Can I ride a 919 Hornet like a Nana?

[skelstar]

I have asked a couple of people that I know and respect about this but I would like some more opinions on this subject, so please bear with me :

I have ridden my 250 for a while now (6500km - my first bike) and I find I am getting to the point where it is a bit slow. Dont get me wrong, although it is not as quick as a CBR250RR or zxr250 it is not exactly 'underpowered'. However I spent alot of time riding in the weekend on backroads around the Wairarapa and Im getting frustrated with ringing the snot out of throttle...so I am thinking about upgrading.

Now people will tell you that you should buy something in the 400-600cc range for your FIRST BIG BIKE. Later, once you have ridden your FBB a bit and have gained some experience then you should buy your next big bike (NBB?). Now Im not made of cash so I would rather circumvent (sp) this step and get the bike I want. So heres the (obvious) question:

Knowing that I already ride conservatively, am I able to buy a 919 Hornet and ride it like a Nana, AND avoid doing something stupid because the bike is a bit 'quicker' than my 250?

Please appreciate that I dont want a product review (I've read many), nor make assumptions that it will 'go to my head' and that I will hurt myself as a result. I just want to ride a bike that is not having to be thrashed to have fun on it. Im pretty serious about this step and would love to hear about similar experiences from the collective.

Thanks in advance.

[Sniper]

As long as you utilise common sense it should be OK. Thats my opinion. What ever you choose, good luck.

[mstriumph]

i believe you can ride anything like a nanna ------ some bikes wouldn't like it though?

[kerryg]

I
Knowing that I already ride conservatively, am I able to buy a 919 Hornet and ride it like a Nana, AND avoid doing something stupid because the bike is a bit 'quicker' than my 250?




Course you can. You can ride pretty much anything like a nana....I do....

The question is not whether you can ride a powerful bike conservatively, because anyone can, but whether you have the self-control not to let your throttle hand develop a mind of its own. I guess only you can judge that. Even geriatric old fools like me get a rush of blood to the throttle hand occasionally

[skelstar]

Even geriatric old fools like me get a rush of blood to the throttle hand occasionally
Yeah, im not saying that I wont give a 'bit of welly' every once in a while, but its something that will be gradual at first until I get comfortable with it, then a bit more, then a bit more. The same process that I used with my current bike. I was just hoping that the bike would 'allow me' technically to ride it slowly thats all. Thanks.

[Hitcher]

Good heavens! Ride whatever you want to. Just because it may go like a cut cat doesn't mean that it has to be ridden that way. My first bike after the Mighty FZX250 Zeal was a ZRX1200R. I found that the twist controller, conveniently fitted to the right handgrip, was an extremely effective way of adjusting engine speed. When used in thoughtful combination with the left hand lever and the left foot control the forward speed of the bike could be altered. Faster and slower. Surprisingly, not as much application of twist was required for the Zrex as the Zeal.

If you want to be stupid and kill yourself, then a 250 would probably be your most cost-effective option.

[skelstar]

If you want to be stupid and kill yourself, then a 250 would probably be your most cost-effective option.
Nice reply :niceone:, I guess I'm waiting for someone to say:

"You wont be able to ride very slow as the power delivery starts from about 4000rpm thats difficult to control for the novice."

I havent ridden anything other than my bike so Im a bit naive :).

[James Deuce]

Did you get that quote from a bike mag??

What'd I say about bike mags? You're NOT a novice now. You've had enough experience to get an idea of motorcycle dynamics, and the only thing you'll need to get used to is acceleration and the ease with which go to jail speeds pop up.

I reckon a Hornet 900 would be just your thing, especially if you get et al to help with a cost concious "bling it up" session. I have a mate with a GS1200SS and 12K on the clock that I don't think has even hit 6500rpm.

[bungbung]

Nice reply :niceone:, I guess I'm waiting for someone to say:

"You wont be able to ride very slow as the power delivery starts from about 4000rpm thats difficult to control for the novice."

I havent ridden anything other than my bike so Im a bit naive :).

