600 Hornets

[Rob W]

After doing a few quotes on 'big' bikes after my crash last week, it's pretty obvious I can no longer afford to insure a thou' sportsbike at the moment.

And to be honest seeing as I mainly commute on my bikes, with the odd longer ride here and there, I dont even need a bike like that anymore anyway (as much as I want one).

I've always liked the look of Hornet's, and they'd be pretty much ideal for what I need. What sort of money should I be looking to pay for a decent example? I'm hoping to get around £2K for what's left of the blade. Anything I need to look out for? I understand they had a 16" front like the Blade, which made it a pain for tyres, do a lot of owners convert them to 17's? If not, is it cheaper to do than on the Blades?

Cheers for any info,
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'16 GSX-S1000F

[Hywel]

I love my Hornet, it's a bit of a shed but every time I start shopping for bikes I'll realise that the motor is bulletproof, it's a fast little bugger and It'll serve me for years if I look after it.

The 16" wheel does limit tyre choice, but there are plenty of wheels out there to swap it with, saying that you may like the feel of it... bikes made in the year 2000 and onwards have the 17" front as standard anyway.

Fuel consumption is average, comfort and riding position are fine and the engine is very revvy but smooth, so it's pretty good if you (like me) have a 30 or 40 odd mile round trip to and from work, but it would probably be a pain in the arse as a tourer, or if you regularly did hundreds of miles at a time.

Mine has the small tank so range isn't its strong point (looking for a fuel station at 100 miles), but there’s a much bigger aftermarket tank available which is an easy straight-swap.

Look out for bikes with lots of cheap aftermarket replacement cack, they’re very popular with modifiers, so buy one as standard as possible.

It’s a sweet little basic, thrashy naked, but before pulling the trigger, I wouldn’t rule out a mk1 Fazer600 or an old Bandit1200 (same insurance group as the Hornet6 I think) if I were you.

www.hondahornet.com (owners forum)
https://www.huntsmotorcycles.co.uk/NewsItems/NewsHornet600.htm (Some model history)

EDIT: Oh and money wise, good standard examples hold their value so expect to pay over two grand for even the older low-ish mileage bikes. Of course though, there are higher mileage examples in worse nick (that will still run forever with regular maintenance) for a lot less. Have a scan through Biketrader and MCN to get an idea.

[calyx]

[DrDonnyBrago]

How big is the early model tank?

I get 145 miles out of my CBR's 18L tank before the fuel light comes on and that leaves enough for a good 30-40 miles until empty.

[Clayton32]

[Hywel]

[Hywel]

[Souleh]

100 miles per tank.. same as my zx6r lol

[Clayton32]

[Slacker24seve...]

[T0MMY]

Why not just get a CBR600 steelie? They seem to be as cheap or even cheaper than hornets and to be fair are probably better in every measurable way plus you don't have to worry about 16 inch front wheels.
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ZX6R + CBR600RR

[Clayton32]

[T0MMY]

Even the steelies? I've always found them very cheap to insure.
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ZX6R + CBR600RR

[sepher]

I was after a ZX6R for first bike but choose a honda hornet instead as the insurence was ridiculous. Anyhow I managed to get a 1999 hornet for under a grand, with tax and MOT on. Had to replace the battery and alternator casing mind, but its a brilliant bike.

Petrol doesn't last long, must agree there... run out on an A road once, and just had to roll to a stop while everyone around me was wondering what the hell I was doing

Can do alot to the hornet as well, rear huggers and belly pans look awsome on them and as someone else has said Renthals give you a better position on the bike - looking into that for my next mod.

The very first MOD (if you have it or if it hasn't been changed already) is get rid of that hidious number plate/mud guard on the back and put smaller indicators on!

[0l0dom0l0]

Steelie CBR's are around the same price as Hornets, Fazers to insure. Well for me anways and I'm 17.

The later CBR's however are a LOT more expensive.

Hornets are a good choice, check out the Fazer to as if it's a work horse your after the Fazer has slightly better wind protection at motorway speeds. Other than that they are pretty much the same. Also Fazers are a little cheaper.
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CBT Passed: 30/08/2009, Theory Passed: 31/08/2010, Mod 1 Passed: 6/9/2010, Mod 2 Passed: 13/09/2010. Restriction ended 13/09/2012.

Bikes: 2007 Derbi GPR 50, 1998 Yamaha Fazer 600 (written off), 2002 Yamaha Fazer 600, 1994 CBR 600F, 2003 Triumph Daytona 600, Kawasaki ZX6R J1.....Current: 2006 Yamaha FZ6, 1998 Suzuki TL1000R and a Honda VFR 400 NC30.

[Slacker24seve...]

[Hywel]

[Tavares]

on the fuel economy point, i have a 2002 hornet 6 (not sure on exact tank size) i'm currently at 124 miles and i'm not on reserve yet. thats mainly twisty riding with a little bit of bypass riding.

they're a good bike, only thing i couldn't get on with were the handlebars so i've swapped to some 'renthal ultra lows'. really enjoying riding it at the moment.
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2006 Eurostrada RX8 125(sold)>2004 Kawasaki ER-5(sold)>2002 Honda CB600F Hornet

[Rob W]

Thanks for all the replies. Some useful information up there, .

The reason I'm after one is that I loved my little CB-1 I had before, and they seem to be the big brother so I'm sure I'll like it. I'll probably also look at CBR6's, see if anything nice turns up. I'd like to get the 900 Hornet, but I've heard there rare as rocking horse shit, and I doubt would be much cheaper than the Blade to insure anyway.

Would prefer to get a later one if they have a 17", save any fannying about when it comes to getting tyres for it, was a pain in the arse on the Blade to be honest.

Also, with regards my insurance, do I lose all my NCB? I just assumed that as I'd claimed I'd automatically lose it (2 years, would of been 3 next month), but some people are saying that you may only lose 50% or so. I really have no idea how it all works.

Cheers.
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'16 GSX-S1000F

[TUG]

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[QM]

I paid a grand for my 03 Hornet thinking I would pass my test first time

Been offered £2300 for it but won't sell it even though it has been stood unused for a just over a year.
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05 Honda CG125 now 03 Honda CB600F Hornet

[Slacker24seve...]