00:002025 Honda CB1000 Hornet SP. Second ride impressions and what's new for the US.
00:07Let's talk about one of the best bang-for-your-buck naked sport bikes hitting the US streets,
00:12the 2025 Honda CB1000 Hornet SP. After a first ride in Europe earlier this year,
00:19we've now taken the US spec version for a spin at the official launch in Sacramento,
00:24California. Spoiler, it rips, but there's more to the story. United States what's different in the
00:31US version. The biggest change for the US model is the exhaust system. Thanks to stricter noise and
00:38emissions regulations here, our Hornet SP ditches the Euro model's exhaust valve. That means a
00:44exhaust and updated ECU tuning. The result? Probably a slight dip in power compared to the
00:51European version, but we won't know for sure until we get it on a dyno. Still, Honda claims 155
00:58horsepower and 78.9 pound Ft of torque in Europe. Based on what we know, expect around 150 horsepower
01:07in the US. Not bad at all for a bike that costs way less than the competition. Also, interesting to
01:15note, in Europe, there's a base model CB1000 that we won't get in the States. Our SP version essentially
01:22takes the base exhaust but keeps all the upgraded components. Money bag let's talk price. This is
01:29where Honda throws a knockout punch. At $10,999, the CB1000 Hornet SP offers serious value. For context,
01:39Yamaha MT10, $14,799. Yamaha MT10 SP, $17,299. Kawasaki Z900SE, $11,849. Suzuki GSX-S1000, $11,909.
02:02And if you're eyeing European brands like KTM, Triumph, or Ducati, bring your wallet. They often
02:09start at nearly double the Hornet SP's price. Motorcycle what you get for the money. Honda
02:15didn't cut corners. Here's what's standard. Olean's TTX36 rear shock, fully adjustable.
02:23Showa fork, fully adjustable. Brembo Stylema calipers with Brembo Master Cylinder. Up-slash-down
02:31quickshifter. That's some serious gear on a sub-$11k bike. It's built to ride hard. Compass
02:39how does it ride. Out in the mountain roads near Sacramento, the CB1000 Hornet SP impressed,
02:46with a few caveats. There's a noticeable flat spot in the power delivery between 3,500 to
02:536,000 RPM. It's clear that Honda had to work around emissions rules here, which makes this
02:59inline-four feel a bit restricted in that range. Above that? It screams. Keep it revving,
03:06and it feels alive. But staying in that higher RPM zone can be a challenge on tight roads.
03:12You'll find yourself shifting more often, hanging in first or second gear to get the drive you want
03:18out of corners. VS button compared to the CB750 Hornet. Riding the CB750 Hornet the next day really
03:26put things into perspective. That parallel twin makes better low-end torque and feels more forgiving
03:31and fun on the street. It's easier to ride fast, especially when you're not chasing lap times.
03:38The CB1000 SP, on the other hand, feels like a caged animal. You've got to work to unleash it.
03:45On fast, flowing roads or track days, that's a blast. But in stop-and-go or twisty canyon runs,
03:52it can be more demanding. The CB1000 Hornet SP isn't perfect, but it's really close considering the price.
03:59If you want a premium feel sport naked without dropping $15,000 plus, this bike is hard to
04:06ignore. It brings style, performance, and serious componentry in one of the best value packages on
04:12the market. So what kind of rider are you? If you love revs, fast roads, and aren't afraid to work
04:19the gearbox, this is your ride. If you're after more low-end grunt and street-friendly manners,
04:25you might want to peek at the CB750 Hornet instead.
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