Biking Revelation

**lewis_walker** · 30th December 2004, 00:57

Just took my 1200 Bandit in for its first (1000Km) check / service. They gave me a CB600 Hornet to tootle around on till it is done, and now I can understand why some people gave me a hard time for getting the Bandit as my first bike..

The 600 is so gutless below about 5000rpm that if you want to accelerate at a decent rate, or overtake something, you really have to knock it down through the gears and get the revs up. When you do, there is quite a kick compared to down at the lower end of the range. The problem is that the screaming engine tone in combination with the 'reward' of getting in to the rev sweet-spot means is quite adictive... Consequently I found myself overtaking everything and generally being a bit of a hooligan!

Also - the flickability ... Heard people winging about the big bandit being a bit heavy round the corners, and I didn't really understand what the fuss was about. After the flicking the hornet about a bit, I can see the difference!!

If you've been used to riding like that, and then climb on the 1200 Bandit, I can see how total destruction might be quite imminent.

It has given me an added respect for the 1200 - winding the throttle the whole way until the revs are screaming would probably rip your arms off! Can't do that yet anyway - got another 600 miles of running in to do..

**Juan** · 30th December 2004, 02:01

Good tho isn't it???

I find the torque of the 1000 Fazer very adictive... to me it is the "perfect" bike for everything.... whereas the F4 is only good for speed and cornering like your on rails...

You will grow to love the "relaxed" way that the big bikes get you there...

Enjoy but be carefull this time of year

**inlinefour** · 30th December 2004, 16:14

Originally Posted by lewis_walker

Just took my 1200 Bandit in for its first (1000Km) check / service. They gave me a CB600 Hornet to tootle around on till it is done, and now I can understand why some people gave me a hard time for getting the Bandit as my first bike..

The 600 is so gutless below about 5000rpm that if you want to accelerate at a decent rate, or overtake something, you really have to knock it down through the gears and get the revs up. When you do, there is quite a kick compared to down at the lower end of the range. The problem is that the screaming engine tone in combination with the 'reward' of getting in to the rev sweet-spot means is quite adictive... Consequently I found myself overtaking everything and generally being a bit of a hooligan!

Also - the flickability ... Heard people winging about the big bandit being a bit heavy round the corners, and I didn't really understand what the fuss was about. After the flicking the hornet about a bit, I can see the difference!!

If you've been used to riding like that, and then climb on the 1200 Bandit, I can see how total destruction might be quite imminent.

It has given me an added respect for the 1200 - winding the throttle the whole way until the revs are screaming would probably rip your arms off! Can't do that yet anyway - got another 600 miles of running in to do..

I don't quite know why some people would want a Bandit if they want to be a hoon. The 900cc Hornet is even more impressive than the 600cc.

**Juan** · 30th December 2004, 23:31

Originally Posted by Honda

I don't quite know why some people would want a Bandit if they want to be a hoon. The 900cc Hornet is even more impressive than the 600cc.

But the 600 isn't impressive

It's slow and boring, can't coment on the 900 myself but out sold by just about everything over here!!!

**scumdog** · 30th December 2004, 23:50

Not quite the same but I know what you mean, normally I barely go past 3,000rpm on my Sporty but when I give it 'the big rev' I am always amazed at how well it pulls and how much faster it goes through each gear.

**Lou Girardin** · 31st December 2004, 07:03

Originally Posted by Honda

I don't quite know why some people would want a Bandit if they want to be a hoon. The 900cc Hornet is even more impressive than the 600cc.

Haven't seen a Hornet with 111 hp at the wheel or 76 ft lbs of torque yet!
Bandits rule.

**Bonez** · 31st December 2004, 07:20

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

Haven't seen a Hornet with 111 hp at the wheel or 76 ft lbs of torque yet!
Bandits rule.

Pitty the FiZzeR 600s haven't made it over here......

**moko** · 31st December 2004, 08:22

Originally Posted by Juan

But the 600 isn't impressive

It's slow and boring, can't coment on the 900 myself but out sold by just about everything over here!!!

Yeah but Juan you`re used to Fazers so any Hornet will seem like that

I`ve had a go on a 900 Hornet,seriously think the 600 Fazer would stuff it on the road,only about 10 BHP in it power-wise and no fairing on typical Brit "wind-tunnel" roads make it an ordeal over 85 or so.Actually it`s a very nice bike to ride but that`s it`s downfall,"nice",not particularly exciting.Sounds great though,brilliant induction "growl" when you give it some stick.Feels more like a 500 to ride,un-like the old "lorry" CB900s.Still 900s for sale for less than 600s if you look around,Brits never took to them.