Honda Hornet

**Lteejay** · 9th December 2006, 20:42

Does anyone know alot about Honda Hornets - probably around the late 1980's. I haven't read anything about them, so dont really know what they are like. Know they are naked with a more upright sitting position, but dont know much more. What I dont want is a GN250 as I want the bike as weekend recreation, not a commuter (no disregard to the GN250 fans, just not what I'm looking for) - is the bandit like the GN250 in regards to power, as this isn't what I'm looking for.

**degrom** · 9th December 2006, 21:04

What model are you looking for? 1980's cb250?

Does it look like this one?
http://www.bikepics.com/pictures/523431/

**Lteejay** · 9th December 2006, 21:13

Dont know what year it is, but for the price I assume it is late 1980. I would prefer to get a gpx or similar - sorry dont quite get your question

**Trudes** · 9th December 2006, 21:38

Talk to Gijoe about his 250 Hornet, it's not an old one though. I think Celti sea lily has an older CB, maybe have a chat to her.

**nudemetalz** · 9th December 2006, 21:46

Here's a link with info on the 250 Hornet
http://www.hondahornet.co.uk/250spec.html

I reckon they're a great looking bike.

Some for sale too:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-80567171.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-80356434.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-80054518.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-76995048.htm

**xwhatsit** · 9th December 2006, 22:49

That photo Degrom had, and what Celtic Sea Lily and I have is a CB250RS, which is not a Hornet. The Hornet is a straight four, CB250RSs are singles. But both are naked bikes, yes. GiJoe has one of the newer ones -- awesome looking bike, and being a straight four they go pretty well for a 250.

Like anything though, just ride it first and see if you like it. But a naked bike is a good choice... you will drop it, no doubt about it, I've dropped mine a few times (only once while I was riding it though) and with a faired bike you will have expensive repair bills due to cracked fairings. Also, it's a Honda, so you know it is going to be pretty damned reliable and less likely to have any nasty surprises (I still say that despite the sad story of my bike haha).

Good luck, hope you're on two wheels soon, I'm sure you'll love it.

**Switch** · 9th December 2006, 23:25

I'm sure the hornet would definetly be faster than the GN

**Trudes** · 10th December 2006, 05:07

Originally Posted by xerxesdaphat

That photo Degrom had, and what Celtic Sea Lily and I have is a CB250RS, which is not a Hornet. The Hornet is a straight four, CB250RSs are singles. But both are naked bikes, yes. GiJoe has one of the newer ones -- awesome looking bike, and being a straight four they go pretty well for a 250.

Could you post a pic of a late 80's Hornet for us please. Thanks.

**Lteejay** · 10th December 2006, 06:47

Had a gander at the ones on trademe. Thanks for the links. A friend knows someone whoe is selling one, so I will go and have a look at it today. Fingers crossed - hopefully I fall in

**xwhatsit** · 10th December 2006, 12:21

Originally Posted by Mrs Kendog

Could you post a pic of a late 80's Hornet for us please. Thanks.

I don't think they exist, at least in the 250cc version. The 250 Hornet was introduced in 1995, 1996 or thereabouts, and is pretty much the same version that the likes of GiJoe has, with some styling tweaks. Its actual model number is just CB250... there's stacks of those around, they've been around for decades, but I think the Hornet name was only used for the 90s version. They look nearly identical to the bigger Hornets, except they've got the CBR250 +/-R motor in them instead of a big 900cc lump.

@Lteejay, hope it all checks out! Hornets tend to be quite expensive, at least the ones I've seen around, so if it's ultra cheap as you say maybe it needs some work. Get somebody smart to look at it at any rate.

Hope to see you on the roads!

**Lteejay** · 10th December 2006, 16:03

Just seen the bike and had a friend take me for a blat down the road - nice. dont know if I will get it, but man even just going down the road on the back was the biggest buzz

**gijoe1313** · 10th December 2006, 21:06

The little ol'Hornet? Yes please! It is a ride that will sit up and beg for you to take it out and about...all over the place, it was built with the philosophy that was to be good, clean, naked fun! (hehehe...I said nekkid!)

With Diablo Stradas on it, I'm filled with confidence as I lean into corners ... and keep leaning! With the naked look, less is definitely more - in regards to keeping things tip-top and tickety-boo, the ease of access is a joy to behold. Wind protection? Pah! I've ridden it for thousands...and thousands...

and more thousands because I literally cannot get enough riding it!

When people say that wind blast is too tiring, I find that the grin on my face just gets bigger and voila ... little niggles, aches and pains are goooone!

And how many twofiddy buyers actually start out with a little ol'Hornet? It is unmistakeably a Honda, simple lines, simple styling, but oozes class and that understated comment "Here is a biker that likes to live to ride" ... and it suprises people when they think it's a 600, it is a deceptive little thing!

You will find yourself doing odd things like hugging it, talking to it, patting it, switching on the light and saying "goodnight little ol'Hornet" and perusing websites to look for bits n'pieces for it!

Oh yeah, Honda Hornet owners are some of the most passionate, dedicated, fun-loving and helpful riders out there! I give my little ol'Hornet death all the time, the more I take it anywhere, the more it wants to do! I'm just a little biased, a little one-eyed

but if you want a ride that will grow with you as a learner, that ol'magic Hornet gets my vote!

**ceebie13** · 11th December 2006, 07:00

Originally Posted by gijoe1313

...You will find yourself doing odd things like hugging it, talking to it, patting it, switching on the light and saying "goodnight little ol'Hornet" and perusing websites to look for bits n'pieces for it!

yay!!! I'm not alone!

**Trudes** · 11th December 2006, 09:47

Originally Posted by gijoe1313

You will find yourself doing odd things like hugging it, talking to it, patting it, switching on the light and saying "goodnight little ol'Hornet" and perusing websites to look for bits n'pieces for it!

Oh yeah, Honda Hornet owners are some of the most passionate, dedicated, fun-loving and helpful riders out there!

I hug my baby all the time and say thank you to her for bringing me home safely after each ride, and she's very forgiving too, haven't felt the need to call her a bitch yet, although she does get called a dirty girl sometimes.
And yes, we Hornet owners are a funny little bunch, as soon as we meet another Hornet owner it's an instant friendship and you will often see Hornet owners grouped together (Paul in NZ's get together for instance, the 4 CB owners gravitated to each other to yak for ages!).