05 CB900F Honda Hornet Review

**et al** · 23rd September 2005, 21:37

Looking at the various after market exhausts here: http://www.919.org/exhaust.htm - in my opinion I reckon Honda did an excellent job styling wise and the standard ones are my pick for looks side & rear. Of course if it is noise you are after then looks are not so important. I recall reading some time ago (in a Pommie bike mag I think) that they tried various after market exhausts and could not get any performance improvement, but again if noise is what you are after then who cares as long as it does not stuff up the power delivery.

**Groins_NZ** · 23rd September 2005, 21:51

Originally Posted by et al

Here is the link to a site which has info and a picture for the airbox mod:
http://www.919.org/flap.htm
Check out the other Hornet stuff from here: http://members.lycos.co.uk/sweepyuk/

Hhhhmmm didn't get round to looking at the 'Flapper' tonight but I reckon if I disconnect the hose from the vaccum switch my Scott Oiler will stop working?

Not having looked at the mechanism is it possible just to disabled the 'Flapper' so it stays open all the time - guess I'll find out tomorrow.

Ciao

**Groins_NZ** · 24th September 2005, 23:36

I looked at the vaccum switch/flapper in the airbox today. I see what you mean... I was able to disconnect it no problem without interferring with the Scott Oiler (runs off manifold vaccum).

I went for a ride up to Palmerston North and didn't notice any difference though so I reckon I'll reconnect it.

**Avignon** · 29th September 2005, 14:20

Im going for a pipe for the noise. I know that Pipes wont make any real difference in performance because the Hornet is designed for low to mid range grunt and peak performance figures are measured at the top of the rev range. Kiwirider magazine did a couple of micron cans on a longtermer, with dynojet, filter etc, they got a whopping 1.34hp improvement at the back wheel, hardly worth the cost if your after a performance boost, but I could handle a bit more throat/purposeful exhaust note.

**skelstar** · 29th September 2005, 14:24

I got beaten off the lights the other day by a Golf GTi....the old Golf not the new one. He was def trying but I was a bit dissapointed. Next set of lights a Hornet 919 goes through heading the other direction. Omen I reckon (see my other 'ride a 919 like a Nana' thread).

So...was it you? heading South through Ngauranga Gorge at about 7:20am each morning?

**Groins_NZ** · 29th September 2005, 16:22

Originally Posted by skelstar

I got beaten off the lights the other day by a Golf GTi....the old Golf not the new one. He was def trying but I was a bit dissapointed. Next set of lights a Hornet 919 goes through heading the other direction. Omen I reckon (see my other 'ride a 919 like a Nana' thread).

So...was it you? heading South through Ngauranga Gorge at about 7:20am each morning?

Who me? Because if you're asking, then yeah that could well be me.

**Avignon** · 29th September 2005, 18:14

Originally Posted by skelstar

I got beaten off the lights the other day by a Golf GTi....the old Golf not the new one. He was def trying but I was a bit dissapointed. Next set of lights a Hornet 919 goes through heading the other direction. Omen I reckon

Mate, Hornets are made for traffic light drags, you dust everything - esp tin tops - without even trying to go fast. First/Second/Third check the mirror - shit they arent even over the intersection yet and your 100m down the road, no kidding. To do the same thing on my gsxr requires serious effort, then again is is an old heavy dinosaur of a bike.

**pritch** · 30th September 2005, 16:52

For 919 goodies check this out:
http://www.kyleusa.com/catalog/honda...7_products.htm

**Avignon** · 30th September 2005, 21:26

Originally Posted by pritch008

For 919 goodies check this out:
http://www.kyleusa.com/catalog/honda...7_products.htm

Nice stuff, I especially like the span adjustable clutch levers.

**Zapf** · 1st October 2005, 23:42

what do you think of the factory Bridgestone tires that comes with the bike?

**et al** · 2nd October 2005, 00:06

No worries at all with the tyres, I still have the originals on (just under 6000k)so have not had to think about other choices yet. I am not big on worrying about what tyres are better than others - I just ride with what I got. Have you heard anything detrimental about the OEM Bridgestones on this particular bike?

**Zapf** · 2nd October 2005, 01:59

nop... am asking cause there is a plan to upgrade my CB400 to a CB900

Hence asking around really.... just like you having a sports bike and also a nakked.

**Gremlin** · 2nd October 2005, 02:02

Originally Posted by Zapf

nop... am asking cause there is a plan to upgrade my CB400 to a CB900

Hence asking around really.... just like you having a sports bike and also a nakked.

ahh... the source of the sale... no more struggling at my speeds esp when compared to the gixxer eh?

**Avignon** · 2nd October 2005, 17:21

BT56's seem fine. With 2500km on the clock they grip like troopers even in the wet. I've only got slight feathering on the rear from doing a rolling burnout but they seem to grip really well. Apparently according to the marketing schmooze they use dual compound technology, where the compound in the middle in harder to give longer life etc. Still, cornering clearance is such on the Hornet that I havent scraped the pegs yet. Hopefully I'll get to the track soon and explore the grip limits with the bike cranked over on its side, break in the hero knobs on the pegs and my virgin knee sliders. On the road cranked over I have had only one slight slide/wobble once at full throttle in 2nd gear, but it was really, really minor and corrected itself. I stiffened up the rear preload 1 click to 3, 2= std and did the same corner and there was nothing. I also had a minor front end slide under breaking in the wet on Saturday, BUT, State Hwy 22 is a piece of crap in my books, I skated over one of those patches where the chip seal has all broken loose and there is just some sort of shiny seal underneath. Sort of like white lines only half a lane wide, perfect for aquaplaning. Due to the riding position and 120 front end and perhaps the BT56 I felt it all happening and eased off the front brakes, totally controllable. Many others on the ride mentioned similar slip sliding experiences. Overall good tyres and if I get 6000km out of em like Et Al ill be wrapped.