2004 Hornet 600 for touring?

[edb]

Hi all,

I'm planning for some time in March, and later in the year, some touring mostly alone as I want to travel. Mostly Europe but depending on insurance and cost I want to head to Oz. But pricing is for another time, this is about the bike.

Anyone got experience touring on a Hornet? The longest I've ridden is about 2 hours non-stop before I've had any noticeable discomfort. That's with no luggage, just me. Or any ideas on how much say a tank bag or panniers affect the handling for this bike, power, fuel consumption etc? I can do basic maintenance myself but would a Hornet be likely to require a lot in a week or 2 of touring on tarmac?
Further to the luggage question, any recommendations?

Ideally I'd like to keep the bike as I'm fond of it, but if people have really bad experiences I'd consider selling and buying a more appropriate touring bike as I want to get a more sporty bike for fun and keep the Hornet as a commuter anyway!

Any help, hints and advice would be much appreciated!

[Duke46]

I've not toured on a hornet but we had a 600 Bandit with us last year and they had no problems. It's been said before but you can tour on anything, its just the speed and comfort that differs.

You don't mention any current accessories . If you get a fly screen it'll take some of the wind blast off and make life more pleasant on the motorway runs (there will be some). Or you could just ride at a more leisurely pace.

On the luggage front, I don't like tank bags but that's a personal thing. To be of any reasonable capacity they restrict the movement for me and can be a pain when filling up. Panniers take more luggage but obviously stick out more which can affect filtering (or car bodywork if you get it wrong!). Doesn't the hornet also has a high level pipe which may cook the pannier. Have you thought of a tail pack which you can strap to the back seat or stick a luggage rack on and strap it to that. Or even try a roll bag which you can pick up cheaply and is waterproof.

There's plenty of stuff on the market luckily. Enjoy the trips.
____________________
In the garage '05 FZS1000S, '10 KTM990SMT, '13 Tiger 800 ABS
Sold or scrapped '87 CZ125, '88 AR125, '86 GPZ500, '91 FJ1200, '05 XT600, '99&'05 CBR1100XX, '06 Pegaso 660

[Dilyan]

Top box (eg: Givi) is a must for me.

This was taken somewhere in Denmark ...

https://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/227665_10150554278565456_808390455_18355827_6677165_n.jpg


Now I have a full Oxford soft package. The one thing I do NOT like about them is that when I was on the motorway I used to lean on the tank and put my feet on the passenger pegs - minimum air resistance (saves fuel), maximum speed and zero security (was a flying missile!). Now I'm limited to one position.

Inevitably it will cost you extra in petrol.

A more sporty bike will be less a tourer, you know that?

Again, personally, I think a Hornet is just as good as a tourer as any all-round bike.

And if you go ahead - get a can of chain lube. Or even better - get a Scottoiler. It will pay itself before you know it.
____________________
Current: 2007 VFR800; Ex: 2001 YZF600R Thundercat
Škoda Octavia (yes, a taxi driver)

[gorillaonabik...]

[Hamayar]

Well, not a Hornet but near enough I have a CBF600

Bit better tank range, took it to poland last may toured as far as Ukraine then back through Germany the nice lumpy bits around Kassel then down to belgium Ardenne for a bit around 3000 miles in all

Itll do 180miles plus to reserve, hitting a stretch of autobahn and spells of 120mph plus drops that to closer to 130miles to reserve

Thats fully loaded all I need to camp for two weeks, top box soft panniers sat nav in a tank bag and rollbag across the seat with a Khyam tent and air mattress and sleepin bag.

It did fine. doing a similar run this May but lower down head out to Prague and come back more southerly routes, I plan it on the fly dependant on weather, easy to do when you camp!

[Dilyan]

Number 3 made my eyes watery

Supercool
____________________
Current: 2007 VFR800; Ex: 2001 YZF600R Thundercat
Škoda Octavia (yes, a taxi driver)

[FrankGill]

Stick an oven glove along the bottem where any contact is made with the exhaust.

[winky]

I've just returned (yesterday) from 3 weeks in Naples ,rode back over the Alps on 15th, all my luggage is Ortlieb ,fully waterproof and brilliant kit,i also used a "El nino" Alpinestars one peice waterproof and can personally vouch its a hundred percent waterproof,i came down the French side of the Alps following a snow plough on Wednesday night !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!,as previously said you can tour on anything,i was on a Suzuki GSX 750 W with a small nose fairing,did Naples to Lyon then Lyon to Calais two days,long boring toll ridden motorways ,oh and that tunnel (cant remember the name )between Italy and France which was nice and warm !!!!!!!!!!!.
i;ve toured all over Europe and Scandanavia and can safely say that comming down the Alps in a snow storm at night was very cold and not reccomended for the faint hearted !!!!!!!!!!!!,
Oh and a big up to my Michelin Pilot road 3's ,believe everything you read about their wet weather ability,
if you need any advice give me a shout
oh and avoid expensive dull French and Italian motorways if possible ,unfortinately i could not

winky

[edb]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I should have mentioned on the fly screen front, I have a small screen that came with the bike, it does me well for dual carriageway and Motorway so I don't feel I need an upgrade.
As for fuel I went for a pootle Sunday and didn't particularly ride economically, but I managed about 100+ miles per tank. Expecting this to drop with extra weight and drag but could be worse!
It was remarkably comfortable too for 6 hours riding other than a bit of thigh ache, excercises fault...
So I'm happy with the bike now I just need to think about luggage.


