Honda CB500 Hornet vs. KTM 390 Duke

The KTM 390 Duke presents itself as a cheeky and wild daredevil. It impresses with a technical firework that is unparalleled in this class. The lean-angle sensitive traction control and extensive electronic features set the KTM apart from the competition. Its engine runs rougher and more aggressive, which particularly appeals to those riders looking for a playful and dynamic machine. The lower weight further enhances this impression, as the 390 Duke carves up some twisties with lightning speed and conveys a very lively riding feel. However, it might seem a bit nervous for more cautious riders.

Honda CB500 Hornet The Sovereign All-Rounder

The Honda CB500 Hornet, on the other hand, presents itself as a cool and sovereign bike, appearing significantly cooler than older CB500 models. The Hornet's engine impresses with a flawless run across a wide RPM range and offers pleasant engine performance in all situations. This bike feels comfortable in any riding situation and conveys a sense of stability and accessibility. Despite its higher weight, the Hornet does not feel sluggish and also shows agility, though not quite as playful as the KTM.

Riding Feel and Handling

The KTM 390 Duke is the machine for adrenaline junkies and former supermoto or enduro riders who love the aggressive riding style. It prefers an upright seating position and is extremely dynamic in corners. The Honda CB500 Hornet, on the other hand, offers a balanced and relaxed riding experience without losing sportiness. It is the perfect bike for riders looking for a full-sized machine with a pleasant overall design.

The Honda CB500 Hornet impresses with its parallel-twin engine, praised for its smoothness and consistent power delivery. With 48 hp, it slightly outperforms the KTM 390 Duke, which extracts 45 hp from its single-cylinder engine. In practice, the Hornet is particularly pleasant to ride in the low and mid-range rpm. The throttle response is described as smooth and precise, which is especially beneficial for beginners.

The KTM 390 Duke, on the other hand, presents itself as a lively character. Its single-cylinder engine is described as revvy, but with a rather narrow usable rpm range. Some testers find the engine setup not optimal, resulting in somewhat uneven power delivery.

In our rating table, the Honda scores significantly better in "Engine Comfort and Modulation" with 3.55 compared to the KTM's 9.09. The Hornet also leads in torque (Honda: 5.64, KTM: 8.91) and engine performance (Honda: 6.00, KTM: 8.18). These numbers underscore the testers' statements that describe the Honda as more balanced and easier to handle.

Which bike is suitable for which rider in terms of the engine? If you're a beginner looking for a gentle, predictable engine character, the Honda CB500 Hornet is the better choice. More experienced riders or those who prefer a sportier, more exciting character might be happier with the KTM 390 Duke.

Chassis and Handling:

The Honda CB500 Hornet is praised for its stable and comfortable chassis. Testers describe it as balanced and forgiving, which is especially appreciated on longer rides and various road conditions. The Hornet conveys a secure riding feeling and remains stable even at higher speeds.

The KTM 390 Duke presents itself as the more agile and sporty bike. Its chassis is described as firm but precise. The low weight of only 162 kg (compared to the Honda's 190.5 kg) is particularly noticeable in tight corners and quick direction changes.

This difference is clearly reflected in the rating table: In handling, the KTM scores 4.00, well ahead of the Honda's 5.82. However, the Honda scores better in stability with 5.45 compared to the KTM's 8.91.

Which bike is suitable for which rider in terms of the chassis? If you mainly ride in the city and are looking for an agile, easy-to-maneuver bike, the KTM 390 Duke might be the better choice. For riders who also cover longer distances and prefer a more balanced ride, the Honda CB500 Hornet offers more comfort and stability.

Ergonomics and Comfort:

The Honda CB500 Hornet is praised for its comfortable seating position. Testers describe it as upright and relaxed, which is especially appreciated on longer rides. Even taller riders find a comfortable position on the Hornet.

Opinions are divided on the KTM 390 Duke. Some testers describe the seating position as compact and sporty, which is particularly suitable for shorter riders. Others find the position, especially the knee angle, somewhat uncomfortable for longer distances.

This is reflected in the rating table: In ergonomics, the Honda scores 6.09 ahead of the KTM's 7.18. The Honda's seat is also rated better with 4.64 compared to the KTM's 8.64.

Which bike is suitable for which rider in terms of ergonomics? If you frequently cover longer distances or prefer a more comfortable seating position, the Honda CB500 Hornet is the better choice. For sportier riders or those who prefer a more compact seating position, the KTM 390 Duke might be more suitable.

Electronics and Features:

Here, the KTM 390 Duke shows its strengths. It comes with extensive electronic features, including an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), lean-angle-sensitive traction control, and cornering ABS. A quickshifter is also included.

The Honda CB500 Hornet offers more conventional features with traction control and ABS. A quickshifter is not available.

This difference is clearly reflected in the rating table: In traction control regulation, the KTM scores 4.88 ahead of the Honda's 7.00. The KTM also scores better in traction control settings with 4.83 compared to the Honda's 6.83.

Which bike is suitable for which rider in terms of electronics? If you value the latest electronics and a variety of settings, the KTM 390 Duke is clearly advantageous. For riders who prefer it simple and straightforward, the Honda CB500 Hornet offers solid basic features.

Conclusion and Recommendation:

Both bikes, the Honda CB500 Hornet and the KTM 390 Duke, are excellent entry-level models that set different priorities.

The Honda CB500 Hornet is recommended for beginners and returnees who value a gentle, predictable engine character, high comfort, and stability. It is the ideal choice for longer distances and tours, offers balanced performance, and is excellent for everyday use. With its high-quality build and mature overall concept, it is a reliable companion for many years.

