Discussion
This style, to be exact.
During a trip to the Honda Dealership for an unrelated matter, I expressed an interest in the new Hornet - big mistake.
I rode one today, and its an animal. The engine in it is an absolute screamer - a 'detuned' CBR600RR motor in it. The detuned part is deliberately in parentheses, as 101 bhp is not exactly detuned now is it
The induction howl at 5k RPM is fantastic, but pales into comparison of the scream as you approach 9-10k RPM. With an aftermarket exhaust I bet only God clearing his throat will be any louder.
However, at the same time as being ridiculously rapid, it is as confidence inspiring as all Honda's I have ridden are. Pace available at the slightest twist of the throttle, but it doesn't bite your head off - it is simply an unrelenting rush through the rev range. Bumpy ground it is planted, responsive, and stable. Soo much feedback through the bars, but I suppose that is to be expected as that feels where most of your weight is. Longer journeys will be an absolute pig, but it is such a hoot in a straight line, that it fades away its lack of ergonomics. Oh, and being a Honda, its going to be reliable
I'm now smitten, and to make matters worse, insurance is affordable (<1k). Why oh why did I have to open my mouth. Watch this space, it may be filled with a new Hornet rather soon
Oh, the one in the pic is the current model, which only started the end of last year/beginning of this year, and is meant to be 10 times better than the outgoing model. I fear I may abandon my principles of wanting someone else to handle the depreciation and stomach the cost myself.
Anyone on here got one, and want to dissuade me?
During a trip to the Honda Dealership for an unrelated matter, I expressed an interest in the new Hornet - big mistake.
I rode one today, and its an animal. The engine in it is an absolute screamer - a 'detuned' CBR600RR motor in it. The detuned part is deliberately in parentheses, as 101 bhp is not exactly detuned now is it
The induction howl at 5k RPM is fantastic, but pales into comparison of the scream as you approach 9-10k RPM. With an aftermarket exhaust I bet only God clearing his throat will be any louder.However, at the same time as being ridiculously rapid, it is as confidence inspiring as all Honda's I have ridden are. Pace available at the slightest twist of the throttle, but it doesn't bite your head off - it is simply an unrelenting rush through the rev range. Bumpy ground it is planted, responsive, and stable. Soo much feedback through the bars, but I suppose that is to be expected as that feels where most of your weight is. Longer journeys will be an absolute pig, but it is such a hoot in a straight line, that it fades away its lack of ergonomics. Oh, and being a Honda, its going to be reliable
I'm now smitten, and to make matters worse, insurance is affordable (<1k). Why oh why did I have to open my mouth. Watch this space, it may be filled with a new Hornet rather soon
Oh, the one in the pic is the current model, which only started the end of last year/beginning of this year, and is meant to be 10 times better than the outgoing model. I fear I may abandon my principles of wanting someone else to handle the depreciation and stomach the cost myself.
Anyone on here got one, and want to dissuade me?
Hmm, this was something I did think about on the ride home, as I was able, on the test ride, to use most of the acceleration.
I also thought, however, that the step from 15bhp to 101 would be a good start, and then perhaps change in a year or twos time. How long did it take for people to get bored of their Hornet? And would they have said the same of the supersport 600s? RR/R6/ZX6R? My other thought was that it was ballistic enough
My issue is whilst insurance is possible on a sports bike, being 20, even with 3 years ncb, the insurance prices are rather steep. The other thing is I've been content with 15bhp ridden well for coming up to 3 years, and its only really now I'm getting the urge to change (more riding on NSL roads, rather than my previous 30-40mph bias).
I also thought, however, that the step from 15bhp to 101 would be a good start, and then perhaps change in a year or twos time. How long did it take for people to get bored of their Hornet? And would they have said the same of the supersport 600s? RR/R6/ZX6R? My other thought was that it was ballistic enough
My issue is whilst insurance is possible on a sports bike, being 20, even with 3 years ncb, the insurance prices are rather steep. The other thing is I've been content with 15bhp ridden well for coming up to 3 years, and its only really now I'm getting the urge to change (more riding on NSL roads, rather than my previous 30-40mph bias).
