Menus
- Ten-day test of the 2007 vintage
- Discovery
- In the saddle
- Contact
- City
- Departmental
- National
- Highways
- Comfort
- Duo
- Brakes
- Tires
- Convenient
- Consumption
- Conclusion
Ten-day test of the 2007 vintage
Exit on the heels of the wicked roadsters ago
more than 9 years, the CB600F Hornet has been completely revised
in 2007. Far beyond an update, it is
of a real new model. Engine, chassis, look more
nothing is the same … only the engine is still from
the sports car of the brand the CBR 600 RR, vintage 2007 this time,
benefiting in stride including a gain
weight of 5 kilos !
Discovery
Exit the "basic" look of the old model: the Hornet
has been largely modernized with a more aggressive design and
a real personality. The pencil stroke and the design are good
there, even if some see it as an assembly of elements
already existing on other models.
We immediately notice the double frontal optics, the big
rear flange, the compact exhaust and the enormous
plenum chamber placed under the engine (only visible
on the left side).
Up close, the steel backbone frame
has been replaced by an aluminum element
sunk, both lighter. The swing arm has
been lengthened and reinforced. Everything must bring
more rigidity.
On closer inspection, the finish is impeccable, everywhere.
In the saddle
The feet are almost completely on the ground for the
1.70 rider (seat height 800 mm). So the Hornet is
perhaps one of the most foot-friendly roadsters
to touch the ground. The position is natural, even a little collected,
without being straight.
The rounded diamond-shaped counter highlights the tachometer
analogically, overlooking a clearly readable digital meter.
Everything is there: fuel gauge, partial double trip, totalizer
and even a reserve count trip. The warning
is also present, but on the stalk on the right. Readability
is perfect, including at night.
The legs fit perfectly under the tank,
which seems to just sit on the backbone of the motorcycle.
Even the older ones won’t be bothered by the curves
from the tank.
The mirrors are easily adjusted and provide good
visibility, especially on the left, a little less on the right.
Contact
The counter resets. The pot immediately rumbles.
First turns of the wheel
First, the motorbike leaves immediately. Without being violent,
you have to take the accelerator more
gentle. Second, smoothly … the Hornet spins on a net
gas. No vibration, the Hornet rolls on velvet. Only the sound
bass of the pot accompanies the first meters, without any vibration
: the engine appears immediately smooth and it is a real
treat.
City
Starts can be very violent, if necessary.
The Hornet also asks for that. At first
roundabout, the Hornet enters the interior limit
violently. The front appears here particularly vivid.
Like the throttle, you will have to moderate the pressure
on the handlebars. But the whole thing is taken in hand very quickly…
and you even get used to the ease very quickly
driving effortless.
The Hornet is really easy to handle and fits everywhere,
additionally aided by a very small turning radius (4.17
m). Its featherweight (173 kilos dry – 202 kilos fully loaded
) and a low center of gravity further strengthen the
ease of maneuvering at low speed.
Even if the first one can go up briskly to
90 km / h, we quickly pass the second to gain flexibility. In fact,
the Hornet willingly accepts to roll – or rather to roll
– in 6th gear, smoothly below 2,000 rpm, at 30 km / h. The,
driving is smooth and unsurprising with possibilities
of acceleration without surprise as long as we
remains below 4,500 rpm. Afterwards, the engine starts to
to run, but useless in town where we would be beyond
authorized speeds.
In terms of comfort, even if you can feel any holes
of the road, we are no longer manhandled as on the old
model. Suddenly, we forget the road and we concentrate
on driving pleasure.
Departmental
If the Hornet is in its element in town, it finds
its playground on these roads where it is possible to link
in casting pipe the virolos in 6th, – including in the passes,
up and down – or on the contrary down 3 gears for
play higher in the towers.
The bends are tackled without worry, the bike being particularly
neutral. The front axle is very precise
and not surprisingly, even on poor quality coatings.
Suddenly, the trajectories can be corrected at the last moment, without
fear or bad behavior. The Hornet has become instinctive and does
requires more quality of piloting to be mastered.
As much the previous Hornet required a good mastery
piloting, this new vintage is definitely
easier and more pleasant to drive. This facility
disconcerting would almost put it in all hands.
National
As soon as the departmental join a national, the
Hornet soars steadily up to
4,500 rpm. The engine then happily shows its availability
up to 9,500 rpm. Beyond, it flies away
and it pulls hard to the red zone! this
said, at 5,000 rpm, the odometer already indicates 95 km / h
!
