2024 Honda CB500 Hornet Preview

We’re still bemoaning the fact that the US didn’t get it (read the Where Is the 2024 Honda CB750 Hornet Naked Bike? article), but when Honda rolled out the CB750 last year in Europe of course the entire motorcycling population cheered heartily. The Hornet’s streetfighter silhouette, punchy powerband, and sharp handling proved so popular it became 2023′s bestselling naked bike in Europe (year to date through August 2023).

And the grumbling might get louder still, since we just got news Honda has released the new 2024 CB500 Hornet at the EICMA show this week. It remains to be seen whether we’ll get stiffed on this one too, but the newest and smallest Hornet looks to be a fresh take on Honda’s popular 500 streetfighter formula, which has served the brand well in the past.

Related: Where Is the 2024 Honda CB750 Hornet Naked Bike?

The new Hornet is essentially an overhaul of the CB500F, with aggressive new styling that skews closer to the design language of the CB750. Honda says it’s “inspired by the streetfighter DNA of its big sibling,” and leans toward a silhouette that’s weighted more up front with a beefy fuel tank and sharp new nose fairing, followed by a slim rear section. Up front, the fairing incorporates headlight side ducts that channel airflow around to the upper fuel tank area, and a new LED headlight design throws out a wider beam of light for better visibility. It’s matched to a sleek new LED taillight.

But this isn’t a ground-up redesign—the CB500 is powered by the same entertaining and high-revving 471cc parallel-twin engine used in everything from the Rebel 500 to the CB500X, wrapped in a lightweight, sporty chassis. Honda says it’s rated for the same 47 or so horsepower, with the peak arriving at 8,600 rpm, with new ECU updates said to improve acceleration. The CB500 also keeps the upgraded Showa USD fork and radial-mount four-piston calipers with dual front discs the CB500F received in the 2022 update.

Related: 2022 Honda CB500F ABS First Look Preview

But with the new name there is some new tech too, in the form of a 5-inch color TFT screen inherited from the CB1000R, and operated via switch gear on the left handlebar. The screen is sealed for better visibility and is customizable as well as offering smartphone connectivity via the Honda RoadSync app.

Also new for 2024 is Honda’s HSTC torque control, which acts to manage rear wheel traction for the CB500. The system compares front and rear wheel speeds to detect rear slip and controls the fuel injection to smoothly reduce torque, and can also be turned off completely. Additionally, the six-speed gearbox is managed by an assist/slipper clutch to reduce rear wheel “hop” under hard braking and downshifting.

Honda is also offering a range of accessories for the CB500 Hornet that can be chosen either individually or from a series of Honda-curated packs ready to bolt straight on.

The Style Pack includes a Meter Visor for the instrument display, a protective Tank Pad, a color-matched Seat Cowl for the passenger seat, and a Wheel Stripe kit for extra color.

The Comfort Pack adds Heated Grips, an ACC socket to charge devices under the seat, and a Main Stand that makes for easy maintenance and safer parking.

The Travel Pack is made up of a 3L Tank Bag and 15L Rear Seat Bag, expandable to 22L, for weekend trips.

Honda says the 2024 CB500 Hornet will be available in Matt Gunpowder Black Metallic, Grand Prix Red, and Pearl Himalayas White, but no price has been announced just yet. More importantly we don’t know when it’s scheduled to hit US dealers, though if it’s a replacement for the CB500F, it’ll probably be soon—and it’s likely to be competitively priced.