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.

1. Introduction
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.

 *See separate CB1000 Hornet SP post.

2. Model Overview 
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

3. Key Features 
    3.1 Engine 

• 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

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