Another Hornet - The swarm grows! [Archive]

Badger8

8th August 2008, 13:07

Well, i finally got around to giving my new baby a good mechanical and cosmetic sort-out and clean-up last weekend, and got out the camera while the sun shone. :sunny:
Didnt realise just how mint she was until i gave her a good going over, DAMN she's in good nick! (with the odd little exception, which i am working on tidying up :yes:)

Badger8

8th August 2008, 13:13

...and some more...
Damn i love that rear end shot :buggerd: oops, was that out loud? :laugh:

AllanB

8th August 2008, 13:30

.
Damn i love that rear end shot

Pervert <_<

Badger8

8th August 2008, 13:32

Pervert <_<

What can i say... i know sexy when i see it! :eek:

AllanB

8th August 2008, 13:36

When you look at mine from the rear there are two holes..........:sweatdrop

Badger8

8th August 2008, 13:36

When you look at mine from the rear there are two holes..........:sweatdrop

ooh, you have been a busy boy... :rofl:

imw-hornet

8th August 2008, 14:03

Hay Hay Badger
Once again , good looking bike ,,,,, :wari:

Now just to keep her clean Ha Ha :laugh:

gijoe1313

8th August 2008, 14:18

Remember, the best thing about a little ol'hornet that is clean, is a dirty little ol'hornet ... which shows they have been ridden and ridden and ridden! :yes:

Those big ol'tyres need a lot of loving ... and if you put Diablos on them, they'll last you 20 000 kms ... (mind you, I ride like a nana!)

Now find those long twisty roads and pootle them at 10K revs! They loves it they does!

Badger8

8th August 2008, 14:34

yod

8th August 2008, 14:35

so you quite like your bike then?

Badger8

8th August 2008, 14:43

so you quite like your bike then?

I think it'd be safe to say so :)
Suits me well for the here and now

NOMIS

8th August 2008, 14:48

I used to like the 2 holes on the rear of mine.... :-) hard tryna keep them clean it was and made a bit of noise to...

yod

8th August 2008, 15:15

I think it'd be safe to say so :)
Suits me well for the here and now

they're one of the nicer 250's around imo

looks good in white too

Badger8

8th August 2008, 15:17

they're one of the nicer 250's around imo

looks good in white too

Yer, and one of the few 250's i can actually fit on with my... err... man sized frame :laugh:
I love those big tyres too, nice and stable, good for getting my confidence up in corners etc, and dont dance quite so bad when they let go on moss/gravel etc

AllanB

8th August 2008, 17:06

I used to like the 2 holes on the rear of mine.... :-) hard tryna keep them clean it was and made a bit of noise to...

I know of someone around here who crashes his Hornet so the repair shop cleans their bike :whistle:

Sorry - could not resist!

Trudes

8th August 2008, 18:09

Woohoo, white!! Looks kewl in white!!:niceone:

Jeaves

8th August 2008, 18:09

Hornet riders...breed of their own :banana:

NOMIS

8th August 2008, 18:10

they didn't even clean it.

Wild west honda should be better tho. you no i never binned my mx bike's hard ( putting it on it side not a crash ) after 4 years riding, now I crash twice and every one give me shit.. lol

fair enough tho asshole hahaha

AllanB

8th August 2008, 19:51

I crash twice and every one give me shit.. lol

I think its in the KB rules somewhere to get a lot of stick after a off.

Its the family's way of offering a hug! :yes:

:love::love::love:

MadDuck

8th August 2008, 19:55

What an awesome looking bike...but I would say that given the colour scheme

TOTO

10th August 2008, 23:29

how come it has only 6000 ks on the clock ? wasnt it at 14k when we were buying it ?

Badger8

11th August 2008, 00:09

how come it has only 6000 ks on the clock ? wasnt it at 14k when we were buying it ?

nope, that was the other one that you liked, with the aftermarket can.
I was a little suspect as to whether the k's were genuine, but after stripping down the engine, i believe them :D
oh, and it's not 6k anymore, put just a few more on since then :yes:

Griffin

23rd August 2008, 12:03

What happened to the plans of getting a Cruiser...? Werent you planning on a C50 a while back?

