Honda will have more than a dozen new or updated motorcycles in its 2025 model year line up, headlined by the budget naked Hornet 1000 and including revamps of some of its most popular scooters.
The Hornet 1000 was trailed 12 months ago at the 2023 EICMA motorcycle show as a prototype, with details of the production version released at this year’s show.
Priced at £8,999, over £1000 less than a Yamaha MT-09, the Hornet features a 150bhp version of the Fireblade superbike engine in a straightforward twin spar frame. In keeping with the original Hornet philosophy, which goes back to the late 1990s, the latest model features basic-but-solid cycle parts, with adjustable big-piston Showa SFF-BP forks and Nissin brake calipers. A higher-specification Hornet SP, which will cost £1000 more, gains an Öhlins TTX36 rear shock, Brembo Stylema front brakes and a standard fit quickshifter. The SP version also gains a 5bhp boost and, with short gearing prioritizing acceleration, the buzzing Hornets should both be exciting propositions.
The styling is minimalist and pretty aggressive by Honda standards and although it isn’t packed with tech in the way the aforementioned MT-09 is, it still gains multiple riding modes with varying levels of power, traction control and engine brake settings. The standard machine comes in three colour options (red, white or gray) while the SP comes only in metallic black, contrasted with gold coloured forks and wheels.
Honda’s Hornet range is getting an update in general, with the CB750 Hornet getting a new nose fairing and more aggressively styled LED headlight, along with an updated 5” TFT dashboard and some tweaks to the suspension which are said to contribute to a sportier ride. The Hornet 500, which was introduced last year, remains unchanged. The XL750 Transalp also gets a small redesign, with an Africa Twin style front end and new LED headlamp, with the CL500 gaining a new dashboard and a revised seat and footpegs.
There’s a bigger restyle for the NC750X, one of those strong sellers which always seems to fly under the radar. The popular commuter gets new bodywork, a more comfortable seat and TFT dashboard, with a second disc being added to the front brake set up. The DCT automatic transmission has also been recalibrated, and a new bio paint has been used for some of the new colours.
A new bike in the range, at least in Europe, is the GB350S. Following in the tyre tracks of simple yet popular small bikes like the Royal Enfield HNTR, the GB features an old school 348cc single cylinder engine which is an air-cooled two-valve unit. With just under 21bhp, it’s not likely to be winning any speed records, but it’s where the market’s at for many riders and, priced at £3949, it’s an inexpensive way to get into motorcycling.
The looks are spot on, with three retros colour schemes (grey, black or blue) all looking really classy. We think it could be one of the surprise successes of 2025, with something to offer riders young and old. There are a load of accessories to allow owners to modify the GB to their heart’s content – and it certainly makes a great blank canvas for custom bike projects.
Also providing a strong custom base are the CMX Rebel cruiser range. Both 500 and 1100 models get some modifications for 2025, with more power and some fully loaded special editions for the 1100 – while the A2 friendly 500 gets a new dashboard and some tweaks to the engine tune which are said to make it even easier to ride.
Honda’s best-selling PCX 125 gets some small but important modifications, with a modified braking system seeing a change from drum to disc brakes at the rear, hopefully addressing one the PCX’s few weak spots, while a Deluxe version will also be available. This features a 5” TFT dashboard, which can be paired with Honda’s RoadSync app, and there are also some similarly small updates to Honda’s 350cc scooter range too.