I only passed in January so have no huge worldly Sage advice for you but after riding my 1200 Bandit for 4 month and having numerous rides on a mates 600 Bandit the 6 takes so much work to get anything positive out of it.
Yes a 6 will beat almost all cars at the lights etc. But touring/making progress on a nice twisty your through the box all the time yet on the 12 the torque is there when you need or want it so won't be up and down the box.
The Sports 600s are a diferent kettle of Fish in that they're desugned for balls out riding and you'll love that if your wanting to hoon around everywhere.
Yes a 6 will beat almost all cars at the lights etc. But touring/making progress on a nice twisty your through the box all the time yet on the 12 the torque is there when you need or want it so won't be up and down the box.
The Sports 600s are a diferent kettle of Fish in that they're desugned for balls out riding and you'll love that if your wanting to hoon around everywhere.
Hmmm, not sure how much i agree with the above. Sossige, I've had a 2006 Hornet 600 for over a year now, and in that time i have put 16,500 miles on it, from new. That has been hooning, commuting, and on a 3,000 mile plus tour of France, Italy, Switzerland. It is a great bike for all these pursuits. Comfy, quick, responsive and Reliable, with a big 'R'. I've yet to bore of the thing, and it shares my garage with a Daytona 675! The Hornet get used in all but the best of weathers, and will continue to be used and abused until it falls to bits, which will likely be after i do. I've not even had to top up the oil. One new year tyre, that's it. It! Oh, and some chain lube. And petrol. And a wash, sometimes, when it rains.
The suspension is sorted the way it is, perhaps a bit soft for balls out stuff, but i've only ever had to add to rear pre-load (not that you can do much else). The engine is a pure hoot. Yes, you do need to use the gears when zipping about town, but just try 9000 revs in 3rd or 4th. Yahooooo... I'm doubting that anyone used to 15 bhp was using 9 - 10 - 11K revs on a test ride too much (no offence previous poster) as it get a bit...exciting...up there.
In fact, i often hear that new riders bore of bikes within months, and i've never understood it. As well as being expensive to change bike (generally) if you are a new rider, can you really learn so quick that you have mastered one bike in 3 months? I was still mainly concentrating on not killing myself at that point, not on trying to wring the neck of my bike. Each to their own, though.
So, nope. Hornet: Not boring. Yes, after some time you will pander for more oomph/exclusivity/challenge/rush/fear/terror, but if you're like me, you'll love your Hornie so much you'll not be able to part ways quite so easily. We didn't, when the D675 came along, and for that I'm glad.
Tuppence, tuppence.
The suspension is sorted the way it is, perhaps a bit soft for balls out stuff, but i've only ever had to add to rear pre-load (not that you can do much else). The engine is a pure hoot. Yes, you do need to use the gears when zipping about town, but just try 9000 revs in 3rd or 4th. Yahooooo... I'm doubting that anyone used to 15 bhp was using 9 - 10 - 11K revs on a test ride too much (no offence previous poster) as it get a bit...exciting...up there.
In fact, i often hear that new riders bore of bikes within months, and i've never understood it. As well as being expensive to change bike (generally) if you are a new rider, can you really learn so quick that you have mastered one bike in 3 months? I was still mainly concentrating on not killing myself at that point, not on trying to wring the neck of my bike. Each to their own, though.
So, nope. Hornet: Not boring. Yes, after some time you will pander for more oomph/exclusivity/challenge/rush/fear/terror, but if you're like me, you'll love your Hornie so much you'll not be able to part ways quite so easily. We didn't, when the D675 came along, and for that I'm glad.
Tuppence, tuppence.
Righto I've got one (currently being repaired by the insurance company after getting knocked off it).
It's not a bad begginers bike, but after a while (about a year) I've found I'm hitting the rev limiter too fast. By that I mean when riding spiritedly the wind noise has long since drowned out the engine noise and I keep hitting the rev limiter as the gearing seems to be rather short (1st gear is about 62mph 2nd is 80 something, 3rd 90 something)
I'm looking at stepping up to a larger bike, but that will have to wait until funds permit.
