Good price for Hornet?

**Fostyboy** · 13th March 2007, 16:42

Hey just been looking at a Mint condition Hornet 250, 1997 with 13000 kms on the clock.

Would $6000 be a good price for it? What kind of money have you other hornet owners paid for yours?

Cheers

**gijoe1313** · 13th March 2007, 21:12

Och! $6000 is a bit on the dear side for 250's, but for a great Hornet, that would be okay money! I paid $5800 for my mint Hornet with twin 'zorsts and aftermarket bling (pegs, bar ends, lights, etc. al)

If you truly love the Hornet, and won't be flicking it off for a wee whiles, go for it! Just make sure it's all tickety-boo (nothing falling off or making wheezing noises!)

The good thing about most Hornets is that they are generally well looked after by their appreciative owners! And oh, yeah - you become part of a select group of twofiddy riders! After all, how many Hornets do you see out there?

Got any piccies of it?

**xwhatsit** · 13th March 2007, 21:46

13000kms seems bloody low -- you sure it's genuine? But then again, as they always say, look at the general condition, not the kms on it (hell my bike had a genuine 49000kms on it, but it was rooted).

Good thing about the Hornet is that it has a really solid engine; a detuned CBR250 mill, which is an amazing engine to stand up to the abuse of many, many Learner/Restricted hoons for a decade and a half. Also, as GiJoe1313 says, it would seem the Hornet attracts a different level of clientèle compared to the CBR250, one that is much less likely to abuse the shit out of the engine.

Price seems reasonable; people pay more for CBR/ZXRs, it's much newer, but with still a decent portion of the performance; and the Hornet is a bit of a class act, similar sort of 250 status as a VTR, for example.

**McJim** · 13th March 2007, 22:30

Originally Posted by xerxesdaphat

the Hornet is a bit of a class act, similar sort of 250 status as a VTR, for example.

The Hornet is a much faster proposition than the VTR - the VTR is the gutless evolution of the Spada (imagine a 43hp VTR250 with an aluminium frame for a moment - mmmmmm......want) The advantage of the VTR is it negotiates the left hand hairpins on twilight road slightly better!

$6,000 dependant on condition is not outrageous - if you don't drop it you might lose only a few hundred bucks over a year.

**Deviant Esq** · 14th March 2007, 02:09

Originally Posted by McJim

The advantage of the VTR is it negotiates the left hand hairpins on twilight road slightly better!

You mean, left hand hairpins that have a steep earthen bank on the outside of the curve, covered over with native bush, possibly?

I've heard stories of the Hornet seeing such corners and becoming strangley emotional, wanting to curl into a ball and suck its proverbial thumb... bad past experience, perhaps?

Nah, joking aside they're a beaut machine that hold their value well, and are something a bit different from the more common learner machines. They handle well and have good power, but because they're a naked bike and not a mini race rep, you don't tend to get hoons riding them. The odd rider attempts to get them to mate with a fern, sure...

**gijoe1313** · 14th March 2007, 10:08

Remember, the Hornet lives up to it's name by wanting to make a nest in it's natural habitat!

This situation usually occurs when you ride like a nana and not your usual riding style!

Good thing is that it's made for flying in those impromptu moments and usually ends up safe and sound in the foliage somewhere.

Don't forget, carry a can of bug spray to give it the learn when it wants to buzz off on you!

And of course, if you do get a little ol'Hornet, you will be in good company - of passionate nutters who seem to be in the left field of bikers

... Now where can I mount that LCD and PS2 on my little ol'Hornet?

**crazybigal** · 14th March 2007, 10:17

sounds a bit much! I just sold my 02 vtr 250 with 12k on the clock for 5 grand.

**xwhatsit** · 14th March 2007, 10:22

Originally Posted by McJim

The Hornet is a much faster proposition than the VTR - the VTR is the gutless evolution of the Spada (imagine a 43hp VTR250 with an aluminium frame for a moment - mmmmmm......want) The advantage of the VTR is it negotiates the left hand hairpins on twilight road slightly better!

$6,000 dependant on condition is not outrageous - if you don't drop it you might lose only a few hundred bucks over a year.

Lol, I meant it's not some bleeding edge boy racer 250 (ZXR, CBR, GSXR), and it's no cruiser or faired sports-tourer thing like a ZZR. Hornets and VTRs are more of a sporty naked thing, polished and refined and relatively relaxed.