Honda hornet 250

[Delerium]

Is there any significant differences between the earlier model 250 hornets compared to the later ones eg 1998 compared to an 02/03 model.

I was looking at this one, but the kms seem awfully low for a 98

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-163971028.htm

[gijoe1313]

There does seem to be some differences in a few places, a few bits and pieces which are extra on the later models.

As for the low milage, the ex-japan ones are often like that ... many aren't ridden very far for very long in their time of japanese ownership! Just a little pootle to the railway station, park up and then ridden back home at the end of the day! :scratch:

If you are looking at homes, drop me a PM ... I'm Hornet mad and love those little wee beasties :love:

And oh yeah, you have impeccable tastes and if you decide to go Hornet, you won't ever regret it! :yes: :woohoo:

[Delerium]

Thanks for the reply! Iv pretty much made up my mind that a hornet is what I want, just waiting for my payout from my old job before I go shopping. I was just mucking aorund last year and getting an idea of whats out there and the hornet seems to be ideal, 4 stroke 4 cylinder, that isnt getting long in the tooth like the early 90s bikes can be. Looks good too. A little pricy but you get what you pay for I guess as with most things in life.

[gijoe1313]

No hay problema, just remember, if you are going out to buy one ... I'll be able to come along and take a look with you - I've been out today and took a look at a couple of random ones, and they aren't the best specimens of what a primo Hornet should be!

And yes, they are pricey now ... gone up $1-1.5k since I last bought mine little ol'hornet!

People are starting to cotton on that these little bikes are the bee's knees! :pinch: :love:

Drop me a PM if you want me to tag along! :yes:

[Delerium]

Cheers for that, when I go out looking ill see if your available

[imw-hornet]

Hi all ,First post on this forum,,,,, new to the onroad riding (normally on my KLX 300) and have setteled on getting the Hornet 250 , picked it up on Saturday , and man , what a bike , i am over the moon with the "big bike" feel.I would easly say to any new new road rider to go for this bike ,,,, ITS GREAT :)
I do all my own servicing and repairs on my dirt bike ,ans was wondering if anyone can help me with finding some online manuals or hand books for the hornet.

Thanks all , and great Forum :)

Cheers

[gijoe1313]

Woo woo, all the little ol'hornet riders are coming out of the hive! Nice to see a little swarm growing into a much bigger one!

As for things hornet, they are pretty easy to maintain and look after - if you do a dirt bike, these will be easy for you!

And of course, if you be needing some more help/advice, just flick me a PM!

[imw-hornet]

thanks 4 that , will keep that in mind ,,,, when i lose it tring to do somthing ,, ha ha :laugh:

[meatface]

is there anything in particular you should look at on a hornet when you got and look at one? Problem areas?

I've been in to look at the Hornet that Delerium mentioned. I sat on it but didn't ride it though and really didn't know what I was looking at!

[imw-hornet]

:2thumbsup That is where i got mine , Great guys and very helpfull i must say , the main thing is ,,,, are you Comfortable on the bike , i tried a few other bikes but settled on the hornet , better build , feel and not to mention ,, in line 4 , yea ha , what a bike , great to comute to work , its just so easy to ride ,,,,, double thumbs up :)

[gijoe1313]

Well, its always good to have someone come along and look at that with you! :msn-wink: Anyone can drop me a PM if they need a second opinion to kick tyres on little ol'hornets! :msn-wink:

[NOMIS]

More hornet riders aye.. Gi joe the man for hornet questions. Guess im gonna have to keep up with the blinging to stay different now with these new hornet pilots out huh.

There is so much bling available for them as well. and there are good bikes

[NOMIS]

is there anything in particular you should look at on a hornet when you got and look at one? Problem areas?

I've been in to look at the Hornet that Delerium mentioned. I sat on it but didn't ride it though and really didn't know what I was looking at!

They don't have problems!!!!! :argh: lol. if your out west ill come and have a nosey with yah as well.. my bike back tomoroooowww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAAAAYYYYHHHAAA!!

[Choco]

Hornets are awesome, love how they scream at high RPM's and so responsive too! :love:
Not as good on gas as my old GN was, but you can overtake quite a bit faster!

