HONDA CB900F HORNET (2001 - 2007) Review

Version: UK

Year: 2001

Annual servicing cost: £200

Both the MCN and some others are being overly harsh, I even feel that maybe they rode overly-thrashed examples.They go really well - but they're not a bandit 1200. They've got nice torque, but for real acceleration you need to be 5k+ in rpm. But they're no slouch, perfectly capable of flying up to 120... Even 150+ if you hold on hard enough. Considering it's over two decades old, with an engine engineered a decade before that, you really can't bash it.Suspension on mine isn't adjustable, but adequate for 95% of road riding, especially spirited moments. It hasn't been touched in 20 years mind, so I'm even more impressed. Very nice high speed manners. It holds a line nicely, doesn't squirrel around much and will perfectly happily let you get a knee down.They also look great in my opinion - I really don't know what the MCN reviewer was smoking (no offence). Lovely lines, and nice features. Im not old, only in my mid 20s, and I studied design so I would like to think I have good taste. Also, the pipes sound amazing with the baffles removed (search 919 bafflectomy) - nice noise but not overbareingly loud like most aftermarket systems.I've ridden lots of bikes in 2 decades of riding - after starting on the dirt at a young age... and I always enjoy getting back onto my hornet. Sure, it's not a cbr600rr - but it'll keep up with one in the twisties into the 90% percent of safe-spirited road riding absolutely fine... and your back won't feel broken at the end of the day once you're home.So much bike for the money nowadays. Very strong 9/10. Safe riding! :)

Buying experience: Bought privately for a smidge under £3 with less than 18K miles.

Version: UK

Year: 2001

Annual servicing cost: £200

Both the MCN and some others are being overly harsh, I even feel that maybe they rode overly-thrashed examples.They go really well - but they're not a bandit 1200. They've got nice torque, but for real acceleration you need to be 5k+ in rpm. But they're no slouch, perfectly capable of flying up to 120... Even 150+ if you hold on hard enough. Considering it's over two decades old, with an engine engineered a decade before that, you really can't bash it.Suspension on mine isn't adjustable, but adequate for 95% of road riding, especially spirited moments. It hasn't been touched in 20 years mind, so I'm even more impressed. Very nice high speed manners. It holds a line nicely, doesn't squirrel around much and will perfectly happily let you get a knee down.They also look great in my opinion - I really don't know what the MCN reviewer was smoking (no offence). Lovely lines, and nice features. Im not old, only in my mid 20s, and I studied design so I would like to think I have good taste. Also, the pipes sound amazing with the baffles removed (search 919 bafflectomy) - nice noise but not overbareingly loud like most aftermarket systems.I've ridden lots of bikes in 2 decades of riding - after starting on the dirt at a young age... and I always enjoy getting back onto my hornet. Sure, it's not a cbr600rr - but it'll keep up with one in the twisties into the 90% percent of safe-spirited road riding absolutely fine... and your back won't feel broken at the end of the day once you're home.So much bike for the money nowadays. Very strong 9/10. Safe riding! :)

Buying experience: Bought privately for a smidge under £3 with less than 18K miles.

Version: Us

Year: 2007

Annual servicing cost: £450

Many modifications required to get any sort of speed out of the bike. Handling is crap from 60 upward.

Year: 2002

Annual servicing cost: £100

I've had it since 2003. Totally reliable. Totally fun.

Year: 2002

Annual servicing cost: £60

Best naked I ever owned

Year: 2002

Very good city bike, handles very good through traffic, it is small and feels very light. Very good engine with endless torque. Tottaly a sleeper.

Version: 2002 CB900F

Year: 2002

Annual servicing cost: £5,000

This is my second Honda Hornet 900, last time I owned one was 13 years ago, and to be fair I sold it because I was sorely disappointed, so why did I buy another?. Well the answer is quite simple, I bought it as a work and winter bike, plus something to have some fun with when I felt like it, I also own a brand new Harley and did want to watch the British roads ruin my Harley during the winter. Having owned a Honda Fireblade 919 RRX afterwards, I now understand why the bike is the way it is. The Hornets engine comes from the 1998-2000 Honda CBR900 (919) Fireblade, this was always touted as Honda touring fireblade as the engine feels tamer than other blade's of other year, more sensible, although the Honda Hornet 919 is de-tuned, retuned (however you want to phrase it) and equipped with first generation 3D mapped fuel injection, in reality it isn't that detuned. If you can grasp that although compared to other naked street big litre motorcycles of its era its not going to win straight line races, its actually not that bad a bike as I thought 13 years ago. The Hornet came out as a replacement of Honda previous litre street bike the Honda X 11, personally I loved my Honda X 11's and felt they were a faster straight line bike, the Hornet makes up for it as being more nimble and easier to ride.

