the choice gets harder every day [Archive]

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HenryDorsetCase

27th February 2006, 09:57

Honda are specialling off CB900 Hornets brand spankers for $11000.

Not as cool as the Triumph I like, but twice as much power and better brakes.

Not as cool as the Buell I want, but half the price.

Not as cool as the Ducati I also like, but half the price.

Its a crapload of bike for $11000 !!

I dont want to deal with Honda, but dont like Suzuki Bandits.

the good thing is I can afford it AND do the home improvements that I need to do.

skelstar

27th February 2006, 10:03

I felt exactly the same before buying mine. They are quite customisable though.

I kinda thought they were a bit 'conservative' but got a good reaction after getting it.

Theres a few threads about the bike going around if you want fairly indepth feedback on them. Just search under 'Hornet'. The '05 Hornet review' one is excellent.

Sniper

27th February 2006, 10:22

Go for it mate.

HenryDorsetCase

27th February 2006, 11:42

all the second hand ones are $8k. and a new one is $11? I will take the warranty etc thanks.

In The Breeze

27th February 2006, 11:47

all the second hand ones are $8k. and a new one is $11? I will take the warranty etc thanks. 100% agreed! A lot of bike for 11g's!!!

skelstar

27th February 2006, 12:09

HDC - with the new model you get much more adjustment on the suspension too. '02-03 gives you adj rear only I think (might be wrong). Not a big deal, but a nice luxury. I *think* 05's are 2 way on the front, 3 way on the rear.

pritch

27th February 2006, 12:29

When I was looking for a bike, the Hornet (919 in the USA) wasn't exactly what I was after, but the $2000 price reduction swung it.

I'm glad I bought it, and my next bike will likely be another Hornet, if only so I can swap the "fruit salad" bits from one bike to the other. Easier than taking the bigger bits off and selling them on Tardme....

Hornets have to be the stand out bargain in the market at the moment, last time I looked a 600 Yamaha (FZ6?) cost more than a Hornet and it's rated a shit bike. The FZ1 is more powerful, is probably a slightly better tourer, but it costs about half as much again as a Hornet. Not much incentive to change there...

Devil

27th February 2006, 13:08

last time I looked a 600 Yamaha (FZ6?) cost more than a Hornet and it's rated a shit bike...
Have you tried one? I thought it was a very cool bike. Quite a hoon mobile. The only thing I didnt like about it was a few vibes, could have just been that particular one. R6 engine sounded neat.

Henry: Why dont you try a speed four before you commit yourself. only $900 more, similar power (less torque), but 20kg lighter, plenty comfy and better handling :D

HenryDorsetCase

27th February 2006, 15:13

...too...much.......... choice: ...... head .......... exploded .......... can't ........ ride......... no ........... moooooooooore.......

Edbear

27th February 2006, 20:55

Don't know what's come over Honda lately, but yeah the Hornet is somewhat of a bargain right now. Probably the old slow sales problem? Surely the Blackbird would have to be the steal of the year right now, too? Always been a Suzuki fan, but Honda a pushing a few buttons lately.

gav

27th February 2006, 22:03

Well both the Hornet and Firestorm are out of production, there is no '06 model, so they are specialing off '05 stock. Depends if that makes a difference to ya, or you want to wait and see if or when a replacement is made.

gav

27th February 2006, 22:17

I guess if you didnt have to deal with Casbolts it might be easier to decide too. Talking with a mate of mine on saturday, he's looking at buying a new VTR1000 and trading a ZXR400, but wants to know what they're like two up. Told him to go in and see if you could get a test ride, what response did he get? " Yeah bring in $10K and ya girlfriends ZXR and ya can take one for a ride..." WTF? The guy is getting a redundacy cheque worth about $35K, farkin' sure I wouldnt be spending any of it with those bozos :no: Sure, if ya didnt have a demo bike, at least take the guy seriously and see if you could get a S/H one for the guy to try out , he's not a boy racer, mid 30's, owns 5 rental properties,he could pay cash for a 999 if he wanted, but he's more interested in a VTR, I told him to go check out a SV1000.....

skelstar

28th February 2006, 07:47

Are you sure about the '06 model Gav? At least overseas they only have the Candy Apple Red available in the '06 model. Havent read anythign about it being discontinued. Besides the Hornet has been on special for at least 7 months. Reckon its more about getting people onto a Honda for the rest of their life.

