All Tests – Hornet 2009 Test: the sassy teen has matured! – With an H as homogeneous!

Posted on by admin

Hornet 2009 test: the sassy teen matured !

All Tests - Hornet 2009 Test: the sassy teen has matured! - With an H as homogeneous!

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.

With an H as homogeneous !

As dapper as you want in its new yellow color Pearl Acid Yellow, the new Hornet retains its daring pencil stroke … whose harmony between front and rear, however, continues to divide bikers! With its prominent double bulb optical unit, surmounted by a dashboard mixing analog and digital (see details in the technical sheet), the front of the bike is rather attractive but the rear lacks charisma and struggles to trigger the ‘enthusiasm.

Much less tapered than in the past, the stern suffers from a substantial length, a rear LED headlight with a somewhat banal design and a sad mono-color. Admittedly, the observation is marked by subjectivity and will vary according to the tastes of each one. But a more incisive rear end with a touch of color would certainly enhance the sex appeal of the Honda roadster. !

Fortunately, the 2009 Hornet has lost absolutely nothing of its flattering finish: the footplates are superb, the short pot brings its touch of sportiness and the multitude of small polished details (tinted indicators in black, brake pedal nicely worked, electric beam well camouflaged, etc.) contribute to flatter the retina. Easy to access, the machine also maintains its relaxed position: the rider is well seated on the handlebars, arms outstretched and without strain on the wrists.

Stepping over the Honda is easy thanks to a saddle that is as accessible (800 mm) as it is comfortable and a narrow tank at the crotch. As on most of the world’s leading manufacturer’s motorcycles, the ergonomics will satisfy the greatest number of people and the controls immediately fall under the glove: in good Honda, the Hornet tames in less time than it takes for the ‘to write !

Only the absence of adjustment of the gap of the clutch lever, the dryness of the front brake to the lever intake, the reduced space under the saddle and the high idle speed could possibly annoy urban users..

Docile, the Honda hornet buzzes gently at 3500 rpm in fourth gear at 50 km / h. However, if the recoveries are then laborious, the block never balks at work and its elasticity is a precious asset during duo getaways! In these conditions, the passenger will appreciate the wide grab handles and the well-placed footrests, as well as a comfortable and slightly raised seat compared to the pilot..

Lively and well balanced, the Hornet swings from one angle to another with ease, both the lever arm and the lightness of our model without ABS (198 kg all full and 203 kg with ABS- CBS) do wonders. Nevertheless, aficionados of the first versions will regret that the increase in volume of the tank (19 liters) generates a more pronounced separation of the top of the thighs. Likewise, the handlebars placed higher and further back no longer offer that sporty feeling – certainly uncomfortable in the long run – specific to the Hornets of yesteryear….

Related articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *