23YM HONDA CB750 HORNET

For a variety of reasons, the original 1998 CB600F Hornet became an incredibly popular motorcycle in Europe. Its small, unadorned appearance was ideal for cruising around town, and its powerful engine and agile handling allowed it to enthusiastically cut a series of curves. The Hornet saw various versions that steered it toward sports touring and, in the hands of Hornet Cup competitors, an outright race bike, while a 2007 upgrade brought additional top-end power taken from the RR and a far more aggressive style.

Every individual owner had a reason why their Hornet was so good, but two things remained constant throughout its life and development:

It was great fun to ride. And the fun came with an affordable price tag.

Motorcycle culture has seen significant changes in the 25 years since the introduction of the first Hornet. Rider expectations have never been higher, and the naked bike market continues to expand in both size and complexity with a wide range of niches. A new Hornet would arrive at the ideal time, with a whole new generation of riders and a bike for the time being. It must compete against strong rivals and fill large tyre tracks. These facts were not lost on Honda's development team.

It has been designed to draw younger riders eager to make a significant career advancement, with styling overseen by the newest generation of creative minds in Honda's Rome R&D division. A brand-new twin-cylinder engine with strong power and torque and a complete electronics package is featured. A brand-new, lightweight steel frame with top-of-the-line running gear and high-quality Showa suspension enable the rider to fully utilise the bike's potential. A slick, contemporary streetfighter style is defined by a minimalist appearance and unwavering angles.

Honda have armed the CB750 Hornet with a class-leading power-to-weight ratio. And, to keep things simple, three words can be used to sum it up:

Fast, agile, fun.

The Hornet’s brand-new engine packs a great deal of Honda’s engineering prowess into a small space. Headline numbers: 755cc parallel twin-cylinder, 67.5kW peak power and 75Nm torque. With wet weight of 190kg it has a class-leading power-to-weight ratio of 0.36kW per kg / 2.81kg per kW.

A brand-new Honda engine's introduction always marks a significant occasion. Its significance as a component of a brand-new Hornet is made clear by how it is presented. To give the Hornet its competitive advantage in terms of performance, Honda engineers created a brand-new parallel twin-cylinder engine that packs a powerful and fun punch. It is built to be fully utilised by every rider, offering thrilling peak power output in addition to approachable low to mid-range usability, making it ideal for inexperienced riders and greatly enhancing the fun of regular town riding.

With reverence for earlier Hornets, Honda's R&D designers in Rome set to work on a new, modern manifestation of technological beauty with a small, exquisite proportion in the silhouette, lines, and shaping.

The fuel tank, which is the primary distinguishing feature of the Hornet, is designed to resemble a hornet's wing. There are signs of tension and ferocity wherever you look, underlining true sports intent, from the sharply slanted nose-fairing to the razor-sharp, minimum tail.