Honda CB1000 Hornet

Power on the Honda CB1000 comes from a 1000 cc liquid-cooled, inline-four engine. This architecture draws directly from Honda's CBR1000RR superbike. It was specially tuned here for stronger mid-range power and torque suited to street riding. Output is 155 bhp at 11,000 rpm and 107 Nm of torque at 9,000 rpm.

A 6-speed gearbox handles shifts. A bi-directional quickshifter comes standard too. This lets riders change gears cleanly without touching the clutch lever. It helps both daily riding and spirited weekend runs. The engine pulls smoothly throughout the rev range. Most reviewers note the real excitement builds past 6,000 rpm, though.

Three standard riding modes are on offer: Rain, Standard, and Sport. Two additional customisable User modes let riders fine-tune throttle response and traction control to their own taste. This is a genuinely flexible electronics package for a bike at this price.

Owner reviews consistently praise how smooth this engine feels at highway speeds. Several owners specifically mentioned that there are no noticeable vibrations even cruising at above 140 kmph. That is a genuine strength for long-distance riding. 

Handling on the CB1000 Hornet SP benefits from premium suspension parts rarely seen at this price. Showa SFF-BP 41 mm forks handle the front, fully adjustable for preload, compression, and rebound damping. An Öhlins TTX36 monoshock manages the rear, also fully adjustable, bringing genuine track-level tuning to a street naked bike.

Braking comes from dual 310 mm front discs and a single 240 mm rear disc, backed by dual-channel ABS. This gives strong, steady stopping power at speed. Some owners note the initial lever feel could be sharper. A few riders fix this with aftermarket brake lines.

The kerb weight sits at 212 kg, reasonably light for a litre-class naked bike with this much performance on tap. The seat height stays accessible for most riders at 809 mm, and the upright riding position keeps things comfortable over longer distances. Owners consistently report minimal back strain even after extended highway stretches.

The chassis feels genuinely composed through corners. It is built to charge hard and soak up aggressive inputs. Suspension can feel slightly stiff around town, according to some owners. That is a natural trade-off for the sharp handling this bike delivers once the road opens up.

The ARAI-rated mileage for the Honda CB1000 Hornet sits around 17 kmpl. This is modest, typical for a litre-class inline-four engine built around outright performance rather than fuel economy. Real-world figures will vary depending on riding style and how often the engine gets revved out.

Running costs sit firmly in premium territory, expected for any litre-class naked bike from a major manufacturer. Honda does not typically offer discounts on this model, given its low sales volume and niche positioning in India. Genuine parts and labour both cost more than mainstream Honda models.

Honda's BigWing Topline dealership network handles sales and service for this bike. This footprint stays more limited than Honda's regular dealer network. This matters for service access if you live outside major cities where these dedicated showrooms operate.

Despite these costs, the superbike-derived engine platform offers genuine reassurance around performance and engineering pedigree. This Honda 1000cc bike runs on proven technology, even if annual running costs stay higher than typical commuter motorcycles.

The Honda CB1000 Hornet SP price in India starts at Rs. 13,29,390 ex-showroom for the single variant on offer. This is a step up from the bike's original May 2025 launch price of Rs. 12,35,900.

On-road pricing climbs further once RTO and insurance are added. In Delhi, the on-road figure lands around Rs. 14,74,442. Buyers should always confirm current pricing with their nearest authorised Honda BigWing Topline dealership.

The key rivals of CB1000 include the Kawasaki Z900, the Kawasaki Z1100, and the Triumph Street Triple range, all well-established names in this segment. Against this set, the CB1000 Hornet stands out for its superbike-derived engine. Genuinely premium suspension components add to the appeal at a relatively competitive price.