Honda CB250 Hornet info wanted.

[kneescraper]

Once my RGV is sold I will be looking for a semi naked/naked style bike...must be a 250cc though.

Looking on tardeme Ive seen a few of the Honda CB250 Hornets..in one auction the seller says they share the frame, suspension and swing arm off the CB600 and CB900, is this true.

Also what is the quality of the bike like, good handling? strong engine etc? being a Honda Im sure its all good news but I havent heard much about these bikes....

Cheers.

[Fub@r]

Talk to GIJoe...he rides a Hornet.......damn sexy to listen to when you get stuck behind him

[kneescraper]

Cool cool, do they use the same engine as the CBR250rr?

[Donor]

Go on, you know you want a RZ250...

They're all the rage, find a 250R with the stock bikini fairings, dead sexy.

And I'm not biased, I swear! much...

[kneescraper]

RZ250's are 2 stroke are they not? I'm planning on riding up a storm...long trips. 2 stroke wont like me if I did that.

[Donor]

RZ250's are stroke are they not? I'm planning on riding up a storm...long trips. 2 stoke wont like me if I did that.

2 stroke, aye...

Half the servicing required, and provided you feed them the good oil/fuel, they'll love you long time...

[gijoe1313]

Hokay! The little ol'Hornet is a ride that won't let you down and always leave you with a grin on your face! The parts it shares are more in common with the 600, however the reliability of these little pocket rockets of fun should mean you don't have to worry about those particular parts!

(btw, thanks Fub@r for always having a good word to say about the Hornet! I still need to eyeball your ride up close!)

Bulletproof engine, great revver and has got the go-gas to get you where you want, quickly, safely and above all with the most maximum amount of fun! Apparantly in England, its been noted that bike couriers use this to get around on their rounds!

It handles incredibly well and agile to boot (ain't most 250s anyway?) I've taken it all around the NI (Cape Reinga to Welly and everywhere in between) and with the Diablo Stradas I'm running on, it breeds nothing but confidence in you as you pootle/blat around the twisties and straights.

It is a very forgiving bike and basically wants to ride as much as possible! The naked look is great for maintenance and polishing it up. Check out

http://www.hondahornet.co.uk/ for some more info. I know I'm bias, but once I checked out the other 250s and sat on this, I knew the little ol'Hornet was for me!

And oh yeah, Hornet riders seem to be among the most passionate and slightly more than deranged bikers out there! :whistle: Any other pointers you want to know, I'll be here ready to laud the plaudits of the little ol'Hornet! :woohoo: :love: :rockon: :first:

[kneescraper]

Thanks for that GIJOE, they are a awesome looking bike. The only thing I find hard to get my head around is the price tag..but being 6ft4 and of a real mans build I dont like the little bikes. Once the RGV is sold I think I will end up buying a Hornet..even if it is out of my price range.

[Fub@r]

once I checked out the other 250s and sat on this, I knew the little ol'Hornet was for me!


But you never tried an Electric Mango though now did you? :Punk:

[gijoe1313]

But you never tried an Electric Mango though now did you? :Punk:

The scary thing is, if the dealer had an Electric Strawberry coloured one, I made have preceded you and WarlockNZ on a GT! :whistle:

@Kneescraper

Hey, I know what you mean about the pricing - insane 250 fiddy prices and Hornets are right up there! But you won't regret it if you do decide to do a righteous thing and be a Hornet rider! 'sides, how many others do you know that ride Hornets? :msn-wink:

Oh yah, I weigh 102 (+2kg for Xmas and Boxing day feasting) kg so pity my poor little Hornet! It still moves quickly!

[kneescraper]

Oh ok....well 102kg is about the same for me, so I should be ok. I might bite the bullet is just buy one :) easer said than done I spose. I love the look of them aye. Have you seen the latest Hornet 600 in the November issue of BIKE mag.....pure SEX! I hope they bring out a 250 like that....amazing peice of work.

[gijoe1313]

Aye I did, been following the posts on the Hornet's Nest bulletin boards and it's been a mixed bag - I want to see one with MkI Eyeball, but it's all gravy anyhows baby!

As for the poor little ol'Hornet twofiddy, methinks the powers to be won't be visiting it in a looong while :no: But that's why we have crazy japanese Hornet obsessed riders who produce a million and one after market products for them! :woohoo: ... Just need to get my nihongo skills to match! :doh:

Looking forward to when you post about your new addition to the hive! Muwahahahah! :Punk:

[kneescraper]

For sure mate, I have sold my RGV so I am on the look...how exciting!

[McJim]

Having covered a few miles with gijoe I can vouch for the hornet - he still hasn't let me have a go though. Coming from the RGV you're gonna end up with something with a lot less power but I'm sure you realise that. I think the engine os shared with the CBR250R but not sure if it's got all the gubbins of the CBR250RR (that had vtec technology in it did it not?) The japs restricted their 250s from 1993/4 onwards so the modern hornets will not put out much more than 40 hp at the crank.