Buying experience: What can I say apart from there is a lot of them out there and they can be had for 600 sport bike money, they have big following in the states but are a bit unloved in the UK, so you can get a low mileage minter for really good money, avoid dealer prices, you will lose money. Generally dealers are not fans of these bikes and trade in prices from a dealer is laughable, they don't like getting in 900 Hornets as they know they will be stuck with them for a long time.

Year: 2006

Annual servicing cost: £50

100 HP, 65ftlb torque. Comfortable riding position, naked but no faring-directed wind blast so quieter inside the helmet.

Year: 2006

Just a great ride.Too much fun, does what you want it to do. Very enjoyable bike to own and ride, shorter rides mostly, but can go as far as you want no problem, what ever your mood, get and a enjoy.

Version: CB900F2

Year: 2007

Comfort, great seating position however no bike has matched the R1150R for comfort yet. Real-world usable power. It's never going to beat the superbikes in a straight line. However around the twisties and with a competent rider on board this bike will keep up and definitely surprise and beat those less adept at riding. If you get it wrong it's forgiving too. Reliable easy to work on all round bike. Not much storage under the seat. Really could do with more power... The GSXS1000 kinda power ;)

Buying experience: Private sale stupidly cheap price for a last ever 2008 58 plate bike with only 1500 recorded miles. It's a keeper. Italian guy nice straight forward private sale travelled 400 miles to get it worth the distance.

Year: 2007

Annual servicing cost: £150

Update on earlier review. I have now had this bike for five years and use it all year around. It has been totally reliable and other than consumables has had no major faults. It is great to ride, well planted on the road, neutral in corners and has loads of acceleration. You can comfortably cruise on motorways at 70 mph and the bikini fairing on mine gives just enough protection.

Year: 2006

Annual servicing cost: £500

I've had my Hornet for 3 years now and have done about 12000 km. No problems at all other than standard maintenance and consumables. Excellent reliable all rounder that can keep up with sports bikes (to a degree) and yet comfortable for longer trips. Inexpensive fun, particularly for less experienced riders. Thought the MCN review a bit rough...

Buying experience: Bought second hand. No logs so took a chance, but this is the bike to do that with....

Year: 2006

Annual servicing cost: £400

Think of a bigger and faster version of the beloved CB500. Reviews compare it to the Speed Triple [traded in for the 900 Hornet] which is faster but more expensive. The Hornet is 'typical Honda'-unobtrusive and forgiving. Unlike the Trip it can have a centre stand and full luggage fitted. The fuelling is jerky and I had a Power Commander fitted to smooth out the 'off-on' throttle response.

Buying experience: Excellent service from John Lee's in Higham Ferrers, £6K for the bike new in 2006.

Recently purchased a 2008 model. The MCN review says the front forks non-adjustable. This is not the case on the 2008 model. A search of the web suggests they changed the specification of the front forks to adjustable in 2004. So far my experience concurs with the other reviews by owners, rather than MCN. This is a great bike to ride, neutral handling, refined engine and well planted cornering. My bike is 4 years old and had covered 10k miles when I recently purchased it; it is literally like new, no corrosion at all. This may be a fastidious previous owner, but even so the build quality seems excellent. So far so good :-)

