Buying a honda Hornet

Blunet600 · Nearly there... Joined: 03 Dec 2005 Karma :

Im looking around for a Honda Hornet, and was wondering if anyody on here is selling one?
Looking for a blue or black Hornet no more than 15,000 miles on the clock.
Cheers.

TUG · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 May 2007 Karma :

was lookin at one on biketrader last week, might still be there for £1500 dunno the mileage, but looked clean and un-customed.
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Charlie · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 May 2007 Karma :

250, 600 or 900?

Try the honda hornet nest as well.

I know there is a 250 hornet for sale in Fastline in Preston, although it isn't in perfect nick.

TUG · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 May 2007 Karma :

i was on about the 600, i think hes after the 600 for next bike purposes. Question

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Blunet600 · Nearly there... Joined: 03 Dec 2005 Karma :

yeh sorry, the 600 F 2003 model preferably..... Yeh been looking in the bikemart in mcn and some in there that seem rather good.

TUG · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 May 2007 Karma :

well nowsthe time to buy as winter rolls in, prices drop greatly.
i'd be happy with any 600-900 hornet as they are a nice bike, plenty performance not sure about tank range though. best person to ask is craig, he has one he uses alot.
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craigs23 · Mr Muscle Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Karma :

Not a bad bike, does exactly what it says on the tin.

Can't go wrong with a good standard one from £1600 or so, but try out an early Yamaha Fazer for good measure too. Not built quite as well, but a bit better all-round due to its half fairing, larger tank and centre stand.

Cheap as chips to buy and run too.

flyer · Trackday Trickster Joined: 30 Aug 2006 Karma :

Love my 900 Hornet, loads of power, and I get 140 miles to a tank approximately.

Wafer_Thin_Ham · Super Spammer Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Karma :

Shouldn't this be in wanted?

The 2003 version got new(more angular) styling and a bigger tank, so make sure you get a proper 03 over a later registered 02.
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NSR Mick · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Karma :

TUG · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 May 2007 Karma :

garth · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Karma :

Why do you care about mileage? Confused

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Charlie · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 May 2007 Karma :

The engines are fine for 30,000+ miles, don't let the mileage stop you getting it

craigs23 · Mr Muscle Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Karma :

Charlie · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 May 2007 Karma :

I didn't want to over estimate, but I did put a plus Smile

TUG · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 May 2007 Karma :

mileage is only a rough guide, you dont know whats been done to the engine, could of had a new set of pistons and rings so will last another 60,000 miles or whatever, 4 strokes are really reliable engines, as long as oil changes are done and filters are changed.
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craigs23 · Mr Muscle Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Karma :

John Westlake at Bike is currently preparing an early 90's CBR600, same engine as found in the Hornet (well, pre 2007). Upon servicing the bike's top end to check the valve clearences, he found that not a single shim had been changed in 54,000 miles (the cam holder bolts were completely unmarked). Every single valve had remained within factory clearance despite the engine's mileage...but not down to neglect - simply because the engine didn't warrant any unecessary adjustment.

It appeared that, because Honda was still embarassed about the chocolate cam early 80's VFR, the quality of the CBR's engine internals was astounding.

They don't make Hondas like they used to y'know. Just a shame the rest of the Hornet doesn't match such build quality.

TUG · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 May 2007 Karma :

thats great info, more reason to buy one now lol. what issues are you having with the hornet build quality craig?
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craigs23 · Mr Muscle Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Karma :

Well, I'm sure Honda weren't thinking straight when they plonked slinkies in the front stanctions. The rear shock is choppy when pushed, but my bike has covered 32,000 miles, so a new Hagon item might be called for soon (probably needed a few thousand miles ago).

Look closer though and you realise everything's been bolted on from something else, not designed as a whole. I've also seen quite a few ropey examples - the materials used are obviously budget items that won't hold up to as many winters as Hondas of old.

But that isn't really an issue for me....

The standard headlamp's like peering through a letterbox, the gearchange is clunky, but nice and positive, the tank range is good for 100 miles before reserve (I have eeked 130 miles before filling up so far), the 16 inch front is quite vague (not helped by the forks), nice and agile in town though.

That's about it, just seems to shrug off daily use no problem.

TUG · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 May 2007 Karma :

hmmm, maybe uprate your forks and as u said fit a hagon, i want one for the fzr and some pro springs for the front, maybe fit aftermarket lights? if i was to buy one i'd be doing that anyway.

as long as its not rusting and falling apart eh? Laughing

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

craigs23 · Mr Muscle Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Karma :

Don't get me wrong Mark, the Hornet's a good bike. I was merely pointing out the areas on which requires some improvement if considering a standard early model, or rather, areas I feel need improvement for my requirements. It's obviously a budget bike and a good honest buy at that.

69.9mph · Crazy Courier Joined: 20 May 2006 Karma :

I've been considering a 600 Hornet as a winter hack, they're probably the pick of the budget range.