Still Growing, the Hornet Family
During most of Honda’s incredible 75-year heritage, we’ve seen a rolling road of milestone models. Motorcycle historians pinpoint 1998 as an iconic year in the street bike market when the first Hornet arrived on European shores. Its sting left the opposition reeling.
Taking the bulletproof engine from its top-selling 600cc sports bike, Honda shoe-horned it into a lightweight chassis. The result was the Honda CB600F Hornet. European riders snapped them up as fast as they rolled off the production line.
CB1000 Hornet – Aggressive and Pure
Over the years, Honda expanded their flight of Hornets. November 2023 saw the announcement of the arrival of a Hornet with the biggest sting to date: the 2024 CB1000 Hornet.
Borrowing style cues from the groundbreaking 2022 CB750, Hornet DNA runs deep throughout this king of the stingers.
The Japanese-designed bike is true to its ‘aggressive' and 'pure' brief and the family resemblance is unmistakable. From its trademark Hornet signature fuel tank to its drop-nose dual projector LED headlight.
Every aspect of the new CB1000 Hornet was earmarked for attention, including the addition of an all-new frame. A blacked-out twin-spar unit, complete with a trellis subframe, gives the rear of the bike a ready-for-action stance.
The minimalistic stepped seat showcases an uncluttered rear. This combo gives the big Hornet a neo-take on the classic broad-shouldered, narrow-waisted streetfighter vibe.
The Hornet rolls on quality components with adjustable 41mm Showa USD forks and a Showa rear shock. For the brakes, four-piston radial front callipers grip 310mm floating discs with a single piston 256mm disc on the rear.
The front wheel and tyre size remain the same as the outgoing CB1000R. The rear tyre reduces in width to 180. This change offers increased agility while still giving a broad footprint.
The resulting silhouette is undeniably Hornet but there’s no mistaking the size of the power plant lurking within. The blacked-in engine, lifted from the incredible 2017 Honda Fireblade, is re-tuned for a turbine-smooth torrent of acceleration at the twist of its throttle-by-wire grip.
The 2024 CB1000 Hornet features an assist/slipper clutch. Meanwhile, the engine’s 100+ Nm of torque is useable thanks to Honda’s selectable torque control (HSTC).
The Hornet’s advanced 3-mode electronic rider aids are more than enough to handle real-world riding conditions.
The position of the 5" full-colour TFT screen is within the rider's line of sight to provide ideal feedback. Honda's RoadSync software offers Bluetooth connectivity from a smartphone to the dash to stay connected on the move.
With a surefooted yet nimble chassis and plenty of instant power, the 2024 Honda CB1000 Hornet will buzz through the urban sprawl and power towards the horizon.
CB500 Hornet – Ready for the buzz
Next year sees the much-awaited 2024 launch of the CB500 Hornet. The model is the latest incarnation of Honda’s evergreen mid-size street bike, launched in 2013. The bike’s original function was to give novice and returning riders a taste of bigger things to come. Due to the model's willing engine, surefooted handling, and legendary Honda durability, its popularity spread to a wider audience.
The motorcycle, featuring a fuel-injected, double overhead cam and a counterbalanced engine, was lively yet fuel-frugal. The chassis meanwhile offered a frame, suspension and wheels package that would have shamed larger bore bikes.
Successive styling and tech updates for year models ’19 and ‘22 made the CB500 current. The model's transformation for 2024 into the latest member of the Hornet's nest is a natural evolution. Coming in at entry level to the three-model Hornet club, the 2024 CB500 Hornet is more than a cosmetic nod to its larger siblings.
The restyled bodywork and trademark tank give the bike an unmistakable Hornet flair but the upgrades are more than skin deep. Airflow from the re-designed bodywork improves stability and steering. Meanwhile, tapered streetfighter-style bars enhance rider input.
For onboard electronics, the CB500 Hornet's tech package is premium on all counts. The 5" full-colour TFT information screen, first seen on the mighty CB1000R, offers improved visibility in bright conditions.
The rider information display is in various formats. The Honda RoadSync Smartphone App for IOS/Android connects Bluetooth-equipped helmets to the dash.
As the CB500 Hornet may be the next step up in the cc ladder for novice/returning riders, Honda’s electronic riding aids are perfect.
Rather than overwhelm with excessive variations of rider interventions, the CB500 Hornet features rider aids that make the most sense. Honda Selectable Torque Control manages rear wheel traction. What's more, there is the option to turn the system off if required.
A slipper/assist clutch joins the torque control feature, eliminating rear-wheel hop under heavy braking or down-changes. Both systems give a real-world boost to rider confidence and safety, especially in poor riding conditions.
Although the CB500 Hornet’s engine is restricted to exploring the limit of A2-compliant power output, you'd never know. The engine is smooth and lively thanks to the precision PGM-FI fuel injection. This precision mapping gives the magical trinity of low-end torque, top-end howl and excellent fuel economy.
Does the dynamic engine outperform the chassis? No, this is much more than a styling exercise. The bike's impeccable road manners are courtesy of 41mm Showa USD Big Piston forks and dual 296mm disks with Nissin radial-mount 4-piston callipers.
With a 240mm rear disc, pro-link suspension and 17" wheels, rolling gear is a straight lift from the mighty 91bhp 750 Hornet.
If you thought A2 license-friendly motorcycles were dull and dreary, rest assured the CB500 Honda Hornet’s sting is a shot in the arm.
The Groundbreaking CB750 Hornet
The new 2024 500cc and 1000cc editions to the hive take centre stage at this year's Motorcycle Live event. Let’s not forget though, that the Hornet buzz kicked off in 2022 with the groundbreaking CB750 Hornet.
At its launch, the 750 Hornet stunned with its handling. It also slammed the opposition on price point. Moreover, it offers unbeatable fun per ft-lb of torque and shows no signs of losing momentum.
The prestigious 2023 Red Dot design award winner, the 750 Hornet, proves that style and substance can coexist. Accolades like these set the bar high. The latest editions to the Hornet range from the A2 license-friendly 500cc to the tyre-shredding 1000cc Hornet are set to follow the 750's flight path.
Is the Hornet legacy in safe hands? You bet it is!
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