Honda CB600 Hornet & CBF600

[HarryMac]

Hi folks,

Been looking at CBF600 but have also seen some CB600S Hornets.

Struggling to find the differences - I had thought the Hornets either didn’t have a fairing (or a small handlebar mounted one) but I’ve seen some adverts which have Hornets with what appears to be the same fairing as the CBF.

Can anyone tell me (or point me in the direction of a suitable source) if they are just variations of the same model or if they’re different.

Would also appreciate it if someone could specify the differences (if there are any).

Thanks

[stinkwheel]

The CBF is about 20kg heavier, 70-80mm longer, has half a degree more rake, a 160 as opposed to 180 section rear tyre and is down about 20bhp power and 4ft/lb in torque.

Both are based on a de-tuned CBR motor.

In short, the CBF is lardier, slower and less responsive than a hornet. i suspect the suspension spec also reflects this. The CBF6 is more of a light tourer, the CB6 is more of a sports commuter.

Honda 600cc inline 4 hierarchy going from lighter, faster, sportier to slower, comfier easier to ride:
CBR600RR > CBR600F > CB600F > CBF600.

Mates in my bike club have had both CBF600s and CB600Fs. The CBF did not stay for long, the hornets were sold to different members until; they were run into the ground. By all accounts (and I've never ridden either) the CBF is dull as ditchwater, and was designed to be. The Hornet is quite poky and pretty entertaining to hoon about on.

Neither of them are CBRs which are fast, revvy and sublimely agile supersports motorcycles.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[HarryMac]

[quote="stinkwheel”]. In short, the CBF is lardier, slower and less responsive than a hornet. i suspect the suspension spec also reflects this. The CBF6 is more of a light tourer, the CB6 is more of a sports commuter.

Honda 600cc inline 4 hierarchy going from lighter, faster, sportier to slower, comfier easier to ride:
CBR600RR > CBR600F > CB600F > CBF600.[/quote]

Exactly what I was wanting to know, THANKS.

[droog]

Yeah - Mr Stinkwheel is spot on - I've owned a 98 Hornet 600 and rode a CBF600 as a courtesy bike - although they share a lot of components including the engine (although different state of tune as mentioned) they are like chalk and cheese.

I loved the Hornet and had more 'fun' on it than just about any other bike I've owned - but the CBF was dull as ditchwater in comparison.

[ThatDippyTwat]

Some of the later Hornets were indeed faired (CB600S is faired, CB600F is naked). It's trivial to swap them over to a more traditional Hornet look if you want though. The local training school ran quite a few of both versions. Exactly the same bike under the dress though, as far as I could tell.

You definately want the Hornet over the CBF, they're decently amusing over 7K, and will keep you happy for a couple of years if this is a first "big" bike. They also hold value well and will do moon mileage with regular oil/filter changes if you want a keeper/commuter. I'd happily have one if it appeared at the tight-fisted prices I pay for bikes (They don't).
____________________
'98 VFR800 (touring) - '12 VFR800 Crosrunner (Commuting) - '01 KDX220 (Big Green Antisocial Machine)

[stinkwheel]

I seem to recall the CBFs are popular for use as rental/courtesy bikes, presumably because they are easy to ride and unrewarding to thrash.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[droog]

[TravisBickle]