First Look: 2023 Honda CB750 Hornet

190kg wet weight, colour TFT LCD dash, and decent price for new 750 twin Hornet

2023 HONDA CB750 HORNET

The original Honda CB600 Hornet was a big hit, in part because it had a fairly high spec for its class. When launched in 1997, it used the firm’s supersport CBR600 F engine, in a quality naked chassis setup with premium finish. Against lower-spec bikes like the Suzuki Bandit 600, it really stood out, and was part of the resurgence of naked performance machinery.

2023 HONDA CB750 HORNET

Fast forward 25 years, and we have a new Honda Hornet, this time with an all-new 755cc parallel twin engine (which we saw last month). And the Japanese firm has ticked the ‘premium’ box again, giving the new bike a host of quality kit, to complement the grunty 90.5bhp twin-cylinder motor.

The chassis is pretty much as you’d expect: a steel diamond-type frame, with 41mm Showa USD forks up front and a Pro-Link rear monoshock setup. There’s no adjustment up front and only preload on the rear, which is a little disappointing in 2023. But Honda generally sorts its suspension settings pretty well, so unless you’re heading for a track, the stock parts should do a decent job.

2023 HONDA CB750 HORNET

The brakes look good: a pair of four-piston radial-mount Nissin calipers up front with 296mm discs, and there are cast aluminium wheels with 120/70 17 front tyre and a 160/60 17 rear. That’s not quite as striking as the 180-section hoop on the original Hornet 600, but will be much cheaper to replace…

The best thing about the chassis is probably its lightness though – Honda claims the steel frame weighs just 16.6kg. The whole bike weighs just 190kg wet, which is pretty decent for the class. A Yamaha MT-07 is lighter at 183kg, but has a good bit less power (75bhp versus 90.5bhp).

2023 HONDA CB750 HORNET

The electronics and equipment levels are impressive. First off is a lovely 5” colour TFT LCD dashboard, which looks bright and saturated. It has a customisable display layout, with loads of info, and also has a Bluetooth phone link integrated, and there is a USB-C charging function too. Via the new dash and switchgear, you can control the new rider aids package too. There’s plenty here: traction control, wheelie control, engine brake control and engine power control, as well as wheelie control. All these programmes have three levels (and off for the traction control), and are integrated into three pre-set rider modes: Rain, Sport and Standard. There’s also a user-programmable setting for your own preferences.

HONDA CB750 HORNET

Honda offers an optional up/down quickshifter too – we’d recommend demanding your dealer fits one of these when you buy as part of the initial purchase deal, otherwise it will cost more to fit.

Finally, the firm gave more details about the new 270° crank parallel twin engine. We’d expect to see this new motor appear in more bikes over the next few years, so Honda has clearly worked hard on it. The bore and stroke is 87×63.5mm with a fairly high compression ratio of 11.0:1. A SOHC Unicam 8v cylinder head operates the 35.5mm inlet valves directly from the cam, and the 29mm exhaust valves via rocker arms. Inlet lift is 9.3mm, exhaust 8.2mm. The top end has downdraft intake ports with 46mm throttle bodies, plus ride-by-wire PGM-FI fuel injection, which permits the latest electronic rider aids.

2023 HONDA CB750 HORNET

The bottom end has some efficient tricks too. The primary drive gear doubles as a balance shaft drive, saving weight, space and friction. The water pump is integrated inside the left hand cover, and there’s no water-cooled oil cooler. You also get a slipper/assist clutch and a slick six-speed gearbox.

Finally, the new Hornet CB750 is well priced at just £6,999. More as we get it – and more info at www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles.html

2023 Honda Hornet 750 Specs

Bore × Stroke (mm)    87mm x 63.5mm

Carburation     PGM-FI electronic injection

Compression Ratio      11.0 : 1

Engine Displacement (cc)       755

Engine Type     Liquid-cooled OHC 4-stroke 8-valve Parallel Twin with 270° crank and uni-cam

Max. Power Output     67.6kW @ 9,500rpm

Max. Torque    74.4Nm @ 7,000rpm

Clutch  Wet multiple, Assisted slipper clutch

Final Drive       Chain

Gearbox          6 speed Manual Transmission

Quick Shifter   Optional

Brakes Front    Dual 296mm x 4mm disc with Nissin radial mount 4 piston calipers

Brakes Rear     Single 240mm x 5mm disc with single piston caliper

Suspension Front        Showa 41mm SFF-BP USD, 130mm travel

Suspension Rear         Monoshock damper, Pro-Link swingarm, 150mm travel

Tyres Front      120/70ZR-17

Tyres Rear       160/60ZR-17

Wheels            5Y-Spoke Cast Aluminium

Frame type      Steel diamond

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres)     15.2L

Fuel Consumption       23km/l

Kerb Weight (kg)         190kg

Seat Height (mm)        795mm