Honda’s CB600 Hornet is a factory made urban street-fighter with some hi-tech gear from its parts bin. Early version of the CBR600 engine in a fine handling frame, rolling on Fireblade wheels, with geometry designed to make it very responsive and ideal for busy city streets. 

The engine is 599cc, 4 stroke, 4 cylinder and liquid cooled with carburettors that are downsized from the CBR’s 36mm to 34mm giving a larger spread of midrange power, but the engine still has to be revved to get the best out of its100 bhp.

The chassis is a rectangular steel spine frame and is stiff enough to keep the plot in a straight line. The suspension is a bit on the soft side, having 41mm forks on the front with no adjustments available, and the rear shock is only adjustable for preload, but it is sufficient and the bike handles well enough. 

Brakes are off the CBR and ‘detuned’ by altering the pressure ratio of the master cylinder to make them less ‘fierce’, high grip pads and braided hoses are standard. The riding position in town on the un-faired CB600F is fine, but take it on the open road and at speed will soon have you with neck muscles like Arnie. 

The half fairing on the FS model cures all this and gives the rider a fair amount of protection from the elements as well as making it more suitable for longer trips or sustained higher speeds. 

Surprisingly the fuel consumption is pretty poor for a bike in this class, at 35mpg and only a 16-litre fuel tank it has to be refilled every 120 miles or so. There is no fuel gauge fitted so either set the trip meter at every fill up, or be prepared to use the awkward to get at reserve switch to get to the last 3 litres.

This is one of the few Hondas that have been built to a price, and it shows in the finish of minor detail, the fairing on the FS model looks like an afterthought, the instruments don’t exactly look pretty either.

A comfortable riding position whether cruising near its top speed of 135mph or battling your way around town counts for something and should not disappoint, neither will the price, available at discounted prices of around £4500.

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Last updated 16/03/02