The 2023 Honda CB750 Hornet has big shoes to fill as it revives an iconic moniker with an all-new parallel-twin platform. Is it a worthy successor? Is it up to the task of competing against the big players in the midsized naked bike segment? INFO MOTO investigates here…
What we like:
- Great new engine
- Strong value
- Fun to ride
Room for improvement:
- Uninspiring ergos
- Conservative styling
- No quickshifter as standard
2023 Honda CB750 Hornet price and specs
Honda Motorcycles Australia has launched its new CB750 Hornet naked bike priced from $13,474 rideaway.
At this price, the new CB750 Hornet is well positioned against its key rival in the Yamaha MT-07HO ($14,499), and is considerably less expensive than premium middleweight naked bikes like the Triumph Street Triple R ($18,090) and Aprilia Tuono 660 ($21,330).
Honda’s latest offering does not directly compete with the likes of the Kawasaki Z650 ($11,279 plus on-roads) and Triumph Trident 660 ($14,240 rideaway), as these models are only available with a restricted LAMS tune in Australia.
Motivating the Hornet is a 755cc parallel-twin that generates 67kW and 75Nm, making it ineligible for LAMS approval and pitting it against full-power mid-weight naked sportsbike models.
The soon-to-launch Suzuki GSX-8S is one such competitor, which is expected to hit Australian showrooms in August, and will be priced from $14,190 rideaway.
For reference, the Suzuki GSX-8S is powered by a 776cc parallel-twin engine making a comparable 61kW and 78Nm.
The Hornet’s all-new motor, which will also appear in the upcoming XL750 Transalp adventure bike, is housed in a new steel diamond frame paired with 41mm Showa USD forks and a Pro-Link rear shock. Dual four-piston Nissin calipers squeeze 296mm discs at the front end.
Importantly, the CB750 Hornet can be tailored via four rider modes, Rain, Standard, Sport and customisable User, which control traction control, engine braking and power output. Information is shown on a 5.0-inch TFT dash.
The bike does not feature an inertial measurement unit (IMU) for cornering ABS and lean-angle-sensitive traction control, as is typical for the segment. A quickshifter will be offered as an option.
Tipping the scales at 190kg (wet), the Hornet should be approachable for most riders thanks to its 795mm seat height. For comparison, the Yamaha MT-07 weighs 184kg, while its seat height is rated at 805mm.
A 15.2-litre fuel tank is said to offer up to 340 kilometres of range, with fuel consumption rated at 23 kilometres per litre.
In Australia, the 2023 Honda CB750 Hornet is available in two colour schemes, Graphite Black and Pearl Jasmine White, both of which are contrasted by red accents on the frame and forks.
Photography by Matty Hayman.
Spencer has a keen eye for hard news, and does some of his best living on deadline day. He loves more than anything to travel on his motorcycle, and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager. He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office. By night, Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS.