So you don't use as much twist, big deal. When you get an unrestrained ride on a big bike, it's very tempting to give it a handful.

It's possible to enter corners faster than you expected, riding a bike which might be harder work to get through that corner.

Of course, this is optional, based on you.

I went from a ZXR250 to a VTR1000. Not as fast as a hornet, but thats academic. Take it easy, you'll be fine.

[Big Dave]

It does depend on how much of a nanna - you can still carbon and coke them up without some revs now and again.

But it is a pretty tractable and good all round bike. Pretty potent if you do decide to wick it up too.

[skelstar]

What'd I say about bike mags?
Didnt come from a mag. I made it up.
Although one day I DO want to quote from a bike mag. Perhaps change my signature to a quote from a mag, like something thatc Keith Code would write for Performance Bikes, something from the Aug 2005 edition maybe (pt).

Was good chatting yesterday BTW Jim. You riding next w-end?

[awd]

You'll be fine, by virtue of you asking the question shows rationality. My first bike was a Elefant 900 (got my license in a country and decade where you didn't have restrictions on size or power) and I'm still in one piece. Even now my bike is very much ridden like a nana, most of the time.

Go for it, you'll love the Hornet. :rockon:

[Damon]

You'll be fine, i came from my cbr250r, had a break for about a year (not my idea) and then got a VTR1000, you'll be sweet, show it some respect to start with and you'll be a demon in no time, i'm still waiting for the demon bit to kick in after two months but i'm working on it.

[et al]

Seriously though I have found the Hornet 900 is happy to be at 50k or 100k ie it feels comfortable at whatever speed you want to dial up. You can be lazy on it too - does not matter too much what gear you are in. An example is that last Saturday I was riding up Pakaek hill (from Porirua side) and after going through the twisties at what I though was a reasonable rate of knots I got to the first straight bit and thought I should hook top gear - then found I was already in top! You might find any other largish capacity inline four can do this too, but I have found this is one characteristic that I do like about the Hornet - certainly gives me a different riding experience than my other bike.

[James Deuce]

Didnt come from a mag. I made it up.
Although one day I DO want to quote from a bike mag. Perhaps change my signature to a quote from a mag, like something thatc Keith Code would write for Performance Bikes, something from the Aug 2005 edition maybe (pt).

Was good chatting yesterday BTW Jim. You riding next w-end?

Sarcastic bugger. Good quote though, eh?

We've got the big ride on Sunday, so yup, I'll be out.

[Biff]

Why buy a 919 when a CB600 would do the job just as well, if not better?
The 600 is good for some hooning fun, but not a balls out sprots bike, and is a great cruising machine to boot..

How about a CBF600S - a half faired machine. Secsy.

[myvice]

:2thumbsup Go for it!
You wont out ride the thing like it sounds like your doing with your present steed. It will take a bit of getting used to as will any new bike!
90% of this madness is confidence in your own skill and your bikes capabilities to do what you want it to do.
The other 10% is in the lap of the Gods/luck/ESP/leaving 1/2 a minute later/earlier...
Nice bikes the Hornets, take one out for a nice long test ride, if it doesn’t scare the snot out of you then try harder! If you have to try then you should be fine!

[James Deuce]

Why buy a 919 when a CB600 would do the job just as well, if not better?
The 600 is good for some hooning fun, but not a balls out sprots bike, and is a great cruising machine to boot..

How about a CBF600S - a half faired machine. Secsy.

I reckon, and please don't take this the wrong way, that the 600 Hornet is probably a more "challenging" bike to live with day to day than the 900.

