Engine: 157 hp Through an Electronic Exhaust Valve—+5 hp / +3 Nm Over Base, Quickshifter Standard

999 cc, DOHC, liquid-cooled inline-four, 16 valves, PGM-FI, Ride-by-Wire, Euro 5+. Output is 115.6 kW / 157 hp at 11,000 rpm, with 107 Nm at 9,000 rpm.

The increase over the base Hornet’s 152 hp / 104 Nm is achieved through an electronically controlled exhaust valve that opens from 5,700 rpm and increases gas flow. Below that point, the SP engine behaves identically to the base version. Above 5,700 rpm, the valve opens and the engine noticeably comes alive.

The six-speed transmission is deliberately geared short in the lower gears for aggressive acceleration out of corners.

A Quickshifter with blipper comes standard—the most important equipment difference from the base model, where the Quickshifter is an accessory. Upshifts and downshifts are possible without using the clutch lever, with automatic throttle blips on downshifts. A slipper clutch is standard.

There are five riding modes: Sport, Standard, Rain, and two configurable User modes. HSTC is adjustable through four levels, while Wheelie Control, engine power, and engine braking can each be adjusted through three levels.

Stationary noise is 98 dB(A), above Tyrol’s 95 dB(A) riding-ban limit. The CB 1000 Hornet SP is therefore not permitted on restricted roads in Tyrol.

Suspension: Öhlins TTX36 at the Rear, Brembo Stylema Up Front—This Is the Core of the SP Premium

Up front is the same 41 mm SHOWA SFF-BP upside-down fork as on the base model. On the SP, it is also fully adjustable for spring preload, rebound, and compression damping, with 118 mm of travel.

At the rear is a fully adjustable Öhlins TTX36 shock. This is the biggest suspension difference from the base model. The TTX36 is a superbike-class shock used on considerably more expensive motorcycles, yet the CB 1000 Hornet SP offers it for €12,090. Rear suspension travel is 139 mm.

Up front are dual 310 mm floating discs with radially mounted Brembo Stylema four-piston calipers instead of the base model’s Nissin units. Brembo Stylema is the same type of braking hardware used on superbikes and considerably more expensive sport motorcycles.

The chassis basis is identical to the base Hornet: steel backbone frame, 1,455 mm wheelbase, 98 mm trail, 65-degree steering-head angle, and aluminum swingarm.

Fully fueled weight is 212 kg—1 kg more than the base model at 211 kg.

ABS comes standard. There is no lean-angle-sensitive ABS and no IMU, even on the SP.

Ergonomics: Identical to the Base Hornet—809 mm Seat Height, Upright, Dual LED Headlights, TFT

Seat height is 809 mm, with an upright streetfighter riding position and a wide handlebar.

A 5-inch TFT with Honda RoadSync comes standard, providing navigation, music, phone, and voice-control functions. Dual LED headlights are standard.

Fuel capacity is 16.2 liters. Dunlop Sportmax Roadsport 2 tires come standard.

The 2026 color is Matte Ballistic Black Metallic with gold wheels and a gold-anodized SHOWA fork—exclusive to the SP model.

There is no windshield standard, as expected from a naked bike. One is available through the accessory catalog.

Handling: Öhlins + Brembo Noticeably Change the Riding Experience—Less Base Model, More Racing Influence

The difference between the base model and SP is smaller in everyday riding than it appears on paper, but becomes noticeable on backroads and the racetrack.

The Öhlins TTX36 allows more precise adjustment and responds more sensitively than the base model’s SHOWA shock. With the suspension correctly set up for the rider, the rear wheel feels more direct and stable through fast direction changes.

The Brembo Stylema calipers deliver more initial bite and a more defined engagement point than the base model’s Nissin calipers. The difference is noticeable on wet roads and during maximum-effort braking.

The standard Quickshifter with blipper makes fast riding on winding roads considerably more fluid. Without constant clutch operation, maintaining a rhythm becomes easier.

Who should choose the SP? Riders who regard the base Hornet as the starting point and want its weaker areas addressed: the missing standard Quickshifter, a rear shock that is not at the highest level, and brakes that are good but not class-leading. The SP is an upgrade in exactly the right places.

The approximately €1,800 premium over the base model buys Öhlins TTX36, Brembo Stylema, and a Quickshifter. Retrofitting all three individually would cost more than €1,800.

Objectively, that makes the SP the better-value package for sporty riders.

Equipment: What the SP Adds Over the Base—and What It Shares

SP-specific equipment includes the electronic exhaust valve for an additional 5 hp, fully adjustable Öhlins TTX36, Brembo Stylema four-piston radial front calipers, Quickshifter with blipper standard, gold wheels, gold-anodized fork tubes, and exclusive Matte Ballistic Black Metallic paint.

Shared with the base model are the 41 mm SHOWA SFF-BP USD fork, also fully adjustable, 310 mm front brake discs of identical diameter, slipper clutch, ABS, five riding modes, four-level HSTC, Wheelie Control, Ride-by-Wire, 5-inch TFT with Honda RoadSync, dual LED headlights, steel backbone frame, wheelbase, seat height, tires, and fuel capacity.

Neither version has an IMU, lean-angle-sensitive ABS, or a windshield.

