For the longest time, commuter motorcycles have been the embodiment of function over form—plain, uninspiring, and built for the sole purpose of getting you from A to B. But lately, something interesting has been happening, particularly in the Asian market.
Manufacturers are realizing that commuters don’t have to be boring. In fact, they can be stylish, fun, and even a little exciting. Just look at what Yamaha did with the MT-15 and XSR155—scaled-down versions of their middleweight streetfighters. Suzuki’s doing it too with the GSX-S150 and GSX-R150, both inspired by their bigger, badder GSX siblings.
And now, Honda’s back in the game with the 2025 Hornet 2.0 in India.
The name ‘Hornet’ carries some serious weight in Honda’s lineup. In Europe, it graces the CB750 Hornet and CB1000 Hornet—both proper middleweight and liter-class streetfighters. While the Hornet 2.0 is nowhere near those in terms of performance, it borrows the same aggressive DNA and brings it down to an accessible, everyday-friendly package. And that’s exactly what makes this bike interesting, especially in the context of countries like India.
At the heart of the Hornet 2.0 sits an 184.40cc single-cylinder, air-cooled engine that now meets the latest OBD-2B emission norms. It pumps out 16.8 horsepower at 8,500 rpm and 15.7 Nm (11.6 pound-feet) of torque at 6,000 rpm. That’s slightly lower than before, but let’s be real—this is still a commuter, not a track weapon or canyon-carving machine. Honda’s known for making bulletproof engines, and this one is no different. It’s paired with a 5-speed gearbox and even gets a slip-and-assist clutch, making those city rides and quick shifts buttery smooth.
The biggest change for 2025 isn’t the engine or the frame—it’s the tech. Honda has loaded the Hornet 2.0 with features that bring it closer to premium naked bikes. It now gets a 4.2-inch TFT display with smartphone connectivity via Bluetooth, Honda’s RoadSync app, turn-by-turn navigation, and SMS alerts. Safety-wise, it’s also got dual-channel ABS and Honda’s Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), a fancy way of saying traction control—something that’s only starting to become popular in this segment.
Mechanically, Honda hasn’t messed with the formula. The Hornet 2.0 still rides on a diamond-type frame, a gold-finished USD fork at the front, and a preload-adjustable monoshock at the rear. Braking duties are handled by a 276mm front and 220mm rear disc setup with dual-channel ABS. It’s light, too, tipping the scales at 142 kg (313 pounds), making it an easy, flickable machine for daily commutes. The 12-liter fuel tank should also provide decent range between fill-ups.
Honda has priced the Hornet 2.0 at Rs 156,953, which translates to roughly $1,895 USD. That’s right, you get a proper, sporty-style naked bike for under $2,000. I’m sure folks in the US would go crazy over a deal like this. Plus, Honda’s built a reputation for making bikes that just work—day in, day out, no fuss. And the Hornet 2.0 fits that mold perfectly.