Badger8

23rd August 2008, 12:21

What happened to the plans of getting a Cruiser...? Werent you planning on a C50 a while back?

Yer, was lookin at the C50. Hadnt found a 250 i could comfortably fit, til i went bike shopping with a mate one saturday and found myself test-riding a hornet... and as they say, the rest is history :)
I still reckon i'll end up on a cruiser one day, but for now i'm havin a bit of fun on a semi-sproty :wari:

Richard_gib

23rd August 2008, 22:19

NOMIS

23rd August 2008, 23:25

LOVE it, Love it, Love it...

Came in from Jap Land with carbon fibre front guard and twin exhaust. She makes a hell of a noise (Sounds a bi like a F1 car with a bee up its arse). Lots of grunt for a 250.

you must be the one with same set up as me... Wana sell your front gaurd will give u mine on top of cash :-)

KelvinAng

24th August 2008, 15:43

gijoe1313

24th August 2008, 18:52

Well Kelvin, you just got to work out your budget :lol: And yes, the little ol'hornet does not make it easy at all to easily flick off ... :oi-grr:

You know you will be regret it as soon as you step off it onto a scooter ... your wallet might feel better, but what price your freedom? That little ol'hornet will take you to new places and experiences you will find more difficult to do on the scooter (the madcap Cape Reinga Caper showed that you can indeed tour on a fifty!)

If you really, really need to conserve gas, just don't wind on the throttle like we know all little ol'hornet riders love to do :innocent: But then, where's the fun in that? :msn-wink:

I have the solution. Buy a scooter as well, use the hornet for big rides out and when you need to go for those open, twisty roads! :yes:

imw-hornet

24th August 2008, 19:01

I think the lil' ol'hornet is one evil machine. I regretted buying it. There's so much to like about it I can't bare to sell it away, but I've been thinking of getting a scooter for commuting and keeping two bikes is a bit expensive, rego/wof/insurance wise.

Damn the Hornet! :wacko:

What is this that i am reading :bash::angry2: i thinks that you need to sit down and redo the maths ,,,,, yes you will save on the WOF for the scooter , about the gas side ,,,, i am useing just a bit more than than when i had my scooter ( which i had it a little hotted up as STD sux:angry2:) and am having a huge amount of fun ,:woohoo:,, not forgetting the feeling of safty from the Hornet,:msn-wink:,,,, seriously give it a lot of thought mate :cool:

imw-hornet

24th August 2008, 19:11

LOVE it, Love it, Love it...

Came in from Jap Land with carbon fibre front guard and twin exhaust. She makes a hell of a noise (Sounds a bi like a F1 car with a bee up its arse). Lots of grunt for a 250.

Sweet looking bike mate :yes:,,,,, Enjoy and welcome to the club :woohoo:

KelvinAng

24th August 2008, 20:44

The problem with me, I think, is that I can't decide which bike I like best. Every bike is sweet. Before I bought the lil' ol'hornet I was looking at the Suzuki VL250, the Yamaha FZR250, the Vespa LX150, and the Honda CBR125 :love: The lil' ol'hornet came by chance... I walked into the shop, saw it, test rode it, like it, dropped it (opps), bought it.

Yes ideally I've love to keep the lil' ol'hornet for weekend pootling and get a 125cc scoot to commute... will weigh the cost! I'm a closet scooterist :Oops: and I enjoy riding a scoot, parking on the pavement (not obstructing human traffic, of course) and doing small grocery runs without carrying a backpack. Scoots are blardy convenient. Centre stand, under-seat storage, small physical size, and CVT. And they're are a chick magnet :yes:

zalforce1

25th August 2008, 12:10

man all you people talking about your awesome hornets make a guy waiting til Jan to buy his (because needs to save the money) wanna cry... or rob a bank :weep:

zalforce1

25th August 2008, 12:18

I think the lil' ol'hornet is one evil machine. I regretted buying it. There's so much to like about it I can't bare to sell it away, but I've been thinking of getting a scooter for commuting and keeping two bikes is a bit expensive, rego/wof/insurance wise.

