Tuesday, March 12, 2013

HONDA CB600F HORNET REVIEW

Posted on 12:00 AM by Unknown

We are used to growing up as a kid gluing to those stupendous monsters made in foreign lands far far away yet we managed to get to know about them and dig them up from the World Wide Web. Those days even the now common Ninja were a huge hit, we all grew watching them over the forums and the Google search engines. Back then had it been possible to make those bikes not just a dream but ride on them we all would be more than glad to let go of our treasured 


possessions. Speaking of which, did you or did you not jumped nearly a feet when the daunting Hornet’s advert Got wings will fly hit the prints? Back then I still remember as I jumped in excitement turning the newspaper in a local tea joint. Did you know that the Got wings will fly concept was so good that Indian Honda too used it for some brandings in Delhi as well? 

Well the yellow Hornet got the number one spot in my wall poster’s list back then. Then I thought to myself that one day I’d ride you! Today my fortitude as a kid is complete. The talk is about the triumphant Riderznepal.com’s Honda CB600F Hornet ride review. The bike is a winner both on the streets and on the tacks. Hornet is the naked divergent off Honda’s stable. Users all-around have claimed it to be the excellent handler and performer no matter what the terrain throws at it.
Biking here In this forbidden kingdom (recently self proclaimed Federal Democratic Nation) is at its early stage and recently there is this considerable amount of advancement. Some legendary models are now-a-days posing in the streets bearing the red and white registration plate. Still the scenario is so and so similar to the dark days, bikes come and go yet the super sport experience is for the ones with big pockets. I for one too thought the same thing until the bike frantic turned test rider turned reviewer salutation of mine came into exercise. On this special review I’d explain the basic knowhow about the super sport and its technicalities based upon the feel.



Firstly, the bike needs no five star tag from me since it’s proven it’s agility and stamina in the roads amongst the world mass yet it’s not wrong to say that I found on this bike somewhere close to perfection. The bike comes with the naked look giving it an edge on to the engine heating scenario. The bike heats quite as much and with its 4 cylinder 100.58 HP (73.4 kW)) @ 12000 RPM,  and that too fired up with a PGM-FI electronic fuel injection heat is the point you will for sure opt out. 


Staring at the bike is the best feel as I think. The bike has this hulky look (only the color was golden). The upgraded look on these bikes notably is the exhaust placement and some major facelift over the years since its first production back in 1998 in Europe. The bike has this unique feature which is embedded inside the key of the super sport. Meaning the bike’s key is the key to the bike and furthermore it is that combination without which the bike can wake up but cannot walk, in simple words the HISS (Honda Ignition Security System) ensures that the key should be present in the ignition to start. This is Honda's unique, electronically controlled security system. A chip in the original ignition key recognizes signals from the Engine Control Unit and sends a special ID verification signal. If the signals do not match, the engine will not start. There is also an Anti-Theft Ignition Switch. The main switch also operates the seat opener and the fork lock. A shutter over the key hole prevents tampering and theft and helps to ensure that your favorite motorcycle is always waiting for you when you return. Sweet! This sport is BIG and smart. Also the ignition is based upon Computer-controlled digital transistorized with electronic advance system. Nudging the ignition is pretty smooth and the slight flip turns the ignition on, the meter goes on the start mode and somewhat like the pulsar’s meters behave the look on its cockpit is similar. 


After the battery startup one needs to make sure if the bike is in neutral. No one must like to take chance with these bikes and I don’t think you would want it other way. Well saddling up is a bit easy on these bikes, your legs swing doesn’t matter, I am 5’11” no sir no problem for me. The gear position and the brake foot peg might seem familiar to the ones riding modern day bikes since it is a bit laid off feel. Though I was amazed to learn that the Hornet’s saddle to feels normal in comparisons to some RR’s. You feel like saddling upon some lower cc’d bikes. Going thru the indicator controls are fair and not that cryptic. Turn the engine cut off switch on, give the soft self start push and the bike goes vRoOoM. Then and there the temptation of getting it on the triple figure speeds might anguish one yet my suggestion would be to take it easy, these babes like some respect. Putting the bike on gear is the best feeling you’d ever have. A loud thud sound notifies you that it is ready to race and the nimble jerk makes it a bit more subtle. Revving up is easy with this baby, it makes a mellow yet boisterous sound upon ceasing at a standstill. First few minutes in motion is amazing how these bikes act with the throttle. The throttle repose is good. I mean it is in direct unison with the thought in your head till the hands squeezing the gas in the combustion chambers. The key is well the best feel when you get your hands onto them and that too makes the feel of the ride even more joyful. Stumbling upon the bike in the parking lot makes you wonder that you are about to be in that bike and the feel of the ride is gonna be one helluva experience.


