Comparison: Honda Bol d’Or versus Hornet 900

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Comparison: Honda Bol d’Or versus Hornet 900

Time travel

CB 900 F Bol d ?? Or and Hornet 900 ?? two Honda with one and the same concept: unclad and with four cylinders in line, separated by “only” 20 years of motorcycle development.

Pressing the starter button instantly brings back memories. The typical rattle of the primary chain brings you back ?? the time when the CB 900 F Bol d’Or ushered in a new era of the super sports motorcycle at Honda. The motorcycle world 1978: Honda’s CB 750, on the market since 1969, is getting on in years and urgently needs a successor to continue the success story.
Ergo, a sports motorcycle with inline four-cylinder, but now with 900 cc, two overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder, makes its debut at the IFMA trade fair in Cologne. In order to underpin the sporty image, the new one is given the name of the famous 24-hour race in France. Christian Leon and Jean Claude Chemarin dominated the Bol d’Or on the Honda factory racers from 1976 to 1978 in a row. And the CB 900 F Bol d? Or is developing into a best seller of the early eighties. 20,000 machines drove on Germany’s roads until 1985. The attractive appearance at the time and not least the competitive price of around 9200 marks were excellent sales arguments.
The Honda, popularly known as Bol d? Or, no longer has much in common with an athlete according to today’s criteria. At best, it would pass as a naked bike, like the Hornet 900, which appeared last year. Its engine also has the genes of a super sports car. The four-cylinder with 919 cm³ is derived from the 1998 Fireblade engine. In particular, the technicians revised the cylinder. As a result, the peak power dropped from 128 to 109 hp. At just under 9,000 euros, the Hornet is also a cheap offer.
Very similar in concept, Bol d? Or and Hornet clearly differentiate themselves from the outside for a good 20 years of motorcycle development. A finely ribbed, air-cooled engine with a sweeping cylinder head in a classic outfit on the one hand, an inconspicuous, almost dreary, smooth-surfaced, water-cooled four in a modernist dress on the other? at least that’s how the advocates of the good old days interpret it. Younger contemporaries perceive a clunky iron pile with indicators and taillights of a truck and are much more pleased with the no-frills design of the Hornet.
Charming ?? at least from the perspective of the older testers? So neoclassic meets technically pretty perfect bike from the 21st century. Can the Bol d’Or keep up with the practical test? During the seat rehearsal, the oldie amazes in view of its sporty origins. Not a trace of a kosher, the driver sits upright with outstretched arms on the wide bench seat, his legs completely relaxed thanks to the lower footrests positioned far forward. Colleague and racing driver Guido Stusser commented spontaneously: “The seating position looks antiquated, but it is super good.” Curiously, the Hornet pilot is much more sporty, especially in the leg area. The knees are bent much more, the upper body is, in line with the current trend, placed much closer to the handlebars for active driving.
Then the engine finally makes its appearance. Even from the low speed range, the aged four-wheeler pushes hard up to medium speeds and amazes even the most critical minds with unexpectedly cultivated manners. The engine runs silky smooth, you hardly feel any vibrations. In contrast to the first Bol d’Or models, which let the driver feel the reactions of the moving masses in the engine, the elastic engine mounts in the last generation of the 900s filter out almost all vibrations. In contrast, the row four, who is 20 years younger than him, looks rough, almost uncultivated.
On the other hand, the long-stroke Bol d? Or find higher speeds difficult, while the Hornet is already at the bottom and clearly distances itself from its ancestor in the upper regions. Due to the larger throttle valves and valves, the Hornet still breathes heavily when the Bol d? Or is already gasping for air asthmatically. This is consequently reflected in the driving performance, in which of course another factor also contributes to decisive differences. 109 hp with a slim 219 kilograms Hornet have much less trouble than the 95 of the Bol d? Or with their 263 kilograms.
And the landing gear? Although the weight is hardly noticeable in the jungle of curves and amazes thanks to the narrow tires with excellent maneuverability and good steering precision, it is allergic to fast corners. Especially when they are riddled with bumps. With strong pendulum movements, the old lady demands due moderation in the brisk curve dance. It demands the classic driving style with knees on the tank from its driver, because on the one hand the contourless seat offers little support, and on the other hand, hanging off with the relaxed leg position is forbidden by itself.
Not so with the Hornet, which encourages a brisk pace and tempts the sports driver to spread his inner knee towards the asphalt. Even if it reacts to bumps in curves with a slight righting moment. The two Hondas then burn from curve to curve at correspondingly different speeds.
Thank goodness, because while the Hornet pilot sets the braking point later and later with little manual force and good controllability, the Bol d ?? Or provides its driver with a proper adrenaline rush before the first corner. Even with a strong pull on the lever, there is only a moderate delay. The rear stopper is automatically remembered, the pilot acts more proactively next time. And is relentlessly thwarted by the Hornet.
But the driver of the Bol d’Or takes it calmly. After a short time, he shuts down any hectic pace and, as the number of kilometers increases, he understands that the former athlete has matured over time into a vehicle that encourages relaxed motorcycling rather than racing. Not Freddy Spencer on the Racetrack, but Fritz Spengler on the Relax Trip is today’s topic of the Bol d ?? Or ?? which, by the way, enjoys a much greater attention than the Hornet. This is the more dynamic motorcycle with a clearly better function.
D.The old woman is much more present in the hearts of many motorcycle fans. It’s still a fascinating motorcycle with rough edges, honest and full of character. It is impossible to imagine how a 1100 cm3 bol d? Or, which was added to the Honda range from 1985, could withstand a Yakasuki FJGSZRX with the latest suspension components and modern brakes. And delight customers who were never attracted to an X-11. The tough advocates of the much more perfect Hornet sum up after the first ride on the Bol d? Or: »The wobbling is annoying, the brakes are simply dangerous, but all other quirks make them directly adorable. Will that also apply to the Hornet in 20 years? “

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