All the way through the 90s and 00s, high-performance motorcycles captured the imagination. The only problem with these sports bikes is that they only really work on a track. These race replicas all got so performance-focused that manufacturers all but forgot about real-world practicality.
This is where the naked sports bike steps in. Knowing full well that these halo model sports bikes only have limited appeal, pretty much every manufacturer also offers us a naked bike version of those sports bikes that actually works on the street. While there are several great options to choose from, there is one that adds a healthy dose of value to the equation.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Honda. Whereas, the opinions are our own.
A Highly Competitive Segment
Out of all the exceptional naked bikes on the market, only a couple offer as much value as the bike in question. The Suzuki GSX-S1000 presents itself as a sporty option, as it gets the same aluminum twin-spar chassis as the old GSX-R sports bike. Traction control, ABS, and a quickshifter are all standard features. The Yamaha MT-09 SP stands out as a great all-round package with a similar level of specification to the Suzuki, plus an uprated suspension. But it is a middleweight, and a little down on power compared to the liter-class competition. The bike that is really built for the street is actually a throwback to the UJM era.
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“If only you knew the power of the Dark Side…” – Darth Vader
The Honda CB1000 Hornet SP Is The Performance Motorcycle Built For Real Roads
MSRP: $10,999
The CB1000 Hornet SP takes us back to the days of the original CB750, widely regarded as the very first universal Japanese motorcycle (or UJM for short). After trying to sell everyone the neo-retro CB1000R for several years, Honda finally developed a more convincing, value-oriented naked bike. The Hornet SP undercuts pretty much every other major manufacturer, and even throws in a fancy Swedish rear shock for good measure. Unlike the other bikes competing in this space that are marketed as competent track bikes, the Hornet SP is all about its engine.
The CB1000 Hornet SP Has A Fireblade Engine
Power: 155 horsepower*
This inline-four is an extensively reworked 2017 – or current CBR1000RR – Fireblade engine. In the CBR1000RR, it is capable of producing as much as 189 horsepower, but in an effort to add more midrange grunt, that overall power figure is down to 155 horsepower in the European version. That figure falls to 129 horsepower for the US version, thanks to noise restrictions.
An Inline-Four Purposefully Reworked The Street
While on paper that might seem a little disappointing, all the added midrange performance is still there. All that power that you would normally only be able to access high up in the rev range is now available to us at road legal speeds. That makes the Hornet SP a genuinely fun bike to ride, and it is a motorcycle you would genuinely buy purely for its engine. It has pretty much been designed for spirited road riding, a purpose-built canyon carver if you will. It is not much of a track bike, though.
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The CB1000 Hornet SP Has A Fancy Öhlins Rear Suspension
The Öhlins TTX36 rear shock is not there to aid track performance like some of the other options in this space. It is there to offer riders more adjustability, add more compliance to the suspension, and compensate for what is otherwise a budget-friendly chassis. Its steel twin-spar chassis will certainly be found on just about any track. But, if you are after a naked bike that will be more at home on a track, there are some far better options in this price range.
None of those bikes offer the same bang for the buck, and none of those bikes has a superbike engine. Honda needs to be commended for keeping the price this low. This is not a new approach to building motorcycles; it is quite simply the whole UJM concept reimagined for the modern world. By taking a relatively simple chassis and marrying it to a beast of an engine, you get the motorcycle equivalent of a hot rod. While Honda keeps things relatively simple, the Hornet SP certainly can’t be criticized for being a bare-bones offering.
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This Is One Spicy Modern UJM
While Honda may have cut costs in some areas, the Hornet SP is certainly not light on features. Traction control, ABS, a TFT dash, Brembo brakes, and a quickshifter are all present. It is a genuinely impressive package, which makes it a fantastic option for experienced riders after a fun, high-performance motorcycle. Add to that the potential longevity of a Honda engine, which has been effectively detuned for this platform, and you have a bike that offers irresistible value. It certainly is not meant for everyone, though.
The big risk of pricing a high-performance machine so aggressively is that it ends up getting sold to inexperienced riders. This happened time and again with the old superbikes from the 00s, and it ruined the entire motorcycling experience for many riders who couldn’t fully grasp the gravity of their decision. Manufacturers have wised up to this over the years and have all developed a beginner-friendly model for pretty much every kind of rider. Honda will most certainly point new riders to the CB300R.
But, for less scrupulous dealers, the temptation will always be there to allow new riders to part ways with $11k, and get their hands on one of these machines simply because it is what they want. No modern rider aids can compensate for this amount of power used indiscriminately. This is a potent bike that has more power than its chassis can safely handle, and it needs to be treated with respect, or the punishment will not fit the crime.
Chassis, Suspension And Weight Specifications
|
Chassis |
Steel twin-spar |
|
Front Suspension |
41mm inverted Showa SFF-BP telescopic fork with adjustable preload, compression and rebound damping (5.1-inch travel) |
|
Rear Suspension |
Öhlins TTX36 remote-reservoir shock with adjustable preload, compression and rebound damping (5.5-inch travel) |
|
Weight |
465 lbs |