hornet 900s...

carlmalibu · Spanner Monkey Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Karma :

Are these still in production? Are they like a hornet 6 on steroids?

I've always been drawn to hornets, think a hornet 6 will probably be my next bike after the cb500 (obvious progression eh), but the 900s look so beefy! Any info on them? Were they rubbish?
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fork_oil · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Karma :

I looked long and hard at them as an everyday bike, and my brother went and bought one. I went for an SV1000S which costs about as much. The SV is closer to a sportsbike, with a better engine and handling, is still reliable, but has more questionable build.

Suffers from the usual large Japanese "streetfighter" problem of having the engine castrated too much. The press and punters were expecting a naked Fireblade, and got a limp lettuce by comparison. Whilst the 600cc-ish versions of this sort of thing can be many things to many people, retain more of the donor engine performance, and due to cost, have few rivals. The larger ones suffer by comparison with sportsbikes, as they don't have the price advantage.

If you think of it as more like a retro with modern styling and engine, it's not so dissappointing. Thinking of it as a much beefier Hornet6 is also valid. They still make them AFAIK, although I was expecting the really ugly CBF1000 to take over, as it's very similar apart from the fairing.

Feels just a bit heavier than the Hornet6 to ride, but engine pulls strongly from just over tickover by comparison. Top speed and theoretical laptimes are similar, but in real world riding, the increased torque makes rapid progress a lot easier. Very reliable, and better fuel consumption and tank range than the 600 in normal use. Handling is competent, but it's an olde worlde steel spine frame, so no sports bike. Good brakes. Suspension is soft and mostly unadjustable and is the main limitation along with the castrated engine. Same practicality as the 600 for luggage, and better for pillions due to increased grunt. Some minor build quality niggles (e.g. the exhaust shields rust from the inside), but overall pretty decent - it is a budget bike even if it's a Honda.

It's a good unpretentious bike, particularly suited to everyday use. Longevity of major components is likely to be very good. Well priced second hand, as they were never all that popular, so don't pay too much.

MarkJ · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Apr 2006 Karma :

I think they've stopped producing them now, and are only producing the new-look 600.

Don't quote me on that though.

fork_oil has it right Thumbs Up

St0rmer66 · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Nov 2005 Karma :

fork_oil, I wish everyone gave a decent explanation like that about bikes. Well done to you! I gave you some karma even though I don't care about Hornet 900's Thumbs Up

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Wafer_Thin_Ham · Super Spammer Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Karma :

As far as I know they are still in production, but wouldn't be surprised if emissions regs have killed them off.

They are awesome for wheelies!
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fork_oil · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Karma :

I have to add that a fair bit of my opinion about Hornet9's is a bit second hand, coming from my brother. However, he came to the 9 from a 600SRAD, so he knows about stuff that's lighter and more focussed, and is still happy with it.

I'm of the opinion that there are very few rubbish bikes, just the wrong bike. Even Chinese bikes have the virtue of being cheap! Obviously Harley's are the main exception, as they're just plain poor in every way. Wink

It may be because I enjoy a bit of weekend-warrior type action, as well as day-in day-out general commuting use, so I appreciate "toy" bikes as well as "working" bikes. I've currently got a friends early Fireblade in some pieces in my garage, and I'd have it off him in a shot (wife permitting, so unlikely) if he was selling.

The Hornet9 was largely overlooked by the press, and quite possibly by the majority of riders as a result, but there's really not much wrong with them if it's the kind of bike that suits your needs.

TheShaggyDA · Repost Police Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

Heaven forbid anyone should look at Honda's site to find out...

Hornet 900

Pte1643 · Nearly there... Joined: 07 Aug 2006 Karma :

The Hoona 9 does appear on the Honda Website, but it's not in the 2007 "line up". So I'd imagine they're still available, but "Spec, As per Last Year".

I've not actually ridden one, but from what I've read in the media (pretty much what Fork Oil says) Honda sort of "Missed the Boat" with the 900. Everybody was expecting a Naked "Blade", but it just didn't live up to the hype.

The 600 is a better overall "Package". (apparently Confused

).