imdying

28th February 2006, 08:27

HenryDorsetCase

28th February 2006, 08:38

Casbolts have always been like that :( A guy I know (some will have seen his VTR with custom billet bits all over it at rallys) went in their in his work overalls, with cash, to buy a vtr. Crap service saw him head to rangiora and buy it there :)

without boring you with my life story, extraordinarily bad, not to mention rude, "service" from Casbolts many years ago made me vow never to go back, much less give them my hard earned money. The contrast with Eric Woods (under the new owner) is stark: Woods realise that they are retailers, and they need customers to survive: so every time I go in there I am greeted, chatted to, and offered test rides. "Here, take this for a spin, its a gas". So far I have bought a helmet and visor off them, plus some other bits, all at full retail just because they are easy to deal with.

Ive already made the call to Rangoria Honda. :)

dawnrazor

28th February 2006, 08:42

skelstar

28th February 2006, 08:43

I have bought my Hornet from my local Honda dealer, but theres no reason why i cant get my bike serviced at my favourite bike shop. My fave shop even suggested a test ride on the new 06 R6 (and 06 R1) despite having bought a new bike 2 weeks ago :). Now thats cool.

imdying

28th February 2006, 09:00

Hahahah, so true. When I was a Polytech student (took my 6r there) I would wander in on my way to the South City food court. Had to tell them plenty of times 'nah got no money, maybe when I graduate'. I guess bums on bikes == sales though :D

imdying

28th February 2006, 09:01

Just wait until suzuki bring out a 1000cc version of their GSR600I'm guessing the SV replacement will be a GSV1000? That's be cool, and explain the cheap SV1000s :niceone:

skelstar

28th February 2006, 09:04

I think the SV's are cheap because of the Firestorms being super cheap ($12500?).
HDC - your not considering the SV1000?

HenryDorsetCase

28th February 2006, 09:39

I think the SV's are cheap because of the Firestorms being super cheap ($12500?).
HDC - your not considering the SV1000?

I had a SV650, and I really like the 4 cylinder engine. (I also like Honda motorbikes, if not thier importers or dealers). I have ridden a mates SV thou S with Microns and I really like the way it goes. the motor (and particularly the radiator) is butt ugly IMO... and I think its more expensive than the hornet.

I promised myself my next V Twin would be a Ducati, and I cant afford one at present :(

skelstar

28th February 2006, 09:42

Yeah fair call. I rode an SVthou and prefered the inline-4 (Zapf's Hornet). With a couple of cans (expensive) it sounds FANTASTIC.

HenryDorsetCase

1st March 2006, 11:32

DONE DEAL !!!

I have a black '05 CB900 Hornet coming, buying from Ashburton Honda.

its a week or so away, so I get time to organise the coin, and explain to my S.O. why our home reno fund has been pillaged.

thanks to all who have listened and responded to my proposed purchases... I think this is the ideal bike for me at this point.

Just in time for winter :(

skelstar

1st March 2006, 11:59

Good stuff mate. I hope you have a ball.

Rashika

1st March 2006, 14:45

without boring you with my life story, extraordinarily bad, not to mention rude, "service" from Casbolts many years ago made me vow never to go back, much less give them my hard earned money. The contrast with Eric Woods (under the new owner) is stark: Woods realise that they are retailers, and they need customers to survive: so every time I go in there I am greeted, chatted to, and offered test rides. "Here, take this for a spin, its a gas". So far I have bought a helmet and visor off them, plus some other bits, all at full retail just because they are easy to deal with.

Ive already made the call to Rangoria Honda. :)
yep, I've always had the same from Eric Woods....even to the extent of having the New MG Grizzo for the whole weekend, last weekend... now if THAT aint trying to sell you a bike (in the nicest possible way!), I dont know what is. :yes:

DONE DEAL !!!

I have a black '05 CB900 Hornet coming, buying from Ashburton Honda.

Excellant! I've always quite like the look of the Hornets...have fun with the new baby when ya get it! :)

Kendog

1st March 2006, 17:55

An excellent choice, but I would say that :whistle:

I am sure you will enjoy it.

Stopper Dan

1st March 2006, 18:15

mmmm street fighters. i want one

Zapf

1st March 2006, 22:24

LOL... one more for the SWAM!

skelstar

2nd March 2006, 07:46

Im sure Zapf means SWARM