2025 Honda CB1000 Hornet SP Review

For the first time ever in the United States, Honda’s iconic Hornet name graces a liter-class machine built for the street.

The 2025 CB1000 Hornet SP is a high-spec, rider-focused naked bike that strikes a balance between aggressive styling and everyday usability and performance, all while undercutting the prices of many competitors in the segment.

By Mark Miller | Photography by Align Media

While European and Japanese riders have been familiar with Honda’s Hornet moniker for decades, U.S. enthusiasts had to wait. The name first appeared on the 1996 CB250 Hornet in Japan, followed by the CB600F Hornet and CB900F Hornet in Europe.

Those models were sold stateside under different names (the 599 and 919, respectively) due to trademark restrictions. For 2025, Honda secured the rights from Chrysler to use Hornet in the U.S. (permitting Chrysler to use the name Rebel in exchange), allowing Honda to introduce both the CB750 Hornet and CB1000 Hornet SP.

The CB1000 Hornet SP is manufactured in Japan and designed for experienced riders seeking a performance machine that doesn’t compromise practicality. Honda sought to provide an alternative to the over-styled, overpriced hyper nakeds that have flooded the market for years. The result is a clean, functional design with premium visual touches like gold fork legs, wheels and decals. The signature Hornet profile is here, too: broad tank shoulders, a slim waist and a high, tapered tail. A flat seat and wide handlebars offer leverage and comfort for upright, confident riding.

The CB1000 Hornet SP is powered by a retuned version of the 2017 CBR1000RR’s inline-four. With a 76.0mm x 55.1mm bore and stroke and an 11.7:1 compression ratio, the engine is optimized for midrange torque and high-rev excitement. Lightweight cast pistons, revised valve timing and custom gearing (with an overdrive-like sixth gear) contribute to a powerplant that’s responsive in daily use but still delivers when pushed. A slip-assist clutch rounds out the package.

The intake system includes a dedicated downdraft airbox and slash-cut intake funnels to optimize throttle response. The 44mm throttle body enhances low- to midrange torque. Note: the U.S. model does not feature the variable exhaust valve.

The CB1000 Hornet SP rides on a custom frame developed specifically for this bike. It’s compact, lightweight and delivers 70 percent more torsional rigidity than the CB1000R, improving stability and agility. Rubber-mounted rear engine hangers help reduce vibration for improved rider comfort on longer rides.

Honda equipped the SP with premium suspension components for real-world versatility. Up front, you get a fully adjustable 41mm Showa SFF-BP fork with 5.1 inches of travel, clamped by aluminum upper and lower triples. Out back, an Öhlins TTX36 shock provides 5.5 inches of travel and is also fully adjustable. The result is stable, confidence-inspiring handling whether commuting, carving backroads, or doing long-haul rides.

The Hornet rolls on cast-aluminum wheels with a five-spoke Y-shaped design derived from the CBR1000RR-R. Stopping power is provided by (slightly modest) dual 310mm front discs paired with Brembo Stylema calipers and a Brembo master cylinder, while the rear uses a 240mm disc with a Nissin caliper.

The SP does not come equipped with a six-axis IMU for lean-sensitive ABS (a massive savings in cost) and features rubber brake lines, although I recommend swapping to steel-braided lines for a more consistent pull at the lever.

Riders will recognize the five-inch TFT display from the CB750 Hornet. It offers three layout options (Bar, Circle, Simple), adjustable background modes and auto-brightness. Honda’s backlit four-way toggle and mode button make navigation straightforward, even with gloves. A USB-C port under the passenger seat supports device charging.

The five ride modes (Sport, Standard, Rain, User 1, User 2) come standard and give you access to three-level power and engine braking, four-level traction control (levels one through three plus off), and the up-and-down quickshifter.

The ride mode can be changed on the fly, though User mode settings must be preset while stationary.

Using Honda’s free RoadSync app for Android or iPhone, riders can pair their phone to the bike via Bluetooth for on-screen turn-by-turn navigation, music, calls and more. While the system works best with a headset, riders can still use visual nav cues without one.

From The Handlebars | 2025 Honda CB1000 Hornet SP Review

I think the Hornet looks great. I like the understated, stealthier matte black and appreciate the gold accents. The bike is extremely agile for a 1000cc sport bike; the front Brembo brakes offer good power and feel but as mentioned earlier, we’d upgrade them with steel-braided brake lines. The inline-four is smooth, torquey and provides heaps of smiles even when just accelerating for the fun of it. Vibrations to the ’bars are minimal (if more pronounced to the footpegs) and Honda’s throttle-by-wire scheme works well despite stout restrictions from modern emission standards.

The exhaust notes become subconsciously addictive over time. The thing sounds badass. Not a V4, not a cross-plane four-cylinder, but a proper inline-four Honda as they’ve done for decades.

The TFT is bright and user-friendly to navigate. The gearbox with quickshifter is basically flawless—we’re so spoiled these days with such an abundance of riches, we need to pause once in a while and appreciate just how good the latest crop of motorcycles can actually work.

And don’t discount just how powerful a modern 1000cc motorcycle genuinely is. They are friggin’ fast and so fun to ride. It accelerates flawlessly, especially when tuned specially for street-usable midrange like the CB1000 SP is. There’s instantaneous power on the ready with a mad rush of hyperspace just waiting for you to find the area to stretch its legs.

And don’t underestimate how fast a machine like this feels with zero fairing or windscreen to obscure your view or sensation of speed. You’re looking over a small digital dash, then into the abyss, like low altitude flying without a whole lot of craft to get you there. When surrounded by picturesque mountains and fluffy trees, then all the better. It’s what motorcycles are all about. It’s a damn shame I can’t ride a bit slower once in a while.

I enjoyed riding the crap out of this bike, both in the urban bits but especially out on the open, flowing roads of Northern California.

The 2025 CB1000 Hornet SP stands out by striking a rare balance: liter-bike performance, premium hardware, clean styling and genuine usability, all at a highly competitive $10,999 MSRP. With its fully adjustable suspension, CBR-derived engine and modern rider aids, it offers serious value to experienced riders who want a sharp, no-nonsense streetfighter—without the overkill of underutilized or expensive racing parts to arrive at the same level of performance in the real world.

Honda has focused on the fundamentals: power, handling, comfort and value. In a market saturated with extremes, the CB1000 Hornet SP is a welcome option to get into a proper hypernaked street bike without spending a fortune.CN

VIDEO | Honda CB1000 Hornet SP First Ride

 

2025 Honda CB1000 Hornet SP Specifications

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