Honda Hornet nameplate returns as the 2023 CB750

For motorcycle fans, the Honda Hornet nameplate is iconic. It was offered by the Japanese company from 1998 up until its final year in 2013 when it was retired to make way for the CB650 line.

In less than a decade, Honda decided to bring back the legendary nameplate into the fold with the launch of the 2023 Honda CB750 Hornet at the 2022 Intermot in Cologne, Germany. The all-new naked sports bike is set to allure bike fans with its all-new chassis design and parallel-twin engine, combining efficiency and excitement into a middleweight streetfighter.

The 2023 Honda CB750 Hornet is powered by an all-new liquid-cooled, 755cc, eight-valve parallel-twin motor with a 270-degree crank and Unicam.  With 91 hp at 9,500 rpm and 75Nm of torque at 7,250 rpm, the new Hornet has a claimed top speed of 205 km/h. This power plant is coupled to a six-speed gearbox that comes with an assist and slipper clutch.

Apart from Honda’s patented Vortex Flow Duct system, the CB750’s cylinders feature a nickel-silicon carbide coating. Honda has been using this in the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade and the CRF450R.

Honda touts the CB750 Hornet’s all-new steel diamond chassis design that combines stiffening, tube thinning, and pivot shape optimization to achieve a strong and rigid frame with an appropriate level of flex. Of note, the frame itself tips the scales at just 16.6 kg, which is said to be lighter than the CB650R’s 18.5-kg frame. The full curb weight is 190 kg.

Keeping bumps at bay is an upside-down 41mm Showa SFF-BP fork up front with 130mm of travel. The rear gets a monoshock damper and Pro-Link swingarm that offers 150mm of travel. There are dual radially-mounted Nissin four-piston calipers on the 296mm front disc brakes, while a single-piston caliper setup with a 240mm disc takes care of halting in the rear. The all-new bike comes with a set of 17-inch cast aluminum wheels and two-channel ABS.

The 2023 Honda CB750 Hornet is throttle-by-wire, which means it comes with four different ride modes: Standard, Sport, Rain, and User. These offer different engine power, engine brake, Honda Selectable Torque Control (switchable), and integrated Wheelie Control level options. Meanwhile, there’s a five-inch TFT display with a shift indicator, as well as the Honda Smartphone Voice Control system that’s compatible with both Android and iOS devices.

Complementing the sharp and modern styling, the new Hornet comes with full LED lighting all around, as well as auto-canceling turn signals. It also features an endearingly sharp and pointy tail that comes with a hexagonal taillight design. It has a wheelbase of 1,420mm, while the seat height is a very accessible 795mm.

For the European market, the 2023 Honda CB750 Hornet will be offered in four color options: Pearl Glare White and Graphite Black which come with a Metallic Red Flame frame and anodized red forks; and the Matte Iridium Gray Metallic and Mat Goldfinch Yellow.

The all-new Honda CB750 Hornet has only been unveiled for the European market. Its availability in other regions remains to be seen, but seeing that it’s a reborn iconic nameplate, we wouldn’t be surprised if it will be offered worldwide. 

The question now is: will the new Hornet replace the hot-selling CB650 R? That’s another question for another time.