Honda CB1000 Hornet
- 1,000 cc
- 111.6 kW
- 2 variants
- 7 models from the CB125R to the CB1000 Hornet
- Power from 11 to 115 kW (CB1000 Hornet SP)
- E-Clutch on CB750 Hornet, CB650R and CB500 Hornet
- CB500 Hornet with 35 kW for restricted category A
- CB125R with 11 kW for subcategory A1
- Four-cylinder engine on CB1000 Hornet and CB650R
Naked motorcycle, roadster, streetfighter: what is behind the terms?
Naked motorcycles show their technology openly: no large windscreen, an upright seating position and wide handlebars. This makes them easy to handle in town and on winding country roads. On long motorway stages, however, you feel the airflow more clearly than on a tourer. In everyday riding, roadsters score with a good overview and easy manoeuvring.
Roadster is the classic term for this type of motorcycle. A streetfighter is a particularly sporty, aggressively styled naked bike – Honda designs the Hornet family in this style. If you like it classic, the CB1000F is a roadster with a retro look, and the CB650R stands for Neo Sports Café design.
Which naked motorcycle suits your driving licence?
For subcategory A1, the CB125R with 11 kW is the option. The CB500 Hornet has 35 kW and thus fits exactly into category A restricted to 35 kW, which you will find in the EU under the name A2. CB750 Hornet and CB650R are also available in a reduced-power version up to 35 kW. The more powerful versions as well as the CB1000 Hornet, CB1000F and CB1000GT require category A.
Besides the licence, riding skill counts. Outputs of more than 90 kW need to be handled with experience and a sensitive throttle hand. If you are new to riding, you are better off gaining routine on a lighter model such as the CB500 Hornet and moving to a larger motorcycle later.
The Honda roadsters at a glance
The CB1000 Hornet is the top model of the Hornet family: four-cylinder with 1000 cc and 111.6 kW, Throttle by Wire and an adjustable Showa upside-down fork. The SP version delivers 115 kW. The CB750 Hornet (755 cc, 67.5 kW) combines a light chassis with streetfighter design and is also available with Honda E-Clutch.
The CB650R relies on a four-cylinder engine with 649 cc and 70 kW, also available with E-Clutch. The CB500 Hornet comes with a twin-cylinder engine with 471 cc, a colour screen (TFT, 5 inches), Honda RoadSync and HSTC traction control; there is an E-Clutch version here too.
The CB1000F is a revival in the spirit of the CB750F, which came onto the market in 1979: round headlight, sturdy tank, 1000 cc and 91 kW. The CB125R is the entry model with a slim, minimalist design and 11 kW. The CB1000GT completes the range as a sports tourer with 1000 cc, 110.1 kW and a 21-litre tank for longer distances.
Technology and everyday use: what matters with roadsters
The Hornet models feature streetfighter looks with LED twin headlights, and the CB1000 Hornet also has an adjustable 41 mm Showa fork and a Pro-Link shock. The CB500 Hornet displays turn-by-turn navigation on the TFT colour display via Honda RoadSync. On the CB750 Hornet, the E-Clutch works together with the electronic Throttle by Wire, which according to Honda makes shifting faster and smoother.
For trips, the tank also matters: according to dealer data, it holds 10.2 litres on the CB125R, 15.2 litres on the CB750 Hornet, 17 litres on the CB1000 Hornet and 17.1 litres on the CB500 Hornet. According to Honda, the design of the CB650R is inspired by the CB1000R and reduced to the essentials.
Tips before buying: test ride and riding course
Whether the seating position, handlebar width and response suit you only becomes clear after a ride on the motorcycle itself. Ask Honda Motorrad Zürich for a test ride and get advice there on E-Clutch, versions and leasing.
You become a safer rider in a motorcycle course at the MX-Academy. Because riding takes place on closed-off grounds, no driving licence is required; in the taster course, the MX-Academy provides a rental bike and protective gear.
Frequently asked questions: Naked bike
What is a naked bike?
A motorcycle without large fairings, with an upright seating position and wide handlebars; the engine and frame remain visible. Common synonyms are naked motorcycle, roadster or – with a particularly sporty set-up – streetfighter.
Which Honda roadsters can be ridden with restricted category A?
The CB500 Hornet with 35 kW. CB750 Hornet and CB650R are also available in a version up to 35 kW. The CB125R can be ridden with A1 and therefore also with restricted category A.
What does the Honda E-Clutch offer?
Pulling away and changing gear work without reaching for the clutch lever, but manual clutch operation remains possible. Among the Honda roadsters, the E-Clutch is available for the CB750 Hornet, CB650R and CB500 Hornet.
What is the difference between the CB1000 Hornet and the CB1000F?
Both have 1000 cc. The CB1000 Hornet, with 111.6 kW, is designed as a sporty streetfighter. The CB1000F with 91 kW takes up the design of the 1979 CB750F and appeals to fans of classic lines.
Is a roadster suitable for long tours?
It is good for day tours, but on long motorway stretches it lacks wind protection. If you regularly cover long distances, take a look at the CB1000GT with its 21-litre tank or a touring model.