Damn the Hornet! :wacko:

Mate! have i got a deal for you! i'll trade you your hornet for my FXR! hahahaha. FXR are ideal commuters. they are just as effiecient, just as cheap to ensure and maintain, and still let you go for blats in the weekend!! i've ridden mine from Napier to Auckland :yes:

why not get the best of both worlds? :2thumbsup

we could come up with a deal when i've save a bit of money and do a swap. what do you think?

PS: my FXR is a 2005 and only done 8200km!

NOMIS

25th August 2008, 13:00

zalforce1

25th August 2008, 19:09

TUI - all need to say good luck tho

i dont mean a straight swap. i mean swap plus cash from my side

Badger8

25th August 2008, 19:32

man all you people talking about your awesome hornets make a guy waiting til Jan to buy his (because needs to save the money) wanna cry... or rob a bank :weep:

... or chuck someone a box of beers and take theirs for a test ride :2thumbsup

zalforce1

25th August 2008, 20:01

... or chuck someone a box of beers and take theirs for a test ride :2thumbsup

yeah very good idea but want one for myself! don't know anyone with one at the mo but cant wait to test ride one when im ready to purchase

KelvinAng

25th August 2008, 22:31

Mate! have i got a deal for you! i'll trade you your hornet for my FXR! hahahaha. FXR are ideal commuters. they are just as effiecient, just as cheap to ensure and maintain, and still let you go for blats in the weekend!! i've ridden mine from Napier to Auckland :yes:

why not get the best of both worlds? :2thumbsup

we could come up with a deal when i've save a bit of money and do a swap. what do you think?

PS: my FXR is a 2005 and only done 8200km!

You're a bit far from me, mate. Shipping both ways is going to cost... I sure aint gonna ride up to Auckland :baby: Besides I'm really, really undecided. It's like having a really hot but high-maintenance girlfriend.

Are you absolutely sure you want to let yourself down into this hole that you can never, ever get out of? Save yourself, while you still can! And stay away from the Hornet modding thread! It's evil, I tell ya! Evil!

NOMIS

25th August 2008, 22:40

if only you new what went thru my head when i saw hornet and modding in the same sentance..... the images going through my mind.....

zalforce1

25th August 2008, 23:06

You're a bit far from me, mate. Shipping both ways is going to cost... I sure aint gonna ride up to Auckland :baby: Besides I'm really, really undecided. It's like having a really hot but high-maintenance girlfriend.

Are you absolutely sure you want to let yourself down into this hole that you can never, ever get out of? Save yourself, while you still can! And stay away from the Hornet modding thread! It's evil, I tell ya! Evil!

hahaha sorry bud too late i've already read it! and yeah i know what you mean becoz its become one of the main reasons i want a hornet as my next bike! thats fair enuf i know shiping would cost a bit. i didnt expect you to ride to akl!!! just thought if we both were keen it could be a good trade. save a lot of trouble!

good luck in making a tough decision!

KelvinAng

25th August 2008, 23:13

Hopefully they're good, happy images :whistle:

KelvinAng

25th August 2008, 23:20

hahaha sorry bud too late i've already read it! and yeah i know what you mean becoz its become one of the main reasons i want a hornet as my next bike! thats fair enuf i know shiping would cost a bit. i didnt expect you to ride to akl!!! just thought if we both were keen it could be a good trade. save a lot of trouble!

good luck in making a tough decision!

