Honda Hornet 2.0: Same spirit, upgraded sting
The Honda Hornet 2.0 builds on the legacy of its predecessor with sharper looks, upgraded features, and a punchier engine — but is it enough to stand out in Bangladesh’s saturated sports commuter segment?
In the highly competitive sports commuter segment of Bangladesh, which is dominated by the likes of Suzuki, Yamaha and TVS, the Honda CB Hornet 160R managed to stay relevant for years. The Hornet 160R made its debut in the Bangladeshi market on February 16, 2018, introduced by Bangladesh Honda Private Limited (BHL). This street-naked sports bike quickly gained popularity among young riders, thanks to its aggressive styling, muscular fuel tank, and distinctive X-shaped LED tail light.
Now, BHL has finally updated the model with its successor, the Hornet 2.0. For this issue of Wheels, we met Mr Soumen Nandi, who is one of the earliest buyers of this new Hornet as well as a long-time user of the original one.
He is not your typical desk-bound professional. By day, he's a 35-year-old junior officer in the accounts department at Chattogram Diabetic General Hospital. But come the weekend, he trades spreadsheets for speed. Soumen hits the open road, chasing the kind of freedom only a bike can offer.
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His journey with motorcycles began seven years ago, sparked by a suggestion from his brother to try out the original Honda Hornet. It was his entry ticket into the motorbiking lifestyle. Fast forward to today, and Soumen has gotten his hands on the Hornet 2.0, making him an ideal person to speak about the bike.
The Honda Hornet 2.0 runs on a 184.4cc single-cylinder, air-cooled engine that delivers 17.26 PS of power at 8,500 rpm and 16.1 Nm of torque at 6,000 rpm. It's a step up in performance from Soumen's older model, whether he's weaving through city traffic or winding up the hilly roads of Chattogram.
The Honda Hornet 2.0 runs on a 184.4cc single-cylinder, air-cooled engine that delivers 17.26 PS of power at 8,500 rpm and 16.1 Nm of torque at 6,000 rpm. It's a step up in performance from Soumen's older model, providing the kind of responsive throttle and smooth ride he needs, whether he's weaving through city traffic or winding up the hilly roads of Chattogram.
Coupled with a 5-speed gearbox and a slipper clutch, the bike makes shifting feel clean and controlled, even during aggressive downshifts. It tops out around 130 km/h, enough to keep things exciting without sacrificing control.
Built on a diamond-type frame, the Hornet 2.0 is agile but grounded. Its golden USD telescopic forks up front and monoshock rear suspension absorb the bumps of less-than-perfect roads with ease. The braking system includes a 276 mm front disc and 220 mm rear disc, supported by a single-channel ABS.
This is where Soumen has mixed feelings. While the braking setup works well for daily use, he's found the single-channel ABS limiting on sharper curves during his mountain rides. "Dual-channel ABS would make a huge difference in those conditions," he admits.
At 142 kg, the Hornet 2.0 strikes a balance between weight and handling. The 790 mm seat height works well for average-sized riders, and the 167 mm ground clearance helps it handle speed bumps and rough terrain without a hitch.
It's also packed with rider-friendly tech. The all-LED lighting system looks sharp, while the digital LCD cluster shows gear position, battery voltage, and service reminders. Added conveniences like an engine kill switch, hazard lights, and side-stand engine cut-off are new to Honda, and these just make it a better package overall.
In Soumen's experience, the Hornet 2.0's fuel economy is 30-35 km/l in the city and up to 40 km/l on highways, which is decent for its class. However, he's critical of its air-cooled engine. It tends to overheat when pushed hard, he says. A liquid-cooling system, in his view, would make it more resilient on aggressive rides.
Another gripe: the LED headlight looks great but underwhelms in low-light conditions. It's a cosmetic win but a functional drawback for night rides.
Available in finishes like Matte Axis Grey Metallic, Matte Marvel Blue Metallic, Matte Sangria Red Metallic, and Pearl Igneous Black, the Hornet 2.0 isn't the cheapest option in Bangladesh's 180–200cc segment, but it definitely looks the part. For the performance, features, and style it offers however, the Hornet is still worth a try, even at Tk2.89 lakh.
Specifications:
Engine: 184.4cc single-cylinder, air-cooled
Transmission: 5-speed
Power: 17.26 PS of power at 8,500 rpm
Torque: 16.1 Nm of torque at 6,000 rpm
Price: Tk2.89 Lakh
