Are 250 hornets worth the extra $$

[GOONR]

I've been looking at the usual suspects for a forgiving learner bike and have noticed that Hornets are way more expensive than most.

Why is a 1996 bandit with around 10,000k worth around $4500 whilst a 1996 Horrnet same 10,000k is more in the line of $6600.

Are they really worth the extra, I guess if I bought one and managed not to bin it I should get a fair amount of my hard earned back but even still, it seems like a big difference..... But I do like the look of the Hornet.

[AllanB]

Heh - must say I like my Hornets....

For a 'learner' bike, in the example you give above - NO.

Both are excellent IL4's.

Check here for dealer pries.
http://www.motorcycletrader.co.nz/

You are right - the Hornets do appear to get a grand or more premium.
Just quietly I think the Honda finish is better, but $1000 +$1500 worth............

[PirateJafa]

Get the Bandit. They're the exact same - power, handling, position. They just have different badges.

Plus the Bandits have do one thing the Hornets don't - a centre stand.

[GOONR]

......Plus the Bandits have do one thing the Hornets don't - a centre stand.

I didn't think that people really used the centre stand, prop it on it's side stand and away you go.

[Dean]

Get a zeal 250, its inline4, 40hp, same engine as fzr 3ln. Its naked just like the hornet and bandit, but the best thing about them is they are for only around $3500!!! on trademe. If you save up mega $ to buy a hornet or new bandit, will you have enough money to service them, new tyres etc. At first i thought of buying hornets and dont get me wrong they are amazing bikes but if i had to of save every penny to buy one, leaving my pockets empty for maintenance, petrol is drag. I have a zeal and it has 16 rpm redline and at 9 rpm i can cruise at 140kph- I know youre a learner and all but yano

[NOMIS]

not for a 96 model my bling bike only went for $6400 but there a nicer bike than the bandit (rode both before making up my mind) just feel more quality , my 2cents. bandit nice in its own right.
oh and my hornet was 2001 with alllllloooooottt of mods

[GOONR]

Get a zeal 250, its inline4, 40hp, same engine as fzr 3ln. Its naked just like the hornet and bandit, but the best thing about them is they are for only around $3500!!! on trademe. If you save up mega $ to buy a hornet or new bandit, will you have enough money to service them, new tyres etc. At first i thought of buying hornets and dont get me wrong they are amazing bikes but if i had to of save every penny to buy one, leaving my pockets empty for maintenance, petrol is drag. I have a zeal and it has 16 rpm redline and at 9 rpm i can cruise at 140kph- I know youre a learner and all but yano

Yeah, been thinking about these as well, I guess my original post should really have said "why are hornets so godam expensive". Didn't mean to exclude the rest of the bunch.

So you get on with the Zeal, how do they compare size wise to a Hornet?

[GOONR]

not for a 96 model my bling bike only went for $6400 but there a nicer bike than the bandit (rode both before making up my mind) just feel more quality , my 2cents. bandit nice in its own right.
oh and my hornet was 2001 with alllllloooooottt of mods

I know it's a dealer and you pay more but I guess this is overpriced then..

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-173843638.htm

[NOMIS]

I know it's a dealer and you pay more but I guess this is overpriced then..

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-173843638.htm

stay away .. way to much money. could find one same nick privatly for $4500 and keep the money saved "incase somethn goes wrong" for the 3 months they offer warantee.

[Dean]

Yeah, been thinking about these as well, I guess my original post should really have said "why are hornets so godam expensive". Didn't mean to exclude the rest of the bunch.

So you get on with the Zeal, how do they compare size wise to a Hornet?

Hornets have higher seat heights, but zeals are more sexy and bulky. I have been told my zeal looks totally similar to a hornet. I am 6ft and am 90kg and fit on my bike well, just trust me on this beleive me i was once in your position where i was looking for a bike. If i saved up every bit of my money to buy a hornet, 6-7 grand i wouldnt be able to ride it because i cant afford petrol, what if the bike needs new tyres, new chain, new wof, new rego, tune up all these factors are realistic. The zeal can be only 3000$ at sometimes (mostly 3500) and they are so similar to the bandit and hornet in all ways, its not worth spending 5-6 grand on a hornet or bandit you can go half the price for identical zeal. They come out in 1996 models to.

[GOONR]

stay away .. way to much money. could find one same nick privatly for $4500 and keep the money saved "incase somethn goes wrong" for the 3 months they offer warantee.

Wow, that much difference, that is massive! So I could get one privately and pay for a biker dude (or ask for a favor on here) to check it out and save a bundle, minus beer tokens for favor etc..

[NOMIS]

Wow, that much difference, that is massive! So I could get one privately and pay for a biker dude (or ask for a favor on here) to check it out and save a bundle, minus beer tokens for favor etc..

sure pm gijoe he a hornet guru but he probally riding his hornet on a daily ride to cape rianga or something, and yeh mate keep a eye out a few been going lately for 6kish but you can find a good horney as ive seen in low 5's high 4'k

[gijoe1313]

Hornets have always been on the high end of the market price, they have gotten even more sillier at the moment since the dealers have cottoned onto how good they are. Back a couple of years ago, they were around $5K, in that time they have gone up $1K

If you are intending to ride one, they will always pay you back royally for the care and dedication you give to them ... my lil'ol'hornet is at 99400km at the moment and I have ridden it long and hard for most of them. They will last and take on your demands with good cheer.

PM sent about them.

[Dean]

Goonr you can have it perfect again, i can show you zeals on trademe, i can even let you take my bike for a spin!!!!, and no late fees!!

[wbks]

lol how is a zeal factory rated at 40hp while the zxr/cbr 250 is only rated 5hp more and when you ride both back to back the zeal will make you feel like the zxr/cbr is a desmosedici?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=208015561
Half the price of a hornet, fast bikes, bigger geometry than the cbr's... Just saying