Honda CB900F Hornet (2002 - 2009) review

A somewhat disappointing use of the old Fireblade motor in a naked chassis that would benefit from more urgent power delivery
could have been so much better had Honda forgotten to detune the Blade engine
A good, solid bike that is reassuringly chunky and a great step upward from a naked 600
The engine could have been so much more than it is and as a result, the bike is underwhelming

Fine bike for the money, but could have been so much better had Honda forgotten to detune the Blade engine and revalved the softish fork legs too.

Although it will disappoint anyone expecting a similarly full-on translation from sportsbike to naked as Aprilia's Mille to Tuono, the 900cc Hornet does hide a lot of fun under its sensible, grown up exterior.

Many will mistake it for a boring bike, but the truth of the matter is that the big Hornet is capable of being every bit as exciting as the person who is riding it.

Fine bike for the money, but could have been so much better had Honda forgotten to detune the Blade engine and revalved the softish fork legs too.

Although it will disappoint anyone expecting a similarly full-on translation from sportsbike to naked as Aprilia's Mille to Tuono, the 900cc Hornet does hide a lot of fun under its sensible, grown up exterior.

Many will mistake it for a boring bike, but the truth of the matter is that the big Hornet is capable of being every bit as exciting as the person who is riding it.

Length (mm)2125
Width (mm)750
Height (mm)1085
Dryweight (kg)194
Seats0
Seat Height (mm)795
Suspension Front43mm cartridge-type telescopic fork, 120mm axle travel
Suspension RearMonoshock damper with 7-step adjustable preload, 128mm axle travel
Tyres Front120/70 ZR17M/C (58W)
Tyres Rear180/55 ZR17M/C (73W
Brakes Front296 x 4.5mm dual hydraulic disc with 4-piston callipers, floating rotors and sintered metal pads
Brakes Rear240 x 5mm hydraulic disc with single-piston calliper and sintered metal pads
Wheelbase (mm)1460
Cubic Capacity (cc)919
Bore (mm)71
Stroke (mm)58
Compression Ratio10.8
Ignitionelectronic
CoolingLiquid Cooled
Fuel DeliveryEFI
Stroke TypeFour Stroke
DriveChain