I've gone naked!

[Dean]

sure hornets are nice i would love to buy a hornet 250 (but ill never get the money, maybe on a huge loan) but when it comes to big bikes zx14 or a gsx1400 i think are more allrounder tourers.Yes i am only 16 but i have ridden big bikes, ive ridden the gsx1400 and pillioned on a zx14 ,zzr1400 also i think it was.I dont want to impose any bad points about the hornets, hornets are great bikes to and maybe if i ever get a hornet 250 i might change my mind

[zeocen]

Hate to break it to you quickshot but the ZX-14 and ZZR1400 are the same bike. You're talking to the guy who had a CBR1100XX Blackbird, ZZR1100 and go out on the ZZR1200 every now and then, I know what I'm "missing out on" and I'm quite content with the purcahse I made.

[Dean]

Hate to break it to you quickshot but the ZX-14 and ZZR1400 are the same bike. You're talking to the guy who had a CBR1100XX Blackbird, ZZR1100 and go out on the ZZR1200 every now and then, I know what I'm "missing out on" and I'm quite content with the purcahse I made.

For sure man, but i don't want to in anyway say that I'm experienced in riding or know a heap about bikes and I'm sorry if i did, i know for sure that you will have more riding years then my age or just a lot of experience.I just think as an opinion that the zx14 from being a pillion on the back of one they definitely have the power to keep a smile on a riders face, its quite a big bike and comfortable on long rides, fuel wise the hornet would beat it economically.
Don't get me wrong i like hornets they are great bikes especially the 250cc version and the 600 hundreds and up but for big tourer bikes zx14 gsx1400

[doc]

Don't you just hate it when you get a new bike, then notice everyone else has one too.

[nallac]

been there done that with the Hornet,
awesum bike for the money.
Could have better brakes tho.

I've gone faired sports bike now, going to be hard to keep my license
compared to the Hornet... just to easy to get into instant license losing speed.

looky here for lots of Hornet info
http://www.wristtwisters.com/forum/index.php

[240]

Well I didn't feel the need to post yet another "HAY I HAV A NEW BAIK" thread, but I just wanted to share my feelings towards the Honda Hornet 900.

I've had it for just over a week now I think and I haven't ridden nearly as much as I would have liked, because this thing just makes me want to ride.
Really, I never thought I would've seen myself on a naked bike, I thought them too classic looking or too 'bitsa' looking, kinda like an unfinished bike. But after buying this Hornet the only question left begging is "Why didn't I do this sooner?"

Now, I realise the Hornet isn't the crème de la crop of naked bikes, far from it. But this bike oozes fun. Boring? How could anyone say that? I feel so involved in this bike it is wonderful. I am a scenic rider, I ride to enjoy the ride and my surroundings, I'm not a "whoever gets to the destination the fastest and misses the whole point of riding wins" rider, so this bike is all me. The feeling is sublime! I can only imagine what higher spec naked bikes could do, I have entered a whole new realm of motorcycling and I do not miss supersport bikes one bit!

To say this bike is built to a budget is hard for me to believe, as my previous bike was also a very competant 'built to budget' bike. While fun, it had it's limitations in suspension and positions. Not so on the Hornet, adjustable forks, fully adjustable rear.. this alone is worth its weight in gold to me. Also the wonderful HISS security system, none of these were on my previous bike (or even the radical "40 changes" update to 2009 of said bike).

To be honest, I looked down on the Hornet. Because it was popular and naked. I was too stuck in my supersport/sport bike era, it was Gremlin, I believe, who gave me the push needed.. after telling me he went from a ZX10 to a Hornet and loved it. The bike I was looking at upgrading to was a ZX-14, after test riding one I found it hard to believe that a "shitty naked bike" (my words) could match it. But it did, I don't know how, but it did. I don't feel ANY weight, it tips in amazingly, I don't see any reason to change the bars, they are upright and they are beautiful.

Anywho, I have ranted and raved far too much on this topic! I had no intention of a conceited "look at me! look at bike!" thread but I really do love this bike and I believe it is has started a long line of things to come in the way of naked bikes, but for now.. I can't see myself straying from the swarm.

