CBR, Hornet, FZ6...Which?

[tvchimp]

If you had the cash (around £2000) in your hand, which would you choose??

I've narrowed my next bike choice to one of those bikes, Hornet600/CBR600 due to the feedback from various owners/forums I've been on say both are an excellent 'first big bike' but are good enough to see any veteran take it out and give it a good going over in the twisties.. This to me means it should last me enough to get my skill of riding up to a good-high level and last me a few years.

I've not read much into the FZ6 (Note, the FZ6 and not the 600 Fazer) but it looks like a very good bike, and should be roughly on par with the Hornet 600, although I believe it's the replacement for the Fazer which seems to have gotten good reviews by most people (I prefere the look of the FZ6 compared to the Fazer, hence why I'm tempted by it)..

All bikes are around the 2002/2003 mark..

Which would you choose?

https://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00804/motoring-graphics-2_804566a.jpg

https://www.motorcyclesupermarket.com/images/bikes/images/13670.1295282067.honda-cbr600f-prova.jpg

https://www.yamaha-motorcycles.org/images/FZ6.jpg

Which is better to live with for long-ish distance. ride out in the twisties and commuting to work? Has better underseat storage/ability to attach small luggage(by this I mean, tailbag or a top box)/pillion comfort/mpg/handling/ease of use in traffic)? Will give more of a grin factor? Better build quality?

Oh, and ultimately, which will make girls want to touch my penis more?

Thank-you oh great oracles of BCF. I welcome your input.
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Bike: Currently Bikeless... Gahh

[Slacker24seve...]

As a Hornet owner.... the CBR600 will do what you want it to best. The fairing will be better for longer journeys and the more sophisticated suspension and 4-pot brakes will give you more capability for giving it a good thrashing. I certainly feel like I've outgrown mine; I'm no Casey Stoner but it doesn't feel composed over anything less than a perfect surface - the front is undersprung and over damped and the rear is a pogo stick. The brakes are satisfactory after a service, some sintered pads and braided lines but nothing more than that (they share the same Nissin 2-pots as Steelie CBRs so be aware of that if you consider one of those)

The Hornet is great and after living with one for 18 months I wouldn't have had any other bike; it has survived crashes and done everything I have asked of it, including track days, touring, commuting, thrashing and general pottering. If it weren't for that fact that I'd have gone through several sets of fairings by now the CBR would be a better bet as its superior in all of those areas except commuting and pottering. It does loved to be thrashed and is far, far more than quick enough for your first big bike (if you find 90-odd bhp boring in your first year I suggest you approach your local BSB team for a ride) but you quickly find out when it is time to move on. As a tool to learn to KD and wheelie on it is incredibly forgiving though

EDIT: nobody has ever touched my penis, not even me, so I can't comment on that bit.
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Triumph Daytona 675 track bike + girlfriend's Honda Hornet 600
Selling a hack/winter bike for less than a grand? PM me.
Banger rallies are ace

[DrDonnyBrago]

I was in your position, I bought the CBR.


Brilliant bike.

I commute daily on it, very comfortable, very fast, light weight, handles well, sounds good, gets me a consistent 46-48mpg and looks nice. In one day I rode 200 miles, scraped my pegs and went to work - it really is a do everything bike. Also 4 pot brakes and fully adjustable suspension are a nice feature.


I don't have luggage, I like wearing back packs. Under the seat I can fit a small set of tools, a 1.5m chain and padlock and a scottoiler. I have a double bubble screen which sends wind mostly over my head. TBH most girls can't tell the difference between bikes, the CBR looks (and actually is) the fastest as it has fairings, also, my bike is yellow, it attracts girls and monumental amounts of insects, if you find either attractive you are set .

EDIT: Bad stuff about the CBR:

CCTs are a COMMON fault, end up very noisy, cost £60 to fix but eh updated versions are much better. My reg/rec has been fine but others find they blow. The downpipes are mild steel and will rust through, look for one with st/st pipes. Other problems I have had have been because of neglect by previous owners (i.e. rust).

