For far too long, Americans have stood on the shorelines watching some of the most desirable models pass us by and head straight to the European market. This year American Honda is doing us a solid and bringing one of the most appealing streetbikes of the year, the new 2025 Hornet CB1000 SP, home to the US.
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That’s great news on its own, but Honda has confirmed it’ll be sweetening the pot even further with the Hornet 1000′s asking price of just $10,999 here in the States. Yes, that’s for the top-spec SP version (which is the only one we’re getting in the US), and yes, that’s about $2000 less than what you’d pay across the pond.
What we’re getting for that outlandishly reasonable sum is further cause for celebration, especially considering the current alternatives. Here’s a quick rundown of the Hornet SP’s running gear if you’re not already up to speed.
Engine-wise the Hornet borrows its 1000cc inline-four from the 2017 CBR1000RR, albeit a retuned version that’s been heavily massaged for added low/midrange wallop. In the case of the SP version, output is a claimed 155 horses at 11,000 rpm, and about 80 lb.-ft. of peak torque.
The SP badge also puts Öhlins gold within reach of the common man, sporting a TTX 36 shock out back that’s fully adjustable and offers 5.5 inches of travel. Upfront the SP Hornet gets the same 41mm Showa fork as the standard model, which sees 4.6 inches of fully adjustable travel.
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The front brakes are an upgraded Brembo Stylema setup with a pair of radial mount four-piston calipers. Honda is even throwing in a Brembo radial master cylinder to match, which further cements the Hornet SP’s already outstanding value.
In fact the only place one could argue Honda may have built the Hornet to budget is its electronics suite, which doesn’t include an IMU or any of the associated lean-sensitive features. Three levels of traction control, three selectable rider modes, and nonadjustable ABS make for a basic-yet-effective offering, as does a fairly compact (but full-color) 5-inch TFT dash.
Taken all together, the CB1000 Hornet SP has everything it needs to take the fight to its big-four competitors in showrooms this year. Suzuki’s Gixxer-derived GSX-S1000, for instance, is currently retailing for about $1000 more without the Öhlins upgrade, while Yamaha’s MT-10 SP gets a bit more performance and a lot more tech at a $17,299 premium.
The 2025 Honda Hornet SP starts hitting dealers in April, and will be available in a single color scheme of Matte Black Metallic for this model year. Honda has also confirmed the CB1000 will be joined by its middleweight cousin, the CB750 Hornet, as early as May of this year if a middleweight is more your speed.