First things first, these bikes can do pretty good speeds in the first gear yet revving more is not advised. This breaks the gear ratio and in turn heats up the bike pretty harsh resulting clutch plate wearing off too, so make a decent gear change. Sometimes the clutching might seem hard since this one had that stiff character but one getting to know it better you will be amazed. The gear shifts might startle you if you happen to shift the gear incorrectly, the bike suddenly gives this kinda stallion demeanor, meaning it gives this thrust in the pull resulting a bit of zerk. When that happens, do not forget to clutch in, you wouldn’t want to let the tamed partner go wild. 


Braking is top notch since it s SHOWA doing all the friction. The braking in this particular bike bears 296 mm (11.7 inches) on the front and 240mm (9.4 inches) in ABS(optional). Considering the weight of 198.0 kgs the suspensions handling them are fine I say, 41mm inverted telescopic fork, 120mm axle travel on the front and on the rear monoshock damper with 7-step adjustable preload, 128mm axle travel taking in the lags  off the bike. The wheelbase of 1,435 mm seems perfect enough. The turning ratio gives this ease in city and heavy traffic. I happen to maneuver the bike pretty swell inside the valley with the pillion on as well. Which brings me to the major advantage on a hornet, the pillion don’t give you added on weight cutting off the sprains in your palm and that too without the clip on handlebars the bike is easy to maneuver with the pillion on. 


Shifting thru the gears and the feel of the gears feels immense and the weight to the volume ratio of the vehicle is huge hence resulting the ride a bit lumber making you loose that special confidence in the first boost.  The bike is welcoming enough and hence later on in the process of ride you can get aquatinted with the ride. Then first thing came into my head was to shoot off in the driveway through the parking slot but sadly I lost the momentum and hence rear tire notified me of my rush throwing some dirt off the lot. The notification was acknowledged and hence I quickly pulled it off and managed the pull. The first few moments made me realize that the bike is a tamed beast which needs the constant consideration. Making swift turns doesn’t surprise you as well. Nudging the gear up makes you realize how the bike can scream yes even with the stock exhaust made for nimble howling. The revs up to 5000 to 6000 RPM’s makes one realize the nasty speeds this baby can do though the intimidation of the speed can make you revv up crazy but this bike can sweep one off the seats if in case rode hot headed. 


With respect to the recently set up Arniko highway speed limit and the directive I was in dilemma to either speed up or not but after few kilometers and the swift speeds in matter of fraction of seconds made me realize how it needs to break the barriers. Then, the exquisite and lavish feel made my biker intuition scream on the top of the tower like crazy. An ample push down the throttle makes you go zoom and we do cherish that feel. 


One notable incident too happened that day, the story is that upon returning there were some hoodies riding in a group and after noticing a big bike amongst them the attention was drawn to the Hornet. I thought to myself that they must be envying the ride but in reality they were bunch of lunatics. My theory was proved when they overtook me and made a formation before me winging me upon overtake and then riding crazy zig zaging ahead of me. I smiled at their idiocy and then made a quick flip of the accelerator and let go of the clutch, overtook them riding inside of their little formation. I thought to myself that after the realization that this bike is no match for them they would not bother me, yet they were behind me trying to overtake. I let them. After a while and after a lot of kollywood style riding and intimidation I was bored and then hoped on a BIG leap and hence gave the gas a good rev (now I was sure that there were no cops around with their toys) blasting through them I did a swift 140km/hr and kept the pace steady reaching somewhere close to high triple figure. I could see them get smaller in my rearview mirror which was priceless. Then they must’ve realized how these toys don’t mean no joke. 

Well wrapping up the review, the short 50kms ride was over yet my ears were craving for more and then after the ride walking off the bike was the saddest part. Sluggishly I went down the gears and nudged down to neutral. Still the sound note was exquisite. I did not want the sound to cease yet finally I gathered up the courage and pressed the engine cut off button.

That was the feel which I could never forget, shutting down the now hot ride.

P.S: You need demo? Just visit this link.
http://www2.honda.com.br/CB600FHORNET/#/oua-o-ronco-do-motor

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