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There Is A Big Bad Hornet In Honda’s Net

Honda is reviving the Hornet nameplate, and it’s going to be a sharp-looking middleweight streetfighter with a parallel-twin heart.


Honda Hornet Concept side view
Via: Youtube.com

The Hornet is a long-lost gem in Honda’s books. If you are still pondering about which motorcycle we are talking about, then the “Honda 599” might ring some bells. The Original Honda Hornet(or Honda CB600F) was sold as the 599 in the United States from 2004 to 2006.

Then the second-gen Hornet was sold as the Honda 919 in the US up until 2008. We haven’t seen a Hornet ever since. But Honda dropped a surprise at EICMA 2021 by showcasing the design study of the upcoming Hornet, which will be a drastic shift from the Hornets of the past.

Honda is reviving the Hornet nameplate, and it’s going to be a sharp-looking middleweight streetfighter with a parallel-twin heart.

Sharp Form Factor Reminds Us Of The KTM 890 Duke


Honda Hornet Concept from third quarter design view
Via: Webbikeworld.com

The design is a huge shift from all the Hornets before. Honda has let go of the curvy body lines and gone all out with a sharp wedgy form factor. The design study showcased at EICMA 2021 instantly reminded us of the KTM 890 Duke, which would end up being the new Hornet’s rival along with the likes of Yamaha MT-07, Kawasaki Z650, and Triumph Trident 660. The middleweight segment is booming, and there is no better time for Honda to get on the bandwagon and spice things up.



Honda Hornet Concept top view
Via: Youtube.com

The distinctive circular headlight setup has been replaced with a steeply raked fang-like layout. There are a lot of Fireblade-cues here with the seat and tail section. The muscular side shrouds will most likely house the intake vents. It has been showcased with a double-sided swingarm and a neat tire hugger. It looks to have a neatly tucked-in belly-mounted exhaust system to have a clean layout.

Related: Honda Fireblade SP Gets Limited Edition 30th Anniversary Version

The New Hornet Will Pack A 755cc Paralled-Twin Engine

While no details of the powertrain are out, we strongly suspect that it will pack a parallel-twin motor. One reason for this confidence is a short part of the official video that shows 2 cylinders firing. Another reason is from the much-credible Japanese news outlets that have hinted at Honda’s development of a line of models around a new 755cc parallel-twin engine.



Honda Hornet design study with a sneak-peak of the engine
Via: Webbikeworld.com

One of those bikes is most likely the Hornet, and the other is the equally-anticipated XL750L Translap. This engine will be a high-revving unit and most likely a toned-down version of the tried-and-tested parallel-twin unit used in the Honda Africa Twin.


Honda Hornet Concept front fascia view
Via: Youtube.com

And just like how the Africa Twin’s engine was adapted for use in the rebel 1100 Cruiser and the NT1100 tourer; expect the new middleweight engine to spawn a whole new segment with an ADVs, cruisers, and even retro offerings.

Related: The 2022 Honda Navi Is Coming To America

The Hornet Will Most Likely Be Called CB750S In The US


Honda Hornet looks like a killer streetfighter in the design study
Via: Webbikeworld.com

As Honda has never utilized the cooler “Hornet” nameplate in the US, we expect this sharp middleweight offering to be called the Honda CB750S. And if everything is as we deduced, then expect to see the bold new iteration of the Hornet by 2022 end.


Sources: Cycelworld.com, Bennetts.co.uk, Global.honda, Motorcyclenews.com, Wikipedia.org


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