I had wanted a FXR150. Even went to the local Suzuki shop and ask if they receive them as trade-ins as wanted to put my name down for one if one comes along, but they aren't too keen. The digital dash is so cool. It's also a light bike which I like. I thought the lil' ol'hornet is a bit heavy... maybe it's just me :baby:

Happy saving up! I'm sure it will be a satisfying buy for you in the end :clap:

NOMIS

26th August 2008, 09:33

I had wanted a FXR150. Even went to the local Suzuki shop and ask if they receive them as trade-ins as wanted to put my name down for one if one comes along, but they aren't too keen. The digital dash is so cool. It's also a light bike which I like. I thought the lil' ol'hornet is a bit heavy... maybe it's just me :baby:

Happy saving up! I'm sure it will be a satisfying buy for you in the end :clap:

not saying this in a bad way but you should just toughen up lol

KelvinAng

26th August 2008, 10:04

not saying this in a bad way but you should just toughen up lol

Actually that's true... At 149kg dry I suppose it is not that heavy a bike, but it is to me! I had a hard time trying to pick it up when I dropped it. I also find balancing the bike at 10km/hr traffic jam speeds a wee bit tough, and had to stick both legs out like training wheels :baby:

Trudes

26th August 2008, 11:07

NOMIS

26th August 2008, 11:17

Actually that's true... At 149kg dry I suppose it is not that heavy a bike, but it is to me! I had a hard time trying to pick it up when I dropped it. I also find balancing the bike at 10km/hr traffic jam speeds a wee bit tough, and had to stick both legs out like training wheels :baby:

Maybe give that basic handling practise ago straight line 10m 17 seconds or what ever you have to do you should be able to come in to trafic idling with ur hand slightli on clutch and brake and roll no problems slow as hell and still keep your balance.

Just keep practising, And how much do you weigh man im 68kg and i can pick my bike up no sweat,

KelvinAng

26th August 2008, 12:03

Oh my, sounds like you need to practice some slow speed manoeuvres in a car park for a few hours (it's actually easier to keep the bike balanced if you keep your feet up on the pegs and keep looking up), and get to the gym, if I (*cough* a woman) can pick up my 190+ kg Hornet you should be able to pick yours up (hint: there is a technique to it). :)

I guess I should drop my bike a few more times (gently on the lawn, that is) and get some practise there! Had seen the youtube video posted here some time ago on how to pick up the bike after a drop, but it's not working well for me (not that I tried for very long, though, as helpful people seem to be everywhere and they came by to give me a hand).

I'm mostly alright with that slow 10m ride thing during basic handling or on my lil' ol'hornet. I stick my legs out more of a preventive measure actually, in case I lose my balance or wasn't concentrating enough... but more than once already my legs came in useful for correcting my balance. On my wee little scooter that I used to have for months I didn't need to do this, and never felt the need to do this as a precaution. Guess I'm just not used to the lil ol'hornet enough?

I'm 1.7m 72kg (hmm maybe more nowadays due to yummy Coupland's pies). The lil' ol'hornet felt a wee bit tall for me though both feet usually can touch the ground flat (depending on which pair of jeans or leathers I wear).

Trudes

26th August 2008, 12:21

Practice practice practice, you will become more confident with the weight of the bike and the general feel of its balance points the more you handle it and ride it. Always remember also to look up at where you want to go, as soon as you look down you'll get the wobbles. Good luck, you'll get there!! :sunny:

gijoe1313

26th August 2008, 12:22

Its just a matter of becoming more familiar with your little ol'hornet, more riding helps and just the everyday use will enable you to become more in tune with your ride.

The little ol'hornet is a very responsive machine and it does what you tell it to do, good drills to do is to find a carpark with those painted lines at an angle, and practise riding between them and making a turn and doing a slow zig zag between them.

This improves your handling confidence and slow speed skills, just remember to keep turning your head, look to where you want to go, and keep your head up.

Funnily enough, I find this drill harder to do on my Big Ol'Hornet :msn-wink:

Keep at it! :yes:

KelvinAng

26th August 2008, 13:41

Yeah after riding the lil' ol'hornet for a month she definitely felt easier to handle, but I guess still not spending enough time with her. It's been about 1000 kms so far but most of the time it's straight, speedy roads, not twisties. She's real nice on the straights. I read about other learner-legal bikes struggling or vibrating too much on motorways etc but the lil' ol'hornet sure is taking it easy.