Unfortunately this is the entire line up that Honda offer in Road bikes as official imports:
Sports

CBR1000RR Fireblade (http://www.honda-motorcycles.co.nz/Road/CBR1000RR/CBR1000RR_Intro.htm)
VFR800FI (http://www.honda-motorcycles.co.nz/Road/VFR800FI/VFR800FI_Intro.htm)
CBR600RR (http://www.honda-motorcycles.co.nz/Road/CBR600RR/CBR600RR_Intro.htm)
VTR1000F Firestorm (http://www.honda-motorcycles.co.nz/Road/VTR1000F/VTR1000F_Intro.htm)
VTR1000SP (http://www.honda-motorcycles.co.nz/Road/VTR1000SP2/VTR1000SP2_Intro.htm)0FSP2 (http://www.honda-motorcycles.co.nz/Road/VTR1000SP2/VTR1000SP2_Intro.htm)
Touring



GL1800 Gold Wing (http://www.honda-motorcycles.co.nz/Road/GL1800_GoldWing/GL1800_GoldWing_Intro.htm) (http://www.honda-motorcycles.co.nz/Road/GL1800_GoldWing/GL1800_GoldWing_Intro.htm)
ST1300 (http://www.honda-motorcycles.co.nz/Road/STX1300/STX1300_Intro.htm)
CBR1100XX (http://www.honda-motorcycles.co.nz/Road/CBR1100XX/CBR1100XX_Intro.htm)
Street




X11 (http://www.honda-motorcycles.co.nz/Road/X11/X11_Intro.htm)
CB1300 (http://www.honda-motorcycles.co.nz/Road/CB1300/CB1300_Intro.htm)
CB900 Hornet (http://www.honda-motorcycles.co.nz/Road/CB900_Hornet/CB900_Hornet_Intro.htm)
VTR250 (http://www.honda-motorcycles.co.nz/Road/VTR250/VTR250_Intro.htm)
Cruiser



VTX1800 (http://www.honda-motorcycles.co.nz/Road/VTX1800/VTX1800_Intro.htm)
VT750C (http://www.honda-motorcycles.co.nz/Road/VT750DC/VT750C_Intro.htm)
Scooter



Today (http://www.honda-motorcycles.co.nz/Road/Today/Today_Intro.htm)
Lead (http://www.honda-motorcycles.co.nz/Road/Lead/Lead_Intro.htm)
I reckon the CBF600S would be a great second bike to graduate to. It does everything an ex-novice needs well enough to be fun, without the threat of imminent peaky power delivery mortification

http://www.motorradkatalog.ch/kunden_occasionen/394/39485791.jpg

Doesn;t look too bad either

[SixPackBack]

I rode naked bikes for years in the mistaken beleif that sprots bike's were not my shizzle, i eventually got sick of the cold, wind and rain and bought a sprot bike, and i can say i would never go back. They offer far more control and comfort [supprisingly], but the seating and handle bar set up take a little getting used to. a naked bike all things being equall will get blitsed on the road by a sprots bike. My 2 cents worth, if you like to fang it , naked's not for you

[SPman]

,.... if you like to fang it , naked's not for you
not over 200, anyway...

[Groins_NZ]

You'll be sweet mate; you can ride the Hornet at a leisurely pace no problem (like most bikes). Before you get used to the power delivery you'll properly be doing a bit of that latter anyway (if you have some common sense and it sounds like you do). I remember my first few rides on the Hornet and I soon realised how much ‘poke’ :Pokey: it had – I used to ride to work via Paekak Hill and it took awhile to get used to the rate of knots you could approach corners at, whooooaaaaaa boy! :shit:

I reckon the Hornet is an excellent commuter bike too – don’t know if you plan on doing that? It’s quite well balanced, handling slow speeds in amongst traffic with no real difficulty and when you need to ‘squirt’ through a gap, or two, it’s a nice to know you’ve got plenty of horses at your fingertips - no need to be in the ‘right’ gear either; lots of low end torque as <B>et al</B> mentioned.

What colour are you choosing? :msn-wink:

[skelstar]

I reckon, and please don't take this the wrong way, that the 600 Hornet is probably a more "challenging" bike to live with day to day than the 900.
Im definitley getting some conflicting views from outside the forums (what do you mean outside???). Something like 'going from 27hp to 105hp and then riding in the rain is a big ask' (or there abouts). I think they have a point (I commute on my bike). So im kinda thinking 600-650 now. 4 cylinder maybe/probably. Maybe a naked Bandit 650...$10990. Perhaps a SV650 (nekid). Im sure a ride around the block will help me sort it out.

