Amit Saraswat 
All-new Honda CB1000 Hornet
The highlight of Honda’s pavilion at the EICMA 2023 is the all-new CB1000 Hornet, which becomes the flagship model in the Hornet lineup of motorcycles. The new CB1000 Hornet uses the returned engine from the MY17 CBR1000RR Fireblade. The inline-4-cylinder engine produces around 150PS of power and more than 100Nm of peak torque.
The engine sits within a new steel twin-spar frame that’s said to offer dynamic cornering performance and stability. It features Showa 41mm Separate Function Fork Big Piston (SFF-BP) front suspension, which is adjustable for both compression and rebound. The front suspension is paired with the pro-link Showa mono-shock at the rear. The CB1000 Hornet also packs electronic aids like throttle by wire, 3 riding modes, 5-inch TFT cluster along with a sharp and aggressive design.
Honda CB500 Hornet
The new CB1000 Hornet is joined by the smaller CB500 Hornet. It brings a new and aggressive styling, which is understandably inspired by its elder siblings. The CB500 Hornet is said to offer a linear steering feel and agile handling, thanks to the headlight side ducts that channel air to the upper fuel tank area, thus aiding aerodynamics.
Sitting at the heart of the new CB500 Hornet is a 471cc engine, which also meets A2 licence requirements. It produces 47PS of power and 43Nm of torque, owing to updated fuel injection settings that claim to offer improved acceleration. Furthermore, the CB500 Hornet packs 41mm Showa SFF-BP upside-down front forks and Showa rear mono shock. Like the CB1000 Hornet, the CB500 also features a 5-inch TFT display with Honda RoadSync smartphone connectivity.
Honda CBR600RR
Honda has also showcased the new CBR600RR at EICMA 2023, making its return after a hiatus of 6 years in the European lineup. For the return, the CBR600RR has undergone an update, featuring MotoGP-inspired electronics and aerodynamics. The free-revving four-cylinder engine makes substantially more power and torque, which stand at 121PS and 63Nm, respectively, than the earlier iteration.
Its nimble handling and instant direction changes are the result of a twin-spar aluminium frame coupled with an aluminium swingarm. It sits on 41mm Showa upside-down forks up front and Showa pro-link mono-shock at the rear. The fairings of the new CBR600RR feature winglets that are derived from MotoGP. Furthermore, the new model packs a 6-axis IMU offering features like cornering ABS, 9-level Honda Selectable Torque Control (HTSC), rear-wheel lift control and wheelie control.
Apart from the aforementioned models, Honda also showcased the entire range of MY24 motorcycles. These motorcycles include the new NX500, new CBR500R, CB650R, CBR650R, CBR1000RR-R Fireblade in both standard and SP forms and CRF1100L Africa Twin and Africa Twin Adventure Sports. All the showcased models feature some kind of updates for the MY24, enhancing the overall appeal in their respective segments.
The Honda CB650R and CBR650R are the first Honda motorcycles to come with Honda’s innovative E-Clutch system. The new E-Clutch system eliminates the need to operate the clutch while shifting gears up or down. The system also takes care of the clutch action in stop-and-go city traffic and should the rider wish to operate the clutch in a conventional way, the E-Clutch can be disabled from the instrument cluster.
