The Honda CB1000 Hornet is priced aggressively enough to overlap with top-tier middleweight nakeds.
The Honda CB1000 Hornet SP marks the brand’s fourth launch this month under the BigWing umbrella. In this comparison, we pit this litre-class streetfighter against a direct rival as well as motorcycles that, while not belonging to the same segment, offer similar power and fall within the same price range.
Honda CB1000 Hornet vs rivals: engine and output
| Engine and output | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CB1000 Hornet | Suzuki Katana | Triumph Street Triple RS | Kawasaki Z900 | ||
| Engine | 999cc, inline-4, liquid-cooled | 999cc, inline-4, liquid-cooled | 765cc, inline-3, liquid-cooled | 948cc, inline-4, liquid-cooled | |
| Power | 157hp at 11,000rpm | 152hp | 130hp at 12,000 rpm | 125hp at 9,500rpm | |
| Torque | 107Nm at 9,000rpm | 106Nm | 80Nm at 9,500 rpm | 98.6Nm at 7,700rpm | |
| Gearbox | 6-speed | 6-speed | 6-speed | 6-speed | |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 744hp/tonne | 700hp/tonne | 691hp/tonne | 589hp/tonne | |
The Triumph Street Triple RS has the smallest engine
Both the Suzuki Katana and Honda CB1000 Hornet SP feature bonafide superbike-derived 1000cc engines producing similar power, with the Katana’s output slightly lower. The Triumph Street Triple RS may have the smallest engine and lowest torque, but its power-to-weight ratio is superior, giving it an edge over the Z900 and placing it just below the litre-class Katana in power-to-weight ratio.
Honda CB1000 Hornet vs rivals: dimensions and weight
| Dimensions and weight | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CB1000 Hornet | Suzuki Katana | Triumph Street Triple RS | Kawasaki Z900 | ||
| Kerb weight | 211kg | 217kg | 188kg | 212kg | |
| Seat height | 810mm | 825mm | 836mm | 820mm | |
| Fuel capacity | 17 litres | 12 litres | 15 litres | 17 litres | |
| Ground clearance | 135mm | 140mm | NA | 145mm | |
| Wheelbase | 1455mm | 1460mm | 1399mm | 1455mm | |
Both the Honda CB1000 Hornet and Kawasaki Z900 have a 17 litre tank
The Suzuki Katana is the heaviest at 217kg, with a taller 825mm seat and a smaller 12-litre tank. Meanwhile, the Triumph Street Triple RS is the lightest at 188kg, but also the tallest at 836mm and has a 15 litre fuel tank.
Honda CB1000 Hornet vs rivals: suspension, tyres and brakes
| Suspension, tyres and brakes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CB1000 Hornet | Suzuki Katana | Triumph Street Triple RS | Kawasaki Z900 | ||
| Suspension (F/R) | USD fork / monoshock | USD fork / monoshock | USD fork / monoshock | USD fork / monoshock | |
| Brakes (F/R) | 310mm discs / 240mm disc | Twin discs/ disc | 310mm discs / 220mm disc | 300mm discs / 250mm disc | |
| Tyres (F/R) | 120/70- R17 / 180/55-17 | 120/70- R17 /190/50- R17 | 120/70- R17 / 180/55- R17 | 120/70- R17 / 180/55- R17 | |
The Triumph Street Triple RS and Honda CB1000 Hornet share the same front brakes and suspension setup.
The Honda CB1000 Hornet and Triumph Street Triple RS both feature high-quality suspension from Showa and Ohlins, with full adjustability at both ends. In contrast, the Kawasaki Z900 offers only rebound and preload adjustability at both ends.
Honda CB1000 Hornet vs rivals: features
The Katana is the only one to feature an LCD dash
All three motorcycles, except the Suzuki Katana, come with a TFT display, while the Katana uses a negative LCD. Bluetooth connectivity is standard on the others through a dedicated app, but the Triumph Street Triple RS requires a Rs 27,000 module to enable it on the TFT. The bi-directional quickshifter is available on all models except the Z900, and rider modes and traction control are included across the board, as expected from bikes of this caliber.
Honda CB1000 Hornet vs rivals: price
| Price | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CB1000 Hornet | Suzuki Katana | Triumph Street Triple RS | Kawasaki Z900 | |
| Price | Rs 12.36 lakh (ex-showroom, Gurugram) | Rs 13.61 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) | Rs 11.81 – Rs 12.07 lakh (ex-showroom, India) | Rs 9.38 lakh (ex-showroom, India) |
The Z900 is the most affordable of the lot
At Rs 12.36 lakh, the Honda CB1000 Hornet SP delivers litre-class performance while being priced just Rs. 29,000–Rs. 55,000 above the Triumph Street Triple RS, a middleweight naked. That minimal premium for a big jump in engine capacity and power makes the Hornet SP a tempting proposition. It also undercuts other litre-class offerings like the Suzuki Katana, while offering significantly more than the Kawasaki Z900, which sits nearly Rs. 3 lakh lower but doesn’t match up in outright performance or componentry.
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