The positives;
Brilliant "learner" bike
Confidence inspiring
A bit of poke lower down
Upright, good for commuting
The negatives;
Gets a bit boring after a while
Wind - when you're in triple figures you know you are, riding a faired bike after makes you realise how much of a difference it makes
Wind noise - Hand in hand with the last point, it is noisy and earplugs are a must for any sort of high speed for longer distances.
The choice is down to you, but the depreciation is quite a big hit. Especially as you may want to change it within a year or two.
I'm looking at getting a sports bike next, but will be keeping the Hornet as a commuter as I'm buggered if I'm going to commute on a sports bike.
It's not a bad begginers bike, but after a while (about a year) I've found I'm hitting the rev limiter too fast. By that I mean when riding spiritedly the wind noise has long since drowned out the engine noise and I keep hitting the rev limiter as the gearing seems to be rather short (1st gear is about 62mph 2nd is 80 something, 3rd 90 something)
I'm looking at stepping up to a larger bike, but that will have to wait until funds permit.
The positives;
Brilliant "learner" bike
Confidence inspiring
A bit of poke lower down
Upright, good for commuting
The negatives;
Gets a bit boring after a while
Wind - when you're in triple figures you know you are, riding a faired bike after makes you realise how much of a difference it makes
Wind noise - Hand in hand with the last point, it is noisy and earplugs are a must for any sort of high speed for longer distances.
The choice is down to you, but the depreciation is quite a big hit. Especially as you may want to change it within a year or two.
I'm looking at getting a sports bike next, but will be keeping the Hornet as a commuter as I'm buggered if I'm going to commute on a sports bike.
robstvr said:
Yes, you do need to use the gears when zipping about town, but just try 9000 revs in 3rd or 4th. Yahooooo... I'm doubting that anyone used to 15 bhp was using 9 - 10 - 11K revs on a test ride too much (no offence previous poster) as it get a bit...exciting...up there.
No offence taken, only got up there for a very short time on a straight piece of road, with a guy from the Honda garage about 3 seconds ahead of me doing a similar speed. Whilst I may be used to riding a 15bhp bike day to day, that isn't the full story What I found with the Hornet though was it was so confidence inspiring, and as such it didn't feel like it was about to try and kick you off I'm guessing you have the old style Hornet? Have you ridden the new one at all? I'd just be interested to know your thoughts on the differences.
At a complete tangent, I also considered the CBR600F instead, as the insurance cost is about the same as that of the hornet. I'm just wondering which is going to give the more well rounded experience without scaring the beejesus out of me each time I get on it.
Edited by dave87 on Wednesday 21st May 09:21
I disagree with peeps who say you will bore of it quickly. I've not ridden the new one but I've had my carb'd '98 for 5 years now, and only regettably going to sell it this year after 5 years of absolute riding pleasure due to the Falco being so utterly accomplished.
It took me quite a few months to start using all the performance available on mine (I'm talking cracking the throttle wide open in 1st and 2nd).
It does everything well - like the guy above I've toured Europe and Ireland 2-up, scratched it at weekends, commuted on it etc and it has never let me down. Over time I've upgraded the shock and front end, put braided hoses on it, and then went up 3 teeth at the back.
I think people criticising it for lack of grunt are experienced riders and probably ride litre sportsbikes which live at 50% 99% of the time on the road, if you catch my drift. Either that or take them on the track. As a beginners bike it has to be right up there.
There is nothing quite like wringing the neck out of a bike - really going to the edge of the performance envelope - to bring a massive grin inside the lid.
100% recommended - but then, I am biased
It took me quite a few months to start using all the performance available on mine (I'm talking cracking the throttle wide open in 1st and 2nd).
It does everything well - like the guy above I've toured Europe and Ireland 2-up, scratched it at weekends, commuted on it etc and it has never let me down. Over time I've upgraded the shock and front end, put braided hoses on it, and then went up 3 teeth at the back.
