Honda Hornet 600 - Anyone had one ?

[mitzy]

Marning !

Anyone had one of these, good points, bad points?

Looking to buy one to use for work, general plaything.

[Sossige]

Morning Mitzy, I've got one - what sort of age are you looking at?

Bad points - I can only think of two. At motorway speeds the lack of screen & fairing (I've got the fully naked model) makes for a bit of fun; just not as comfortable as a faired bike but certainly involving. It can be a little thirsty/has a small tank but you'll get around ~110 miles from a tank I would have thought.

The later models have a 17 litres tank as opposed to 16 litres.

Apparently the only weak point is the camshaft rectifier - otherwise they are typical Honda bulletproof. I reckon my Hornet will live longer than I do!

S

[Wyvern971]

How old?

My mate has an older one he uses as his workhorse and is affectionately named his "old stter" (his other bike is a GSX-R 750). He doesn't seem to be having problems with it.

I've got the 07 model, can't fault it really, though it would be nice to have a bit more grunt at times. (and it is a bit heavy with a kerb weight of 203Kg)

[Rich_AR]

I've got one (2002), its a fantastic machine for what it is, very well balanced and easy to ride both fast and slow. Decent power delivery (tad flat around 6k-ish, but anything above 10k and it goes well)

I'm bit of a shorty at 5'7, but feet as flat on the floor.

Bad points, like Soss says, 110-120 to the tank (17L tank), anything above 100 is neck breaking (I have a fly screen too) and camchain tensionor is summit to look out for (though only £50 for a new one)

Apart from that, would defo reconmend one!

Edited by Rich_AR on Tuesday 14th October 10:03

[mitzy]

Thanks chaps

Just started to have a look just getting a feel for prices etc.

Good to hear about hight, I'm only 5 6 so good to know its built for short people!

Will let you know how I get on.

[Sossige]

mitzy said:

Thanks chaps

Just started to have a look just getting a feel for prices etc.

Good to hear about hight, I'm only 5 6 so good to know its built for short people!

Will let you know how I get on.

Hi Mitzy -

I guess you are looking at changing fairly soon?

I'll be selling mine next Spring

S

[ChasMill]

A mate has one and loves it.

The instructors at Rapid Training / Rapid Tracks swear by them.

[mitzy]

Sossige said:

mitzy said:

Thanks chaps

Just started to have a look just getting a feel for prices etc.

Good to hear about hight, I'm only 5 6 so good to know its built for short people!

Will let you know how I get on.

Hi Mitzy -

I guess you are looking at changing fairly soon?

I'll be selling mine next Spring

S

Hi Soss,

Not Changing, keeping the VFR and TZR just looking to buy a hornet as well.

Yeah, looking to buy in the next month or so

[trumpet600]

mitzy said:

Hi Soss,

Not Changing, keeping the VFR and TZR just looking to buy a hornet as well.

Yeah, looking to buy in the next month or so

Which bit of 'my TZR' don't you understand?

[mitzy]

trumpet600 said:

mitzy said:

Hi Soss,

Not Changing, keeping the VFR and TZR just looking to buy a hornet as well.

Yeah, looking to buy in the next month or so

Which bit of 'my TZR' don't you understand?

Chop,chop,get our garage cleared , there's a good boy.

[StevRS]

Chap at work has an 05 plate Hornet. It's rapid!

[Sossige]

mitzy said:

Not Changing, keeping the VFR and TZR just looking to buy a hornet as well.

Nice

Soss

[castrolcraig]

ive got 2 in the workshop here at the minute mitzy..

[hornetrider]

mitzy said:

Marning !

Anyone had one of these, good points, bad points?

Looking to buy one to use for work, general plaything.

Mine has never let me down in 6 odd years of ownership. Brilliant, brilliant bike. Can't think of any bad points. I should sell mine as it just doesn't get used any more 'cos of my Aprilia, but I honestly can't bring myself to do it yet, it's my baby.

There's a little job that needs doing on it and I keep telling myself that as long as it needs doing, I can't put it up for sale

[mitzy]

hornetrider said:

mitzy said:

Marning !

Anyone had one of these, good points, bad points?

Looking to buy one to use for work, general plaything.

Mine has never let me down in 6 odd years of ownership. Brilliant, brilliant bike. Can't think of any bad points. I should sell mine as it just doesn't get used any more 'cos of my Aprilia, but I honestly can't bring myself to do it yet, it's my baby.

There's a little job that needs doing on it and I keep telling myself that as long as it needs doing, I can't put it up for sale

Thanks,

Thats what I like about BB, you can talk to people who actualy have one and use them on a daily basis.

cheers chaps

[hornetrider]

I have a 98 which has carbs and the 16" front wheel. Apparently there is quite a difference in handling between the 16" and 17" models, (I haven't ridden a 17er) with the 16" being sharper on the turn in and more "twitchy" - I call it sharp and responsive. There is still plenty of tire choice available for 16s as well, with Bridgestones and Avons being available amongst others, probably.

I've had the forks sorted with stiffer springs, an aftermarket shock and braided hoses all round. I also put a new cog on the back with 3 extra teeth when I had the new drivetrain fitted just to get a bit more poke but in all honesty you don't need to bother. It may be a bit quicker but its not really noticeable and it just means it revs a bit higher on the motorway. I'd probably change it back next time.

In the last couple of years mine has been left standing for months at a time but always starts on the 1st or 2nd thumb of the starter, absolutely bullet proof. Buy without fear! There is one common fault whereby if its excessively noisy at tickover something could be on the way out, but I'm not sure what it is They all do make a little noise though - until you pull the clutch in.

[mitzy]

hornetrider said:

I have a 98 which has carbs and the 16" front wheel. Apparently there is quite a difference in handling between the 16" and 17" models, (I haven't ridden a 17er) with the 16" being sharper on the turn in and more "twitchy" - I call it sharp and responsive. There is still plenty of tire choice available for 16s as well, with Bridgestones and Avons being available amongst others, probably.

I've had the forks sorted with stiffer springs, an aftermarket shock and braided hoses all round. I also put a new cog on the back with 3 extra teeth when I had the new drivetrain fitted just to get a bit more poke but in all honesty you don't need to bother. It may be a bit quicker but its not really noticeable and it just means it revs a bit higher on the motorway. I'd probably change it back next time.

In the last couple of years mine has been left standing for months at a time but always starts on the 1st or 2nd thumb of the starter, absolutely bullet proof. Buy without fear! There is one common fault whereby if its excessively noisy at tickover something could be on the way out, but I'm not sure what it is They all do make a little noise though - until you pull the clutch in.

So, having 16inch wheels should make it lower for a short a*** like me ?

[hornetrider]

Probably not, it's only 16 at the front! You can get lowering kits if needed though, or cutaway seats. But you'd have to be seriously short legged, I'm 5'9" and have no probs.

[mitzy]

hornetrider said:

Probably not, it's only 16 at the front! You can get lowering kits if needed though, or cutaway seats. But you'd have to be seriously short legged, I'm 5'9" and have no probs.

5ft 6inches so will prob need to go and sit on one.

[robstvr]

Hey, Mitzy. I've got a 2006 - more than happy to take it down to box some time, and you can have a go and see what you think.

I get a spin on the 400, though...