To the glee of eager American customers, Honda's CB750 Hornet is available in the U.S. market for the 2025 model year. Featuring responsive handling and a parallel-twin engine with a competitive power-to-weight ratio, three riding modes and electronic rider aids, this middleweight streetfighter is ideal for cruising to work or enjoying zipping around on a day off. The CB750 Hornet is a fresh option for riders seeking everyday practicality and thrilling performance.
HISTORY
A descendent of the 599 naked bike, which was originally available in the U.S. in 2004, the CB750 Hornet was first offered in Europe for the 2023 model year. With minimalist, streetfighter styling led by the latest generation of creative minds in Honda's Rome R&D facility, the machine was developed to attract younger riders looking for a serious move up.
For the 2025 model year, the CB750 Hornet has been updated again, and made available in the American market. The model's trademark svelte, taut styling is amplified through a newly developed, powerful headlight unit. Giving it a look of its own within Honda's naked-bike family, the CB750 Hornet's dual LED projector headlight sits low and centered for a true streetfighter silhouette. Revised suspension settings and a new five-inch TFT screen round out the changes, bringing the model's style and tech up to date—just in time for U.S. customers to get their turn.
STYLING / DESIGN
- Style is defined by razor-sharp minimalism
- Compact dual-projector headlight emits powerful beams
- Upright riding position for natural control
- Five-inch TFT display with four-way toggle switch and Honda RoadSync smartphone connectivity
The main signature of the CB750 Hornet is the fuel tank, which takes inspiration from the shape of a hornet's wing. From the aggressively angled nose fairing to the razor-sharp, minimal tail, there are hallmarks of tension and aggression, outlining true sporting intent. Up front, the headlight unit—comprising dual high/low unified projector lenses—is unique; with a look of its own within Honda's naked-bike family, the LED unit is both compact and powerful. The cockpit cowl is tautly shaped to match, amplifying the model's aggressive streetfighter styling and conveying its engaging, sporty ride.
Usability for all riders is also inherent to the design. Seat height is a very manageable 31.3 inches, and the riding position is upright, with slightly rear-set footpegs for natural control, and wide handlebars for leverage.
The five-inch full-color TFT screen uses optical bonding to maximize visibility in bright sunlight. The gap between the cover glass and TFT screen is sealed with resin to reduce glare and optimize backlight transmittance.
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 Play Store or the App Store and connect to the CB750.
ENGINE / DRIVETRAIN
- 755cc parallel-twin 8-valve Unicam engine
- 270° crankshaft for an uneven firing order, delivering maximum engine character
- Patented Vortex airflow ducts
- Assist/slipper clutch control
- Quickshifter standard
The parallel-twin-cylinder powerplant packs a hugely enjoyable punch to give the CB750 Hornet its performance edge. It's designed for every rider to exploit to the maximum, with exhilarating peak power output, but also to deliver accessible low- to midrange usability—perfect for the less experienced rider, and a major boost to the enjoyment of everyday town riding.
Displacing 755cc, with an 8-valve Unicam cylinder head, the engine has bore and stroke figures of 87.0mm x 63.5mm, with a compression ratio of 11.0:1. Compact and lightweight (and a configuration used by the MX competition-ready CRF450R), the Unicam head operates the 35.5mm intake valves via cam, and the 29mm exhaust by rocker arms. Intake lift is 9.3mm, and exhaust lift is 8.2mm.
For razor-sharp pickup and throttle response, patented Vortex flow ducts create a more uniform distribution from the side scoops into the airbox, which then feeds downdraft intakes and 46mm diameter throttle bodies.
The 270° crank creates an uneven firing order, delivering a characterful, twin-cylinder pulse feeling. For optimum vehicle packaging, there's no balancer drive gear; the primary drive gear doubles duties and spins the balance shaft. The water pump is tucked away inside the lefthand engine cover, and there's no need for a water-cooled oil-cooler. The cylinders also use a Nickel-Silicon Carbide coating (Ni-SiC), as also used in the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP and CRF450R.
An assist/slipper clutch with oblique layout disc segments offers light lever feel, eases shifts and manages rear-wheel hop under hard braking and rapid downshifting. The CB750 Hornet has a quickshifter with adjustable sensitivity (three-levels: SOFT, MEDIUM AND HARD) for both upshifts and downshifts. Sensitivity is adjusted via the menu settings on the TFT screen.
ELECTRONIC RIDER AIDS
- Three default rider modes; RAIN, STANDARD and SPORT
- Three levels of Engine Power, Engine Brake and HSTC, with integrated Wheelie Control
- USER customization option for fine-tuning performance levels
Throttle by wire engine control offers three default riding modes, adjusting the engine's delivery and feel to suit conditions and the rider's intent; they're easily switched and managed via the left-handlebar mode switch and the TFT screen.
Available are three levels of Engine Power (EP), Engine Brake (EB) and Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) with integrated Wheelie Control; HSTC can also be switched off. The riding modes offer different combinations of each parameter.
- SPORT uses level 3 EP, level 1 EB and level 1 HSTC, to deliver maximum performance with minimum intervention.
- STANDARD mode is a midway setting that uses level 2 setting for EP, EB and HSTC.
- RAIN mode employs the lowest EP setting (level 1), for the least-aggressive power delivery, with level 2 EB and level 3 HSTC.
- USER mode allows the rider to choose between the three settings for each parameter, and to save the setting for future use.
CHASSIS / SUSPENSION
- Lightweight 36.6-pound steel diamond frame with integrated subframe
- Showa 41mm SFF-BP inverted fork and Pro-Link 7-stage preload-adjustable shock
- Four-piston front brake calipers with 296mm petal-style discs; single-piston rear-brake caliper with 240mm disc
Frame / Swingarm
The CB750's steel diamond frame is lightweight at just 36.6 pounds (for comparison, the CB650R's is 40.8 pounds). A technological process of optimizing the thickness of the main tube and down tube, and the shape of the pivot, resulted in an extremely strong platform, with rigidity balance for feel. Geometry is set for agility to match ideally with the engine character. Rake and trail are 25° and 3.9 inches (99mm), respectively, with a wheelbase of 55.9 inches and curb weight of 422 pounds (includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel).
Suspension
With a view to raise sporty handling performance (especially braking from higher speeds), there's a Showa 41mm Separate Function Fork Big Piston (SFF-BP) inverted fork. The functions are divided—with a Big Piston pressure separation damper in one leg and the spring mechanism in the other—optimizing reaction over changes in road surface, as well as the overall ride quality. Travel is 5.1 inches.
The rear shock absorber operates through the steel swingarm via a Pro-Link system and offers 5.1 inches of travel. Its design ensures excellent response and temperature management; it features 7-stage preload adjustment.
Brakes / Wheels
Dual 296mm discs and Nissin radial-mount, four-piston calipers up front deliver impressive, fingertip stopping power, with excellent, progressive feel through the lever. To further elevate handling and ride quality, lightweight wheels use Y-shaped spokes. The front wheel is 3.5 inches wide and wears a 120/70-ZR17 tire, while the 4.5-inch rear is shod with a 160/60-ZR17 tire.
Honda ACCESSORIES
A full range of Honda Accessories is available for the CB750 Hornet, ready to personalize the bike to an owner's preference and use. A Radiator Grille, Side Tank Pads and Headlight stripes neatly complement the bike's front end, while Wheel Stripes, a Fly Screen, Seat Cowl and Side Bags deliver further customization.
