Honda Hornet 600 (2003)
- Honda Hornet 600 :
- Price: £5,199
- Engine Type: liquid-cooled, DOHC, 16v, in-line four
- Displacement: 599cc
- Tested Max Power: 86bhp @ 13,300rpm
- Tested Max Torque: 40ft/lbs @ 10,650rpm
- Cycle Parts Chassis: Steel spine
- Suspension Front: 41mm telescopic forks, non-adjustable
- Rear: Cantilever monoshock, adjustable preload
- Brakes Front: Dual 296mm discs, four piston calipers
- Rear: 220mm disc, single-piston caliper
- Rake/Trail: 25°/99mm
- Wheelbase: 1420mm
- Dry weight 178kg (393lbs) :
- Insurance group 12 :
- Issue tested: October 2003
- Honda UK on 0845 200 8000 :
- www.honda.co.uk :
The Honda Hornet been around since 1988 and though Honda got most of right back then, the Hornet's been changed a little over the years to improve it significantly.
This 2003 version is easily the best yet (but has been significantly tweaked since). The once revvy and midrange-weak motor has been beefed up and feels pretty strong for a 600cc in-line four. It still doesn't hurt to rev it a bit harder as that's where the real fruit and thrill of the power still lies. But it simply doesn't need a couple of gear changes to prompt extra swiftness like the old one did. Now you've got a much more flexible motor that makes life easier at all rpm.
To add to the excitement of the bike the chassis tackle is at its best since 1998 too. On paper there's nowt much to rave about, and the steel spine frame and budget suspension give the impression there might be some early limits to going crackers. But the feel of the handling rarely suggests anything less than quality. The Hornet's pretty light at 178kg and the basic looking shock and forks do a bloody good job of keeping things in check, so riding hard doesn't bring much in the way of worries.
The toy-like flickability makes chucking the Honda around child's play, even when you're whizzing along at a three-figure pace. And though the suspension can't be tuned very much at all (the rear shock has a preload adjuster, but doesn't have a rising-rate linkage. And the forks have no adjustment), you rarely feel let down by its excellent control. Brakes too, do a fine job and don't feel lacking in either power or feel.
The style of the Hornet is sharp and athletic to most of us, and the slimmer and more angular bodywork, revised end can and MV Brutale-shaped headlight make it stand out from the other budget middleweights. Though deputy editor Al wasn't that won over by the Hornet's aesthetics. “It's just a bit too budget for me. The raised silencer is old, old, old and the headlight is minging.”
More disagreed with the Scotsman than favoured his view (nowt new there then). But others did agree an option of a fairing and better fuel range would be nice. “That's what the new CBF600S is for,” said a Honda spokesman in defence.
The bike has hundreds of fans and there are a lot of them on forums and user groups like this one.
This 2003 version is easily the best yet (but has been significantly tweaked since). The once revvy and midrange-weak motor has been beefed up and feels pretty strong for a 600cc in-line four. It still doesn't hurt to rev it a bit harder as that's where the real fruit and thrill of the power still lies. But it simply doesn't need a couple of gear changes to prompt extra swiftness like the old one did. Now you've got a much more flexible motor that makes life easier at all rpm.
To add to the excitement of the bike the chassis tackle is at its best since 1998 too. On paper there's nowt much to rave about, and the steel spine frame and budget suspension give the impression there might be some early limits to going crackers. But the feel of the handling rarely suggests anything less than quality. The Hornet's pretty light at 178kg and the basic looking shock and forks do a bloody good job of keeping things in check, so riding hard doesn't bring much in the way of worries.
The toy-like flickability makes chucking the Honda around child's play, even when you're whizzing along at a three-figure pace. And though the suspension can't be tuned very much at all (the rear shock has a preload adjuster, but doesn't have a rising-rate linkage. And the forks have no adjustment), you rarely feel let down by its excellent control. Brakes too, do a fine job and don't feel lacking in either power or feel.
The style of the Hornet is sharp and athletic to most of us, and the slimmer and more angular bodywork, revised end can and MV Brutale-shaped headlight make it stand out from the other budget middleweights. Though deputy editor Al wasn't that won over by the Hornet's aesthetics. “It's just a bit too budget for me. The raised silencer is old, old, old and the headlight is minging.”
More disagreed with the Scotsman than favoured his view (nowt new there then). But others did agree an option of a fairing and better fuel range would be nice. “That's what the new CBF600S is for,” said a Honda spokesman in defence.
The bike has hundreds of fans and there are a lot of them on forums and user groups like this one.
The superbike scores
Engine
93%
Chassis
94%
Brakes
92%
Styling
95%
Overall
94%
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