Honda Hornet

[Fooman]

They look nearly identical to the bigger Hornets, except they've got the CBR250 +/-R motor in them instead of a big 900cc lump.

Ahh, you've got that around the wrong way! The 900's look like the 250's, with a big lump, instead of the CBR250 motor! The 250 Hornet came first. Then Mr Honda's minions squeezed the CBR600 motor into the frame, with little change to the bike (brakes/suspension). Then came the Fireblade motor swap, with a little more tinkering. The later models have diverged a bit, but all the original Hornets were based on the 250cc machine.

Sources:

PB, late 90's review of 600 Hornet
http://www.hondahornet.co.uk/250spec.html

Cheers,
FM

[WickedOne]

Ohhhhh, poor baby, I've only taken mine over about 7 once. (It was fun though and the vibrations were *interesting*!!) It has another life after about 6 I found out after a recommendation from Zapf.

Ha ha ha, yeah, had a track day at Taupo (New track only) a couple of weeks ago and most of the time was in 2nd and 3rd and she was screaming her lungs out. Had her into the red a few times and she really comes alive between 7000rpm and 9500rpm.

[Alice]

[QUOTE=xerxesdaphat;855603]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.

- The 250 Hornets do not come into NZ new, any Hornet 250's you come across have come to NZ as second hand bikes imported from Japan.

[ceebie13]

I'm a little Hornet, small and fast
See me naked, riding past!......

Im a great big CB, big and mean
My owner likes to keep me nice and clean

He never gets me dirty, he never treats me bad
He says I'm the best bike he's ever had

We go for a ride nearly every day
And when we get home he wipes the dirt away

He brings along his Mrs, she climbs aboard my back
And off we all go to the Pahiatua Track

Zooming through the twisties and flyin down the straights
We wonder if we'll meet up with any of our mates

It really is no effort, its super fun for me
Cos I'm big and tough...I'm a big CB

[WickedOne]

Im a great big CB, big and mean
My owner likes to keep me nice and clean

He never gets me dirty, he never treats me bad
He says I'm the best bike he's ever had

We go for a ride nearly every day
And when we get home he wipes the dirt away

He brings along his Mrs, she climbs aboard my back
And off we all go to the Pahiatua Track

Zooming through the twisties and flyin down the straights
We wonder if we'll meet up with any of our mates

It really is no effort, its super fun for me
Cos I'm big and tough...I'm a big CB

Bravo!!!

[Lteejay]

[QUOTE=Alice;856862]

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.

- The 250 Hornets do not come into NZ new, any Hornet 250's you come across have come to NZ as second hand bikes imported from Japan.

Cheers Alice - I found out it is a 1996 - nice lookin bike. I have decisions to make.
p.s Napier - beautiful area. I spent the first 21 years of my life in HB, so thats most of it, and most of my family and friends still live there.

[Trudes]

Ha ha ha, yeah, had a track day at Taupo (New track only) a couple of weeks ago and most of the time was in 2nd and 3rd and she was screaming her lungs out. Had her into the red a few times and she really comes alive between 7000rpm and 9500rpm.

Ahhhhhhhh, oh, I could never forgive myself for doing that to her!! (Must have been fun though!)

[Trudes]

Check out all the poet Hornet riders!!! , best I could do was a stupid little ditty with things that rhyme with bum!

[ceebie13]

Check out all the poet Hornet riders!!! , best I could do was a stupid little ditty with things that rhyme with bum!

my lips are sealed!

[Alice]

[QUOTE=Lteejay;856873]

Cheers Alice - I found out it is a 1996 - nice lookin bike. I have decisions to make.
p.s Napier - beautiful area. I spent the first 21 years of my life in HB, so thats most of it, and most of my family and friends still live there.

yer, its a beautiful area here, I love it, great lifestyle if u not into cities, the Hornets are cool wee bikes, be interesting to hear what you decide, get it checked out properly to make sure its not a dog, don't get carried away with pure enthusiasm, good to get the facts first.

Perhaps we'll get to go riding together some time when your down this way.You can PM me if you'd like to.

[Balding Eagle]

This might help. I took up riding after a lengthy time off. I was going to go for the GN but someone said that I would be bored after three months. So I decided to go with the Hornet. A great decision. It is a very responsive bike with plenty of power. The 250cc limit for learners and Rs is an ass because the 250 Hornet will probably outdo anything in a similar cc range and some larger. Mine (and I assume all of them) was redlined at 16,000 rpm, four carbs, four exhausts and it really got up and boogied. If you think you can handle it (and don't be underconfident) it is a magic machine to learn on. I didn't drop mine at all and don't be convinced by an earlier post that you are likely to. Utter crap if you are good enough. I enjoyed it so much that when I got my full, I went out and bought the 900cc version. My only problem is trying to go slow enough to fit in with the traffic in town, which I hate. Yeh, the Hornet is a great bike and an excellent machine to learn on primarily because it will take you beyond where you think you can go and you will be very happy with the performance after you have got your full instead of being bored and looking for a better bike.

I see you are in AKL. My bike is now for sale at Botany Honda. Their price is a little high and I am sure they will negotiate. These bikes also retain their value very well. Enjoy.

[gijoe1313]

It really is no effort, its super fun for me
Cos I'm big and tough...I'm a big CB

It seems they are like brothers,
since they ride like no other -
The riders are an awesome bunch,
When we shall we all meet for lunch?
I spot them here,
I espy them there,
Even out of sight, their pipes I hear!
Our thoughts and joyous posts we share -
The magic of 250,600,900 and 13000 CCs
Hornet riders share a giggle, hee hee!

oh yeah, Mrs Kendog - watch the profile pic for a night shot later ...

ceebie13 "You have given out too much bling you generous git, try again later"

[Trudes]

Cool, are you going to get all artistic on us? To add to your poetic talents!!

[Lteejay]

This might help. I took up riding after a lengthy time off. I was going to go for the GN but someone said that I would be bored after three months. So I decided to go with the Hornet. A great decision. It is a very responsive bike with plenty of power. The 250cc limit for learners and Rs is an ass because the 250 Hornet will probably outdo anything in a similar cc range and some larger. Mine (and I assume all of them) was redlined at 16,000 rpm, four carbs, four exhausts and it really got up and boogied. If you think you can handle it (and don't be underconfident) it is a magic machine to learn on. I didn't drop mine at all and don't be convinced by an earlier post that you are likely to. Utter crap if you are good enough. I enjoyed it so much that when I got my full, I went out and bought the 900cc version. My only problem is trying to go slow enough to fit in with the traffic in town, which I hate. Yeh, the Hornet is a great bike and an excellent machine to learn on primarily because it will take you beyond where
you think you can go and you will be very happy with the performance after you have got your full instead of being bored and looking for a better bike.

I see you are in AKL. My bike is now for sale at Botany Honda. Their price is a little high and I am sure they will negotiate. These bikes also retain their value very well. Enjoy.

Sounds like you are a fan. If your bikes being sold by a dealer it will be out of my price range. Thanks for the info though. I will eventually stop dithering once I realise summer is wasting away and finally make a decision.

[FilthyLuka]

is the bandit like the GN250 in regards to power, as this isn't what I'm looking for.

new pipe, re-jet, 50/50 mix of 96 and av-gas, extra tooth on the front sprocket and go crusing! Works a dream... Sounds mean with a decent pipe too... but itll cost a bit if you dont do the work yourself, and mechanics give you shady looks when they see a blue piston...

but anywho, i know a dude who used to have a hornet, (sold it for an RS), said it was a nice little bike. four cyclinder and all... i think it was a 98? good little thing, itll keep you amused for a while.

Denden