Don't let the above put you off, it is all cheap stuff (downpipes excluded) to sort and the bikes are otherwise excellent. I'm sure all bikes have their foibles. Also, the mirrors are a bit shit if you are on the grande size, I made some extenders for about £5.

[Bubbs]

Sv650 is another choice worth considering. My first bike, and although i haven't ridden others you mentioned, I got on really well with mine, regularly did London to Swansea, And it had the performance to scare me as a new rider. It did become a bit pedestrian after about 6 months but still went quick enough to beat most cars on the road.
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Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

[T0MMY]

CBR is the best bike there in nearly every way and the most likely to make girls touch your penis too probably.
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ZX6R + CBR600RR

[P.addy]

Right now... Hornet.

Reason - Not really getting on with sports bikes now... Currently want to rob a bank / mug a pensioner for £1500 and buy a DRZ

The CBR600F in the red/blue/white has always been a "wish I could have one" bike... no reason.. so if that was there and I was still sport bike based.. I'd snap it.. but the hornet will probably give me more fun right now.

As above... SV is a possibility, I don't dislike them, just find them overly boring and weak after a while.

[tvchimp]

[T0MMY]

Objectively, the CBR is the best bike. Any reason not to buy one would be more subjective (looks, image, lack of "soul", etc.). They're great bikes that'll do anything well (short of greenlaning perhaps, though I never tried on mine).

The other way of looking at it though is that all your options are good bikes so just buy the one you like the most. That said, if you're commuting through winter on high speed roads, I'd definitely want a fairing.
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ZX6R + CBR600RR

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

A piddly little fuel range would put me off the Hornet. Reports of 100miles are common.
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[kramdra]

Kawasaki Ninja 650?

Im told more fun than a CBR600, for commuting. They have less total power, but its much more usable at legal speeds. An I think quite a bit cheaper on fuel. go test ride one...

The CBR does 70mph in first gear!
My CBR600F was £2000. Its a good bike, tho.


If you are regually commmuting through citys, a 600cc sportsbike is *not* ideal. country lanes it is perfect.

[0l0dom0l0]

I've ridden all but the hornet.

If you can find an FZ6S2 in your budget range then go for that. you won't regret it.

CBR600F is a good bike, I've got a 94. Handles likes it on rails. Seems pretty reliable apart from a couple of small things.

Mate (bishbash) has the hornet and he loves it.

Up to you what you want but I would certainly go for the CBR 600/ hornet over the early 03 Fazers as they aren't so great but defo an S2 over the CBR 600/ Hornet.

HTH
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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.

[Knot600RR]

CBR for sure.

It will allow to develop, someone mentioned the SV - great bike, but you'll out grow it soon enough. Front suspension is pretty lame and when you compare it with other bikes, you'll noticed that it has been made from recycled pots and pans and a little cheese thrown in for good measure.

Purely subjective view for what its worth.

[itsdave]

[tvchimp]

Seem's the majority are going for the CBR... Which brings me to my next question,

What main differences were made between the 1998-1999 and then the 2001-2003 models? I'm having a bit of trouble finding much apart from the styling of the bikes were changed.

Just had more of a look at the later 90's bikes, and they're anything from £1400-2000 for a <15k miles and looked after bike from most places (dealers and private)..

Did Honda get rid of the steel frame before 1998?

The 1999 model I've found is the same as this:
https://www.vanmelismotoren.nl/Foto/CBR600F_2.jpg

Did they not make any in better colours? lol. I want a black bike, not black and silver
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Bike: Currently Bikeless... Gahh

[DrDonnyBrago]

[Benson_JV]

Bit late in the thread but I own a 1998 CBR600F

Perfect bike, does whatever you want it to.
Twisties, commuting, motorway blasts, it doesn't do greenlaning though...last time I went through a bush with it, it chucked me off.

[bike whoring]
https://img850.imageshack.us/img850/5701/10005991.jpg

[\bike whoring]
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Willson - "If you go out on that CBR600 in the winter, you're going to do more miles on your side than on your wheels."
Riding: CBR600FW Driving: Audi A6
Previous Bikes: '96 Bandit 600, '96 GPz305

[P.addy]

[Serendipity]

I’ll add my vote to the CBR600 camp. I’ve owned my 1994 FR for 14 years and it’s a great machine. A few minor mechanical troubles combined with my personal laziness kept it at the back of the garage for nearly five years, but its back up and running now. I’ve been using it for my daily commute into London and loving every minute of it again.

