Hornet 900

[derek kelly]

Just got back from P&D (Honda Dealers) in Wakefield, took the Bird in for the Recall check, they have lent me a 03 plate 900 Hornet, my wrists are killing me and the journey is only twelve miles, can't say I'm over fussed about the riding position either, maybe I have got too used to the bird.

 

[Bikerbaby]

what colour is the bike. some people can't stand an upright possition where as other can't ride a sports bike, i'm one of the later due to some fucking horse nearly breaking my back

 

[Smoothandquick]

Sure does

DK - I had one last year.....they are awesome town/traffic tools - tons of point and squirt, nice wide bars to nip around the traffic.....but, get it above 80 and jesus do you need to hang on...I dreaded the M45 stretch on the commute as it was pretty clear and a good opportunity for a blast. Takes your head off....c7u8

Great wheelie machine tho......:bow:

 

[Samster]

I love the 900Hornet. Felt the one I rode could have done with a steering damper as it was bloody flighty under power in bumpy bends............

DaveT's the fountain of all Hornet knowledge on here............

 

[D.S.]

Hornet 9

Dave T (ex bargeist) had one for a while and he could ride the tits off it (road & track) :yo: . No, he really could out ride it, which says more about him than the Hornet. He's got a Fazer now :}
Funny enough, I don't think Mr Honda had the M45 or M-anything when the bike was designed, but try following a well ridden one down a bumpy B road or through town as S&Q mentioned :-: .

 

[Smoothandquick]

Yup

I once had the priviledge of leading a gixer 750 and a 998 duke down a very twisty road from Aylesbury to Thame on the hornet 900 - their faces as we arrived at Thame was a picture..they just could not believe the handling and ability to change direction and pull out of corners..the hornet can be seriously hussled...there is nothing to it other than a seat strapped to a pretty grunty engine...:-:

Sory DS, had no choice but to use the M45 - (great fun on the blackbird tho) town work was a scream....point, squirt and hang on !!!!!:bow:

 

[Bazz]

I once had the priviledge.... was a scream....point, squirt and hang on !!!!!:bow:

KELLY - He's at it again!

 

[Smoothandquick]

ya cheeky fook.....

wonder if anyone's interested in some cheap Microns ??!!!!:dunno:

Bet that wipes the smirk off ya chops ?!!!!

Bastid.......bastid c7u8

 

[Bazz]

PMSL!!


I'm sure mine will sound awesome mate, 'specially on the Purkle one! Sort of deepish rumble, vrooom! vrooom!......

..prolly "cheap!cheap!" on the Blu-TiT then?? :dunno:

 

[Smoothandquick]

flippin eck mate....

are you taking speed or drinking red bull by the gallon ? lmao :dunno:

Gonna paint your news can pink ready for you to collect !!!!!!:neenaw:

 

[davet]

Just got back from P&D (Honda Dealers) in Wakefield, took the Bird in for the Recall check, they have lent me a 03 plate 900 Hornet, my wrists are killing me and the journey is only twelve miles, can't say I'm over fussed about the riding position either, maybe I have got too used to the bird.

Derek
I had a hornet 900 after the blackbird with no probs good for 140 as long as you fit the honda fly screen.However there not build for M Ways but get em on A or B Roads and you can leave Blackbirds for dead man8um. Not too bad for track days cos if you get passed on the straights you could nail em on the corrners. :neenaw:
Did a bit of Touring on it too in France which was not too bad but i never had any problems with wrist!! It was probably a bit too different from the bird for you but you must give it more than twelve miles before you write it off :-:

 

[Bikerbaby]

i hope he doesn't write it off!!!!! last thing we need

 

[derek kelly]

When I took it back I went a different route, and it was only on the last mile or so that I actually started to enjoy the bike, but it still hurt my wrist, as regards to handling I don't think it was as good as the bird, it may have been the tyres (didn't notice what make they were) but it felt like it wanted to throw me off on every bump, I think the bike has been used and abused as are a lot of courtesy bikes, so maybe it wasn't the best example.

 

[D.S.]

but it felt like it wanted to throw me off on every bump, I think the bike has been used and abused as are a lot of courtesy bikes, so maybe it wasn't the best example.

Like any bike Derek, tyres and a proper set-up for the individual rider and riding style is priceless. Oh, and don't forget the tyres pressures!

 

[Cruser]

but get em on A or B Roads and you can leave Blackbirds for dead man8um.

As I'm still a 'Bird owner as well as the Blade, I feel I must come to the defence of the much maligned 'Bird here w;;v Is that really the case Mr. T g0551p :lick:

Must admit though, although no quicker on the road, the Blade is a lot easier to ride fast - as I'd imagine the Hornet would be too :-:

 

[davet]

As I'm still a 'Bird owner as well as the Blade, I feel I must come to the defence of the much maligned 'Bird here w;;v Is that really the case Mr. T g0551p :lick:

Must admit though, although no quicker on the road, the Blade is a lot easier to ride fast - as I'd imagine the Hornet would be too :-:

Not wishing to maligne Blackbirds the same is true of other makes of bikes i encountered indeed some bikes with a sporter construction :-: :k

 

[exhornet900]

Now, believe it or not, I used to have one of these.

I bought my Hornet 900 not long after they first came out so I paid full whack. Then about 3 months after Honda dropped the price. But they've never been a big seller and so you can pick them up quite cheap for what they are......and they are a very good naked bike.

Personally I much prefer naked bikes because they keep you from doing 'go to prison' speeds. Don't get me wrong, the Hornet will fly and they are great fun to ride....just don't expect to do 150 +. (which, in this day and age of speed cameras and vans, is probably a good idea).

The bikes are pretty much bullet proof with the engine taken from a well tested source. It's a Honda so build quality is good EXCEPT for the heel plates which used to rust on all the Hornet 9s. They are plenty fast enough on the type of roads I like to ride on, smaller A roads and B roads where the fun is in cornering and overtaking and not flat out speed. They are well capable for two up riding. i used Macadam tyres which proved to be brill, chains last about the norm...12000, servicing is reasonable but is every 4000.

The only detrimental aspect of the bike was that the suspension could have been better. Its ok and capable as standard but if mine hadn't been written off I'd have gone for stiffer front end and a good rear shock. The bike never wallowed (like my ZZR600 did from new) but just never felt quite as 'right there' as the Blackbird on fast, well keeled over bends.

For the money, though, a superb bike.........but instead of getting another I bought a BMW Rockster.....and I love it!

 

[Centaur]

It happens

what colour is the bike. some people can't stand an upright possition where as other can't ride a sports bike, i'm one of the later due to some rocking horse nearly breaking my back

damn dangerous those things I always thought when I was a kid. :neenaw:

 

[Smoothandquick]

Couldn't agree more

as a back road scratching tool, an awesome piece of kit....I loved mine...as you say though, suspension was a tad wafty !!!!

Did you come on the Saturday Sheepfest ride out ? There was a rockster there.....:dunno:

 

[Centaur]

Hate to disagree

I had the first 900 Hornet sold in UK and within a few days I knew I had made a mistake. Mine seemed relatively gutless and had no top end kick to speak of. Handling was ok until you really pushed it and then it was definitely iffy. Never felt secure on it and when the bastids lowered the price AND gave cash back I lost a bomb when I sold it after 8 months and 11000 odd miles. swore I would never buy a NEW bike again. Bought an XJR and liked that better. I think the 1300 honda is the bike the 900 hornet was supposed to be.