Hornet 6 v Bandit 6

[rac3r]

Quick comparison please! Not sure which year... what ever you can get for about 2.5k. So:

Which is better?
What are the differences?
Reliability
etc.

Thanks for your help

(ps 33bhp'd)
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Bikes : 2006 CBR125R - 2004 Monster 620ie - 2004 ZX-6R B1H - 2005 Monster S2R 800 - 2011 Street Triple - 2009 Streetfighter 1098 - 2014 ZX-6R 636

[JakeyR]

Do a search, Hornet will mince a Bandit.

I still miss my Hornet it was a crackin' bike, took some abuse too, they handle a thousand times better than bandits, yeah they're still on budget suspension but they do handle a shitload better. Plus they look far cooler. Biased much?

[Itchy]

Hornet almost always minces the Bandit, but there are some issues.

The Hornet bar the newest models is based around the old CBR engine which uses shimmed valves which are a PITA to adjust, and costly to get somebody else to do , but need doing only half as much as the bandit.

The Bandit uses rockers and its valves are much easier done but need doing more often.

Bandit is alledged to be much easier to tune to more guts, and if its an earlier model the bandit has better range, heh I remember a ride out where the hornets (two of them) had to stop twice as often as everybody else, ah I miss those 350 mile ride outs...


Some ancillary issues, the Bandit crashes better than the Hornet, the Hornet has a VERY weak minimal box frame which everything hangs off, the bandit has a wrap around frame.

You can get the bikini fairing for the bandit for newer models for some reason Honda stopped making the top fairing.

Just to confuzle you more , the Yamaha Fazer 600 is also very good not the new ones though the older ones. Headlights are like candles though. It also crashes very well better than the hornet again.
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[TheDonUK]

Much of a Muchness. Whichever you buy i doubt you would regret it...

As has been said the Bandit has the better tank range, its also a phsyically larger and heavier bike carrying its weight higher up than the Hornet.

I owned both for a year and got on well with both, I still think top end the bandit was faster, purely because on a number of rideouts i remember passing flat out hornets very gradually but surely. (talking about indicated 125/130 ish)

The Hornet was probably quicker off the line. I also had the first Hornet model with its 16' front wheel which basically narrowed tyre choice down to pirelli diablos (good tyre though).

If you are a large guy or do motorway miles or intend to tour i would go for the Bandit, Whereas in short bursts the Hornet is probably the one to go for, I cant really find fault with the bandit except the exhaust collector box which was made of out mild steel and prone to corrosion, As for the Hornet i had overheating issues with mine which i hear is quite common for that CBR lump.

For me personally if i had to have one or the other again it would probably be the Bandit, The small fuel tank on the Hornet (100 miles ish) really became annoying towards the end, Plus IMHO Bandits with an aftermarket can sound better and dont have that whirring sound at idle that hornets seem to, they have a more meaty sound.

I also reckon for a given amount of money you can get a better example of a Bandit than a Hornet, plus i dont like the high level exhaust on them (i dont even like stubbie exhausts so feel free to ignore this).

In summary:

The Bandit for:
Top speed (Debateable)
Tank Range
Planted feeling round bends
Large Physical Size
Wheelies

The Hornet for:
Acceleration
Agile handling
Smaller size
Stoppies.



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[Current Bikes - GSXR-750 K5 & C90-97 ] [Previous Bikes: Runner 125, YBR 125, GS500, Bandit 600, Hornet 600, ZX6R-99, C90-99, R1-99, XT600E-04, GSXR-750 K4, CRF250L '16]

[rac3r]

I'm quite small and the tank range doesn't really bother me because I do mainly short journeys But the only thing is as you said for the money you probably get a newer/low mileage bandit. I really like the 03+ Hornet with the sharp tail but they come in at the 3k mark. Thanks for the info Keep it coming if you have anymore
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Bikes : 2006 CBR125R - 2004 Monster 620ie - 2004 ZX-6R B1H - 2005 Monster S2R 800 - 2011 Street Triple - 2009 Streetfighter 1098 - 2014 ZX-6R 636

[MarJay]

May I suggest a Triumph Speed Four as an alternative? Has better suspension than both bikes as standard, has a better tank range than the Hornet and is a lot lighter than the Bandit. I believe it might even be lighter than the Hornet but don't quote me.

Sure, they are a bit ugly, but they are also comfy and quick. And pretty cheap too. I got a 2001 model for £2k last year with 7k miles on the clock.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[colin1]

another vote for a speed four

they have better brakes, suspension and chassis

at the moment, there is a 2004 speed four with cat c light cosmetic damage on ebay for £1500

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=250375419519

tt600 is the original version, which is fully faired, but you can just take the fairings off if you want

they regularly go for less than £1000 on ebay
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[OssY]

BIASED BANDIT BANDIT BANDIT BANDIT BANDIT BANDIT BANDIT BANDIT BANDIT BANDIT BANDIT BANDIT BANDIT BANDIT BANDIT BANDIT BANDIT





much love

[chris-red]

Another vote for a Speed Four,

Hornet would come second, I wouldn't touch a Blandit again.

Slow, heavy, piss poor handling, and generally boring.

