When a motorcycle's description includes characteristics like a CBR1000RR-derived engine, a nimble chassis, Öhlins shock and eye-popping styling, “value” isn't the first word that comes to mind. Yet, that's a very appropriate adjective for the CB1000 Hornet SP, which grows Honda's powersports family with a machine that's entirely worthy of the heritage that goes with the CB name—but that comes with an extremely attractive MSRP. Taking all that into account, the all-new naked bike is sure to take the U.S. market by swarm.
STYLING / DESIGN
- Twin LED projectors lead stripped-back style and signature fuel tank
- 5-inch TFT screen with full smartphone connectivity
Designed in Japan, the CB1000 Hornet SP's transformative looks are driven by two words: aggressive and pure. With the design team blending a sensual dynamism with balance of mass, the model's stripped-back style is very much an expression of non-decorative aggression.
Led by the piercing gaze of super-compact dual LED projector headlights (all lighting is LED), the signature fuel tank—giving the impression of wings folded forward—is broad-shouldered up front but tapers radically to the rear, mirrored by the minimal seat unit that underlines the traditional narrow-waisted hornet look. For extended touring, saddlebags and a top case are available as accessories.
The subtly blacked-out frame is also used as a design feature, underpinning the lines, as does the trellis-style rear subframe; the engine and swingarm are also finished in black. The handlebars are a tapered, steel design.
Premium technology, in the form of a five-inch full color TFT screen, uses optical bonding to improve visibility in bright sunlight. The gap between the cover glass and TFT screen is sealed with resin, reducing glare and improving backlight transmittance. It's customizable between Bar, Circle and Simple display patterns.
Honda RoadSync allows iOS/Android smartphone connectivity, and operation is via a simple, easy-to-use, backlit four-way toggle-switch on the left handlebar. This allows straightforward, on-screen turn-by-turn navigation, as well as the option (via a Bluetooth helmet headset) for the rider to make calls or listen to music. Owners need simply download the Honda RoadSync app from either the App Store or the Play Store and connect to the CB1000 Hornet SP.
ENGINE / DRIVETRAIN
- CBR1000RR-derived four-cylinder engine with throttle-by-wire
- Smooth midrange delivery and harder-hitting top-end response
- Revised gear ratios for acceleration, assist/slipper clutch control
- Adjustable quick shifter
At its core, this is a performance-spec powerplant. Drawn from the 2017 CBR1000RR, the 1,000cc, DOHC four-cylinder engine in the SP provides an exhilarating dose of power and torque.
The engine is tuned to deliver torque, with a heavyweight punch in the low- to midrange, with performance and throttle response that work smoothly around town. 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 was carried out on the engine to tune the character and delivery. Intake and exhaust valve lift and timing were developed alongside the camshafts to pump more efficiently across the rev range. The intake-valve material is steel, and the shape of the lightweight, die-cast pistons was optimized for strength and durability. The ACG cover is aluminum, as is the oil pan.
The transmission is matched to the Fireblade's heart, with gears two through five being optimized for acceleration (to match the engine's all-around drive), while sixth enables relaxed highway cruising. An assist/slipper clutch helps manage rear-wheel hop under hard, rapid downshifts and braking. The 3-level adjustable quick shifter provides full-throttle, clutch-less upshifts, as well as clutch-less downshifting with auto-blip function.
The bore and stroke dimensions are 76.0mm x 55.1mm, and compression ratio is 11.7:1. A 44mm-diameter throttle body feeds the air/fuel mixture into large-diameter inlet ports and carefully shaped combustion chambers. The exhaust has a 4-2-1 design and contributes to the CB1000's midrange muscle and light weight. The fuel tank holds 4.5 gallons, including 1 gallon of reserve.
ELECTRONIC RIDER AIDS
- Three default rider modes plus two USER custom options
- Three levels of Power and Engine Brake
- Four levels of Honda Selectable Torque Control/Wheelie Control
Throttle by wire (TBW) allows the rider maximum control over the CB1000 Hornet SP's powerful engine via three default riding modes, with preset combinations of settings for Power, Engine Brake and Honda Selectable Torque Control (with integrated Wheelie Control), plus two USER options that allow the rider to choose his or her own preferred mix of settings. Selection is managed via a four-way selectable switch on the left handlebar, and the TFT screen.
There are three levels of Power (P), Engine Brake (EB) and HSTC available; HSTC can also be switched off.
- SPORT uses the highest Power delivery and lowest levels of EB and HSTC, to deliver maximum performance through all six gears, maximum torque and power at all throttle positions, and minor intervention from HSTC.
- STANDARD uses the middle setting for Power, HSTC and EB. It softens the power delivery a little out of first and second gears and uses a power delivery just below that of SPORT mode, with reduced torque at partial throttle openings.
- RAIN employs the lowest Power setting, for the least-aggressive power delivery, medium EB and high HSTC. The lower levels of power and torque delivery are focused on the first three gears.
- USER modes 1 and 2 allow the rider to choose between the settings for each parameter, and to save the setting for future use.
CHASSIS / SUSPENSION
- Steel twin-spar frame positions weight forward, with high torsional rigidity to optimize handling agility
- Fully adjustable 41mm Showa SFF-BP inverted fork
- Öhlins TTX36 shock absorber, operating through Pro-Link
- Four-piston, radial-mount Brembo Stylema brake calipers and floating discs
- 120/70-ZR17 and 180/55-ZR17 front and rear tires
Rake and trail are set at 25° and 3.9 inches, and wheelbase is 57.3 inches. The engine and center of gravity are set forward for reduced yaw inertia, resulting in agile, light handling. The shock absorber and battery are also located forward to further aid agility, with the airbox positioned above the cylinder head rather than behind it. Weight distribution is 50.9% and 49.1% front and rear, respectively. Curb weight is 465 pounds including all standard equipment, required fluids and a full tank of fuel.
The riding position is pure streetfighter, with a seat height of 31.9 inches, a handlebar that is positioned up and back, and a sporty footpeg position, resulting in a rider triangle that has a relatively upright upper-body position.
Frame / Swingarm
The frame is a one-piece steel twin-spar unit that has been designed to complement the engine and (through a narrow pivot point) deliver the classic slim-waisted naked-bike feel, as well as good torsional rigidity, for sharp turn-in and side-to-side handling agility. Rear engine mounting, along with carefully shaped front mounting plates, minimize vibration and optimize feel.
The rear subframe uses a trellis design that is light and looks great. The cast-aluminum, 24.4-inch-long swingarm provides tuned rigidity balance for optimum grip and feel.
Suspension
The Showa 41mm Separate Function Fork Big Piston (SFF-BP) inverted fork is adjustable for spring preload and rebound/compression damping. The Öhlins TTX36 shock absorber operates through Pro-Link and is adjustable for preload via a hydraulic knob; compression and rebound damping are fully adjustable.
Brakes / Wheels
A radial master cylinder operates dual, radial-mount Brembo Stylema four-piston calipers that grip 310mm floating discs. The single-piston rear Nissin caliper grips a 240mm disc.
The wheels have a five-Y-spoke design and are drawn from the concept of the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade, cast in lightweight aluminum. The front and rear tires are sized 120/70-ZR17 and 180/55-ZR17, respectively.
Honda ACCESSORIES
A range of Honda Accessories, including saddlebags and a top case, are available for the CB1000 Hornet SP.