I think that I really would like a naked bike and yeah, the options are limited. While some semi-faired bikes are good looking (VTWIN yours is gorgeous) sometimes they just looking like bits of plastic falling off the front.

Ta for the discussion though guys. Maybe a loud pipe would make me feel better about a Bandit. :)

[skelstar]

What colour are you choosing? :msn-wink:
Black. Black with a black belly-pan :).

[John]

you can get a zzr14 and ride like a nana, well until something hits your and such - do what you want throttles and clutches do the speed controlling and brakes if your a wuss - once you get the 919 go down a quiet road and gun it in first, get used to lifting the wheel under power and you will be right.

[pritch]

Knowing that I already ride conservatively, am I able to buy a 919 Hornet and ride it like a Nana, AND avoid doing something stupid because the bike is a bit 'quicker' than my 250?


Umm OK. It isn't a "bit" quicker. There are not too many bikes faster 0 to 160kph.

The Hornet has excellent power in the low and mid ranges. That's to say at the speeds at which a naked bike is comfortable.

Basically, if you want to pass a truck and trailer it is very quick (and this can be useful). It should also give the hint that you could get into a lotta trouble in a short time, but as always that's up to you.

It's easy to ride slow but it can hustle if you have the skills, always remembering it ain't a CBR RRRR etceterar rrrr. (Sorry I overdosed on alphabet soup.)

The 919 has to be one of the bargains in the current market and it has a better range than the 600. (A bigger tank, and fuel injection instead of four carbs?)

Whatever you buy, stay outa the papers.

Good luck.

[Biff]

I reckon, that the 600 Hornet is probably a more "challenging" bike to live with day to day than the 900.

Think so? I found it quite a forgiving machine. Pretty much everything was 'neutral', but in a good way, particularly the handling and braking, and the de-tuned CBR600 engine was lovely. No (potentialy) scary mid range range bursts for the newb (i stepped up from a 125cc road machine), but a progressive impressive mid-range - perfik for over taking safely.

I've a scenic piccie of my ole CBF600S in the gallery here somewhere. Taken during a tour of Europe. Be buggered if I can find it though.

[Groins_NZ]

So im kinda thinking 600-650 now. 4 cylinder maybe/probably. Maybe a naked Bandit 650...$10990. Perhaps a SV650 (nekid). Im sure a ride around the block will help me sort it out.

Have you considered the Hyosung 650GT then? There's alway the semi-faired option too.

[skelstar]

Have you considered the Hyosung 650GT then? There's alway the semi-faired option too.
I have, I technically know the bike well owning the 250 version. To be honest theres nothing wrong with the make or bike but you just cant find after market stuff for them. I want to jazz the standard bike up a bit with a hugger or belly pan (they look great on a naked) but theres nothing for Hyobags. Except the 650R full faired version is pretty hard to go by. If I could sort out a more touring type position alla CBR600 F3.

You on the ride this sunday?

[Biff]

There ya go. My old Hornet CBF600S. On holiday. It sent me a postcard though.

[sels1]

Does it have to be Honda? I see WMC has some nice Triumphs in at the mo in that price range - I could see you on a 600 Daytona.......classy!

[skelstar]

Does it have to be Honda? I see WMC has some nice Triumphs in at the mo in that price range - I could see you on a 600 Daytona.......classy!
Yeah I saw a (I think new) Speed Four there for $11990+ORC. MI2 styles.

[Uncle B]

Stonechucker went from a CBR250 to the 2005 R1 with no problems.

I was cruising around on a 250 trail bike and went straight to a 1000cc twin.

If you are sensible, don't go like a lunatic and let the power go to your head you'll be fine. There are plenty of big bike riders out there that dont have the need to go like a bat out of hell.
With a bigger bike you'll probally enjoy your rides more cause your not having to play catch up all the time.

Ride what you want....thats what makes motorcycling so much fun, the variety sets us all apart but we are all united.

