Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
4 min of reading 
4 comments 
With Half the Power of the Original, the New Honda CB 500 Hornet Arrives with Cutting-Edge Technology and Competitive Pricing. Understand the Strategy to Attract a New Generation of Riders.
The Honda shakes up the two-wheeler market with a strategic launch: the new CB 500 Hornet. Replacing the CB 500F, the motorcycle inherits a strong name and arrives with the mission of attracting the “orphans” of the legendary original Hornet. The brand’s bet is not on raw power, but on a balanced package that unites aggressive design, cutting-edge technology, and a calculated price positioning to challenge the competition and create a new category of desire.
Why Did the CB 600F Become a Legend?
Few bikes have reached the iconic status of the Honda CB 600F Hornet. Launched in Brazil in 2004, it became a cultural phenomenon and left a legion of admirers who, a decade after the end of its production, still feel “orphaned”.
The heart of the legend was its 599.3 cc inline four-cylinder engine, an inheritance from the super sport CBR 600. In its last generation, it delivered an impressive 102 hp of power at 12,000 rpm. This performance, combined with the unmistakable sound of the engine, defined an explosive personality and required a sporty riding style. It easily outperformed rivals like the Yamaha XJ6 and the Suzuki Bandit 650.
-
BMW entered 2026 ready to turn the tables with an avalanche of launches that mix new electric vehicles, refreshed SUVs, transitioning sedans, and sports cars, in an offensive that accelerates the Neue Klasse era and could reshape the global premium competition.
-
Honda’s mini car is a hit with a 0.66 turbo engine, selling 198,893 units, leading sales for the 5th consecutive year, featuring Honda SENSING and optional 4×4 traction, with a spacious interior and measuring just 3.39 m in Japan.
-
Modified Chevrolet Camaro with Boeing T50 military turbojet engine surprises with its performance, technology, and stands out at auction.
-
BYD presents the new Great Tang electric vehicle with 7 seats, Blade battery of 130.15 kWh, a range of up to 590 miles CLTC, AWD 585 kW, and 0 to 100 in 3.9 seconds.
Its dominance was absolute. Between 2004 and 2014, Honda sold nearly 50,000 units of the Hornet in Brazil. Today, a decade after its discontinuation, it is still the most sought-after used motorcycle on major online platforms, a testament to its legendary status. The end of its production, due to emissions regulations, created a void in the market that no other model has managed to fill.
Meet the Honda CB 500 Hornet 2025
In light of this scenario, Honda brings back the Hornet name, but with a new proposal. Announced for Brazil in 2025, the CB 500 Hornet replaces the CB 500F. The brand focused on refining an already known package, adding technology and a new visual identity.
The mechanical base is the 471 cc parallel twin-cylinder engine, which now delivers 49.6 hp of power and 4.50 kgf.m of torque. Honda reprogrammed the ECU to enhance the acceleration feel. The big leap, however, is in the technology package.
The new Hornet comes equipped with Honda Selectable Traction Control (HSTC), a safety feature unprecedented in the 500 line. Another novelty is the modern 5-inch color TFT display, which offers smartphone connectivity via the Honda RoadSync app. The “Street Fighter” design follows the new global identity of the Hornet family, with aggressive lines and LED lighting.
A Battle of Generations and Proposals
A direct comparison between the legend and its heir reveals fundamentally different proposals. Putting the two side by side unmasks the idea that the new bike is “more powerful”.
In numbers, the original CB 600F Hornet has almost double the power of the new CB 500 Hornet: 102 hp versus 49.6 hp. The advantage of the new model lies in its slightly lower weight and, primarily, in its much superior technology package.
The riding experience is also opposite. The old Hornet required very high RPMs to deliver its power. The new CB 500 Hornet, with its twin-cylinder engine, offers torque in a more linear manner and at lower RPMs. This makes it a more docile, predictable, and friendly bike for daily use. Honda traded raw performance for a more usable and safer performance.
Price and Competition in 2025
The true test for the new Honda will be in today’s competitive market. With a suggested price of R$ 43,040, the word “aggressive” needs to be analyzed with care. In 2014, the CB 600F cost R$ 31,990, a value that, adjusted for inflation, would exceed R$ 63,000 today. This makes the new CB 500 Hornet substantially more accessible in terms of purchasing power.
Its main rivals are the Kawasaki Z650 (68 hp) and the Yamaha MT-07 (74.8 hp), both with higher suggested prices. Honda strategically positioned its launch: it delivers less power but offers a similar or superior technology package at a visibly lower price. With this strategy, the brand pressures the competition from the bottom, creating a new niche of “accessible premium”.
Is Honda Targeting the Right Pain Point in the Market?
The new CB 500 Hornet was not made for the purist fan of the old CB 600F, who seeks explosive power and the sound of the inline-four. The target of Honda is another: the aspirational motorcyclist.
For this new consumer, the name Hornet represents status and design. The new bike delivers exactly that, but with a modern, technological, and safe packaging. The ideal buyer is one who comes from a smaller bike and seeks their first big upgrade. They value connectivity, safety, and imposing design in a rational way.
Honda does not target the pain of nostalgia. It addresses a more current pain: the desire for a premium and technological motorcycle that is both balanced and accessible. The brand did not resurrect the legend; it used its spirit to crown a new heir, perfectly adapted to reign in today’s market.
Perdoem-me mas com um valor de 43.000,00 eu consigo compra uma semi nova de 1000cc em otimo estado.
Tem tomada USB?
a Hornet 500 não e mais potente que a cb500F
Na vdd e a honda cb500f repaginada a unica coisa q muda é o preco.