I got this bike brand new from Dobles at Christmas. It was a bike I'd always fancied owning but I always thought that at 6k it was a little expensive compared to the obvious choice of a 1200 Bandit, which I knew was a great bike as I owned one for over 3 years (2001 - 2004). As it was hevily discounted I thought what the hell and chopped in my XT 660 R which was not the bike for me, see submitted review for details. When the bike arrived I was glad I had ordered the orange as I think it looks great and I also had the optional fly screen fitted to provide at least some protection from the wind blast. As soon as I rode the bike I was impressed by how easy it was to ride and I felt completely at home on it within about 50 miles. My short commute is a joy and weekend blasts are always fun. I have recently given the bike a good test as I did 1900 miles in 4 days riding from my home in Oxfordshire up to John o Groats then down to Lands End and home again. The bike performed brilliantly and returned an average of about 56 MPG for the whole trip. As you can imagine wind blast was a bit of an issue on the motorways but the fly screen kept it bearable at a steady 80. The engine is absolutely superb as it just pumps out turbine smooth power from 2000 RPM right up to the red line and the mid range pull is very strong. How MCN could only get a top speed of 135 is a mystery to me as I weigh nearly 20 stone and have seen an indicated 155, they must have had some seriously fat dude doing their performance testing that day. The ride and handling are great for someone like me who rides in a spirited way rather trying to immitate James Toseland at every bend. The bad bits, I'm struggling here and nit picking really but I would say that the seat is definitely not all day comfortable and the front mudguard is too short as it is on most modern bikes, easily fixed with a fender extender. To be honest I love the bike though and I can't even begin to imagine what I will replace it with when it's 3 years old.

Bought her in 2003,sold her in 2008.I had 49975 miles of trouble free riding.The engine never missed a beat and the suspension held the bike perfectly.The only thing that needed replacing at 49000 mls was the steering head bearing.These are excellent bikes and if your on a tight budget and want a super reliable fast paced blaster i can definitely recommend the 900 hornet.

Bought this bike new partly because of the Honda finish on their bikes. I have really enjoyed riding the bike and have found it's power to be friendly. It is also easy to blast around on B roads although the suspension is a bit soft for some of the bumps. I experienced some cutting out problems at first, start up when cold. Have also suffered from corrosion on the down pipes, top Yoke, foot peg and pillion plates which were all replaced under warrenty at the 1st service. Strengths: Ease of use. Riding position and friendly for pillions. Weaknesses: Corrosion and cutting out on cold mornings.

Chopped in my 1998 fireblade for this brand new hornet and never looked back.  Had it 3 years now and probably always will. Previous bikes - z250 seca750 import vt500 cb550 four cb500s hornet 600 busa fireblade hornet 900. Strengths: Performance, looks, reliability, easy to ride and feel confident on it. Weaknesses: I suppose I'll have to write something so I'll go for windblast, although I rode from Essex to the other side of Wales and back covering 550 miles in one trip (averaging 120-130 mph on motorway) and my shoulder hurt from twisting the throttle so long, knots in my neck and shoulder area.

Yes, it is a detuned fireblade...which clips the screaming rev monster, but adds instead a thousand pounds of torquey g-force off of the lights...whoa! It does appear to be standing start screamer...I've now added another 5000 miles, an ermax bellypan, a set of conti's, r&g crash-bungs and a set of renthals to lean me forward more (just slightly)...ideal city attack vehicle...ambush machine with wheelie appeal and solid nissin 4-pot braking... Strengths: Total Reliability. Total grunt from nowhere upto 8000 rpm. Mean enough looks, but nimble, feel decent tank range (approx 120). Pillion friendly (not with the wheelie though). Rust proof except foot rest plate on pillion. Weaknesses: Should have twin spots ;-) (only jokin'). Wind blast and protection from the elements...but who wants 2 b a nancy!

Just a quickie for now. I bought this Hornet 2nd hand 2 days ago after a 7 year bikeless period. Mileage was around 18.5k and it has a few scratches etc but for £2850 - a lotta bike for not a lotta money! First impressions are very good. I love the look and it's even better now I've taken off the small screen. I don't mind the wind blast too much as I need to keep my speed down anyway. (Had a bit of a bad smash in 98 due to riding like a prat!). It came with a baglux tank cover which really looks great and has padded sides for gripping. First tankful returned 150 before reserve and seems to be giving 49.4mpg!! Is this usual?? The review said average mpg is 28... I'll be using it mainly for commuting A roads into London. Strengths: Position, looks, grunt. Weaknesses: At the moment I'm feeling a bit of a numb bum after an hour or so, but I think it's probably more me than the bike.