[Bonez]

Does it have to be Honda? I see WMC has some nice Triumphs in at the mo in that price range - I could see you on a 600 Daytona.......classy!
But "You meet the nicest people on a Honda" :banana:

[Jonty]

I have, I technically know the bike well owning the 250 version. To be honest theres nothing wrong with the make or bike but you just cant find after market stuff for them. I want to jazz the standard bike up a bit with a hugger or belly pan (they look great on a naked) but theres nothing for Hyobags. Except the 650R full faired version is pretty hard to go by. If I could sort out a more touring type position alla CBR600 F3.

You on the ride this sunday?

You're welcome to have a try of my F3 to see if it suits you for riding position. So far I have had no troubles and it is fairly comfortable.

[skelstar]

You're welcome to have a try of my F3 to see if it suits you for riding position. So far I have had no troubles and it is fairly comfortable.
Thats cool mate. I think Ill have to wait for my full and then ride some bikes (showroom) and see what I think I can handle.

[dawnrazor]

its all about temptation mate, knowing a twist of the wrist will send a jolt of adrenalin through the brain and propel you up to warp speed is very hard to resist doing once you have experienced it. knowing you have that on tap all the time, you can find it disturbingly addictive. The technical name for this condition is hooligonagus moronicious, an ugly side effect of heaps of tourque and superior handling of modern motorbikes. There is no cure except stoppie, wheelies and acceleration. Social and moral restraints, usually mean you behave reasonably well, but given an opurtunity you'll have FUN.

Go for it

[skelstar]

its all about temptation mate, knowing a twist of the wrist will send a jolt of adrenalin through the brain and propel you up to warp speed is very hard to resist doing once you have experienced it.

Yeah its VERY frustrating :). I sitting here looking at a piccy of a bike that I love the look of and it costs $10990 and it will be as much as I will ever need. Next to it is a picture of a bike (SV650 naked or Bandit 650) that I dont mind the look of, that would be 'suitable' for my skill level....and costs $10990. :crazy:

Riding home today in the pouring rain (from work) I was tiptoeing around skinny roundabouts thinking that I would rather have a 27hp bike today than a 105hp bike :).

thanks for the advice though.

[mdb]

Plenty of useful info in this thread unless you wanted to make your mind up regarding what bike to buy!

I think you should beg rides on other bikes prior to making your mind up. Figures (such as BHP) are academic until you're ripping down the road grinning like a monkey.

[Storm]

[QUOTE=mdb you're ripping down the road grinning like a monkey.[/QUOTE]
I reckon this might just be a contender for KB "quote of the year/month etc"
Describes the feeling so well

[skelstar]

I reckon this might just be a contender for KB "quote of the year/month etc" Describes the feeling so well
THis guy grins like a monkey all the time. ;)

[Storm]

Well done. Brings more happiness to the world, the old monkey grin does :D

[Avignon]

Dude I brought a CB900F5 Hornet less than a month ago. We are not in america so I wont call it a 919. Anyhow, I also weighed up all the options with regards to other bikes in a similar price range etc. I couldn't really decide, fortunately the dealers were happy for me to try em all. I suggest you do the same. One of them was even trying to sell me an ex-demo bike 1000km on if for $1000 less, but I didnt like the candy one. The 900 is a piece of piss to ride though, its happy at any speed in any gear, it will tootle along at 50kph in top or punch you up to ballistic/go directly to jail do not pass go speeds if you like, like others have said its about self control. But there's no savage step in power at X revs or anything, this is a HONDA remember, smooth linear power. It's only 189kg and feels more like a 600 or smaller in terms of handling. Go blag a ride from your Honda dealer you will see. When you get the Honda you also get a years free membership to Honda Gold rescue, which is emergency help, pick up, puncture repair etc, which is nice, oh and you ge the 2 yr unlimited km warranty etc, do I sound like a Honda salesman yet or just someone in love with his bike? :weird: Anyhow let us know how you go, Im in the process of organising a Hornet Owners Group, I'll keep ya posted.

[skelstar]

Awesome post. Thanks man.