And trust Gijoe, he's the Honourable Hornet Master and is wise about all things hornet. :niceone:

[T bone]

I've had issues with mine, was cutting out. Found out to be a cdi unit, so I've got another one & replaced the regulator to be on the safe side

[NOMIS]

I've had issues with mine, was cutting out. Found out to be a cdi unit, so I've got another one & replaced the regulator to be on the safe side

1st ive heard on this problem... 1st i have ever heard on any prob on the hornet. One thing I do hate about my hornet thought is kicking back into neutral from second gear when giving it shit.

[kimjie]

yeah i've got that same situation the other day.... first.. it won't start... so i've checked everything on it... the gasoline switch (had reserve and gas on, my baby is a bit old... so no gas gauges) but it won't start that fast... 2nd part was... i experienced 2x engine stall... don't know why... just riding my bike back home it's in stop light so have to slowdown and put it neutral... got it in neutral but the engine just drop dead ( engine stalled!!!) dont know why... if anyone out there know why it would stall give me some advices.. Gijoe... hope you know this you too Nomis...

hope everyone could help

[gijoe1313]

Have you checked the battery? If it isn't that, trace back to kill switch, may have to dismantle and give it a quick shot of electrical spray. If it isn't that, may be CDI unit.

How many kms has it done? Sparks may need some attending to ... I hates lecky probs, always a fault finding exercise and it turns out to be something simple (hopefully most of the time!) :scratch:

[kimjie]

it got 24 thousand ++ on the clock... and it has been overhauled (carbs front fork) new chains... all electrical is working... sometimes it's hard to start too...the first time i got it... i took it for a spin...and i kinda hit it... pull it up from 2nd gear to 4th gear straight 10k rpms... and my friend saw some black smoke came out of the pipe... i was thinking about the carbons on the muff just got dust off... but it rattle me brain about that plugs... new oils... (just dont know the plugs if it's still alright or not) me not a mechanic though i want to learn... i know it's hard to remove everything to replace a plug (mainly the tank) hope know a lot more...

thanks for helping...hope not to bother anyone else... lolz

[gijoe1313]

S'alright to ask questions, keeps the noggin' thinking and maybe someone got a solution thunked already! Heaven knows I remember the probs I have had to ask here and got some durn handy help!

Those are prob the first set of plugs and they do go phut everynow and then (usually need to be changed around 30 000kms). Might be worth checking them out if only for peace of mind (I know when my little ol'hornet lost power and wouldn't start was due to the sparks being clappered out!)

Not too hard to remove the tank, just a single bolt in the rear to remove and just a matter of removing the fuel line and vaccum line from the fuel petcock.

Then gently ease the tank off to the back from the two rubber bungs on the frame. If you look under it, you will see the mount point.

[NOMIS]

S'alright to ask questions, keeps the noggin' thinking and maybe someone got a solution thunked already! Heaven knows I remember the probs I have had to ask here and got some durn handy help!

Those are prob the first set of plugs and they do go phut everynow and then (usually need to be changed around 30 000kms). Might be worth checking them out if only for peace of mind (I know when my little ol'hornet lost power and wouldn't start was due to the sparks being clappered out!)
.


Do you know any aftermarket plugs? and if yes have you got plug numbers?

[xwhatsit]

Do you know any aftermarket plugs? and if yes have you got plug numbers?
Best to stick with what the manufacturer specified. If you're feeling particularly flush, you can buy the uprated iridium-tipped version of the same plug, which is supposed to last much longer and be more resistant to fouling.

[NOMIS]

Best to stick with what the manufacturer specified. If you're feeling particularly flush, you can buy the uprated iridium-tipped version of the same plug, which is supposed to last much longer and be more resistant to fouling.

Thats what im after. just want to know a part number so i can get the local repco to get em in, I know NGK make them And I got 2 seperat numbers . But im not sure which is correct and if there a iridium version

[xwhatsit]

Thats what im after. just want to know a part number so i can get the local repco to get em in, I know NGK make them And I got 2 seperat numbers . But im not sure which is correct and if there a iridium version
Ah ok -- CR8EH9, which are ludicrously expensive IIRC. The iridium version on NGK, there's usually an IX chucked in there somewhere. Probably the CR8EIX would be the correct iridium version, but I'm not 100% on that.

