallel-twin cylinder, 67.5 kW (91.9 hp) peak power at 9,500 rpm and 75 Nm of torque at 7,250 rpm. The driving weight comes out to 190 kg, good for a power-to-weight ratio of 0.36 kW per kg / 2.81 kg per kW.

Compact, competitive CRF-derived eight-valve Unicam cylinder heads utilize downward air intakes and a Vortex Flow Duct to ensure optimal combustion. A 270° crankshaft provides feel and character; the primary drive also serves as a balancer shaft, while an assist/slipper clutch works in conjunction with a six-speed transmission.

340 kilometers range possible

Fuel economy of 4.3 l/100 km (WMTC mode) offers a potential range of more than 340 km from the 15.2 l fuel tank. A 35 kW A2 version will also be available.

Driving modes and electronics

Electronic driving aids thanks to Throttle By Wire (TBW) include 3 driving modes (rain, standard and sport) plus USER mode, Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) with 3 levels, Wheelie Control with engine power at 3 levels and engine brake adjustment.

Lightweight frame

To maximize the potential of the new engine, it is housed in an all-new steel diamond frame, which is extremely light thanks to optimization of wall/pipe thickness and rigidity. The Hornet’s steel diamond frame weighs only 16.6 kilograms. By comparison, the CB650R is 18.5 kilograms. Empty, the Honda CB750 Hornet weighs only 190 kilograms.

Suspension

The new Hornet also features Showa 41 mm SFF-BPTM USD forks and a Pro-Link rear shock. Dual radially mounted calipers with four pistons provide the necessary stopping power. The front tire is of size 120. Behind is 160.

5-inch TFT color display

The extensive specification list is topped by a 5-inch TFT color display. It also offers connectivity through the Honda Smartphone Voice Control system for both Android and iOS devices. All lighting is LED; the turn signals cancel automatically and also include an emergency braking system (ESS).

Options

A quickshifter, soft luggage bags, engine guards and cosmetic enhancements are optional. To make it easy for the owner, there are 3 packages that neatly group the accessories together:

• SPORT PACKAGE: Quickshifter, windshield, cover for pillion seat and rider footrests.
• STYLE PACKAGE: Weights at handlebar ends, top clamp holder on handlebars, tank pad, wheel stripes and drop caps.
• TOUR PACKAGE: Side bags, tank bag and saddle bag.

Colors Honda CB750 Hornet 23YM

The Honda CB750 Hornet is available in the following color options:

• Pearl Glare White with Metallic Red Flame frame and anodized red forks
• Graphite Black with Metallic Red Flame frame and anodized red forks
• Matte Iridium Gray Metallic
• Matt Goldfinch Yellow

Technical specifications Honda CB750 Hornet