If you're budget is restricted try and get a Spada 250 - late eighties but has the same hp as the hornet but more torque as for being comfortable for a big fella I don't think the spada will be any different - it will fit into your budget and might leave you with a few bob to modify the seat and maybe the peg positions?

my 2c - btw my VTR250 is fun when I'm with gijoe on the uphills. The VTR has more torque and so I can see him dwindle in my mirrors frantically dropping through gears to find his power while the torque of the V-twin carries my lardy arse up the hill!

[campbellluke]

http://www.hondahornet.co.uk/250spec.html

A 180/55 is a huge back tyre for a 250cc bike.

Those specs didn't show BHP but google says that it's got 33. Sounds like a good bike.

I thought that they had stopped making 250 4s but :rockon: to Honda if they still do.

Edit: DOH, that weblink did mention 33bhp.

[gijoe1313]

Having covered a few miles with gijoe I can vouch for the hornet - he still hasn't let me have a go though. Coming from the RGV you're gonna end up with something with a lot less power but I'm sure you realise that. I think the engine os shared with the CBR250R but not sure if it's got all the gubbins of the CBR250RR (that had vtec technology in it did it not?) The japs restricted their 250s from 1993/4 onwards so the modern hornets will not put out much more than 40 hp at the crank.

If you're budget is restricted try and get a Spada 250 - late eighties but has the same hp as the hornet but more torque as for being comfortable for a big fella I don't think the spada will be any different - it will fit into your budget and might leave you with a few bob to modify the seat and maybe the peg positions?

my 2c - btw my VTR250 is fun when I'm with gijoe on the uphills. The VTR has more torque and so I can see him dwindle in my mirrors frantically dropping through gears to find his power while the torque of the V-twin carries my lardy arse up the hill!

Oh lordy, yer right! I guess I'm never stopped still for a while long enough for me to dismount and allow you to get your leg over (ooer! :o) Fair enuff - what you doing tomorrow young fellow me lad? I'll whip her over and you can pootle around on a four stroker ... and come back and start saying how a V-twin is still the bee's knees! :lol: And as for lagging behind on the hills, I'm a nana rider and we all somehow seem to end up at the same destination anhows! :angry2:

Oh wait...I'm paranoid still about riding during the silly sale return and shop season! :eek5:

[kneescraper]

Sapda 250 eh? I think I read something about one of those a few years back in a 250 lerners book. I'll have a search for them and she if I like them. Im not toooooo worried about performance as I want a good bike to get my full licence on and one to have a quite whip into the hills and further..no track time or full throttle racing.

I'll have a look at the Spada and get back to ya's.

Edit: Well Ive done a quick search on our best friend trademe and found this minter...very low KM's (prob wound back) nice looking bike...V-twin which is cool. Is this a cheap price for one?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Tourers/auction-81833002.htm

Edit, EDIT: Some pictures of Spada's
http://www.importmc.com.au/bikes/mc20/

[gijoe1313]

Only 3770kms? Yow! Sounds like a proper proper learner's bike! If you like the V-twin feel then definitely ask McJim, he's got the lowdown on that!

[kneescraper]

Cool cool, so many bikes to chose from...I wan't to stay with Honda as Ive owned a Yamaha FZR250, Suzuki RGV250 and Honda CBR400rr and the Honda had the best build and had a amazing sound. Wish I had keep that CBR now :(.

[gijoe1313]

Ahh the fond regrets of something amazing let free! Never mind, all I know is that if you choose a Hornet as your weapon of ride, you'll always be grinning! :msn-wink:

Jedi mind trick .... "You do want a Hornet" :yes:

[kneescraper]

Dont worry mate...Im still considering the Hornet, maybe one day we can have a 2 man Hornet meet.

[Lteejay]

Dont worry mate...Im still considering the Hornet, maybe one day we can have a 2 man Hornet meet.

Oh oh, make that a 3 person Hornet meet :woohoo: . I got my Hornet just over a week ago and I thinks shes the most beautiful thing out there. Can't give ya too much info on the bike as I am just learning, but I have heard great things :yes: . And they sound great.

[kneescraper]

And they sound great. An expensive sound at that..looking at the prices, they are so expensive for a 250cc but thats what they cost now days don't they. Hmmm I'll keep on saving unless I can find a Honda project bike for the right price.

[SilentDtH]

An expensive sound at that..looking at the prices, they are so expensive for a 250cc but thats what they cost now days don't they. Hmmm I'll keep on saving unless I can find a Honda project bike for the right price.