[NOMIS]

Ah ok -- CR8EH9, which are ludicrously expensive IIRC. The iridium version on NGK, there's usually an IX chucked in there somewhere. Probably the CR8EIX would be the correct iridium version, but I'm not 100% on that.

Thanks alot for that

[NOMIS]

Got part number now.

Standard - CR8EH9
IRIDIUM - CR8EHIX9 .. NGK plus for honda hornet250

[kimjie]

Not too hard to remove the tank, just a single bolt in the rear to remove and just a matter of removing the fuel line and vaccum line from the fuel petcock.


vaccum line that's the fuel line right... and that petcock is what??? if i did got the tank out... would it spill some fuel??? on the carb and on that fuel line...??? this would be embarrasing but could you take a picture of it... lolz... this would be much of help not just only me but some other hornet newbie riders out there too if they got some prob's just like mine...

thank you for helping... hope not too much of a pain in the @ss lolz...

[xwhatsit]

vaccum line that's the fuel line right... and that petcock is what??? if i did got the tank out... would it spill some fuel???
The Hornet 250 has a vacuum fuel tap. They're a bit more complicated than the normal ones, but they work like this. There's two hoses, fuel hose and vacuum hose. If you turn the tap to On or Reserve, there's a rubber valve that won't let any fuel through the tap out into the fuel hose. However, if you pull a vacuum in the vacuum hose by starting the engine, then the vacuum created by the engine in the vacuum hose will suck that rubber valve open and let fuel through. Switch the engine off -- no vacuum in the hose, so the valve stays closed and no fuel will flow.

However, you can bypass that rubber hose by turning the tap to Prime, and fuel will flow no matter what.

So, in short, if you leave the fuel tap set to On or Reserve, when you disconnect the hoses and pull the tank off, fuel won't spill (maybe a tiny bit from what was left in the hose, but that doesn't matter).

[kimjie]

So, in short, if you leave the fuel tap set to On or Reserve, when you disconnect the hoses and pull the tank off, fuel won't spill (maybe a tiny bit from what was left in the hose, but that doesn't matter).

so in short i'll just put it on OFF then it will be easy and secure to remove the tanks??? or it's vice versa... put it to On or Reserve the fuel inside my tank won't spill out???

[xwhatsit]

Oh, wait, what? It's an On, Off, Reserve tap? If so, just set it to Off. No fuel will come out the tap when you unplug the hose.

I thought it was like GiJoe1313's Hornet -- On, Prime, Reserve. In which case you set it to On or Reserve, then fuel won't come out the tap.

[kimjie]

ok thanks... just turn it off and theirs no problem at all... thanks a lot got lot's of help in this forum.. more HP to all and ride safe...

[imw-hornet]

Well have to agree with NOMIS ,,, they don’t give problems ,,,, little head scratching sessions ,,,, maybe Ha Ha , Thanks to Gijoe who calmed me down with my little " head scratching session" :laugh:
As you predicted ,,,, running sweet as now thanks again

[gijoe1313]

No problems, little ol'hornet probs are my speciality at times! :o Nothing that some TLC can't cure and making sure that the basics are kept up to date with! :yes:

And its nice to have the two brother praked side by side in the gargre again! :love: Gotta luv 'em Hornets!

[jordibeau]

Hi I've just bought a Hornet and I'm loving it but I'm a bit disappointed with the brakes. Anyone know of any upgrades (preferably cheap) I can do to increase stopping power? Also the front end feels a little too soft I was thinking of getting progressive fork springs but if anyone knows of a cheaper way to fix these problems it would be much appreciated.

Cheers

[speeding_ant]

Hi I've just bought a Hornet and I'm loving it but I'm a bit disappointed with the brakes. Anyone know of any upgrades (preferably cheap) I can do to increase stopping power? Also the front end feels a little too soft I was thinking of getting progressive fork springs but if anyone knows of a cheaper way to fix these problems it would be much appreciated.

Cheers

Get them cleaned out, re-bled and put new EBC sintered pads in them. I have no issues with my brakes, enough power to pull stoppies and lock the front wheel.

Re: forks - I found the same thing. I stacked mine out with a shim, but need to replace springs eventually. If you come across a good/cheap set let me know.