Nobody Saw Japan’s New Honda Coming — Now It Undercuts BMW, Ducati & KTM

A Fireblade-derived engine, serious streetfighter performance, and a price that makes European rivals harder to justify. Honda’s CB1000 Hornet brings liter-class excitement into a surprisingly affordable package, undercutting the BMW S 1000 R, Ducati Streetfighter V2, and KTM 990 Duke in the British prices compared in this video. Join me as I explore how Honda built this combination of power, technology, and value. I examine its four-cylinder engine, explain the chassis and riding modes, and reveal what changes when you upgrade to the SP, with its Öhlins rear shock, Brembo front brakes, and standard quickshifter. I also compare the different approaches taken by BMW, Ducati, and KTM, from engine character to electronic rider aids. Where does Honda save money, which features do its rivals offer, and how much of that difference matters on an everyday ride? Beyond the specifications, I explore the compromises and ownership considerations behind the attractive price.