Honda UK Motorcycles is delighted to have won 4 awards at the coveted 2025 MCN Awards. Continuing from previous successes in recent years, this latest triumph also includes the highly sought-after, Manufacturer of the Year award. Other awards include two for the CB1000 Hornet SP, Best Naked and Overall Bike of the Year and the GB350S taking the award for the Best A2 Bike.
Commenting on the Manufacturer of the Year award, MCN said:
“Honda Motorcycles have scooped the 2025 MCN Manufacturer of the Year Award after a hugely successful twelve months for the brand.
“Not only has Honda delivered a knockout winner in the naked segment – in the form of the Hornet SP, a machine with superbike DNA and a chassis so agile it redefined what riders expect from a big naked – but also, through a keen value-led approach, have pushed premium performance back into mass-market reach.
“They have done the same at the other end of the market too, with the utterly charming GB350S – a bike that appeals to everyone from new A2 licence holders to TT legends, both young and old. And they’ve stuck a price tag on it that’s too tempting to ignore. In fact, Honda’s pricing across the range is clever, competitive, and clearly focused on stimulating buyers – which is exactly what’s needed right now.
“Honda have also celebrated a staggering milestone this year – the production of their 500 millionth motorcycle. The momentum spilled into racing too, with a return to the TT winners’ enclosure for the first time in a decade, while also ripping up the manual in MotoGP to reinvigorate their fortunes against the dominance of Ducati.
“Honda have lofty goals and ambitions, covering everything from rider safety to environmental responsibility, as well as regaining their place on top of world championship podiums – and we’ve no doubt they can achieve them.
“Honda is a company that puts the needs and desires of motorcyclists first, something that’s patently evident from their comprehensive and thoughtful range of machines – and above all else, this makes them worthy winners of this year’s MCN Manufacturer of the Year award.”
The new CB1000 Hornet SP took two honours – Best Naked and Overall Bike of the Year. The 23YM CB750 brought the evocative Hornet name back to Europe, and generated instant popularity: its combination of taut streetfighter silhouette, exhilarating power and razor-sharp agility made it Europe’s best-selling naked bike in 2023.
For 25YM, the Hornet family grew and Honda’s naked flagship delivers a potent cocktail of intense acceleration and ultra-sharp handling to deliver maximum riding fun from busy city street to twisting mountain road. The performance of the CB1000 Hornet SP is delivered through the formidable CBR1000RR Fireblade-based engine, producing peak power of 115.6kW at 11,000rpm and 107Nm at 9,000rpm and high-end chassis and drivetrain components such as an adjustable Öhlins TTX36 rear shock, standard fit quickshifter, and Brembo Stylema brakes elevate the CB1000 Hornet SP to the next level.
The bike’s styling is pure and aggressive and the minimalistic look hides premium technology in the form of multiple riding modes with different combinations of Power, Engine Braking and Honda Selectable Torque Control, an optically bonded five-inch full colour TFT screen, Honda RoadSync connectivity, and Honda’s Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) as standard.
Reflecting on the two awards, MCN said:
“Honda’s CB1000 Hornet SP has put premium performance back within the reach of the masses, which is one of the reasons why MCN’s judges have awarded it Best Naked of 2025.
“Top-spec components and a stunning chassis, combined with a blistering superbike-derived engine make it a phenomenal motorcycle in its own right. Yet, more than this; what the Hornet SP has done is completely shake up the naked class due to its incredible value for money.
“In that respect, Honda’s CB1000 Hornet SP is a game-changer of a motorcycle, and it’s for that reason, as well as its fun factor and performance, why MCN is proud to also crown it as our Overall Bike of the Year 2025.”
Last but not least, the new GB350S continued Honda’s recent success in this Best A2 Bike category with the CB500X taking the award on multiple occasions in recent years. The GB350S is an accessible A2-friendly motorcycle with a retro charm that pays homage to Honda’s illustrious history. Powered by an evocative air-cooled single-cylinder engine, it has been designed for pure riding pleasure for any experience level, with a combination of timeless looks, affordable price point and modern technology such as 41mm front forks, 310mm front disc brake, slipper clutch, LED lights and Honda Selectable Torque Control.
On winning this award, MCN commented:
“Handsome styling, outstanding quality and a double-take-inducing price, Honda’s GB350S has turned the heads of riders young and old, as well as those of MCN’s judging panel who’ve awarded it this year’s Best A2 Bike.
“A simple, feel-good, air-cooled single that somehow makes 21bhp feel like much, much more, it has enough oomph to zip you down a B-road with a smile on your face, while still being able to keep up with traffic, even on motorways.
“MCN’s judging panel was unanimous in their praise for the GB350S’s charm and build quality, highlighting how it’s lavished with the kind of attention to detail you’d usually only find on bigger and more expensive retros. It’s exactly what an easy-going, lightweight bike should be – a pure joy machine with broad appeal.”
Reflecting on the awards, Andy Mineyko, Head of Motorcycles at Honda UK said, “Motor Cycle News is a leading authority on motorcycles, so we are all absolutely delighted to win these awards. Each and every recognition that we, or our model line-up receives, is a proud moment. For Honda to win the Manufacturer of the Year award, the first time in over ten years is fantastic and is a reflection of the brand and the excellent dealer network that helps deliver the experience and bikes to our customers.
They recognise not only the great work and efforts that starts in Japan and ends up on the UK roads but also reflect our work and commitment outside of building great bikes. We are constantly looking to support the industry across every aspect, from new riders to new models, from racing to groundbreaking technology, all with the customer and network at the front of mind.
To also win pure model related awards for the GB350S and particularly the Bike of the Year for the CB1000 Hornet SP is also hugely satisfying. And to see the sales figures for both bikes this year can only mean many happy customers, which of course, is incredibly important to us, particularly in such competitive sectors!”
