Honda Hornet > Reviews > real world... mine anyway.

Author's product rating:   

Comfort	Good
Handling	Good
Looks	Satisfactory
Features	Satisfactory
Fuel consumption	Good

Advantages:	inspires confidence, the look on 1000cc sportsbike riders as you pass them
Disadvantages:	i'll get to that !

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

i'm a sportsbike rider! why settle for less than a sportsbike?
that's what i did. i settled on a Hornet 600, and I HAVE NEVER HAD SO MUCH FUN ON TWO WHEELS!

ok, when i see a review on the net that is loonng, i don't bother to read it. maybe it's cos i'm lazy, or just.... nope, i'm lazy. so i will try to keep this short.

i have owned my 600 hornet for about 6mths. it's my only form of transport so i tend to rack up the miles, and know what generally goes right, wrong and what annoys the hell out of me about this bike.

to start with it was cheap big tick there then. i paid just over £2000 for a 2003 model which was in mint condition.
i'd like to say how fantastic this bike is at everything, because i love it, but i can't. it is very good at most things though, which in my book is good enough.

LOOKS: mine is a half faired model and when you squint in the right light it looks good, when it's parked next to my mates ZX10, or R1 it has something lacking, like a pair! but i learned long ago not to judge things by looks alone.

PERFORMANCE: it is a 600. basic chasis around a detuned CBR engine. i ride fast in the twisties, the hornet sticks to the round like buggery. and you must remember this was never meant to be a sports bike, it was built to compete with the Bandit. i have, after many miles of trial and error, gone with bt14's front and back, tend to run out of tyre at the back as the pegs scrape, but apart from that i'd recommend anyone to get them, whatever their style of riding.
600cc is not alot when you're trying to pass bigger sports bikes, but i've found it is enough. best bit of advice is learn to tap dance, cos you'll be up and down those gears alot, but which 600 hasn't got that problem?

RELIABILITY: engine is lifted straight from the CBR, so it pretty much bullet proof. chasis is basic as are forks and shock. i've neglected my bike since i've had it, and no problems yet and knowing the CBR, i'm not expecting any.

BOTTOMLINE
i've owned CBR600's in the past. and how great are they? how bland are they? the Hornet takes the good points, and bins the blandness!

want a dedicated race bike?
want an armchair on whels?
want a status symbol?
want to pick up women? look else where.

it puts out 85bhp, wallows a bit in corners, lacks the top end rush, and lacks in wind/weather protection. I HAVE NEVER HAD SO MUCH FUN ON TWO WHEELS! whether i'm riding to work or going for a thrash in the hills, the grin is from ear to ear. decent tyres on this bike make all the difference. get them! forget about remoulds, or 'what's the cheapest'. go out and embarass sportsbikes, this bike will.
for my real world it is ideal. for the low price, the basic shock, and upright riding position i'm surprised at just how good it is.

thinking of getting one, look at www.hondahornet.co.uk