The super-naked sportbike segment in South Africa is currently one of the most exciting and competitive parts of the local motorcycle market. These bikes are essentially de-frocked superbikes, offering the same mind-bending power and tech as their track-focused siblings, albeit somewhat detuned, but with upright ergonomics that make them slightly more manageable for South African roads.
Related: Honda 1000 Hornet lands in SA
The Honda CB1000 Hornet SP is the aggressive, streetfighter evolution of Honda’s flagship CBR superbike and is equipped with an older, detuned Fireblade motor and an impressive selection of standard equipment. We spent a few days behind the bars of this manic machine and were left rather speechless.
How does the Honda CB1000 Hornet compare to the Suzuki GSX-S1000?
Styling
While Honda is often known for sensible designs, the SP variant pushes into much more visceral, mean-spirited territory in the best way possible. The CB1000 Hornet SP ditches the retro-modern streetfighter look of the CB1000R in favour of a narrow-waisted, broad-shouldered silhouette. It looks less like a boutique cafe racer and more like a crouching predator. Exclusively available in Mat Ballistic Black Metallic, usually paired with a Desert Gold finish on the wheels. Honda has opted for an exposed look, with the mechanical components serving as the styling.
Twin-LED headlights: The face is defined by tiny, dual-LED projector headlights set into a sharp, low-slung cowl. It gives the bike a "frowning," aggressive expression.
The "Wasp" waist: True to the "Hornet" name, the fuel tank is broad at the front with sharp knee cutouts, tapering down into a very slim seat and subframe section.
Mass-Forward Design: Almost all the visual weight is concentrated around the engine and front wheel, leaving the rear looking light and aerodynamic.
Twin-spar frame: The blacked-out steel twin-spar frame is a design element in itself, wrapping tightly around the CBR1000RR-derived engine.
Upswept exhaust: The 4-2-1 exhaust system is capped with an aftermarket SC Project exhaust, which exposes as much of the rear wheel and swingarm as possible, eliminates buzz, and delivers a distinctive bark.
Minimalist tail: The rear unit is extremely short, featuring a sharp LED crystalline light that reinforces the "stinger" motif.
Tech and features
While the standard model is built for value, the SP (Special Parts) version adds significant hardware and electronic refinements, elevating it to the premium streetfighter category. The tech suite is managed via a Throttle-by-Wire system, though it notably lacks a 6-axis IMU, meaning no lean-sensitive ABS or Traction Control.
Riding Modes: 5 modes in total (Sport, Standard, Rain, plus 2 User modes).
Parameters: Riders can independently adjust:
Power (P): 3 levels.
Engine Braking (EB): 3 levels.
Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC): 4 levels (includes integrated Wheelie Control and can be turned off).
Display: A 5.0-inch full-colour TFT screen that is optically bonded to reduce glare. It offers three different layouts (Bar, Circle, Simple).
Connectivity: Honda RoadSync is standard, allowing for turn-by-turn navigation, music control, and calls via a smartphone
Engine and Drivetrain
At its heart is a 999cc liquid-cooled inline-four engine. In the SP trim, Honda has increased power over the base model. The "SP" designation is most visible in the suspension and braking departments.
Rear suspension: It features a fully adjustable Öhlins TTX36 rear shock with a remote reservoir, offering superior damping and a hydraulic preload adjuster.
Front suspension: 41mm Showa SFF-BP (Separate Function Fork Big Piston) inverted forks, fully adjustable for preload, compression, and rebound.
Brakes: It borrows the high-end Brembo Stylema four-piston radial-mount callipers from the Fireblade, paired with a Brembo radial master cylinder for elite-level stopping power and feel.
SP Performance Boost: The SP gains about 3.5kW and 2 Nm over the standard Hornet, largely due to a unique RC (Revolutionary Controlled) exhaust valve in the muffler that opens at 5 700 r/min to let the engine breathe better and allow that SC Project exhaust to really sound out.
- Power Output: Approx. 115.6 kW @ 11 000 r/min and 107 Nm of torque @ 9 000 r/min.
Transmission: A 6-speed gearbox equipped with a standard up/down quickshifter. It also features an assist/slipper clutch to prevent rear-wheel hop during aggressive downshifts.
Let's ride
Swing a leg over the SP, and it's quite an experience. It is incredibly docile, yet you can feel the restrained aggression underneath waiting to be unleashed. You can pull away in 2nd gear or sit in 6th gear at 30 km/h without the engine chugging. It’s smooth, quiet, and vibration-free thanks to rubber engine mounts. Get out on the open road with plenty of space to open it up past 7 000r/min, and the Fireblade DNA takes over. The front wheel gets very light in the first three gears because there's no steering damper, and the bike delivers a manic, high-pitched wail from that aftermarket exhaust when you crank it open.
After about 80km of consistent riding on the paper-thin seat, your derriere will get decidedly bruised. This is not a long-distance machine but rather a short-stint master. Because the steering is so light, the Hornet turns on a 50 cent coin and feels like it wants to almost fall over, taking every corner in a MotoGP stance. It's fantastic to ride; however, if you have a pillion on board, they had better be prepared for this and know how to respond. The Hornet takes no prisoners and will sting hard if rider and passenger are not in sync.
Model and Pricing
| CB750 Hornet | R 198 799 |
| CB1000 SP Hornet | R 265 000 |
| CBR1000RR R-SP Fireblade | R 569 599 |
*CB1000 SP motorcycles are sold with a 2 Year / Unlimited Km warranty. Consult your local Honda Wing dealer for specials or dealer assistance
Pros and Cons
Incredible value for money: It offers a Fireblade-derived engine and name-brand components (Öhlins, Brembo) for thousands less than its European and even some Japanese competitors.
The Fireblade heart: The retuned 999cc engine is praised for its real-world usability. It’s smooth enough to crawl through city traffic at 30 km/h in 6th gear, but delivers a raspy snarl and serious acceleration once you cross 7 000–8 000 r/min.
Agility & nimbleness: Despite its 212kg weight, the bike feels surprisingly flickable and has an amazing balance point
Premium componentry: The Öhlins TTX36 shock and Brembo Stylema callipers aren't just for show—they provide professional-grade damping and progressive, one-finger braking power.
Build quality: Even with its budget-friendly price, the bike maintains typical Honda reliability and fit-and-finish, with gold-accented wheels and high-quality matte paint.
Basic electronic suite: To save costs, Honda omitted a 6-axis IMU. This means no lean-sensitive ABS or cornering traction control—a feature standard on almost every other modern 1000cc bike.
Intrusive traction control: Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) can be overly sensitive, cutting power sharply over crests or bumps. It also frustratingly resets to "On" every time you cycle the ignition.
Lack of luxuries: There is no cruise control or heated grips as standard, though heated grips are an optional extra. For a bike that excels as an all-rounder, the lack of cruise control is a missed opportunity.
Firm ride: The Öhlins rear shock is tuned for performance. It can become a bit stiff or harsh on longer rides, and can occasionally kick the rider out of the seat if the damping isn't dialled back.
Verdict
While European rivals such as Ducati and KTM focus on spec-sheet warfare with 147kW+ engines and complex electronics, this rider's verdict on the Hornet SP is that it’s a bike built for the street, not the brochure. It delivers all the excitement you can get from a GSXR or an S1000RR without many of the nanny systems to curtail your riding. It's a rider's machine that requires you to be present and paying attention because there's only a very small safety net if you get something wrong. It’s 95% of the performance for 60% of the price, and it's an absolute dream to ride hard.
