First ride on a 600cc machine

[turningCircle]

Well; it's the beginning of my efforts to get rid of the L plates.
First ride out today on a Honda Hornet 600 - loved it. Was slightly shitting myself when I felt the power I had in my right hand..

the throttle response wasn't bad either
Does anyone have any experience of the Hornet? Any tips (apart from don't fall off and crack my skull open).

A couple of things that surprised me:

- The stability of the bike; it was massively more stable and confidence-inducing than my Varadero 125.
- The power! I realise just how right people are when they say that a 125 is a completely different machine.
- I felt more confident on the 600. Leaning into corners, clutch control and gearing all seemed more positive and confidence-inducing.
- I actually enjoyed the forward-leaning position more than I thought I would. It wasn't as uncomfortable as I expected.
- Slow riding was a million times easier.

Anyway; I have a lot of learning to do. Just thought i'd share my thoughts having jumped off a 125 onto a 600. Couldn't take the smile off my face after the ride.

Cheers.

[Iain.]

[turningCircle]

[Taught2BCauti...]

I did my last CBT on a 600 (not a Hornet though) and have to agree with you.

I found it a lot more stable and easier to ride than my 125 Varadero, and although it did feel a little bit smaller, only took a few minutes to get used to it.

I also found the acceleration 'satisfactory', and the additional power 'useful', but did end up thinking it would be a wonderful idea if everyone started off learning on a 600, instead of a 125.

Then I saw a couple of the local yoof popping wheelies on the 50cc squeakers, and thought - perhaps not.
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Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
www.TheFutureIsHere.eu

[Bikeless]

Count yourself lucky, I had a 400 for a few years then sold it, had a year off then bought a fireblade, first time I opened the throttle was astounding to say the least, you soon get used to it though and want more power especially after a go on a mates R1.

[winz]

I have a 2001 600 Hornet. It's my first bike after passing my test a couple of weeks ago.

Put a smile on my face for the grand total of 60 miles that I have put on it so far.

Looking forward to my first long ride to my parents this weekend at 70 miles each way.

It does feel similar, albeit a little smaller in size than the CBF600 that I learnt on.

Did you enjoy the first time you joined a Duel Carriageway?

[Snowdonia Rider]

I remember my first ride on a 600 and pretty much thought the same as the OP. Now my 600 feels slow now I'm used to it!
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I want your clothes, your boots and your motorcycle.
Suzuki GP125 Suzuki GSX600F Suzuki SV650S KTM EXC250F SkyTeam Bongo 125
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[recman]

[struan80]

As with you my first go on a 600 was a Hornet, spent 4 days solid during DAS and passed my test on it. Great bike, I thought anyway, easy to ride but with an evil side!

First time pinning the throttle was an eye opener and instantly fell in love with biking at that point. Well once I'd removed twitchy ass hole from grinning mouth anyway. It can shift!

Would have bought a Hornet after the DAS if it had a fairing, got the next best thing a CBR650F, even easier to ride not so much need to rev it to bits, more boring than the Hornet though.

Would love to try a CBR600RR at some point too.

[Acemastr]

Pah a Hornet, wait until you try a real 600 :p
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2017 KTM 350 XC-F - 2014 Yamaha R6 - 2005 Yamaha YZ125
2016 Toyota Tacoma Limited

[winz]

[RhynoCZ]

Displacement does not mean a thing to me.
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[The Tot]

[Rogerborg]

[gbrand42]

Bet you had the throttle pinned on the Varadero afterwards thinking "COME ON!!!"

I know I did
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Yamaha RD50M, Honda C90, Yamaha RS100, Yamaha RD125LC, Honda XL125 V9 Varadero, Honda NT700VA, Honda VFR800X, Honda CRF1000L, Honda ST1300 Pan European

[stevo as b4]

I just think that the longer stroke litre machines when they were circa 150-160bhp were at their most brutal low down in the rev range, and especially before EFI was unavoidable.

No one on BCF has even proved or told me how much better that a 200bhp litre bike pulls from low rpm than a 150bhp litre bike did? And as they get heavier again instead of the lightness that peaked in 2001-2005, I can't see where the 200bhp litre bikes are light years better on the road?

[2Port]

Bigger bikes are SO much better than 125's.

You actually feel safer on the more powerful machine due to the fact that you have the grunt to get out of potentially precarious situations. I feel vulnerable on a 125.

Granted, I only ride a 50hp CB500F. Can't wait until I can get a "proper" big bike!!

[woo]

bag a test ride a gsxr 1000 k4 or k5 or 98-01 R1 then you will be like
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Elen sila lummen omentielvo!

[Carvel]

[Slacker24seve...]

Hornets are great first bikes; I had one for 18 months and did everything on it. My Mrs has one and I still enjoy taking it for the occasional thrash.

Not many downsides apart from tank range and underwhelming brakes. Stupidly easy to KD and wheelie too.

Enjoy
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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

[Groove]

I opened the throttle briefly to over take a couple of cars at the weekend on the k6 gsxr thou, looked down and saw 152 mph
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|| Past: 1991 Kawasaki ZXR 250 ~ 2003 Honda CBR 600 F Sport ~ 2004 Kawasaki ZX6R B1H 636 ~ 1999 Yamaha R1 ~ 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R J ~ 2004 Kawasaki ZX6R B1H 636 ~ 1998 Honda VTR1000F Firestorm ~ K1 GSXR 600 Track bike ~ K6 GSXR 1000 ~ 2006 Speed Triple 1050 || Current: 2005 R1 https://www.adrucore.co.uk

[Aceslock]

Just picked up a Thundercat last Friday, been on it twice, still too scared to put it in top gear
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Previous Bike: Skyjet SJ27
Sold: Yamaha YZF 600 R Thundercat. Sold: ZX636R
Current bike: R1 14B (Beast)

[Ariel Badger]

[G]

[bikertomm]

Found my thread on my thoughts on my first big bike back in 2013, a hornet.

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=3541580

Pretty much agrees with all your points.


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07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!