Hornets...

[J.K.R]

Maybe looking at getting one so, whats the spec, models, and your opinions of them? Do they handle well? Fuel consumption? Insurance prices?

Really not too keen on Bandits anymore

And im assuming they can be resticted?

Thanks in advance
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www.oldskoolsuzuki.info

[RascalsCustar...]

Completely ideal first bike in my opinion (cb600f).

A bike that tends to not punish you for the mistakes you're going to make getting onto a larger capacity bike. Pretty smooth and light steering (especially with a 16" front wheel). I use it for both riding around central london and on weekends for blasting around on. Let's me do both effortlessly without much discomfort. The wind blast does start to become a problem at 100+, but other than that, I'd highly recommend it. Oh, and of course the tank/fuel range is pretty crap, it doesnt have the best fuel economy when you start to give it abit of stick. On average about 110miles to a tank.

>£380 TPFT - 20 yr old male living in west london. 2yrs no claims. Held license 2 1/2 yrs (policy is with 'Highway').

All in all...I like em.

[jay12329]

^ what (s)he says realy. I have a small screen on my hornet, so i can cruse at 110mph for a while without and pain.
Hornet can be restricted, and takes to it quite well, i did 2 trackdays with mine at 33bhp and wasnt the slowist there. I've still got my washers if you need a set. dead easy to fit.
Handles OK, easy to make much better. Good first bike, good second bike, jsut a damn good bike.
J

[J.K.R]

Well im thinking ive got a couple of options:

Option 1: Sell the 50 this july (ill be 17) and use the 125 scooter i was intending to use until july 07' (that way ill have a good bit road experience and 2 years no claims *touch wood*) Then i should have saved enough cash to do whatever tests i need to do and buy and insure a Hornet

Option 2: Use the 50 until july, Sell that and the 125 scooter, and hope ive got enough cash to buy a Hornet (and insure it and do the tests etc) Im assuming this is possible?

Im not the most well off of kids (i got £150 5 years ago and have bought and sold many bikes, and got to where i am without much help) And ive got £500 saved up, which is increasing now and then Still, the cheapest option would help My stepdads in the bike trade though so he could probably pick me up a Hornet cheap enough
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www.oldskoolsuzuki.info

[instigator]

Great bikes let down by a pish tank range.

I believe their front suspension could do with stiffening up and the brakes could be sharper but you can sort both of those IF you think it needs it.

Great fun bikes, fully recommend one.

[Keen]

I got one not too long ago and I can't recommend them enough.

Great handling, very responsive and quick steering. It has enough power to do 0-60 in 3.9secs (more than fast enough for me), makes around 90bhp. People criticise the brakes as being unresponsive as you have to squeeze a little harder on the lever than average. I think its a good safety feature (to stop newbies from locking it up) and you don't notice once you get used to it.

The build quality seems good, standing up to winter use well. Only complaints so far is the fuel range (I get about 110 miles to a tank as as well) and the high level exhaust can.... it looks good but makes fitting panniers or carrying luggage tricky, as my girlfriend proved a while back.....

Perfect do-everything bike- commutes, tours, comfy for pillions and lots of fun on sundays.
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"he who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man"- Dr. Johnson

[jay12329]

The front end is £80 to stiffen up, the brakes are fine if you use the newer Honda sintered pads or EBC/CL hi power pads.
Tanks range i dont have an isse with, but other people do get further.
J

[scol1]

The Hornet 250 could be another option,cheap insurance,revs to 16,000 and capable of 100 mph.Ask some questions on the Hondahornet website...........................

https://p196.ezboard.com/bhornetsnest56467
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CB1300,a proper bike!

[Villers]

Had an 05 spec hornet for about 3 months this summer. Agree on the pissy tank range, build quality seems good, looks OK, has usable power when its needed, problem is it lets itself down on the handling stakes. Its not as squidgy/bouncy as the bandit but it dives a bit and can feel vague. Like said before it is predictable and makes an excellent beginer/commuter tool, but out there on a blast (apologies everyone) I didnt find it fun enough. It may do you to start with but if your a short commuter and a weekend blaster you may become a little bored too soon.


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RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

[scol1]

tank range usually around 100 miles,don't know about you but my arse is usually ready for a rest after that.

I came back from Le-Mans to Wakefield West-Yorks in 10 hours via the Chunnel.Kept up with all the race bikes I went with no problem.

Regarding the handling and brakes,I dont think you'll find them a problem coming from a 125,you'd really have to push one to notice a problem,I never noticed one when I had mine,kept it for 2 years and covered 12,000 pleasure miles and never got fed up with it,just fancied a change when I chopped it in.

I'm POSITIVE it will be a purchase you don't regret.
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CB1300,a proper bike!

[RascalsCustar...]

[sickpup]

Frames bend easily.

[jay12329]

[ISLAND GIRL]

Just brought my 2002 cb600f hornet home today from the garage, been out a lot all day to get the feel of her, very good. Mine is restricted and seems ok, OH was impressed and reckons its a nice little bike and will p**s on his 650 when the restrictors come out later on, lol!
I considered the bandit too and a fazer but the hornet came out tops for me personally and the man at garage said that the bandits were a bit dated now even the new ones.

age 35
new rider just passed
fully comp ins with all the extras £296
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Live on the Isle of Wight and ride a CBR600F

[RascalsCustar...]

[J.K.R]

[Josh|RD125LC]

I'm interested in getting one for my next bike too, but their selling price seems to be quite high even for an average condition one which puts me off buying one.
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Honda MBX50 | Yamaha RD125LC | Suzuki RG125F Lucky Strike | Suzuki GSF600S
RD125LC Pictures

[ISLAND GIRL]

I am sure some of the others will tell you but I am not sure if you are allowed to ride a 600 even restricted at the age of 17, I dont know, sorry.
Re the brakes, I am well pleased at well responsive they are, so much better than on the 125. Already getting used to the handling of the bike already, cant keep me off it, am very pleased that I brought one of these

Here some pics taken today of my new baby:

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/nandh/HHERBABY005.jpg


https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/nandh/HHERBABY004.jpg

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/nandh/HHERBABY001.jpg
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Live on the Isle of Wight and ride a CBR600F

[mchaggis]

[J.K.R]

So what test would i be looking at doing to ride a restricted one?
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www.oldskoolsuzuki.info

[Josh|RD125LC]

A2 restricted licence, 2 years on 33bhp then your free to have what you want.

Of course, not many people actually keep their bikes 33bhp these days.
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Honda MBX50 | Yamaha RD125LC | Suzuki RG125F Lucky Strike | Suzuki GSF600S
RD125LC Pictures

[RascalsCustar...]

It's a standard A category license. Section 4 here. It's the only test you can do at 17 which entitles you to ride a larger capacity bike than a 125cc.

>EDIT

[ISLAND GIRL]

Yes, it is the A2 test
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Live on the Isle of Wight and ride a CBR600F

[J.K.R]

Well ill be looking for a Hornet pretty soon then
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www.oldskoolsuzuki.info

[XS1954]

ISLAND GIRL, your insurance seems a bit high. I am 25 and only pay £160 Fully comp.
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You're a cock.