Honda CB1000 Hornet SP vs Kawasaki Z900 vs Suzuki Katana vs BMW S 1000 R: Battle Of The Super Nakeds

Honda has been on a launch spree in 2025 and launched its flagship naked motorcycle, the CB1000 Hornet SP, in India. The bike looks quite good, produces decent levels of power, and has a long list of features to boast about, especially considering the price tag it comes with. But does the Honda bike have what it takes to overcome its rivals, such as the famed Kawasaki Z900, the Suzuki Katana and the BMW S 1000 R on paper? Let’s have a deep dive into what each bike offers and how they stand against each other. 

The Most Powerful Is…

On paper, the BMW S 1000 R is the most powerful bike of the bunch. Its 999cc inline-four engine makes 165PS and 114Nm, and is also the lightest of the four at 199kg kerb. The next most powerful bike is the Honda CB1000 Hornet SP, which is powered by a 1000cc inline-four engine that churns out 157PS and 107Nm and weighs in at 212kg kerb. 

The Hornet is followed up by the Suzuki Katana, which gets a 999cc inline-four engine that makes 152PS and 106Nm with a kerb weight of 217kg. The Kawasaki Z900, at a kerb weight of 212kg, has the smallest engine capacity of the four bikes, a 948cc inline-four engine making 125PS and 98.6Nm. 

On paper, the BMW S 1000 R is the most powerful bike of the lot. Also, being the only bike which has a kerb weight below 200kg, adds brownie points in its favour. 

The Most Beautiful Bike Is…

Looks are subjective. We ran a poll in our office, and the consensus is that the best-looking bike of the lot is the BMW S 1000 R. The reason is its sharp tank extension, slim tail-end, and the oval headlight, all of which come together quite well. 

Coming in second, we have the Suzuki Katana with the semi-fairing, the large, boxy headlight and the large-looking fuel tank. It is also the only bike which retains the looks and the colour schemes of its predecessor, making it a very attractive proposition. 

In third place is the Honda CB1000 Hornet SP with its split-LED headlight, sharp lines, and aggressive styling. While in the last spot is the Kawasaki Z900. Sure, it is quite bulky and gives you that big-bike feel, but the design is too old now and very in-your-face. 

Which Gets The Best Hardware?

The Honda CB1000 Hornet SP gets a Showa fork, which is adjustable for compression, preload and rebound. The rear has a link-type Ohlins monoshock which according to Honda, “automatically adjusts preload”, and is fully adjustable for compression and rebound. On the Kawasaki, it gets an inverted telescopic fork and a link-type monoshock, both of which are adjustable for rebound, damping and preload. 

On the Suzuki Katana, the fork is adjustable for damping, rebound, compression and preload. At the rear, it gets a link-type monoshock as well, which is adjustable for preload and rebound. When it comes to the BMW, the S 1000 R gets a preload, rebound and compression adjustable fork, while at the rear, the S 1000 R gets a damping, rebound, compression and preload adjustable monoshock. 

All the motorcycles get adjustable suspension at both ends, but on paper, it is the Suzuki which offers the most adjustability at the front and the BMW at the rear. 

It is the BMW which has the best stopping power on paper. It gets the largest disc brakes on the front, and when coupled with its light kerb weight, the German outshines its Japanese rivals. 

The Most Feature-Rich Is…

The CB1000 Hornet SP gets a 5-inch TFT console which supports smartphone connectivity via Honda’s RoadSync Duo mobile application. It gets 5 riding modes: Standard, Sport, Rain and two user modes, which can be customized. Rider aids include dual-channel ABS and switchable traction control with three levels of adjustability. 

The Kawasaki Z900 gets a TFT console which supports smartphone connectivity and gets four riding modes: Sport, Road, Rain and a manual setting which allows the user to customize the settings. The bike also comes with three levels of traction control, three levels of power modes, which modulate the throttle response and power output of the bike. 

The BMW S 1000 R comes with a 6.5-inch TFT console which supports smartphone connectivity and gets three riding modes: Rain, Road and Dynamic. It gets cornering ABS and traction control as standard. But the BMW has the option of getting the additional Riding Modes Pro package, which unlocks tons of more features such as engine braking control, wheelie control, fully adjustable riding mode and more. 

It is the Suzuki which gives the Katana the least amount of features. The bike still comes with a colour LCD console. Sure, it gets three riding modes: A, B and C, and five levels of traction control, but the Katana lacks smartphone connectivity and the large number of electronics which the other motorcycles get. 

In terms of sheer electronics, it is the BMW which leaves everyone in the dust, and if you get the optional package, the S 1000 R is the bike with the most number of rider aids. 

How Deep Are Your Pockets?

Being the smallest bike in terms of engine capacity and due to immense localisation, it is the Kawasaki Z900 which is the most affordable at Rs 9,38,000. The next most affordable bike is the Honda CB1000 Hornet SP at Rs 12,35,900, followed by the Suzuki Katana that costs Rs 13,61,000. The most expensive is the BMW S 1000 R, which starts from Rs 19,00,000 and goes up to Rs 23,30,000 for the Pro M Sport variant. All prices ex-showroom, Delhi. 

ZigSays

It has never been a better day if you are in the market for a litre-class naked motorcycle in India. Customers are now spoiled for choices, which start from under Rs 10 lakh. In terms of sheer value for money, there is nothing even in 2025 which can defeat the Kawasaki Z900. Sure, it's not a litre-class naked motorcycle, but it comes close with the immense power it delivers with its 948cc engine. But if you want a proper 1000cc naked bike, it is the Honda which is the most affordable in the country. With such an attractive price tag, the amount of power it makes and the features it comes with, the Honda is the motorcycle you should consider.

However, if you want a unique bike and don't care much about the features, the Suzuki Katana is right up your alley with its drop-dead gorgeous looks. And if you have enough cash to spend, want the latest and the greatest tech you can find on a motorcycle, it is the BMW which will tick all your boxes and more for what you would want in a litre-class naked motorcycle.