CB750AP

“The Hornet has always been a very special motorcycle for Honda. Exciting, engaging performance has always been matched to nimble, agile handling. Before starting this project, we thought long and hard about what kind of performance we wanted to give to the rider. We knew that it was essential to keep the classic Hornet top end power ‘hit’ and at the same time, as a new generation Hornet for modern times, we wanted the engine to have a really strong torquey feel and ‘throbbing’ sensation at low to mid rpm.

Our aim has always been to match these to the lightest, most agile handling possible, to make every ride – even in town – as engaging and fulfilling as possible. To get the kind of performance and lightweight handling we wanted, we knew we had to develop an all-new short-stroke twin-cylinder engine, with a 270° crankshaft. This would not only deliver that top-end rush, but also the sporty low-down torque, ideal for riding in urban environments and powering out of corners on the open road. For us, the Hornet has always been the ultimate representation of the streetfighter concept and this new Hornet, proudly carries on this tradition.”

Fuyuki Hosokawa, Test Project Leader, Honda R&D Japan

The CB750 Hornet’s brand-new 755cc parallel twin-cylinder engine packs a great deal of Honda’s engineering prowess into a small space. Delivering 67.5kW @ 9,500rpm peak power and 75Nm @ 7,250rpm torque, It’s designed for every rider to exploit to the maximum, with exhilarating power output, but also provides accessible low to mid-range usability. With wet weight of 190kg it has an impressive power-to-weight ratio of 0.36kW/kg (2.81kg/kW).

Compact, competition CRF-derived Unicam 8-valve cylinder heads employ downdraft air intakes and a Vortex Flow Duct to ensure optimal combustion. The Unicam head operates the 35.5mm inlet valves via cam, and the 29mm exhaust by rocker arms. Inlet lift is 9.3mm, exhaust 8.2mm. A 270° crank and uneven firing order deliver feel and character.

To make the engine as tightly wrapped as possible there’s no balancer drive gear; the primary drive gear doubles up duties and also spins the balance shaft. The water pump is tucked away inside the lefthand engine cover and there’s no need for a water-cooled oil-cooler. The cylinders also use a Ni-SiC (Nickel-Silicon Carbide) coating, as also used in the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade and CRF450R.

An assist/slipper clutch offers light lever feel, eases up shifts and manages rear wheel hop under hard braking and rapid down changes.

Throttle-By-Wire engine control offers three default riding modes, adjusting the engine’s delivery and feel to suit conditions and the rider’s intent; they’re easily switched and managed between the left handlebar mode switch and TFT screen.

There are 3 levels of Engine Power (EP), Engine Brake (EB) and Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) with integrated Wheelie Control available; HSTC can also be switched off. The riding modes offer different combinations of each parameter.

“SPORT” mode delivers maximum performance with minimum intervention. “STANDARD” is a well balanced setting for everyday riding. “RAIN” delivers the least aggressive power delivery, while “USER” allows the rider to choose between the 3 settings for each parameter and save the setting for future use.

The rich specification list is headlined by a 5-inch TFT colour display which supplies vivid information delivery and management of all systems. It offers four types of speed/rpm display (analogue or bar, according to rider preference) as well as fuel gauge/consumption, riding mode selection/engine parameters, gear selected and customisable shift-up point on the tachometer.

Also incorporated into the interface is the Honda Smartphone Voice Control System (HVCS), which links the rider to their Android and IOS smartphone while on the move and allows voice management of phone calls, messages, music and navigation.

For the first time, HSVCS will also be accessible on IOS smartphones. A helmet-mounted headset is needed, and the smartphone connects to the dash via Bluetooth®; management of HVCS is also possible using the buttons on the left switchgear.

ENGINE

ENGINE TYPE: liquid-cooled 4-stroke
DISPLACEMENT (CC): 755
CYLINDERS: 2
VALVES: 8
BORE & STROKE (MM): 87 x 63.5
COMPRESSION RATIO: 11 : 1
STARTER: Electric
FUEL SYSTEM: Fuel Injection
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed
DRIVE: Chain

DIMENSIONS/CAPACITIES

OVERALL LENGTH (MM): 2,090
OVERALL WIDTH (MM): 780
OVERALL HEIGHT (MM): 1,085
WHEELBASE (MM): 1,420
SEAT HEIGHT (MM): 795
GROUND CLEARANCE (MM): 140
FUEL CAPACITY (L): 15.2
KERB WEIGHT (KG): 190

TYRES/WHEELS

TYRES (F): 120/70-17
TYRES (R): 160/60-17

SUSPENSION

FRONT SUSPENSION TYPE: 41mm inverted telescopic fork
FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL (MM): 130
REAR SUSPENSION TYPE: single shock
REAR WHEEL TRAVEL (MM): 150
REAR ADJUSTABILTY: preload

BRAKES

BRAKES (F): 2 x 296mm discs, ABS
BRAKES (R): 1 x 240mm disc, ABS

Pearl Jasmine White, Graphite Black