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Video | Honda CB1000 Hornet
Honda still knows how to let its hair down, as Rory finds out with a ride on its latest CB1000 Hornet
Words by: Dan Trent
Published on 14 November 2025 | 0 min read
Fast Honda fan? Mourning the disappearance of the Civic Type R and upset the reborn Prelude has gone all hybrid and sensible? Good news – you can still buy a powerful, purely petrol-powered Honda with an engine that revs to the sky and performance to get you all tingly.
True, it only has two wheels and not four. But if you were worried Honda had abandoned its wild side take comfort that memo is yet to reach its motorcycle division. And its latest bike combines a repurposed racing engine into an incredibly affordable and exciting bike costing a third less than a regular Civic. Yes, a third. We’re talking about the new Honda CB1000 Hornet, which has had our Rory reaching for his leathers to take for a spin. Which is good news if you were worried about the continued use of the word ‘naked’ in relation to this bike. Safe to say, Rory remains fully clothed for the duration and in a biking context the word describes sporty motorcycles stripped of fairings and bodywork for a more intense adrenaline hit. For the Hornet that comes courtesy of the engine from the Fireblade sports bike, slightly detuned here but still very, very feisty. If this all sounds a bit intimidating then fear not, given you can also have Hornets in more rookie-friendly CB500 and CB750 formats to let you work up to this bad boy. For a sense of what you have to look forward to once you do jump aboard with Rory for the ride of your life! And if you enjoyed this video make sure you subscribe for more like it, whether it be on two wheels or four!
True, it only has two wheels and not four. But if you were worried Honda had abandoned its wild side take comfort that memo is yet to reach its motorcycle division. And its latest bike combines a repurposed racing engine into an incredibly affordable and exciting bike costing a third less than a regular Civic. Yes, a third. We’re talking about the new Honda CB1000 Hornet, which has had our Rory reaching for his leathers to take for a spin. Which is good news if you were worried about the continued use of the word ‘naked’ in relation to this bike. Safe to say, Rory remains fully clothed for the duration and in a biking context the word describes sporty motorcycles stripped of fairings and bodywork for a more intense adrenaline hit. For the Hornet that comes courtesy of the engine from the Fireblade sports bike, slightly detuned here but still very, very feisty. If this all sounds a bit intimidating then fear not, given you can also have Hornets in more rookie-friendly CB500 and CB750 formats to let you work up to this bad boy. For a sense of what you have to look forward to once you do jump aboard with Rory for the ride of your life! And if you enjoyed this video make sure you subscribe for more like it, whether it be on two wheels or four!