Point to make I've got a S4 had a bandit 600 (01) and ridden bandit 650 (56)/1250(08) (put a few thousand on each) Hornet 600(99 a few times briefly) So believe I have a fair amout of experiance with these bikes.
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[alun111]

I have a bandit 4 and a hornet 6. A mate of mine had a bandit 650s.

If it's anything to go by my bandit 4 is an absolute pig to work on. Everything's in the worst location, and you need small hands!

I had a go on my mate's bandit 650 the other week, was nice.. better handling I thought (although it is 6 years younger! and he also has full on sports tyres on it where as I have sports touring). The race can he has doesn't sound as nice as the one on my hornet (again, different can though).

As for the hornet, I've had mine for about 7k now and it's not let me down at all.. the only problems I've had is a puncture in the back tyre and I've managed to dent both of my wheels somehow (nothing to do with the bike... my riding somewhere). The fuel is a bit annoying, but I don't go on long rides so it's fine by me. I love the power, and I love the looks.

As already said, bandits can be picked up for MUCH cheaper, hornets are pretty expensive really.

All that probably wasn't of much help, but thought I'd give it a try.
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Summer: '00 Honda CB600F Hornet
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[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Get the hornet. It's a cracking bike.
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[Kris]

The choice really depends what you want the bike for.

If it's for hooning and mostly fun rideouts then the Honda will most likely suit. It handles better, that's for sure. Plus the 110 mile tank won't pish you off as much.

If however you will be using the bike for mostly commuting or as an 'every-day' bike then I'd say that the Bandit would suit you better. Plusher ride, 160 mile tank, and if you get the S version then a fair bit of weather protection. Centrestands make home servicing easier and easy-valve adjustments reduce servicing bills.

For £2.5k you will get a nicer Bandit than hornet although the Bandit will deteriorate quicker if neglected.
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[rac3r]

More confusion!

I'd LOVE an S4 but the problem is every one I've found is more than 3k. The one above (CAT C) looks nice, my favourite colour for that bike too but how does that CAT C/D stuff work?
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Bikes : 2006 CBR125R - 2004 Monster 620ie - 2004 ZX-6R B1H - 2005 Monster S2R 800 - 2011 Street Triple - 2009 Streetfighter 1098 - 2014 ZX-6R 636

[MarJay]

[Kris]

What are the running costs of a Triumph S4?

Won't be as cheap to insure (Group 10) or as economical (45mpg) as a Bandit I'd have thought...
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[rac3r]

[neatbik]

I get about 44 mpg overall from my s4, more if i do a sensible motorway run.
Insurance costs me £170 a year fully comp (29, 2 yrs no claims, had my license 2-ish years)

Its not heavy on brakes/chains/tyres, and in the time ive had it ive only spent money on servicing it, nothing has gone wrong.
I use it all year round and it lives outside, and it still buffs up well..


https://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q399/beatnck2/DSC00327.jpg

Before i got the s4 i test rode pretty much every 600cc naked bike out there, and a few more besides. None felt better than the Triumph.
It also looks a lot better than a bandit/hornet.........

[Kris]

[Keir]

As someone else mentioned, also think about a Fazer. Probaby faster than the others and the brakes are amazing (blue spots). Parts are cheap and plentiful. Bikes can be had from £800-£2500.
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Current : '08 Yamaha FZ1s
Previous: '99 Honda CBR 600FX, 03 ZX636 B1H, 99 Fazer 600 (red), 02 GSX-R 600 K2, 00 SV650s (red), 2008 ZX10R, 97 Bandit 1200N, 04 ZX6RR K1H, 04 GSX-R 1000, 98 Fazer 600 (gold), 05 Madness 110 Pit bike, 04 CR125R, 00 SV650s (black), 06 KTM 625 SMC, 99 SRAD 600 track bike, 03 SV650, 98 Bandit 1200N, Bandit 600SY, 03 GSX-R 600 K3, 01 GSX-R 600, 01 Fazer 600 (black), VFR 400 NC30 x3, 78 Honda Dream, 00 Speedfight 50

[neatbik]

Yeah, Fazers are pretty good bikes.

Kris, you're right, a Bandit can be picked up for less than an S4, but at the same time the S4 is a bargain really for what you get.
If i sold mine now i'd be very lucky to get any more than £2500, and mines a mint '06 plate...

[teampots]

Another Vote for Fazers here, the older ones anyway. very good bikes and very cheap to buy.
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Current - Fazer 600
Prev - Bandit x2 (Killed) CB400 (Superfour) CBR125
Currently Restoring - Kawasaki S1 250 Triple (Slowly but surely)

[rac3r]

I had a look at a few Fazers on autotrader and the 02 models look nice but i'm not sure for some reason it reminds me of couriers (no offence)

The insurance on the S4 comes out cheapest for me so it's going to be an S4 and if I can't find one then probably a Hornet. Thank you all for the info much appreciated
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Bikes : 2006 CBR125R - 2004 Monster 620ie - 2004 ZX-6R B1H - 2005 Monster S2R 800 - 2011 Street Triple - 2009 Streetfighter 1098 - 2014 ZX-6R 636

[Keir]

[craigs23]

Seeing that they are used as courier bikes must say a little about their reliability and running costs.

I'd probably buy an early Bandit 6. Bomb proof engine, cheap as chips, job's a good'un. I was a little disappointed with my Hornet, didn't stir me.

[colin1]