Costs: €12,090—and Therefore the Least Expensive Naked Bike With Brembo Stylema and Öhlins TTX36 on the Market

€12,090 including destination charges, the introductory price for Germany communicated by Honda Germany in October 2024. Honda does not publish a separate, directly accessible MSRP on honda.de.

For comparison, the Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory starts at approximately €20,999 and offers an IMU, lean-angle-sensitive systems, and Öhlins suspension. The Ducati Streetfighter V4 starts at more than €22,000. The KTM 1390 Super Duke R starts at approximately €17,599.

The CB 1000 Hornet SP is by far the least expensive naked bike on the market to offer Öhlins TTX36 and Brembo Stylema as standard equipment.

The lack of an IMU remains even on the SP.

Warranty is two years with unlimited mileage as standard. A paid extension to six years is available through the Honda GarantiePlus program, with annual extensions after the first two years and only when servicing is carried out by an authorized Honda dealer.

Service intervals are every 12,000 km.

Verdict

The Honda CB 1000 Hornet SP is the more consistently sporty Hornet and the version suspension enthusiasts should buy.

Öhlins TTX36, Brembo Stylema, Quickshifter—for €12,090. No other motorcycle in this price class offers this combination.

The lack of an IMU remains the only systemic criticism.

If you occasionally want to ride on the racetrack or extract the maximum from the motorcycle on backroads, buy the SP. If everyday use and occasional recreational rides are your priority, the base model is perfectly capable.

 

Quick Check

+ Fully adjustable Öhlins TTX36 standard—the least expensive naked bike on the market with this shock

+ Brembo Stylema four-piston radial calipers standard—superbike braking hardware for €12,090

+ Quickshifter with blipper standard, clutchless upshifts and downshifts

+ 157 hp / 107 Nm through electronic exhaust valve, +5 hp / +3 Nm versus base model

+ Exclusive Matte Ballistic Black Metallic with gold wheels and gold-anodized fork

+ Same fully adjustable SHOWA SFF-BP fork as base model

+ Five riding modes, four-level HSTC, Wheelie Control standard

+ Approx. €1,800 premium over base model buys Öhlins + Brembo + Quickshifter—retrofitting them individually costs more

+ Two-year base warranty; extension up to six years available through Honda GarantiePlus

 

– No IMU: no lean-angle-sensitive ABS or traction control, even on the SP

– 98 dB(A) stationary noise: above Tyrol’s riding-ban limit—not permitted on restricted roads in Tyrol

– Only one color, Matte Ballistic Black Metallic

– No windshield standard

– Honda does not publish a separately accessible MSRP on honda.de

– Warranty extension up to six years costs extra and is not automatic

 

Technical Specifications: Honda CB 1000 Hornet SP (2026)

Country of Manufacture: Japan

Engine: Liquid-cooled four-stroke inline-four, DOHC, 16 valves, PGM-FI, Ride-by-Wire, Euro 5+; based on 2017 Fireblade engine, retuned

Displacement: 999 cc

Power: 115.6 kW / 157 hp at 11,000 rpm; power increase over base model through electronic exhaust valve opening from 5,700 rpm

Torque: 107 Nm at 9,000 rpm

Transmission: 6-speed; chain final drive; slipper clutch standard; Quickshifter with blipper for clutchless upshifts and downshifts standard

Riding Modes: Sport, Standard, Rain + two User modes; four-level HSTC; Wheelie Control; engine power and engine braking each adjustable through three levels

Frame: Steel backbone frame, identical to base model

Front Suspension: 41 mm SHOWA SFF-BP upside-down fork; fully adjustable for spring preload, rebound, and compression damping; 118 mm travel; gold-anodized

Rear Suspension: Öhlins TTX36 shock with Pro-Link linkage; fully adjustable for spring preload, rebound, and compression damping; 139 mm travel

Front Brakes: Dual 310 mm floating discs; radially mounted Brembo Stylema four-piston calipers

Rear Brake: 240 mm disc; two-piston caliper

Rider Aids: ABS standard; four-level HSTC traction control standard; Wheelie Control standard; no lean-angle-sensitive ABS; no IMU

Wheels: 17-inch cast-aluminum wheels, Desert Gold Metallic

Front Tire: 120/70 ZR17—Dunlop Sportmax Roadsport 2 standard

Rear Tire: 180/55 ZR17—Dunlop Sportmax Roadsport 2 standard

Display: 5-inch color TFT; Honda RoadSync standard with navigation, music, voice control, and phone functions

Lighting: Dual LED headlights standard

Fully Fueled Weight: 212 kg

Seat Height: 809 mm

Wheelbase: 1,455 mm

Fuel Capacity: 16.2 liters

Stationary Noise: 98 dB(A)—above Tyrol’s 95 dB(A) riding-ban limit; not permitted on restricted roads in Tyrol

Color: Matte Ballistic Black Metallic with Desert Gold Metallic wheels and gold-anodized SHOWA fork; exclusive to SP

Price in Germany: €12,090 including destination charges, introductory German price; Honda does not publish a separately accessible MSRP on honda.de

Warranty: 2 years with unlimited mileage as standard; paid extension up to six years available through Honda GarantiePlus, renewed annually with servicing by an authorized Honda dealer