2026 Honda CB750 Review

Most motorcycles are fun to ride.

Being open to the elements with an engine between your legs and the road rushing by beneath your feet provides an invigorating experience no matter the bike’s weight or performance credentials. Reminiscing on a busy summer of reviews and travel on two wheels, the 2026 Honda CB750 stood out from the rest as being the most fun motorcycle I rode. It’s light weight, agile handling, and enthusiastic throttle had me giggling with the exuberance of a child at a trampoline park.

Bang For Your Buck

The goldilocks metaphor has been done to death, but the reality is that the CB750 is nestled comfortably between the CB500F and CB1000SP in size, price, and performance. The 471-cc CB500F makes 47 hp and 32 lb-ft of torque and weighs in at 188 kg (414 lb) for a paltry $9,175. The 211-kg (465-lb) CB1000SP ups the ante with a 998-cc inline four-cylinder that dramatically boosts performance to 155 hp and 78.9 lb-ft of torque. It also gets bigger, better Brembo brakes, and a serious Showa/Ohlins suspension setup, but all that performance comes with a price tag of $19,125. It’s worth the cost of admission, but more than some might be willing to spend. 

The CB750 strikes a balance as an accessible and approachable motorcycle for newbies, but experienced riders certainly won’t tire of it quickly. Weighing in at 192 kg (422 lb), the naked middleweight’s 755-cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine splits the difference by making 90.5 hp and 55.3 lb-ft of torque. It also rings in the register at an approachable price of $11,125. That’s more than rivals like the Kawasaki Z650 S ($9,499) or the Suzuki GSX-8S ($11,049), but slightly less than the Yamaha MT-07’s MSRP of $11,399 and Triumph’s recently announced Trident 800 that offers more displacement and features like lean-sensitive ABS and traction control for $11,695.

A Styling Departure

Honda has a reputation for moving the needle in big ways, and it isn’t hyperbole to say that the 1969 CB750 revolutionized the motorcycle industry. Credited as being the first superbike, its stunning looks and modern sophisticated features like an electric starter, front disc brake, and a reliable inline four-cylinder engine made the CB the bike on every rider’s wishlist. Its popularity hasn’t waned, as it is still a widely popular choice for those looking to restore or customize.

While the new model embodies the same attributes that made the original so popular and enjoyable to ride, its modern minimalist styling is a bold departure that looks to the future rather than the past. Models in the 1970s featured rich, flaked paint treatments in vibrant colours like Ruby Red, Candy Bacchus Olive, Sunrise Orange, Sulfur Yellow, and Brier Brown. Paraphrasing what Henry Ford once said of the iconic monochrome Model T, for 2025 you could have the CB750 in any colour you like, as long as it was Mat Ballistic Black Metallic. Honda has added Wolf Silver, Goldfinch Yellow, and Mat Jeans Blue to the palette for 2026.

Simple Shifting

This year also ushers in the option of E-Clutch for the CB750. Previously offered on the Rebel series, Honda’s second-generation electronic shift assist system is designed to make the lineup more accessible to those who may find a traditional clutch challenging or intimidating.

My week with the CB included a mix of highway stretches, urban errands, and backroad riding. Steering feels light but very precise, the riding position is neutral, suspension is nicely balanced for mixed use, and controls are all located in predictable places. The seat is comfortable enough for the stretches you’d likely be spending in the saddle on this kind of bike due to the size of the tank and lack of wind protection, but modifications would need to be made if you plan to start doing long road trips rather than using it for commuting duty and weekend canyon carving. 

The CB750 may offer a bi-directional quickshifter on its six-speed gearbox, as well as ABS, multi-level traction control, wheelie control, and selectable ride modes, but it strangely doesn’t come with cruise control and has a smaller fuel tank than both its 500- and 1,000-cc siblings. It is also lacking the inertia-based traction and cornering controls offered by its premium rivals.

The five-inch display prominently shows speed, revs, fuel level, time, ambient temperature, and gear selection, but any other information or features you wish to access or adjust will have to be done at a complete stop, possibly with eyes squinted. It does offer the modern convenience smartphone connectivity, but the layout, controls, and integration of technology on the screen is finicky and unintuitive — marking a huge, mystifying oversight for Honda, which is normally very much on the ball when it comes to precision engineering.

The Verdict

The 2026 Honda CB750 is competitively positioned and priced amongst its rivals. Its lively chassis, light steering, and peppy throttle make it more fun to ride than a barrel of monkeys, which makes you mostly forget about how aggravating it is to make any adjustments using the display screen. Mostly.

Whether spending its time as a daily commuter or weekend warrior, the CB750 strikes a keen balance between performance and price within the CB lineup. It makes a compelling case to be on your list of middleweight naked bikes to cross-shop.