Honda CB Hornet 160R review, test ride

The Honda CB Hornet 160R has a 162.71cc, air-cooled, four-stroke engine, good for 15.7bhp at 8,500rpm. This is in essence the same unit as found on the Honda CB Unicorn 160, but tuned for improved power delivery and quicker performance. Torque output is good too, 1.5kgm output at 6,500rpm. And yes, it importantly feels peppier than the Unicorn’s 162.71cc powerplant on the road, with a marked improvement in low end acceleration. The engine is very smooth and refined, as expected from a Honda, and there’s a wide powerband with good mid rev-range power.

Likewise, the CB Hornet 160R gearbox is a five-speed unit, that shifts with a butter smooth feel, each gear slotting in effortlessly. Even the clutch feels light, with just the right progression. And although we rode the CB Hornet 160R mainly on empty, traffic free roads, riding in traffic is bound to be a pleasant experience as well.

The CB Hornet 160R comes with a fairly upright riding position, that leans riders forward in a slightly forward biased stance. The footpegs have been pulled back to give riders a little bit of a sporty stance. Handling is confidence inspiring, while the chassis inspires plenty of confidence in corner. The CB Hornet 160R front suspension is telescopic forks, and the rear has a monoshock, mounted on a box-section swingarm. These are both well tuned, and kept me well isolated from all rough road patches, to deliver good ride quality.