Overtaking is easy,
including in 6th. Without being dazzling in 6th, they allow you to
safe overtaking. And if needed
is – because the Hornet remains a 600 despite everything – go down
one or two gears can transform the overtaking into a missile.
Highways
The Hornet is a roadster, naked … and the speedometer despite
its shape is useless in terms of protection. That
therefore begins to shoot from 120 km / h and that
becomes strong from 130 km / h. On the other hand, the motorcycle does not fear
revving. Stalled at 132 km / h at
7,000 rpm, it then takes 20 km / h every additional 1,000 rpm…
with a red zone at 13,000 rpm! Which leaves a sacred
good margin, the only limit of which is resistance
cervical, especially at 9,000 rpm the Hornet
finds extra energy to literally fly away.
In addition, the stability is excellent, even at
high speed, without guidance or lightness
of the front axle. The whole gives an excellent confidence, including on
this space.
The readability of the mirrors is excellent
: clear at all engine speeds for the left mirror
; on the other hand, the right mirror offers a more blurred image.
Comfort
The first impression is firm. But in use,
the Hornet is comfortable and allows you to chain
long trips of 300 km without any stop without any
problem. Traveling 700 km in one day proves to be
just as easy, without any discomfort or mandatory break for the
buttocks. We expected with his sporty character to
a piece of wood and we discover on the contrary a pullman roadster.
The Hornet is completely free of vibrations under 7,000 rpm,
which gives an impression of extraordinary softness. Beyond,
very slight vibrations appear, but less
than on other roadsters at the same speed. This absence
of vibrations contribute to general comfort.
Duo
Comfort is confirmed as a duo. The handles are well placed.
The dent on the part of the rear seat avoids
to slide forward.
Brakes
The rear brake plays its role of retarder; Without ever
block, it allows the motorcycle to be seated. The front brake is a little
spongy at first, but is strong and very
effective in use, even and especially in intensive use.
This lack of bite at the slightest solicitation is found
final to put in confidence, because giving an apparent softness to
all braking, which is always powerful and precise,
– but not violent – including in the rain.
The Hornet can have ABS (optional at 540 €); this
says his braking gives confidence, including the beginner.
Tires
Mounted in Bridgestone BT012, the Hornet offers a good compromise
grip / durability.
Convenient
It is possible to fit a Honda "U" under the saddle, and
that’s all.
The steel tank can be used to secure a magnetic bag.
Passenger handles, drilled, offer possibilities
reinforced baggage hooks.
Consumption
On the 6 sticks of its fuel gauge, the Hornet loses some
one approximately every 50 km. The last stick flashes between 230 and
260 km, before the passage in reserve itself. 13 liters have
then been consumed (there are still 6 left).
On motorways at a steady speed of 130 km / h, fuel consumption
runs at 5.4 liters per hundred (compared to 4.3 l. of a
ER-6 *). On departmental roads, winding tranquillo in 6th,
consumption drops to 4.5 liters (to compare to
3.7 from an ER-6 *). The maximum autonomy could then reach
the 400 km! But as soon as we attack more, consumption
rises above 7 liters / cent.
Note that given the shape of the tank, do not hesitate
to force the filling, right motorcycle, and slow filling: we
can then put more than 1.5 additional liters, pledging a
maximum autonomy.
* Comparison made on the same trip with the same
driving rhythm
Conclusion
After 2,700 kilometers on all
roads, countryside, mountains, seaside, city, the Hornet demonstrated
unparalleled versatility. Pleasant from the first
kilometers, it conquers more and more its owner
as it is used.
Honda has achieved a master stroke with its new model.
As much as the old Hornet had never succeeded in
really convincing, the 2007 vintage is automatically rising
like the best of 4 cylinder roadsters. Powerful while being
controllable, with modern lines, the Hornet achieves
the feat of combining the comfort of a Bandit 650 with the
ease of handling a Fazer, everything being
a very specific motorcycle, responding in a single model
to all needs: power, lightness,
ease, comfort, duo. However, we regret its limited protection
– bubble to be expected – especially on long journeys.
Lighter, more stable, more powerful, and despite
everything, easier to handle, the Hornet is now ready
to carve out sacred croupiers to the competition
on the 600 roadster niche. Only its higher price
competition at € 7,290 (€ 6,490 for the FZ6, 5999
for the Bandit) is a real handicap … the price of technology
and the finish ?
Strong points
- Ease of handling
- Motor
- Autonomy
Weak points
- Protection
Competitors: Suzuki Bandit 650, Suzuki
GSR 600, Yamaha FZ6
Available in: Red, Black, Gold / Yellow
The technical sheet / comparo
CBR / Hornet
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