Honda Hornet CB600?

[Steps]

I am currently riding a Bandit 1200 2006 but am considering a change, I am impressed with what I have seen and researched on the internet about the Hornet cb600 (2008-12), I know the bikes are chalk and cheese but I will test ride a Hornet shortly and guess that will sort my decision. Has anyone out there gone from a bigger bike down to a cb600 and how do you like it? Also what is the Hornet seat like on a longer ride. cheers, Steve.

[Tigadee]

Has anyone out there gone from a bigger bike down to a cb600...?

I think lots of people have gone down to a smaller cc bike from a big one. Some because they want lower weight to handle, less costs for maintenance/consumables (e.g. fuel, tyres) or parts, others because their bigger bike is much older and they've found a newer smaller bike handles and moves just as well if not better. Some go down because they don't need the larger bike's capabilities any more (no long riding 2-up or long distance).

[SMOKEU]

Keep the big bike, you'll regret losing all that power and torque, otherwise look at a ZX12, ZX14 or Hayabusa if you want something sport touring oriented.

[Banditbandit]

Keep the big bike, you'll regret losing all that power and torque, otherwise look at a ZX12, ZX14 or Hayabusa if you want something sport touring oriented.

A Bandit is a sports tourer ..

[SMOKEU]

A Bandit is a sports tourer ..

I never said it wasn't. Since the OP was suggesting a CB600, I felt it was more appropriate to recommend another sports tourer type bike rather than a 1000cc race rep.

[Maha]

I am currently riding a Bandit 1200 2006 but am considering a change, I am impressed with what I have seen and researched on the internet about the Hornet cb600 (2008-12), I know the bikes are chalk and cheese but I will test ride a Hornet shortly and guess that will sort my decision. Has anyone out there gone from a bigger bike down to a cb600 and how do you like it? Also what is the Hornet seat like on a longer ride. cheers, Steve.

I went from a CB1300 to my current, Yamaha FZ8..
It took me all of 6-7 minutes to feel like it was the bike I wanted.
The CB was good for away trips, could be loaded like a mule and perform like one all day, no carrot needed.
Was also a good bike for smaller day trips, loved it.

Main difference noticed? the weight....both bikes are agile, the Yamaha more so naturally.
I thought the seat looked like one of those nasty sports bike things but, turned out to be very well padded, even the pillion seat, but that does not get used.
Heaps of fun to had on a mid-range naked...the Hornet has high praise.
I would have gone there but like things a little different.

1200 Bandit 98/HP
600 Hornet 100/hp
CB1300 114/HP
FZ 104/hp

Torque is cheap.

[BuzzardNZ]

The only good thing about the Hornet 600 is the comfy seat.

[Steps]

I think lots of people have gone down to a smaller cc bike from a big one. Some because they want lower weight to handle, less costs for maintenance/consumables (e.g. fuel, tyres) or parts, others because their bigger bike is much older and they've found a newer smaller bike handles and moves just as well if not better. Some go down because they don't need the larger bike's capabilities any more (no long riding 2-up or long distance).

Thanks for that, some very valid reasons to go down in size. Also thinking that the extra wind blast could hopefully lower my speed out on the main roads and avoid speeding fines.

[Steps]

I went from a CB1300 to my current, Yamaha FZ8..
It took me all of 6-7 minutes to feel like it was the bike I wanted.
The CB was good for away trips, could be loaded like a mule and perform like one all day, no carrot needed.
Was also a good bike for smaller day trips, loved it.

Main difference noticed? the weight....both bikes are agile, the Yamaha more so naturally.
I thought the seat looked like one of those nasty sports bike things but, turned out to be very well padded, even the pillion seat, but that does not get used.
Heaps of fun to had on a mid-range naked...the Hornet has high praise.
I would have gone there but like things a little different.

1200 Bandit 98/HP
600 Hornet 100/hp
CB1300 114/HP
FZ 104/hp

Torque is cheap.

Interesting, I had considered the FZ8 and a while back nearly bought a CB1300s! FZ8 looks very good, do you find it has more 'excitement' factor over your old cb1300?

[Maha]

Interesting, I had considered the FZ8 and a while back nearly bought a CB1300s! FZ8 looks very good, do you find it has more 'excitement' factor over your old cb1300?

The CB did everything I wanted as does the Yamaha...excitement?...its all relative really, any bike I own at the time has built in excitement from a personal view.
The change seemed strange at the time, the whole visual thing for one, but like I said, it didn't take long to know that what I had bought was right for me.

Get a Hornet, you wont be dissapointed.........at all.
A mate of mine owned a CBR 1000 Repsol Honda and rated the 600 very highly, so much so that he if had the money he would have bought one a second bike.

[nzspokes]

1200 Bandit 98/HP


1200 Bandit de-restricted, good can and jetted to suit 130bhp+ and huge torque.

Just sayin.

[SVboy]

No reveiwer has ever said any thing nice about that model Hornets suspension. I was tempted but the need to spend $$$ to get ok springy bits put me right off.........

[pritch]

No reveiwer has ever said any thing nice about that model Hornets suspension. I was tempted but the need to spend $$$ to get ok springy bits put me right off.........

The reviews I've read didn't bag the suspension although obviously a quality after-market shock would improve things. The Hornet was regarded as the pick of the middleweights, although BIKE now gives that title to the Street Triple. But then an after-market shock would improve the Triumph too.

[Steps]

The CB did everything I wanted as does the Yamaha...excitement?...its all relative really, any bike I own at the time has built in excitement from a personal view.
The change seemed strange at the time, the whole visual thing for one, but like I said, it didn't take long to know that what I had bought was right for me.

