Hornet vs Bandit

[Nebzor]

Evening.

I'm looking to purchase either a Hornet or a Bandit, and was hoping someone could help me out.

Performance wise, which is the better bike? Straight-line grunt, cornering, etc.? And which tends to be rated as the better road bike?

I find them equally beautiful, and as such am relying on the above to set the two apart.

Thanks in advance.
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[Timmeh]

Hornet wins hands-down.
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[jimbothe]

Although I own a Bandit (12 mind) I would have to agree that the Hornet is a superior bike to the 600 Bandit.

Bandit is generally cheaper to buy but the Hornet will generally last longer.

Hornet has superior handling compared to the Bandit in my opinion.
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[deanoet]

test ride them both?
That is the easiest way to decide for yourself.

I picked the Hornet, no complaints from me. Lovely bike, comfy long distance, goes like poop off a shovel if you keep it above 8k revs but will quite happity trundle around town at 2 or 3k rpm being nice and quiet for the locals

I went for the Hornet as the build quality is apparently better than the Bandit

Only thing to watch out for is the small tank, if you red line it everywhere you will be lucky to see 90 miles to the tank
Normal riding you get about 100 - 120
About 45mpg
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CBT Passed 18th July 2007 : Previous Bikes> CG125 : Current Bike> Hornet 600 : PASSED DAS 30th Oct 2007
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[Madmanx]

I was in the same boat last year, which one?
I think I chose the right one after much deliberating.
Handling excellent, power good , reliability perfect.
All in all I,ve been very happy with it.
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[Charlie]

hornet!
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Past: Honda x8rs, Honda City fly, Honda Hornet 250, Honda VFR750, Yamaha xt600e.
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[thegubner]

Hornet may be a better bike performance and handling wise but the older bandits just look so much better, so it would have to be the bandit for me.

Bit of a better hooligan look I reckon.



Thats only my opinion though.

[Pie-Roe]

As a bandit owner, who has borrowed a friends hornet for an afternoon, I'd have to go for the hornet. Although, I do prefer the bandit's riding position. The handling is better on the hornet, it seemed faster, and it's a little lighter (feeling not sure if it actually is). On the bandit I feel more secure though, like I have more presence. (again this might just be the way I felt on it, but meh )

However I prefer the looks and the cheapness of the bandits, so thats where I got one. Also, IIRC there isn't so much in the way of a semi faired hornet, and I don't think I'd like a naked bike.

Try and get a ride of both. They aren't that different to ride, but they have their differences. Both are comfy enough and seem to be forgiving. Both apparently will show 120 on the clocks easily enough*


Pyro

*so I'm told (INDICATED)
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[TheDonUK]

I have owned a Bandit and now own a Hornet.

Both bikes are as capable as each other if you put a good rider on them.

The Hornet has a smaller tank range
It is Lighter
Had more mid-range grunt

The Bandits tank lasts longer
Its a heavier bike, which transfers into a nice planted feeling
The Bandit is faster at the top end, and if it isnt were talking about a couple of MPH, it sure feels faster.

Hornets have a shorter wheel base which gives them a better turn in, but nothing a pair of BT021's and a bit of bravery cant sort out on the Bandit.

What else... The hornet does seem to have a better build quality, being Honda and all, but you can pick up a good nick bandit for less...

The Bandit sounds far better with a full system than the Hornet does... And a full system is something you should look for as bandits with standard exhausts rot at the collector box (its made of swiss cheese)

There are alot of Hornet fanbois on here so the answers you will get will be biased, The hornet is definately a good bike, but i still feel like my old Bandit had more soul... more of a personality.
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[Madmanx]

Here's a Hornet to be considered.
The 919.
Possibly my next bike.
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[Itchy]

Hornet except the Hornet has 3 vices:

Its got a small tank and a thirsty engine

Its got a CBR600 engine = shimmed valves = PITA (read Gman's lost shim thread)

I've seen loads of cat A/B Hornets at salvage yards , this is apparently due to the spine box frame being comparatively weak.


