Honda CB600F Hornet: A dashingly styled machine

Honda's corporate slogan is: "The power of dreams." It does not always feel appropriate to its two-wheeled products. Honda bikes are superbly engineered, immensely reliable and practical. But they can lack pure charisma. Riders dream of Triumphs and Moto Guzzis, but often we simply settle for a Honda.

But the Japanese giant has now devised a machine that meets the dream test. The new CB600F Hornet is the first Italian-styled bike Honda has released. Its development was overseen by a Japanese executive, Naoshi Iizuka, whose team worked from drawings prepared in an Italian design studio. And it shows.

From its distinctive convex dual-bulb headlight to its slim LED tail illumination, this middleweight contender screams attitude. It's a sassy street-urchin with perfect cheekbones and a snarl. The look is sharp, radical and pugnacious. Traditionalists will be outraged, but I liked it at first sight and wanted to get to know it better.

The engine is the lightweight 599cc unit designed for the race-ready CBR600RR sports bike (see Independent Motoring, 12 December 2006). In the Hornet, it's tweaked for torque and smoothness as well as speed. It is a compromise to use a pure performance engine in a multi-purpose bike, but I commend the result. Peak performance comes from revving beyond 7,000rpm, and there is a parallel dimension power-band just above the 10,000rpm mark. But until that surge kicks in it will pull eagerly, with relaxed mid-range flexibility.

Real rapture lies in the handling. Everything on the new Hornet is lighter and smaller, and mass has been ruthlessly centralised beneath the engine. This includes a large catalytic converter; not attractive, but the environment requires it and it works. So does an all-new gravity die-cast mono-backbone aluminium frame. This Hornet flicks faster than a tiddlywink, changing direction in the blink of an eye and going where the rider looks with beguiling precision.

But this is not a track racer; it's a real road motorcycle, conceived to be accommodating on streets and lanes and comfortable on motorways. Honda has produced a highly responsive motorcycle with an impressive power-to-weight ratio, and the mass-centralisation concept really comes into its own.

Handling is forgiving enough to inspire a relative newcomer but has the edge to please veterans. Climbing mountains in torrential Portuguese rain, I soon had the confidence to hammer the little Hornet into bends and charge out.

One aspect of the design will awaken nostalgia in riders who remember a previous generation of charismatic Hondas from the 1970s. Old Hornets have big exhaust silencers tucked under the right side of their seats. On the 2007 incarnation, this has been replaced by a four-into-one system. Quadruple exhaust headers curve down from the exhaust ports exactly as they did on the classic CB400 Four. They feed into a single muffler and emerge out of a tailpipe behind the swing-arm pivot.

The arrangement makes the 2007 Hornet a better load-carrier, as soft luggage can be slung over the seat without risking contact with hot metal. And long distances are feasible; the Hornet is surprisingly comfortable for a compact motorcycle. My 6ft 3in bulk was at ease in the relaxed, upright position. It can be ridden all day, and the 19-litre tank helps.

A motorcycle you can commute, play and tour on? Such adaptability made the old Hornet Europe's top-selling two-wheeler from 2001 to 2003. You do not get perfection for less than £6,000, but the 2007 incarnation is fun to live with and exhilarating in the twisties. Compare it with a mid-range Suzuki Bandit, Yamaha Fazer or Ducati Monster.

This is a glamorous entry-level ride with excellent power and handling. OK, wind blast on motorways makes cruising above 80mph hard work, and a passenger means frequent gear-changes. But this is a lot of motorbike for modest money, with an alluring looks and rewarding agility. Forza Honda!

Specifications

Engine: 599cc liquid-cooled, four-stroke, inline four-cylinder
Maximum power: 102bhp/75kW @ 12,000rpm
Maximum torque: 63.5Nm @ 10,500rpm
Brakes: front dual 296mm floating discs, rear single 240mm disc
Transmission: six-speed gearbox, chain final drive.
Dry weight: 173kg
Seat height: 800mm
Price: £5,599 with optional ABS

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