Oh and don’t misunderstand the macho bollocks about “great first bike”. The CBR600F is great because it’s such an accomplished all-rounder. It remains a high powered sports bike and is quite capable of biting you on the arse if ridden without the appropriate respect.

I’ll leave this link here again: https://www.personal.dundee.ac.uk/~bgfinlay/cbr600.htm

No idea who bgfinlay is, but they own a high mileage CBR600F and posted up all the Ride write-ups of the CBR. Thank you bgfinlay!
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2007 CBF1000 & 2016 CBF1000F - Commuter heaven | 1994 CBR600FR - Awaiting defibrillation

[JP7]

I started my biking career a couple of years ago with an R-plate CBR600FW. It should have been a fantastic bike, but my particular one was quite unreliable and hadn't been particularly well looked after in the past. If you buy one that hasn't had the rec/reg changed, you'll almost certainly have to change it, but it's an easy job.

My experience of the CBR600 was spoilt by my rubbish one, but what I would say is that it's a comfy bike that's easy to ride, and will do everything you want.

I changed mine for a 2005 FZ6N which I love so much more in itself. It feels quicker and lighter, and it's certainly more flickable and a lot more fun on the twisties. Very easy to use as a commuter bike too. It's a great first bike to cut your teeth on, because the unfaired body means it gets very windy at the point you get near to losing first-bike talent, and reins you in. It will certainly do you a couple of years service before you fancy anything else. (I'm fancying a Daytona 675, so will be changing shortly!)

[tvchimp]

[Drake]

[robs321]

[Sam_Y_93]

I was in a similar position and went with the Hornet. I have found it excellent to learn on, even though it wasn't my first big bike. Maybe its the fact that I have had more time on it in the 5 months that I have owned it for than the 8 I had the vfr but I can ride the hornet much faster and harder than the VFR. After riding the hornet I figured sports bikes weren't really my thing, maybe in a few years time but I really like the upright position of a naked.

Tank range isn't that bad but I guess if you have a long commute or regularly do long trips then it would be annoying. I seem to get about 130 miles to a tank (about £20's worth) and thats a weekend of thrashing it and a week of commuting, with a bit of thrashing on the way home

I guess it depends whether you want a sports bike or not...
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Bikes Past: Yamaha Aerox (sold) Yamaha R125 (written off)
Bikes Current: Honda VFR 400 (awaiting restoration) Honda CB600f F-4
Theory passed July 21st Mod1 passed August 3rd Mod 2 passed 26th August

[sulphur]

I'm in the same position, looking at alot of bikes to get once I pass. Hornet seems top of my list, beside a ZZR600. For some reason, the CBR 600F is ridiculously expensive for me to insure, same figures as insuring a GSXR600.

Not sure which I'll be going for, I'll have to test them both first obviously, but a Monster 600 has a certain appeal to me too.

[Welshd1k]

why are people recomending CbR600's after owning shite steelies? the fy/fx and f4 /f4i is a totaly different bike miles better than a shite cbr600 pre 98 ....


my choice would be cbr600 (possibly a 600rr2/3)
zxr636 / zx6r
then maby hornet
fazer 6
bandit 6

Wouldnt take a fazer or a bandit over a hornet . hornet much more lively / more fun but like slacker said shite forks and shock / front brakes . mine had alot of work done to it with ohlins shock / hagon sprung front and steering damper and was ALOT of fun to ride and used on track and kept up with a r6 and a few other big bikes but the breaks really let it down and well the emptying the tank in 50-70 miles on a trash dont help . as stock when i firt got it after a zxr400 i was apauled with the handling like a blemonge on the road .

but saying that if i buy mine back i will put cbrf4i forks on it finaly and abuse it till it dies ...
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Current >Cb600fx hornet, ns125rk90 21.7bhp@wheel<
Sold >,zxr400 h2 (33bhp kit) rd350 n1 rd350 lc2<