Honda Hornet 600 2009 Lost some of it's "oomph"

[Proc]

Hi all,

I have a 2009 Honda Hornet 600 and I love it. However, recently I've noticed the following:

-It used to pull like crazy and get to 125mph easily. Now, anywhere over 100mph (i.e. third/fourth/fifth gear etc) it's lost a lot of its pulling power and is a fight to get to 110mph
-Up to 90mph feels strong (first/second gear) but it's definitely lost some of its "kick" in these gears. I don't feel like I have to worry about the front wheel picking up when I accelerate hard in first and second

The bike has done approx. 20,000 miles, is in good condition, has recently had an oil change.

Does anybody have any ideas what the problem might be before I take it to a dealer?

Many thanks,
Proc

[Pjay]

Have you tried new drivers?
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struan80 - I'll go first - satisfied tick 1

[Pjay]

First thing I'd check is the three things you need to get the bangs going.

Fuel, Air, Spark.

A clean airfilter - remove it for a quick test, if it runs good, job jobbed, replace.

New spark plugs - cheap and always a good thing to renew.

Fuel, check your filter isn't clogged, even a bit can mean a lot at higher revs.
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struan80 - I'll go first - satisfied tick 1

[........]

" I don't feel like I have to worry about the front wheel picking up when I accelerate hard in first and second "

Should I worry that mine doesn't feel like that either (2007 FA& Hornet)? I thought that mine felt healthy but have nothing to compare against with it being my first bike. I must let a friend ride it who's ridden more than I have.

Maybe I'm just riding it like a wuss though.

[andys675]

[Proc]

@Pjay; thanks a lot for the comprehensive response. I'll check the air filters and fuel filters this evening and failing that I'll go onto spark plugs.

@garybee; I definitely could get the front wheel to float under hard acceleration in first/second gears. It's certainly lost some of its kick

@andys675; thank you for the advice. I'll bear that in mind if the problem is the filter.

I'll keep you updated in case you're interested to hear the outcome

Thanks again

[andys675]

well?
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Some people feel the rain, others just get wet.

[kramdra]

Do a compression test.


9 year old bike that has only done 20k? Unlikely anything is clogged but perhaps disintegrated with age if original.
As it is under used, would also check if brakes are binding. Drain the tank and try fresh fuel.

[temeluchus]

the two most likely causes will be binding brakes and a dirty air fulter.
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