I think people criticising it for lack of grunt are experienced riders and probably ride litre sportsbikes which live at 50% 99% of the time on the road, if you catch my drift. Either that or take them on the track. As a beginners bike it has to be right up there.
There is nothing quite like wringing the neck out of a bike - really going to the edge of the performance envelope - to bring a massive grin inside the lid.
100% recommended - but then, I am biased
robstvr said:
Nope, not ridden the new one, but know a chap who's had both. He says handling at the 70% plus mark is better on the new model, ie noticable when you really start pushing. I'm not convinced by the new front end, myself, but i think the rest looks cool as F.
Apart from the god-awful abortion of pipework under the bike of course. And call me a traditionalist but give me a high level can any day Got one of these for my return to biking after many moons away. It's proved just right and I'd highly recommend one. I'm a bit bit bored with it now - but that's just because my heart lies with getting a full blown superbike. HOWEVER my ego's not that fragile that I won't admit that being bored and being able to take it to it's absolute limits are two VERY different things. Yes I can use all it's acceleration in a straight line and hit it's top speed - big deal! - but can I brake as late as a top rider could or enter, apex and exit a corner to the bikes max? Of course not. But that's not what it's all about is it - and my new toy will arrive shortly. Got to keep up with the pub car park braggers don't yer know!
I've got my test next week and have been wondering whether one of these would really make a good choice for a first bike, given I feel I have so much to learn out there.
At the moment I'm leaning toward a CBF600 but the Hornet keeps tempting me and, as said above, never heard a bad word said against them. I just feel it might be a bit too twitchy and less forgiving than the CBF. Oh, and it's also a grand more for those extra 25 horses.
I'd like to test drive one, if I can find a dealer that'll let a newbie. Anyone else jumped onto one of these as their first big bike?
Oh, and for anyone else tempted, looks like there's 0% finance over 2 years available on these - you can ride one away for less than £600!!
At the moment I'm leaning toward a CBF600 but the Hornet keeps tempting me and, as said above, never heard a bad word said against them. I just feel it might be a bit too twitchy and less forgiving than the CBF. Oh, and it's also a grand more for those extra 25 horses.
I'd like to test drive one, if I can find a dealer that'll let a newbie. Anyone else jumped onto one of these as their first big bike?
Oh, and for anyone else tempted, looks like there's 0% finance over 2 years available on these - you can ride one away for less than £600!!
Edited by surfsofa on Wednesday 21st May 17:11
surfsofa said:
I've got my test next week and have been wondering whether one of these would really make a good choice for a first bike, given I feel I have so much to learn out there.
At the moment I'm leaning toward a CBF600 but the Hornet keeps tempting me and, as said above, never heard a bad word said against them. I just feel it might be a bit too twitchy and less forgiving than the CBF. Oh, and it's also a grand more for those extra 25 horses.
I'd like to test drive one, if I can find a dealer that'll let a newbie. Anyone else jumped onto one of these as their first big bike?
Oh, and for anyone else tempted, looks like there's 0% finance over 2 years available on these - you can ride one away for less than £600!!
Hi mate -At the moment I'm leaning toward a CBF600 but the Hornet keeps tempting me and, as said above, never heard a bad word said against them. I just feel it might be a bit too twitchy and less forgiving than the CBF. Oh, and it's also a grand more for those extra 25 horses.
I'd like to test drive one, if I can find a dealer that'll let a newbie. Anyone else jumped onto one of these as their first big bike?
Oh, and for anyone else tempted, looks like there's 0% finance over 2 years available on these - you can ride one away for less than £600!!
Edited by surfsofa on Wednesday 21st May 17:11
I'm looking at buying my Hornet second hand - looking at spending about 3.5k on one. The plan is to run that for a year, get some experience and NCB, then move to a Gixxer 600 or CB600RR.
The Honda dealer in Reading were doing some good deals on pre-registered Hornets last time I was in there....
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff