Well, it took long enough. For years, American riders watched from across the Atlantic as Honda rolled out some of its best bikes—only to keep them locked away in European showrooms. But patience, as they say, is a virtue, and it’s finally paying off.
Three of Honda’s most anticipated motorcycles are heading to the U.S.: the NT1100 sport-tourer, the CB750 Hornet middleweight streetfighter, and the CB1000 Hornet SP. This was rumored before, but now it’s official.
These Hondas Took Too Long to Come Stateside
The Honda NT1100: A Long-Awaited Sport-Touring Star
For a while, Honda had American riders scratching their heads. They announced the NT1100 for the States—not as a sport-tourer for the masses, but as a police bike. That’s right, the rest of the world got a hit touring machine while we got a version meant for flashing lights and sirens. But now, the civilian NT1100 is officially inbound, bringing along its 1,084cc Parallel-Twin from the Africa Twin, standard DCT, and a suite of electronic aids including lean-sensitive ABS and traction control.
Showa suspension at both ends provides nearly six inches of travel, enough to soak up whatever less-than-perfect pavement you encounter on long-haul rides. It’ll roll into dealerships in May with a price tag starting at $11,899, dressed in a handsome Pearl Hawkeye Blue.
Honda CB750 Hornet: The Streetfighter We Should Have Had Sooner
The CB750 Hornet has been buzzing around Europe for a couple of years, leaving American riders wondering when Honda would get around to bringing it stateside. Well, it’s here now, and it’s a wonder what took so long. The same 755cc Parallel-Twin from the Transalp is nestled into a steel diamond frame, delivering a torquey, lively ride.
Honda ditched its Neo Sports Café styling for something sharper and more aggressive—think of it as the sleek urban predator to the CB650R’s retro charm. With a Showa SFF-BP inverted fork and dual Nissin radial-mount front calipers, the CB750 Hornet is built to carve city streets and backroad twisties alike. It arrives in Matte Black Metallic or Matte Pearl White, starting at $7,999, and lands in dealerships in May.
Honda CB1000 Hornet SP: The Big Hornet Arrives
Finally, Honda brings the CB1000 Hornet SP to the U.S. The liter-sized naked borrows its heart from the 2017 CBR1000RR but tuned for low- and mid-range grunt instead of high-revving track antics. It’s the muscle-bound bruiser of the Hornet family, wrapped in a sleek, minimalist design.
And because Honda knew American riders would want the good stuff, we’re getting the SP version. That means fully adjustable Showa SFF-BP forks up front, an Öhlins TTX36 rear shock, and Brembo Stylema four-piston radial calipers—top-shelf kit for a streetfighter of this caliber. At $10,999, the CB1000 Hornet SP lands in April, dressed in a mean-looking Matte Black Metallic.
Final Thoughts About These Bikes
Honda may have taken its time, but these three machines make up for the wait.
The NT1100 is the long-distance sport-tourer many have been craving, the CB750 Hornet finally gives middleweight riders a fresh alternative, and the CB1000 Hornet SP is a liter-class beast with premium hardware.
Now, the real question: which one are you riding home?
Source: Motorcycle.com, Honda
