All Tests – Hornet 2009 Test: the sassy teenager has matured! – The extra toy signed Honda

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Hornet 2009 test: the sassy teen matured !

All Tests - Hornet 2009 Test: the sassy teenager has matured! - The extra toy signed Honda

Sulphurous when it was released in 1998, the 600 Hornet has endeavored to moderate its dirty character over the vintages. Completely revised in 2007, the Honda hornet offers suspensions with finer settings for 2009 to appeal to the most sporty. Test.

The extra toy signed Honda

Dominating its Japanese rivals and compatriots within the emerging segment of sporty roadsters, the 600 Hornet brought a real breath of fresh air to the motorcycling landscape in 1998. Naughty, enticing and fond of high revs, the Hornet was quickly acclaimed throughout Europe: it’s a full box for Honda !

Cautious, the first manufacturer will cogitate for nearly ten years before offering the first "real" evolution of its best seller (read our), a vintage improved in all areas: lighter (-5 kg) and more powerful (+7 ch), the Hornet 2007 is also more "bourgeois" and undoubtedly less flashy than the previous versions.

Harassed from all sides by competition with well-equipped weapons, the Japanese mid-size roadster now plays the card of versatility to seduce. A choice reinforced this year by the appearance of small changes: to suit the wheels-always as the more sporty ones, the Hornet 2009 in particular retained adjustable suspensions in pre-stress and now in relaxation.

The rest of the cycle part does not evolve and continues to rely on an excellent framework Mono-backbone in die-cast aluminum, an inverted 41 mm fork – whose coating changes from gold to gray – and a mono-shock absorber, admittedly adjustable in preload and rebound but still devoid of rods. The four-cylinder from the 600 CBR is also renewed in its functions without knowing any modifications. Future owners will not be disappointed, however, as the 102 hp at 12,000 rpm and the 63.5 Nm of torque at 10,500 rpm are largely sufficient..

In detail, the 2009 Hornet presents some slight aesthetic alterations such as the black color of certain parts (water radiator mounting arch, lower part of the frame, footrest plate and brake calipers). The outline of the dashboard also darkens. Japan is therefore evolving smoothly to stay up to date, but Honda does not hesitate to insist on the need to "ride on the latest generation of Hornets or stay behind !".

Efficient as hell, the 2007 model already excelled on the road with exemplary steering and an engine that is as voluntary as you want. Adjustable shock absorbers and a few touches of paint will they allow the last born to raise the bar higher? Site got down to business with a test drive and a foray into the Ecuyers circuit (02).

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