2025 Honda CB 750 Hornet First Ride Review
A punchy, parallel-twin naked that finally brings Honda’s aggressive new middleweight platform to America. It’s built for riders who want a flickable city machine that isn’t afraid to lift the front wheel.
- Surprising Power: The 755cc engine has a mid-range punch that feels stronger than key rivals.
- Agile Handling: Light and flickable — a dream in city traffic.
- Precision Throttle: Almost zero free play gives instant, dialed-in control.
- Soft Brakes: Front end lacks strong initial bite when scrubbing speed.
- Seat Heat: Firm seat, and heat builds under the rider.
- No Cruise Control: Great tech suite, but missing cruise for highway stretches.
Performance Highlights
The Hornet is a wheelie machine in disguise. On paper, it’s a sensible Honda — on the road, it’s a riot. The engine is the star: smooth, but aggressive enough to catch you off guard even in standard mode. It handles the city with ease, and feels stable leaning over with total confidence.
For the price point, the suspension feels surprisingly sorted, keeping the bike composed when you push it harder than you expected from an $8K middleweight.
Note: 40–80 pull wasn’t stated in the transcript.
Rider Experience & Tech
At 5'10", the ergonomics feel “in” the bike rather than on top of it, and the seat height seems manageable for most riders to get feet down easily. The seat is wide but firm, which may wear on you over longer rides — and heat can build up under the rider.
The 5-inch TFT is very user-friendly (even if the design feels more engineered than pretty). You get five rider modes, an excellent up/down quick shifter with adjustable sensitivity, and self-cancelling turn signals — a high-tech package that’s easy to navigate without a manual.
The Chase Score & Final Thoughts
With a Chase Score of 72/100, the CB 750 Hornet might be the most exciting Honda in years. It’s the first real challenge to the MT-07 that matches — and maybe even exceeds — the engine “fun factor.” The brakes could be sharper, and it’s not a tourer, but for $8,000 the thrills-per-dollar ratio is sky high.
Who it’s for: urban riders and weekend warriors who want a high-tech, flickable bike with a rowdy engine.
Who should skip: long-distance touring purists or anyone who needs a soft, plush seat for all-day comfort.