Get a Hornet, you wont be dissapointed.........at all.
A mate of mine owned a CBR 1000 Repsol Honda and rated the 600 very highly, so much so that he if had the money he would have bought one a second bike.

thanks so much for your comments, I am soooo looking forward to test riding a cb600, I have never ridden something like it before so I am very curious to experience such a bike. At one point I owned a ER650f but as good as it was it just lacked a bit of grrrrrr and presence if you know what I mean, I have a feeling that the cb600 has those with a little bit of bad ass attitude when really ridden as intended.

[SVboy]

thanks so much for your comments, I am soooo looking forward to test riding a cb600, I have never ridden something like it before so I am very curious to experience such a bike. At one point I owned a ER650f but as good as it was it just lacked a bit of grrrrrr and presence if you know what I mean, I have a feeling that the cb600 has those with a little bit of bad ass attitude when really ridden as intended.

A Honda with "attitude"....I would pay to see that!!

[hayd3n]

my 99 cb600 hornet still gives me the happy face everytime i ride it , bikes at 105,000kms and counting did,
1800kms last weekend,

[ducatilover]

Keep the big bike, you'll regret losing all that power and torque, otherwise look at a ZX12, ZX14 or Hayabusa if you want something sport touring oriented.

:banana: You give the best advice

But, get a Hornet 919 instead. 600s are ghey

[hayd3n]

:banana: You give the best advice

But, get a Hornet 919 instead. 600s are ghey

your reasoning??

[ducatilover]

your reasoning??

I have a 600 and I'm a knob-end, your view doesn't matter as you have a Honda.
The 919 also has a bigger penis

[Gremlin]

The CB919 is older, also no good reputation with the suspension from the budget bin.

However, they do have one hell of a reputation for a bulletproof and reliable option. Haven't heard of one being killed yet. One was owned by a courier, racked up 200k+ and the engine was never opened. Mate has one at 140k, mine is at 109k, another mate at 96k.

If I do kill it, I'd definitely pick up another.

[AllanB]

Suspension. Always comes up on KB with the nakeds.

Other than the expensive exotic nakeds they all have 'average' suspenders that would be improved by replacement. Bandits, Hornets FZ's etc etc. It does not mean they are shit or should be eliminated. I've seen excellent riders ride average bikes better than average riders on better bikes .....

Front spring replacements are cheap - $200 to Robert cleaned up my front. Cost a bit more for the rear .......

[Steps]

Suspension. Always comes up on KB with the nakeds.

Other than the expensive exotic nakeds they all have 'average' suspenders that would be improved by replacement. Bandits, Hornets FZ's etc etc. It does not mean they are shit or should be eliminated. I've seen excellent riders ride average bikes better than average riders on better bikes .....

Front spring replacements are cheap - $200 to Robert cleaned up my front. Cost a bit more for the rear .......
your comments are spot on. I am considering a few bikes at the moment and hope to ride them over the next week;
cb600, fz800, gsr750, z750r. they are all good bikes but I am sure one will stand out or fit me better than the others, fingers crossed! Looks wise I am lovin the Z750R, I see though that a Z800 is now the latest model and it looks freckin unreal!! Maybe I will wait and get that, but will it be coming into NZ anytime soon??

[hayd3n]

I have a 600 and I'm a knob-end, your view doesn't matter as you have a Honda.
The 919 also has a bigger penis

lol i have 2 hondas!!!

[James Deuce]

It's a nicely built bike with the added bonus of cheaper rego. It is very capable and is a better bike in every way than a Hornet 900. The 900 carried a great deal of promise and turned out to be the starting point for a great bike rather than a great bike.

[ducatilover]

lol i have 2 hondas!!!

http://a4.ec-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/65/3ff37a96db7b747b5e6fcdcf0ab864d1/l.gif

[tigertim20]

Keep the big bike, you'll regret losing all that power and torque, otherwise look at a ZX12, ZX14 or Hayabusa if you want something sport touring oriented.

not everyone is obsessed with power.

Yes, I recognize the hypocrisy of me saying that:spanking:

[hayd3n]

not everyone is obsessed with power.

Yes, I recognize the hypocrisy of me saying that:spanking:

funs in the corners

[Sharry]

My lovely '98 Hornet 600 could manage anything, while she was alive, commuting,touring with luggage and track work. She was sitting on 98,000 kms and I was looking forward to seeing her turn 1000,000 kms :yes:
They are the best girlfriend you will ever have... They are up for anything you can ask of them and simply don't stop.

[hayd3n]

My lovely '98 Hornet 600 could manage anything, while she was alive, commuting,touring with luggage and track work. She was sitting on 98,000 kms and I was looking forward to seeing her turn 1000,000 kms :yes:
They are the best girlfriend you will ever have... They are up for anything you can ask of them and simply don't stop.

106,000 '99 600 here and still climbing here

[george22]

The only good thing about the Hornet 600 is the comfy seat

[Steps]

The only good thing about the Hornet 600 is the comfy seat

Well gang, I test rode a Z750 last Saturday; excellent engine and power, great breaks and good looks, but.....awful seat and hard suspension, maybe the suspension settings were on the harder settings? Anyway I'm not so sure on the z750 but I did enjoy the bike apart from the lack of comfort. I am hoping to test a Hornet 600 this weekend, should be interesting!!

[dukestraykker]

Hey, have you had a chance to test ride the cb600 yet? I am looking at getting one myself, and would love to see a couple of recent reviews from test rides.. I am hoping to get on one shortly myself to test!