The look of the Hornet promises agility, dynamism and light weight thanks to its slim proportions, pointy tail section and super-sharp lines. The silhouette and sinuous muscularity of a cheetah at full speed inspired us with its potency, driven by the obvious power of the new engine. Our strap line to guide the form of the new Hornet was ‘Sensual Dynamism.’ It had to be a straightforward streetfighter design – just like the original – but we wanted much more aggressive angles and proportions. “Honda’s design philosophy is to create something pure and functional in an uncomplicated way – models which are both beautifully simple and emotionally appealing. Giovanni Dovis, Lead Styling Designer, Honda R&D Rome: This would not only deliver that top-end rush, but also the sporty low-down torque, ideal for riding in urban environments and powering out of corners on the open road.įor us, the Hornet has always been the ultimate representation of the streetfighter concept and this new Hornet, proudly carries on this tradition.” To get the kind of performance and lightweight handling we wanted, we knew we had to develop an all-new short-stroke twin-cylinder engine, with a 270° crankshaft. Our aim has always been to match these to the lightest, most agile handling possible, to make every ride – even in town – as engaging and fulfilling as possible. We knew that it was essential to keep the classic Hornet top end power ‘hit’ and at the same time, as a new generation Hornet for modern times, we wanted the engine to have a really strong torquey feel and ‘throbbing’ sensation at low to mid rpm. Exciting, engaging performance has always been matched to lithe, agile handling.īefore starting this project, we thought long and hard about what kind of performance we wanted to give to the rider. “The Hornet has always been a very special motorcycle for Honda. Mr, Fuyuki Hosokawa, Test Project Leader, Honda R&D, Japan: And, to keep things simple, three words can be used to sum it up: Honda have armed the CB750 Hornet with a class-leading power-to-weight ratio. And minimalist look with uncompromising angles define a sharp, modern streetfighter style. High-quality Showa suspension works through a new, lightweight steel frame with high-spec running gear that allows the rider to exploit all the potential available. A totally new twin-cylinder engine hits hard with power and torque and features a comprehensive electronics package. With styling led by the latest generation of creative minds in Honda’s Rome R&D facility, it’s been developed to attract younger riders looking for a serious move up. And packs it with a direct injection of excitement and pure-thrill adrenaline. This background has driven the creation of something quite special – a brand-new middleweight, the Hornet 750, which takes inspiration and direction from its ancestor but brings the celebrated Hornet brand right up to date. None of which was lost on Honda’s development engineers. It has big tire tracks to fill and serious competitors to contend with. A perfect time for a new Hornet to land – a bike for now and a whole new generation of riders. The naked bike segment continues to grow in both size and complexity, with many niches, and rider expectations have never been higher.
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