Bandit

has a bigger tank ,

Uses lock nut valves (pre 2007) which are easier to adjust but need adjusting more regularly

Still come with a bikini fairing = better motorway work
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[JonB]

May I ask, what Hornet and Bandit are you on about the new or old?

I've rode a 2004 Bandit, which I owned, a 2001 Hornet and a 2007 Hornet.

The new Hornet, although looks aren't everyone's cup of tea out handles the original hornet easily.

Power etc means nothing if you aren't going to use it, Don is right, put a fast rider on the slower bike and it will be just as fast.
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[butterob]

both great bikes as already said. I opted for a bandit, much cheaper for my circumstances and loads of custom bits and bobs. Only paid £500 for a 96 reg, black, 29000 miles and a few extras such as renthal bars, twinnies, stubby zaust, modified tail unit (rear indies built in with headlight). So all in all i got a great deal and there are plenty of great deals out there. All depends on your circumstances.
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[Nebzor]

Well, I just tried comparethemarket.com

Hornet quote - £1100 TPF&T
Bandit quote - £350 TPF&T

17 year old with 1yr NCB living in a fairly decent area.

Is this to be expected, or some sort of freak accident on CTM's part?
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[cestrian]

I bought a Bandit 650 because it was £3500 new but would recommend the Hornet. Don't get me wrong, I love the Blandit but the Honda will always be a better bike.
If your into cornering, the Bandit has a tendency to ground the pegs if your really push it. It can be quite scary so think about that before you decide.
I'll be in Plymouth this week if the weather calms down so you can check out the Bandit if you like.
Regards

[Nebzor]

Thanks for the offer, but I'm quite sure you probably have better things to do down here than show your Bandit to a stranger

If insurance and cost of the bike is anything to go by, I think the Bandit is probably going to win.

Must pop into GTs and sit on them both.
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[JonB]

That insurance quote isn't wrong.

I had my 2004 Bandit 600 at 17 with 1 year NCB and I got insurance for £307 TPFT. That's in a good area in Somerset.
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Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

[Tristan.]

Got transport? cos I'm planning on heading down to GTs at some point this week, you can pillion if you like.

You get to clench my leather clad arse 'tween your legs too

[Nebzor]

[chris-red]

The correct answer is in the Triumph Speed Four, Same Price but lighter than both of them and with about 20 more bhp and the Bandit. The Hornet and the bandit are budget bikes, the Speed Four is a naked daytona 600/TT600 The only difference being the Cams and ECU (and the fairing). Triumphs are cheaper to insure generally I assume because of the old man image or them.

2004 Bandit

Weight - 208kg
Power - 77hp

2003 Hornet
Weight - 178kg
Power 95hp

2002-2006 Speed Four
Weight - 170kg
Power 98hp


Ride magzine's Power survey voted the Speed Four the bike with the best handling and suspention, It beat all the top jap bikes and even it's younger brother the 675 Daytona. The handling is so solid and confidence inspiring on it. I think it came 5th as the bike with the best brakes too.

My insurance on the Speed Four @19 was £575 TPFT with 1 years NCB.

I have riden both the bandit 600 and 650 and bth where pants in comparason, I had a 650 as a hire bike and put about 3000 miles on it, it was really slow and heavy and handling was really loose, the suspention was pretty bad, the centre of gravity is really high and the bike feels even heavy than it is especially with a full tank.
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[chris-red]

[Nebzor]

Thanks for bringing up the Speed Four, chris-red. Not sure I'll be able to find one for the price I'm looking to spend, but the insurance seems rather tame for a bike with those figures.

Edit: Anyone got any price estimates for used early Speed Fours?
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[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

I would say Hornet. IMO is superior to the Bandit.
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[m0l0t0v]

I don't understand how everyone keeps getting high quotes for Hornets... I got insured for 520 TPF&T in a good area at 18 with 1NCB last year and I have literally just taken out TPF&T for 328 in same area with 2 years ncb... Oh and I also have the ability to ride other bikes third party.

Maybe I'm just lucky.

Hornet's look WAY better. Attract lots of girlies too. Fact. And proven.

Although G will probably come along and say how most Hornet owners were gay/bi rather than straight
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[jimbothe]