Honda CB250 Hornet info wanted.

**kneescraper** · 24th December 2006, 14:24

Once my RGV is sold I will be looking for a semi naked/naked style bike...must be a 250cc though.

Looking on tardeme Ive seen a few of the Honda CB250 Hornets..in one auction the seller says they share the frame, suspension and swing arm off the CB600 and CB900, is this true.

Also what is the quality of the bike like, good handling? strong engine etc? being a Honda Im sure its all good news but I havent heard much about these bikes....

Cheers.

**Fub@r** · 24th December 2006, 14:49

Talk to GIJoe...he rides a Hornet.......damn sexy to listen to when you get stuck behind him

**kneescraper** · 24th December 2006, 15:14

Cool cool, do they use the same engine as the CBR250rr?

**Donor** · 24th December 2006, 18:26

Go on, you know you want a RZ250...

They're all the rage, find a 250R with the stock bikini fairings, dead sexy.

And I'm not biased, I swear! much...

**kneescraper** · 24th December 2006, 18:36

RZ250's are 2 stroke are they not? I'm planning on riding up a storm...long trips. 2 stroke wont like me if I did that.

**Donor** · 24th December 2006, 18:53

Originally Posted by kneescraper

RZ250's are stroke are they not? I'm planning on riding up a storm...long trips. 2 stoke wont like me if I did that.

2 stroke, aye...

Half the servicing required, and provided you feed them the good oil/fuel, they'll love you long time...

**gijoe1313** · 24th December 2006, 21:19

Hokay! The little ol'Hornet is a ride that won't let you down and always leave you with a grin on your face! The parts it shares are more in common with the 600, however the reliability of these little pocket rockets of fun should mean you don't have to worry about those particular parts!

(btw, thanks Fub@r for always having a good word to say about the Hornet! I still need to eyeball your ride up close!)

Bulletproof engine, great revver and has got the go-gas to get you where you want, quickly, safely and above all with the most maximum amount of fun! Apparantly in England, its been noted that bike couriers use this to get around on their rounds!

It handles incredibly well and agile to boot (ain't most 250s anyway?) I've taken it all around the NI (Cape Reinga to Welly and everywhere in between) and with the Diablo Stradas I'm running on, it breeds nothing but confidence in you as you pootle/blat around the twisties and straights.

It is a very forgiving bike and basically wants to ride as much as possible! The naked look is great for maintenance and polishing it up. Check out

http://www.hondahornet.co.uk/ for some more info. I know I'm bias, but once I checked out the other 250s and sat on this, I knew the little ol'Hornet was for me!

And oh yeah, Hornet riders seem to be among the most passionate and slightly more than deranged bikers out there!

Any other pointers you want to know, I'll be here ready to laud the plaudits of the little ol'Hornet!

**kneescraper** · 24th December 2006, 21:29

Thanks for that GIJOE, they are a awesome looking bike. The only thing I find hard to get my head around is the price tag..but being 6ft4 and of a real mans build I dont like the little bikes. Once the RGV is sold I think I will end up buying a Hornet..even if it is out of my price range.

**Fub@r** · 25th December 2006, 16:59

Originally Posted by gijoe1313

once I checked out the other 250s and sat on this, I knew the little ol'Hornet was for me!

But you never tried an Electric Mango though now did you?

**gijoe1313** · 25th December 2006, 23:07

Originally Posted by Fub@r

But you never tried an Electric Mango though now did you?

The scary thing is, if the dealer had an Electric Strawberry coloured one, I made have preceded you and WarlockNZ on a GT!

@Kneescraper

Hey, I know what you mean about the pricing - insane 250 fiddy prices and Hornets are right up there! But you won't regret it if you do decide to do a righteous thing and be a Hornet rider! 'sides, how many others do you know that ride Hornets?

Oh yah, I weigh 102 (+2kg for Xmas and Boxing day feasting) kg so pity my poor little Hornet! It still moves quickly!

**kneescraper** · 26th December 2006, 10:39

Oh ok....well 102kg is about the same for me, so I should be ok. I might bite the bullet is just buy one

easer said than done I spose. I love the look of them aye. Have you seen the latest Hornet 600 in the November issue of BIKE mag.....pure SEX! I hope they bring out a 250 like that....amazing peice of work.

**gijoe1313** · 26th December 2006, 16:08

Aye I did, been following the posts on the Hornet's Nest bulletin boards and it's been a mixed bag - I want to see one with MkI Eyeball, but it's all gravy anyhows baby!

As for the poor little ol'Hornet twofiddy, methinks the powers to be won't be visiting it in a looong while

But that's why we have crazy japanese Hornet obsessed riders who produce a million and one after market products for them!

... Just need to get my nihongo skills to match!

Looking forward to when you post about your new addition to the hive! Muwahahahah!

**kneescraper** · 26th December 2006, 18:56

For sure mate, I have sold my RGV so I am on the look...how exciting!

**McJim** · 26th December 2006, 19:07

Having covered a few miles with gijoe I can vouch for the hornet - he still hasn't let me have a go though. Coming from the RGV you're gonna end up with something with a lot less power but I'm sure you realise that. I think the engine os shared with the CBR250R but not sure if it's got all the gubbins of the CBR250RR (that had vtec technology in it did it not?) The japs restricted their 250s from 1993/4 onwards so the modern hornets will not put out much more than 40 hp at the crank.

If you're budget is restricted try and get a Spada 250 - late eighties but has the same hp as the hornet but more torque as for being comfortable for a big fella I don't think the spada will be any different - it will fit into your budget and might leave you with a few bob to modify the seat and maybe the peg positions?

my 2c - btw my VTR250 is fun when I'm with gijoe on the uphills. The VTR has more torque and so I can see him dwindle in my mirrors frantically dropping through gears to find his power while the torque of the V-twin carries my lardy arse up the hill!

**campbellluke** · 26th December 2006, 20:38

http://www.hondahornet.co.uk/250spec.html

A 180/55 is a huge back tyre for a 250cc bike.

Those specs didn't show BHP but google says that it's got 33. Sounds like a good bike.

I thought that they had stopped making 250 4s but

to Honda if they still do.

Edit: DOH, that weblink did mention 33bhp.