The KTM 390 Duke is the perfect choice for sporty riders looking for an agile, lightweight bike. It offers an exciting riding experience, the latest electronics, and is particularly well-suited for twisty country roads or spirited riding. Its compact size and low weight make it ideal for shorter riders or those looking for a particularly nimble bike.

In the overall ranking, the Honda CB500 Hornet achieves a better average placement of 5.83 compared to the KTM 390 Duke's 6.63. This underscores the more balanced overall performance of the Honda, while the KTM excels in individual categories. Ultimately, the choice between these two bikes depends on your personal preferences and intended use. Both offer excellent value for money and are outstanding entry options in the world of naked bikes. Both bikes have also proven themselves in tests compared to more expensive and powerful motorcycles. They offer a lot of riding pleasure at a reasonable price.

No matter which bike you choose, both the Honda CB500 Hornet and the KTM 390 Duke will bring you a lot of joy and are ideal companions on your way to becoming an experienced rider. We recommend test riding both bikes to feel for yourself which one suits you and your riding style better. In the end, it's not just about the technology, but especially the feeling and fun you experience on the bike.

The Helmets at the 1000PS Naked Bike Test

Keeping a cool head during this test was ensured by the HJC RPHA 71 Carbon. The helmet impressed the 1000PS crew with its pleasantly neutral aerodynamics, which also provide fatigue-free riding on longer routes. Additionally, the effective ventilation performance and reliable heat dissipation on hot days are noteworthy. The carbon model not only looks super classy but is also noticeably lighter than the base version of the RPHA 71. The visor mechanism with an additional sun visor works flawlessly. The fit is comfortable, covering a wide range of sizes within the 1000PS editorial team - all our editors felt comfortable! We highly recommend it.

https://hjchelmets.eu/products/rpha-71-carbon-solid

Our Motorcycle Clothing at the Naked Bike Test 2024

For this test, we were equipped by our clothing partner IXS with products from the current Sport Collection. Our 1000PS editorial team has trusted the Swiss brand for more than 10 years. Besides the quality of workmanship, we appreciate that IXS always uses high-quality materials and excellent fit. Even editors who do not conform to standard body shapes find a well-fitting outfit thanks to the availability of long and short sizes. With advanced features like airbag systems and electronically controlled membranes, they aim to offer maximum safety and comfort. We love it!

https://ixs.com/moto-sports-2024

The 1000PS Crew at the Naked Bike Test 2024

• Video, Photo: https://www.instagram.com/motocinematica/
• Video, Photo: https://www.instagram.com/jakob.schabsi/
• Video, Photo: https://www.instagram.com/patbpixx/
• Editor: https://www.instagram.com/christophorvath/
• Test Rider: https://www.instagram.com/mbbikeperformance/
• Test Rider and YouTube English Moderator: https://www.instagram.com/adamchadchild/
• Test Rider and YouTube Poland Moderator: https://www.instagram.com/marek.piechula/
• Test Rider: https://www.instagram.com/named.aj/
• Test Rider: https://www.instagram.com/turboschaaf/
• YouTube Italy Moderator: https://www.instagram.com/weeeslyy/
• Test Rider: https://www.instagram.com/kurtrubik/
• Test Rider: https://www.instagram.com/ewaldbaumgartnerfahrtechnik/
• Test Rider and German Video Moderator: http://zonko.at/
• Producer, Moderator, and Test Rider: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nils-mueller-doget-1000ps/
• Editor: Martin "Vauli" Vielhaber: More reports from Vauli

Our Partner at the Naked Bike Test 2024

• Motorcycle Care: https://motorex.com/de-at/moto-line--5616
• Less luggage, no stink! 1000PS trusts Bamigo

Our Test Routes - Region Bucklige Welt

Riding in the Bucklige Welt offers an exceptionally charming experience, highlighted by the picturesque landscape of this region in Lower Austria. Characterized by gentle hills, expansive meadows, and idyllic small villages, the Bucklige Welt provides the perfect terrain for motorcycle enthusiasts who seek both the beauty of nature and the thrill of twisty roads. The varied routes lead through forested areas and past historical landmarks, making each tour a journey through the culture and history of the land. Riding is especially delightful in the spring and autumn months when the landscape is bathed in a spectacular array of colors, invigorating the senses and leaving unforgettable impressions. This makes the Bucklige Welt a hidden gem for bikers who seek authenticity and originality.

1000PS Naked Bike Test 2024 - The Scoring

In the test, we rode a total of 10 motorcycles in a direct comparison, with the motorcycles being in different displacement classes. Nevertheless, we evaluated the motorcycles with the same rating scheme. The categories in the test protocol include aspects such as engine comfort and modulation, engine revviness, pulling power, engine performance, gearbox, quickshifter, clutch, traction control regulation, traction control adjustability, quality of switches, and logic of controls. Additionally, aspects such as stability, handling, precision, suspension quality and adjustment range, brakes, modulation, and effectiveness were evaluated. Each test rider gave their individual rating, which was then averaged for each category and finally led to an overall rating. The best motorcycle in each category was rated "1", the worst motorcycle in the category "10". For our readers, these tables are interesting for two reasons. On the one hand, they can see in which areas individual motorcycles are above average and in which areas they are below average - always considering that the price and displacement classes are very different. On the other hand, all reports and results can be clicked through here, allowing readers to directly compare their favorites - regardless of price and displacement class.