Honda Teases Riders with New Hornet Sketches

Honda is teasing riders further by releasing concept sketches of its resurrected Hornet.

The manufacturer made the announcement at EICMA 2021 and has followed that up with today's reveal of drawings that hint at angles and aggression.

To me, I like softer lines of the old 919 Hornet, but Honda didn't ask me for my opinion, so I'm bestowing it upon you instead. I think perhaps Dart or Razor would have been a more appropriate name.

The sketches are the result of collaboration between Honda's R&D centre in Rome and Japan. They hint at inverted forks, an open concept frame, and underslung exhaust. The Roman designers have played a major role in the style of several recent European Honda models, including the  CRF1100L Africa Twin, CB650R, and X-ADV.

Giovanni Davis, Honda R&D Europe, Italy, is the designer of the new Hornet, which comes on the heels of his successful shaping of the new ADV350. 

He said the new bike is functional and uncomplicated.

“The sketches show how the Hornet design concept promises agility, dynamism and light weight thanks to its slim proportions, pointy tail section and super-sharp lines.It creates a new compactly proportioned look, and has hallmarks of tension and aggression from front to back, outlining the Hornet’s true sporting purpose.”

Where is this bike going to fit into the Honda range? New four-cylinder 750? Parallel twin? And what is its competition? The KTM 890 Duke (this is already known as The Scalpel, so that' seems like an appropriate target, at least when you consider my suggested names.) or Ducati Monster? The Kawasaki Z650 or Z900?

I guess time will tell. Unless you know, then you can tell us.