In the last month I've developed a riding pattern, not sure if it's a "good" or "bad" habit. Town commuting, I tend to get up to 4th gear, 4-5k rev, travelling 40-50km/hr. I found this to be quite good, quiet, and... fuel-saving :D On the open road pootling sessions she goes top gear (6th), 8-9k rev, 100-110km/hr.

Nope, no magical 10k rev is reached often... and really there's no need for it (unless overtaking on the motorway :whistle: )

Badger8

26th August 2008, 15:47

I guess I should drop my bike a few more times (gently on the lawn, that is) and get some practise there! Had seen the youtube video posted here some time ago on how to pick up the bike after a drop, but it's not working well for me (not that I tried for very long, though, as helpful people seem to be everywhere and they came by to give me a hand).

Eat some more pies, and hit the gym :bleh:
I find she's still light enough that i can pick up the back end and swing it around when trying to wiggle it into the small space in the garage if needed. Havent dropped her yet, so not sure how heavy they are to get upright again.

In the last month I've developed a riding pattern, not sure if it's a "good" or "bad" habit. Town commuting, I tend to get up to 4th gear, 4-5k rev, travelling 40-50km/hr. I found this to be quite good, quiet, and... fuel-saving :D On the open road pootling sessions she goes top gear (6th), 8-9k rev, 100-110km/hr.

Nope, no magical 10k rev is reached often... and really there's no need for it (unless overtaking on the motorway :whistle: )

You'll find that's 5th gear you're in round town there... 5th matches pretty well with the speed (i.e. 4k revs = 40 kph, 5k revs = 50k, works fairly well up to 100kph :)) i tend to sit in 4th or 5th at 50-60k, dependent upon what the traffic is like. Just be aware if you need to twist the throttle to escape and do it from under about 6k revs, she will be a lot slower.

You'll get the feel of her more and more as you spend more time on her. Try to get out of town for a good long ride, you'll find it boosts your confidence a lot more than the equivelant time in short burst around town :yes:

KelvinAng

26th August 2008, 17:01

You'll find that's 5th gear you're in round town there... 5th matches pretty well with the speed (i.e. 4k revs = 40 kph, 5k revs = 50k, works fairly well up to 100kph :)) i tend to sit in 4th or 5th at 50-60k, dependent upon what the traffic is like. Just be aware if you need to twist the throttle to escape and do it from under about 6k revs, she will be a lot slower.

You'll get the feel of her more and more as you spend more time on her. Try to get out of town for a good long ride, you'll find it boosts your confidence a lot more than the equivelant time in short burst around town :yes:

Oh yes... I mean to say I ride in 4th... between 4-5k revs most of the time, and travelling between 40-50km/hr (if travelling 50km, probably the revs are near 6k). Before that, I rode in 3rd... with the engine revving between 6-8k revs, sometimes reaching near 10k. She sounds like she's going really fast, but there is no wind, and a peek at the speedo shows "50km". My puny brain couldn't process this conflict of information...

Badger8

26th August 2008, 18:03

Oh yes... I mean to say I ride in 4th... between 4-5k revs most of the time, and travelling between 40-50km/hr (if travelling 50km, probably the revs are near 6k). Before that, I rode in 3rd... with the engine revving between 6-8k revs, sometimes reaching near 10k. She sounds like she's going really fast, but there is no wind, and a peek at the speedo shows "50km". My puny brain couldn't process this conflict of information...

yer, 7k revs = 60kph, so sittin about 50-55 is good in 4th most of the time i find. Still enough zip to nip round munters in cages, without wringin the tits off her. Gives you a better feel for the speed too, as you say :)

Choco

26th August 2008, 18:17

And stay away from the Hornet modding thread! It's evil, I tell ya! Evil!

Muahahahaha!

I cruise around town in 3rd or 4th. Mine makes weird ticking noises at low RPM :confused::confused::confused: and I like it when its a bit more responsive at 6k+.

Oh and want some fun? ride around the middle of town in first gear :D Yay for 10k+