Honda Hornet CB600?

[Steps]

I am currently riding a Bandit 1200 2006 but am considering a change, I am impressed with what I have seen and researched on the internet about the Hornet cb600 (2008-12), I know the bikes are chalk and cheese but I will test ride a Hornet shortly and guess that will sort my decision. Has anyone out there gone from a bigger bike down to a cb600 and how do you like it? Also what is the Hornet seat like on a longer ride. cheers, Steve.

[Tigadee]

Has anyone out there gone from a bigger bike down to a cb600...?

I think lots of people have gone down to a smaller cc bike from a big one. Some because they want lower weight to handle, less costs for maintenance/consumables (e.g. fuel, tyres) or parts, others because their bigger bike is much older and they've found a newer smaller bike handles and moves just as well if not better. Some go down because they don't need the larger bike's capabilities any more (no long riding 2-up or long distance).

[SMOKEU]

Keep the big bike, you'll regret losing all that power and torque, otherwise look at a ZX12, ZX14 or Hayabusa if you want something sport touring oriented.

[Banditbandit]

Keep the big bike, you'll regret losing all that power and torque, otherwise look at a ZX12, ZX14 or Hayabusa if you want something sport touring oriented.

A Bandit is a sports tourer ..

[SMOKEU]

A Bandit is a sports tourer ..

I never said it wasn't. Since the OP was suggesting a CB600, I felt it was more appropriate to recommend another sports tourer type bike rather than a 1000cc race rep.

[Maha]

I am currently riding a Bandit 1200 2006 but am considering a change, I am impressed with what I have seen and researched on the internet about the Hornet cb600 (2008-12), I know the bikes are chalk and cheese but I will test ride a Hornet shortly and guess that will sort my decision. Has anyone out there gone from a bigger bike down to a cb600 and how do you like it? Also what is the Hornet seat like on a longer ride. cheers, Steve.

I went from a CB1300 to my current, Yamaha FZ8..
It took me all of 6-7 minutes to feel like it was the bike I wanted.
The CB was good for away trips, could be loaded like a mule and perform like one all day, no carrot needed.
Was also a good bike for smaller day trips, loved it.

Main difference noticed? the weight....both bikes are agile, the Yamaha more so naturally.
I thought the seat looked like one of those nasty sports bike things but, turned out to be very well padded, even the pillion seat, but that does not get used.
Heaps of fun to had on a mid-range naked...the Hornet has high praise.
I would have gone there but like things a little different.

1200 Bandit 98/HP
600 Hornet 100/hp
CB1300 114/HP
FZ 104/hp

Torque is cheap.

[BuzzardNZ]

The only good thing about the Hornet 600 is the comfy seat.

[Steps]

I think lots of people have gone down to a smaller cc bike from a big one. Some because they want lower weight to handle, less costs for maintenance/consumables (e.g. fuel, tyres) or parts, others because their bigger bike is much older and they've found a newer smaller bike handles and moves just as well if not better. Some go down because they don't need the larger bike's capabilities any more (no long riding 2-up or long distance).

Thanks for that, some very valid reasons to go down in size. Also thinking that the extra wind blast could hopefully lower my speed out on the main roads and avoid speeding fines.

[Steps]

I went from a CB1300 to my current, Yamaha FZ8..
It took me all of 6-7 minutes to feel like it was the bike I wanted.
The CB was good for away trips, could be loaded like a mule and perform like one all day, no carrot needed.
Was also a good bike for smaller day trips, loved it.

Main difference noticed? the weight....both bikes are agile, the Yamaha more so naturally.
I thought the seat looked like one of those nasty sports bike things but, turned out to be very well padded, even the pillion seat, but that does not get used.
Heaps of fun to had on a mid-range naked...the Hornet has high praise.
I would have gone there but like things a little different.

1200 Bandit 98/HP
600 Hornet 100/hp
CB1300 114/HP
FZ 104/hp

Torque is cheap.

Interesting, I had considered the FZ8 and a while back nearly bought a CB1300s! FZ8 looks very good, do you find it has more 'excitement' factor over your old cb1300?

[Maha]

Interesting, I had considered the FZ8 and a while back nearly bought a CB1300s! FZ8 looks very good, do you find it has more 'excitement' factor over your old cb1300?

The CB did everything I wanted as does the Yamaha...excitement?...its all relative really, any bike I own at the time has built in excitement from a personal view.
The change seemed strange at the time, the whole visual thing for one, but like I said, it didn't take long to know that what I had bought was right for me.

Get a Hornet, you wont be dissapointed.........at all.
A mate of mine owned a CBR 1000 Repsol Honda and rated the 600 very highly, so much so that he if had the money he would have bought one a second bike.

[nzspokes]

1200 Bandit 98/HP

1200 Bandit de-restricted, good can and jetted to suit 130bhp+ and huge torque.

Just sayin.

[SVboy]

No reveiwer has ever said any thing nice about that model Hornets suspension. I was tempted but the need to spend $$$ to get ok springy bits put me right off.........

[pritch]

No reveiwer has ever said any thing nice about that model Hornets suspension. I was tempted but the need to spend $$$ to get ok springy bits put me right off.........

The reviews I've read didn't bag the suspension although obviously a quality after-market shock would improve things. The Hornet was regarded as the pick of the middleweights, although BIKE now gives that title to the Street Triple. But then an after-market shock would improve the Triumph too.

[Steps]

The CB did everything I wanted as does the Yamaha...excitement?...its all relative really, any bike I own at the time has built in excitement from a personal view.
The change seemed strange at the time, the whole visual thing for one, but like I said, it didn't take long to know that what I had bought was right for me.

Get a Hornet, you wont be dissapointed.........at all.
A mate of mine owned a CBR 1000 Repsol Honda and rated the 600 very highly, so much so that he if had the money he would have bought one a second bike.

thanks so much for your comments, I am soooo looking forward to test riding a cb600, I have never ridden something like it before so I am very curious to experience such a bike. At one point I owned a ER650f but as good as it was it just lacked a bit of grrrrrr and presence if you know what I mean, I have a feeling that the cb600 has those with a little bit of bad ass attitude when really ridden as intended.

[SVboy]

thanks so much for your comments, I am soooo looking forward to test riding a cb600, I have never ridden something like it before so I am very curious to experience such a bike. At one point I owned a ER650f but as good as it was it just lacked a bit of grrrrrr and presence if you know what I mean, I have a feeling that the cb600 has those with a little bit of bad ass attitude when really ridden as intended.

A Honda with "attitude"....I would pay to see that!!