Just remember their re-sale value, and it all becomes worthwhile :)

[kneescraper]

Well thats true SilentDtH but because of the high re-sale price does that mean it takes alot longer to get rid of the bike once your finished with it. Alot or people are in the same boat as I, we find it hard to hand over $5500 when you see CBR1000 (the old ones) and CBR600 F2's going for the same or even less. But thats the thing, you have to ride a 250 when your on ya learners and restricted...thus people can push the prices high. Taking about it gets us no where though, just have to bit the bullet and go and see my Bank..or worse off save for 3 months and miss the summer riding.

[kneescraper]

Could always buy one of these :(

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=82480365

[SilentDtH]

Well thats true SilentDtH but because of the high re-sale price does that mean it takes alot longer to get rid of the bike once your finished with it. Alot or people are in the same boat as I, we find it hard to hand over $5500 when you see CBR1000 (the old ones) and CBR600 F2's going for the same or even less. But thats the thing, you have to ride a 250 when your on ya learners and restricted...thus people can push the prices high. Taking about it gets us no where though, just have to bit the bullet and go and see my Bank..or worse off save for 3 months and miss the summer riding.

Yeah good point, Although I don't see these as difficult to sell. If you really needed cash at the time you could sell for 4.9k for a quick sale, only lost $600 and you've had a great summer! I guess then there is interest on top of that etc etc. I saved up for mine, took me a while but it was worth the wait!

The ZZR price looks very appealing... However i love my four cylinders and 180 rear tyre too much :)

[kneescraper]

However i love my four cylinders and 180 rear tyre too much yeah that rear tyre and larger frame does things to me too :) I might take my time and save and get one ready for next summer...I might buy in winter when the prices drop some what.

[SilentDtH]

yeah that rear tyre and larger frame does things to me too :) I might take my time and save and get one ready for next summer...I might buy in winter when the prices drop some what.

This sounds like a plan! Hmmm maybe you should follow the path I took to purchase my Hornet? It took about 3 months but I got the exact bike I wanted and it is in mint condition. I went through www.emoto.co.nz, you give him $1k deposit, then he sends you pictures of Hornet's that are up for auction and then you give him a maximum bid on the Hornet of your choice. No obligations can pull out at anytime and refund your bid deposit. If you win the bidding then you just pay the rest. Pick up is from Christchurch, so you also get the fun of riding it all the way to your city of choice... mine was Auckland! WOOOOSH!

[gijoe1313]

That's the spirit! Increase the number of Hornet twofiddys in NZ rather than play pass the parcel! :niceone: We need more Hornets out there! :woohoo:

[kneescraper]

SilentDtH may sell me his bike later on this year as he will be moving up in CC size (to a Hornet 600 or 900 I would think!) so I might buy his if its as good as he says :)..

[SilentDtH]

You guessed right, i'll be looking at a larger Hornet to embrace. Although I did ride a 2006 Triumph Speed Triple Naked bike, that was very fun!! NOOO must not leave the nest!!

Here are some pics to show you just how beautiful she is. You get an idea of quality from the pics :) I could've pm'd you the pics but I wanted to show gijoe as well :)

[kneescraper]

ME WANT ME WANT MEEEEEE WANNNNNNNNNT...can't wait untill Aug, then she will be mine :) Touch wood.

[SilentDtH]

ME WANT ME WANT MEEEEEE WANNNNNNNNNT...can't wait untill Aug, then she will be mine :) Touch wood.

hehehe thought you might like it ;) I'll keep you updated.

[gijoe1313]

vurry nice! :yes: I see you have been taking care of it and the tanker sticker still there! Did the engine come in that black scheme originally when you got it? Even got those nice chrome clocks - which I want to get for my ride!

[SilentDtH]

vurry nice! :yes: I see you have been taking care of it and the tanker sticker still there! Did the engine come in that black scheme originally when you got it? Even got those nice chrome clocks - which I want to get for my ride!

Yes I look after it very carefully :) It's all original colours/parts, nothing changed, nothing damaged ... yet! *must continue to ride safe!

[gijoe1313]

Yes I look after it very carefully :) It's all original colours/parts, nothing changed, nothing damaged ... yet! *must continue to drive safe!

Drive? Drive!!? DRIVE!!!? Heinous heretic! To biker hell with thee! (biker hell : A pink zimmerman walking frame with training wheels, bicycle bell and a 25cc motor)

I think you need to reassess your terminology! :angry2: :bash: :brick: :thud: :slap: :Pokey: nah, no worries!

[SilentDtH]

I don't see any drive?!?! what are you talking about?? :shutup:

[gijoe1313]

I don't see any drive?!?! what are you talking about?? :shutup:

Hows that pink zimmerframe down there? :devil2:

[SilentDtH]

Hows that pink zimmerframe down there? :devil2:

I managed to get nitrous for it so it goes pretty hard :scooter:

[kneescraper]

Give Me Give Me Give Me Give Me Give Me Give Me.....