HONDA CB600F HORNET (2007-2013) Review
Published: 27 February 2007
"Easy to ride, great handling and fun"
- At a glance
- 599cc - 100 bhp
- 62 mpg - 140 miles range
- Insurance group: 11 of 17
Compare insurance quotes now - Low seat height (800mm)
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Used: £2,400 to £4,300 See all HONDA CB600F HORNETs for sale
Overall Rating
It’s been a long time coming, but thankfully Honda has given us a new Honda CB600F Hornet for 2007. The only similarity to the old model is the name; it’s an entirely new bike running the same engine as their current CBR600RR. It shares the old Honda CB600F Hornet's qualities, it's easy to ride; great handling and fun. The new Honda CB600F Hornet should appeal to wide audience with its new Italian funky styling.
- Check out hondahornet.co.uk for a forum chock-full of info, knowledge and advice on all things Hornet.
Watch the Honda Hornet take on Triumph's Street Triple, Yamaha's FZ6 Fazer, Suzuki's GSR600, Kawasaki's Z750 and Ducati's Monster
Ride Quality & Brakes
The Honda CB600F Hornet is so damn easy to ride and should appeal to new riders, yet at the same time has sporting potential if the mood should take you. The new Honda CB600F Hornet is incredibly light and agile thanks to its slimfast plan over the last few years, however there is only pre-load adjustment on the rear suspension and the front is slightly on the soft side.
Engine
The new Honda CB600F Hornet uses the same new engine from the Honda CBR600RR, obviously slightly detuned for this market. The revised motor actually produces more torque than the CBR and is user friendly. However it’s a four cylinder 600 therefore you still have to rev it to get the most out of, thankfully it sounds a peach on the Honda CB600F Hornet when you do.
Build Quality & Reliability
Considering the price Honda hasn’t let the build quality of the Honda CB600F Hornet drop. Like the old Honda CB600F Hornet it feels solid and secure and should last, the old Hornet was renowned for its reliability as couriers in London proved. The new design Honda CB600F Hornet looks funky and really stands out from the crowd.
Insurance, Running Costs & Value
At just over £5000 the Honda CB600F Hornet is exceptional value for money, it can commute, tour, the jack of all trades if you like. Compared to the competition the Honda CB600F Hornet is competitively priced and as it’s a Honda should hold its value, when it comes to trade in for a larger or newer model. Find a Honda Hornet for sale.
Insurance group: 11 of 17 – compare motorcycle insurance quotes now.
Equipment
For a few hundred pounds you can chose the combined linked ABS braking Honda CB600F Hornet model, ideal in tricky conditions and especially for new riders. The Honda CB600F Hornet fuel tank has increased in size and there is a long list of genuine accessories to personalise the bike. As with most Honda there’s the HISS immobiliser security system available for the Honda CB600F Hornet.
Click here for the 10 best parts for the Honda Hornet 600, as recommended by real owners at hondahornet.co.uk.
Owners' Reviews
26 owners have reviewed their HONDA CB600F HORNET (2007-2013) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
| Summary of Owners' Reviews | |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | |
| Ride Quality & Brakes | |
| Engine | |
| Build Quality & Reliability | |
| Value & Running Costs | |
| Equipment | |
Great all-rounder
30 March 2018 by Emily
My first bike, not being the tallest and also a new rider I think this was the perfect bike for me. I think the narrow profile helps the seat feel lower, and after a couple of low speed drops it's light enough for me to pick it up again. Having ridden bigger bikes now I can appreciate how smooth and forgiving the Hornet is. Fuel economy is brilliant, I have a givi screen for a bit of extra wind protection, givi topbox, and heated grips. The only genuine fault I've found during my time with it is the vibration on the mirrors, which really impairs how well you can see. Anything else I'd like to change with this bike is purely personal preference - I'd like more wind protection, and my friends and I have a bit of a laugh about how incredibly quiet it sounds with the stock exhaust (is it on yet?) but again, these aren't faults with the Hornet, just personal preferences I've found over time.
My first 600cc naked sports bike
06 November 2015 by RKP Chennai
Excellent in all department. Good handling, great build quality, good design and colour. Decent city mileage with avg mpg between 52-56 mpg. If you want sports bike with less strain on wrists than go for this bike, you won't regret it. Go far the ABS 2009 up.
Facts & Figures
| Model info | |
|---|---|
| Year introduced | 2007 |
| Year discontinued | 2013 |
| Original price | £6,999 |
| Used price | £2,400 to £4,300 |
| Warranty term (when new) | Two year unlimited mileage |
| Running costs | |
|---|---|
| Insurance group | 11 of 17 |
| Annual road tax | £64 |
| Annual service cost | £150 |
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Max power | 100 bhp |
| Max torque | 47 ft-lb |
| Top speed | 140 mph |
| 1/4-mile acceleration | 11.7 secs |
| Average fuel consumption | 62 mpg |
| Tank range | 140 miles |
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Engine size | 599cc |
| Engine type | Liquid-cooled, 67 x 42.5mm four stroke inline four. Six gears |
| Frame type | Aluminium backbone |
| Fuel capacity | 19 litres |
| Seat height | 800mm |
| Bike weight | 173kg |
| Front suspension | None |
| Rear suspension | Preload only |
| Front brake | 2 x 296mm front discs with twin piston caliper (three piston ABS) |
| Rear brake | 240mm disc with 1-pot caliper |
| Front tyre size | 120/70 x 17 |
| Rear tyre size | 180/55 X 17 |
History & Versions
Model history
2007: New Honda CB600F Hornet launched.
2011: CB600FA Hornet [£6,805]
Other versions
None.