I've gone off the idea of panniers, as people have said the high exhaust could be a problem. Even if it's not I'd worry about it and the extra width would be no fun.
My current thoughts are a Kriega tank bag and the tank pad as I've seen them in other threads getting rave reviews. Combined with being able to stick it on the rear seat if it gets on my nerves when filling up etc.
For a 20 litre + the tank cover it's £99 delivered. I've had a look around and other tank bags which can't be easily slung on the seat are in the £80 - £100 range for similar or +/- 2 litre capacity and a bit more bulk. Or a Kappa tank bag for £60 which expands out to 24 litres which seems the only other option. Any opinions?

I've got a decent rucksack, never had problems on 2 wheels before with weight or centre of gravity but I'm hardly planning to get my knee down when touring, and so far I've not noticed my back any worse with it loaded up.

I've also got a rear rack (not sure on the make) which the previous owner used for commuting. As such I'm erring towards a top box simply because I already have a place to put it! This would be to hold any camping equipment, I should only need it big enough for a stove and utensils and spares, I don't plan on putting my helmet in it.

[Ericck]

Get a boat bag (loads of sizes available and can be bought for less than £20) totally waterproof and put it on the pillion seat.


https://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a408/ericck/100_0633.jpg
____________________
Current Bike: 2004 Suzuki Bandit 600S
Previous Bikes: Yamaha FS1E, Mobylette Moped Thingy, Suzuki GS125, Kawasaki Zephyr 550, Kawasaki Zephyr 750, Kawasaki ER500, Suzuki Bandit 600, Honda CBR600F, Triumph Street Triple 675, Suzuki V Strom 650, Suzuki Bandit 1200, Suzuki SV650N, Honda CB500F.

[edb]

How does it feel riding with that on the back?

It seems very high up to me, I can imagine it being quite awkward when riding.

[Ericck]

[edb]

Interesting idea. I didn't think to compare it to having a pillion, although I've never had one of them either...

I had a look for boat bags but they all just seem to be waterproof duffle bags, I'll have to have a search elsewhere. But in the mean time I'm definitely going to get myself a tank bag! I like the security of knowing it's there and I can use it for sticking uniform, books etc in.

[Ericck]

[Duke46]

I have a few items of Kriega kit and I can't fault it. I use a US30 on the back rack which is 100% waterproof and you can pack it with loads of kit. Quality is excellent. It comes with securing straps and you can add other Kriega bags to it.

I also have an R25 and R3 which have lasted well and are totally waterproof - so much so that I burst a bottle of water in the R25 and none of it leaked out (wrecking a camera but hey ho, can't blame the bag!).
____________________
In the garage '05 FZS1000S, '10 KTM990SMT, '13 Tiger 800 ABS
Sold or scrapped '87 CZ125, '88 AR125, '86 GPZ500, '91 FJ1200, '05 XT600, '99&'05 CBR1100XX, '06 Pegaso 660

[edb]

Bit of an update:

I ended up getting myself a Kriega US20 and the tank converter. It's great, looks smart and it feels very secure. Good capacity for what I want to take. I've not tried it out properly yet but going to Devon in April so that will be its first real test.

I've also been playing around with a rucksack I have, and decided it would fit quite nicely fully loaded on the pillion seat held down with some bungees so that can be tested on the same trip!

As for fuel, my bike unladen (bags on it but empty) managed around 175 miles to one tank yesterday. I'm sure consumption will increase when loaded up but it's a good start!

[barnhatter]

I have a 2000 hornet.
Have been on 5 tours around europe.
Going as far as the serbia boarder, Italy and Spain.
Each trip was approx 2600 miles.
I got some Givi E42 cases and rack.
Each trip is slowly evolving.
I now have a Tomtom, heated handlebars, starcom for music and directions, small screen and looking at top boxes, also have a comfy sheepskin cover for the saddle.
The bike works well the only downside is the small tank range.
Going normally I get 100-120 before reserve and 40 on reserve.
With a general reduction in pumps now I start to think of stopping at about 80miles,, which can be a bit of a pain.
The bike is fast enough for 80mph cruising hard work at anything faster, and light enough if the roas get rough.
Using bridgstones I found tyre life lasted one trip, use pirellis now, cheaper and slighty more stable.
With the bike fully loaded it has a tendecy to weave a bit if you let go of the handlebars, not normally a problem though.
Will post some more and a pic later.
Barnhatter.

[Dilyan]

May I advice you on Avon Storm? Last time I got about 8000 out of each, with plenty of life left when I swapped before starting another long-ish run.
____________________
Current: 2007 VFR800; Ex: 2001 YZF600R Thundercat
Škoda Octavia (yes, a taxi driver)

[spursfc]

I know it's not a Hornet but I did a scenic version of Lands end to John O'Groats on an R1 last year and was never really uncomfortable at all. The main reason being is I used an air hawk seat and a tank bag.

It's amazing the difference it makes being able to lean on the tank bag to take the weight of your arms. I also can't recommend highly enough the airhawk seat. A very wise purchase.

The longest leg I did was 410 miles from JOG to Alston which was more tiring than painful.

Here's my blog! https://spursfc.ontheroad.to/letojog/