The Honda CB1000 Hornet SP signifies the company’s fourth introduction this month under the BigWing segment. In this analysis, we compare this litre-class streetfighter with a direct competitor along with motorcycles that, while differing in class, deliver comparable power and are within the same pricing bracket.
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 12,000rpm | 125hp at 9,500rpm | |
| Torque | 107Nm at 9,000rpm | 106Nm | 80Nm at 9,500rpm | 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 boast substantial 1000cc engines derived from superbike technology, producing nearly identical power, with the Katana slightly trailing. Despite having the smallest engine and the least torque, the Triumph Street Triple RS excels in terms of power-to-weight ratio, giving it an advantage over the Kawasaki Z900 and positioning it just beneath the litre-class Katana in this regard.
Honda CB1000 Hornet vs Rivals: Dimensions and Weight
Honda CB1000 Hornet and Kawasaki Z900 Feature a 17-Litre Tank
The Honda CB1000 Hornet impresses with a comfortable 810mm seat height and a kerb weight of 211kg, coupled with a 17-litre fuel tank, a feature shared only with the Kawasaki Z900. The Z900 weighs slightly more at 212kg and has a taller seat height of 820mm. Remarkably, this middle-weight naked bike is 24kg heavier than its rivals from Triumph, despite being a litre-class super-naked.
The Suzuki Katana stands as the heaviest at 217kg, with a taller seat height of 825mm but features a smaller 12-litre fuel tank. The Triumph Street Triple RS is the lightest at 188kg, with the tallest seat height of 836mm and the smallest tank capacity at 15 litres.
Honda CB1000 Hornet vs Rivals: Suspension, Tyres, and Brakes
Honda CB1000 Hornet and Triumph Street Triple RS Share Similar Front Brakes and Suspension
Both the Honda CB1000 Hornet and the Triumph Street Triple RS are equipped with premium suspension components sourced from Showa and Ohlins, ensuring full adjustability on both front and rear ends. In contrast, the Kawasaki Z900 only provides rebound and preload adjustability.
When it comes to braking systems, both the Hornet 1000 and Street Triple RS feature sophisticated Brembo Stylema calipers combined with steel-braided lines. The Suzuki Katana also utilizes Brembo brakes but falls short by lacking the high-end Stylema calipers and, similar to the Z900, employs standard rubber brake lines.
Honda CB1000 Hornet vs Rivals: Features
The Katana is the Sole Model with an LCD Dashboard
All motorcycles, apart from the Suzuki Katana, incorporate a TFT display, while the Katana opts for a negative LCD. Bluetooth connectivity is standard on the other bikes via a dedicated application, though enabling this feature on the Triumph Street Triple RS requires an additional module costing Rs 27,000. All models, except for the Z900, come with a bi-directional quickshifter, along with standard rider modes and traction control, expected from bikes within this echelon.
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
Prized at Rs 12.36 lakh, the Honda CB1000 Hornet SP presents litre-class performance, positioned just Rs. 29,000–Rs. 55,000 above the Triumph Street Triple RS, a middleweight option. This small price difference offers a significant increase in engine capacity and power, making the Hornet SP an attractive choice. It also offers a lower price point than other litre-class models like the Suzuki Katana, while providing considerably more than the Kawasaki Z900, which is nearly Rs. 3 lakh lower but does not compete in terms of performance or specifications.
Such competitive pricing invites a close comparison, with the Hornet 1000 straddling the line between middleweight and litre-class motorcycles. Meanwhile, the Z900 ranks as the most budget-friendly option available, yet is poised for an upgrade featuring a refreshed design, additional features, and a new TFT dash, expected to debut soon with an associated price increase. This next-generation bike might also introduce a higher-spec SE variant with enhanced suspension and braking systems.
