600 Hornet Question

**Bikemad** · 19th January 2011, 17:03

hey folks..........mate of mine is movin up warkworth way and lookin at buyin a 2010 600 hornet for the commute to auckland.........i figure being such a recent bike it probably does everything required of it really well but was wondering if any hornet fans out there can tell me of anything in particular to look for when buying one and any down sides to riding one.............other than the gay thing........cheers

**BuzzardNZ** · 19th January 2011, 17:13

out of the 15 bikes I've owned, I only hated 1, the hornet 600.

**Bikemad** · 19th January 2011, 17:23

why was that Buzz

**Gibbo89** · 19th January 2011, 18:23

Originally Posted by BuzzardNZ

out of the 15 bikes I've owned, I only hated 1, the hornet 600.

Was it the latest model hornet?

**BuzzardNZ** · 19th January 2011, 18:31

can't remember what year it was, but was an early model one ( carbs ). It had pretty decent acceleration off the mark, but the engine was very buzzy and at a certain rev range vibrated a bit. Also it was a hell of a gas guzzler and looking back on it, I think it was a damn ugly looking bike. Still, they say the hornets have a bullet proof engine, and I never had any problems with it. The suspension wasn't that good either. Personally, I think an SV-650 would be a much better bike to commute on.

**zeocen** · 19th January 2011, 18:43

There is absolutely nothing the same with an old gen hornet vs the new gen hornet and hornet-x.

They are a blast to ride and the low down torque for a 600 is surprisingly great. I've had one as a loan bike a handful of times and love it. It feels ridiculously light, pulls hard and sounds great.
If you want to talk about vibrations and bad on gas for a mid-sized naked then look no further than an SV650. The new hornet 600 and hornet-x (with adjustable forks) is smooth all the way.

**pritch** · 19th January 2011, 18:43

The magazines I read rate the Hornet the best of the middleweights. Better even than those with bigger engines. There is a new model for 2011 but the changes are minor, new clocks apparently being the main one.

The Hornet 600 is Italian designed and built. I'd buy one, in fact in a very few years when I'm really into my dotage I may do exactly that. It has a "retuned" CBR600 engine so it should be bullet proof.

The Triumph Street Triple is a lovely bike too, but the Hornet is under the 600cc ACC levy limit which adds to the appeal for the impecunious.

If your friend doesn't know much about bikes, there may be a local KBer who would be prepared to help?

**Bikemad** · 19th January 2011, 19:08

Originally Posted by pritch

If your friend doesn't know much about bikes, there may be a local KBer who would be prepared to help?

that would be me Pritch...........drinks at the footy club tomorrow so will let him know what you lot think...........thanks for the input people

**Gibbo89** · 19th January 2011, 19:39

Originally Posted by Bikemad

hey folks..........mate of mine is movin up warkworth way and lookin at buyin a 2010 600 hornet for the commute to auckland.........i figure being such a recent bike it probably does everything required of it really well but was wondering if any hornet fans out there can tell me of anything in particular to look for when buying one and any down sides to riding one.............other than the gay thing........cheers

look at these too

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-240652237.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-345972896.htm

**Grasshopperus** · 19th January 2011, 19:47

Tell him to get the 919cc version it'll probably keep him happy for longer.

**Bytor** · 20th January 2011, 09:24

Originally Posted by pritch

The magazines I read rate the Hornet the best of the middleweights. Better even than those with bigger engines. There is a new model for 2011 but the changes are minor, new clocks apparently being the main one.

The Hornet 600 is Italian designed and built. I'd buy one, in fact in a very few years when I'm really into my dotage I may do exactly that. It has a "retuned" CBR600 engine so it should be bullet proof.

The Triumph Street Triple is a lovely bike too, but the Hornet is under the 600cc ACC levy limit which adds to the appeal for the impecunious.

If your friend doesn't know much about bikes, there may be a local KBer who would be prepared to help?

From what I've read (can't provide proof either) the Hornet is the least favourite! If you want to stay to 600cc then either the Yamaha XJ6 or new FZ are better, albeit more expensive. They should hold their value better than the Honda which has been heavily discounted - wonder why!