You really DO meet the nicest people on a Honda, even if their sexuality is in question!

I have Scorpion exhausts with DB Killer insert, about as loud as stock with a deep growl overlapping it, until you give it some revves and it speaks up with volume.
I also have a "Rider" custom seat.
GET ONE.
No, seriously, GET ONE. This is the second Rider seat I have had and it is the same top quality, the same finish and the same comfort that I had on my previous one. I cannot recommend how much these change your riding pleasures, well worth the money. Again, GET ONE.

Some pics!

Owned a 1999 600 then a brand new 2007 900 f@cken awesome bikes!! enjoy.

[ceebie13]

All this twaddle about sportsbikes v naked bikes is pointless. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder surely? It's horses for courses isn't it? Let's see, what other cliches can I come up with? Seriously, You ride what you ride and you make decisions accordingly - don't you?

As someone who has been in both camps but has returned to the "starkers" club, I can only say that I got enormous fun out of both genres. In both cases I was not out to break the land speed record - but it's great discovering what any bike is capable of and putting it through it's paces. I used both types for long distance work and the ZX9 proved able to multi-task quite happily just as the CB seems pretty adept at keeping up with my friends on sportsbikes now and again.

I don't believe that sportsbike riders look down on naked bikes (or vice versa) - well, maybe those who don't subscribe to my points in this post do! - but in general we are all in the same camp, or it looks that way to me when we all converge on our favourite roads or gather for some cause or another.

[gijoe1313]

I don't believe that sportsbike riders look down on naked bikes (or vice versa) - well, maybe those who don't subscribe to my points in this post do! - but in general we are all in the same camp, or it looks that way to me when we all converge on our favourite roads or gather for some cause or another.

You do realise this is KB right? Your genuflected and pertinent points will be drowned out by the general unwashed mass mugging for the most controversial statement.

I ride what I ride so I can ride ... two wheels, a motor? Gimme it and I will ride it!

[Despatch]

Good choice of bike. I find mine fantastic to ride. Loads of power when you need it, yet nimble in the traffic. You should get loads of miles out of it too.

With the round headlight and mirrors, the look is a bit more "classic" than "street". I'd consider changing the mirrorsto get rid of that "Mickey Mouse" ears look. More squarish and black instead of round and chrome would look better.

I can see that in 10 years time once we've given up on keeping them "new" looking, this bike would be great fully matted out.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Sure the chrome mirrors do look a bit naff in some eyes but they are superbly functional: buzz free even at slightly unlawful speeds and a view past the elbows to the road behind.

I do LOVE those CRG bar end mirrors but $$$$$

[zeocen]

I was thinking of getting different mirrors, those Rizoma ones were looking MIGHTY tasty, but as Despatch said, right now it looks more classic than street, I like that.

...and I could feed half of Africa for the amount of the Rizoma bars..

For now they do the trick I just love it as it is right now! The Hornet OEM screen seems pretty expensive so I might have to go the Givi route too for when I do them 400km+ rides.

[The Stranger:Me]

All this twaddle about sportsbikes v naked bikes is pointless. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder surely? It's horses for courses isn't it? Let's see, what other cliches can I come up with? Seriously, You ride what you ride and you make decisions accordingly - don't you?

You need to add vanity and ignorance into that equasion there somewhere, because I am sure many purchase decisions are based largely on one or both.

[pritch]

I can see that in 10 years time once we've given up on keeping them "new" looking, this bike would be great fully matted out.

The Yanks have already had matt paint jobs new.

[bezajel]

Mmmm naked... not sure what it is but they do tend to catch my eye.

So... nice bike! Yay red!

[gatch]

Congrats on your new wheels, may the light of the honda gods shine on you crazy diamond

Also mayhaps I have missed something important ? Why do so many people hate on SV's, I'v never ridden one further than around town but it seemed ok, everything I have seen in text indicates they are capable bang for buck bikes, a little over 100hp for the thou, capable suspension unless you are attempting race pace.. etc etc, what gives ???