New Honda Hornet revealed

[stu67]

Glade said:

I am looking to replace my 16 year old SV650S... I can't get past the looks of the Hornet.

Will go to check out the CB650R though.

Am worried that stepping up to 90bhp ish, after the 70ish of the SV650 isn't enough... I love my SV650 but can just pin it everywhere, if I get a new bike is 90bhp enough or should I got Ducati Monster for 110bhp and keep with a V-Twin... It is a lot more expensive though.

Got the same sort of dilemma myself. I'm now on my 3rd SV commuter bike on the bounce nothing has sort of come close cost wise. Couple of years ago when I got my present one I tried just about all 650's on the market. The only other one I thought was as engaging was the MT-07, great bike but just couldn't get one at anywhere near the same deal. This time I may chuck a bit more money at the problem and fancy a new Street triple 765. I did look at a Ducati Monster and wanted a test ride but was treated so off hand by the dealer I thought stuff them.

[Glade]

The dealer had a CB650R in stock, but no demo bike. So I couldn't ride it.

I have a feeling the street triple would be over specced for me and riding position probably too aggressive for what I want.

I am toying with the idea of a tracer 9 but it is a step up in size and cost.

Test rode an F900XR and there is lots to like, but could t get past the hard seat, the wind buffeting (honestly it is much calmer on my SV650S!) And there is this noise like a bag of spanners from the valve train on that engine that would start to get on my tits I think.

There's too much choice. I am hoping the hornet is very competent and several £k saving over, say a monster, tips it for me.

I'd have one in grey. I think it masks the looks better. I find the red (light red, a bit pink) frames jarring. There are rounded parts and it clashes with the angular front end. These are hidden on the black framed bikes.

[carinaman]

MCN video that seems to cover the same ground as the MCN MT-07 comparison test:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHYPu8E7GSo

[PT1984]

@Glade have you considered the Trident?

KTM also currently have excellent finance deals on the 790 Duke.

Edited by PT1984 on Thursday 13th April 07:04

[Glade]

I would like to try a Duke, but trident is down on power. Not sure it would hold my interest. Needs to have more than my SV650S.

Need to get time to watch the 44 teeth GSX-8S video. Chopsy likes it, but I think as mentioned he likes everything!!

I think I might be too hung up on the power.

Edited by Glade on Thursday 13th April 13:27

[PT1984]

Sounds like you need a MT09!

[Glade]

Well, I ordered one today. Grey with sport pack and heated grips.

Enough power, comfortable, no wind problem for me, light and agile, enough tech. I have a feeling a more competent rider might pick at the suspension and i did feel a little issue with the fuelling from closed to open throttle around town. Seems like the perfect upgrade from my 2006 SV650S for commuting and occasional weekend blasts. I think it'll be great fun!

All stock sold out, so factory leadtime. Hopefully June, but they're not sure when they will get their next allocation.

[scorcher]

My mates just bought one. He was originally told 8-9 weeks from order but it was delivered and pdi’d in four weeks.

[carinaman]

A multi-franchise told me yesterday their next shipment was July. I could've probably gone out on their demonstrator but it didn't give it much thought as I've already concluded it's not for me. If the sales person had suggested it I'd probably have taken it out.

The same franchise reckoned they'd have the GSX-8S in their showroom this month.

Edited by carinaman on Friday 14th April 19:19

[Tribal Chestnut]

Glade said:

I would like to try a Duke, but trident is down on power. Not sure it would hold my interest. Needs to have more than my SV650S.

Need to get time to watch the 44 teeth GSX-8S video. Chopsy likes it, but I think as mentioned he likes everything!!

I think I might be too hung up on the power.

Edited by Glade on Thursday 13th April 13:27

I’d be looking at test rides on the MT09, middle-weight KTM thing and Street Triples if I was you.

[Glade]

Well no confirmed delivery date. Rang the dealer and while they told me they have allocations in June, July and August... They couldn't tell me if mine is a June bike.

Edited by Glade on Friday 12th May 07:06

[americancrx]

Has anyone put one on a real set of scales yet?

Its advantages might be that is lighter and more powerful and cheaper than any of its competitors - and if Honda did that by building a small, plain bike then everyone will complain about it until they ride it.

[carinaman]

Glade said:

Well no confirmed delivery date. Rang the dealer and while they told me they have allocations in June, July and August... They couldn't tell me if mine is a June bike.

I visited a multi-franchise last week. They told me the June and July shipments will be fulfilling existing orders and if I ordered last week it would be on the August shipment.

[trickywoo]

The 8S edges it in the back to back MCN test.

Edited to add the link https://youtu.be/ppC31wW-KsE

Neves said he preferred the 8S over the Hornet 80% of the time so maybe a bit more than edged it.

Edited by trickywoo on Saturday 20th May 07:31

[Glade]

Yeah might go check it out and see what the leadtime is

[Glade]

Rang Honda today... Apparently my bike originally estimated for June is now due in mid September.

Seems that the grey colour is mega popular so it's on factory leadtime.

Clearly none of the deliveries that they said they were coming in June, July and August were allocated for me. Feel a bit like I've had my plonker pulled, because I bet when they made the vague promise of June, with bikes coming they knew those were for other people but they still wanted to take my order.

When I get chance will probably go for some other test rides, keep thinking of something quite different like a tracer 9 or a GS. But then I remember that I was excited about a cheap nimble, modern bike as a replacement for my aging SV650S, and that I won't have time to get away touring for the next few years really...

Disappointed that most of the summer will be gone

Edited by Glade on Tuesday 13th June 15:46

[croyde]

That's a bugger, very annoying for you.

I'm very much of the mind that if I want it, I want it now but to accept a date then to be told it'll 3 or 4 months later.......

And as you say, that's all summer gone.

[Glade]

croyde said:

That's a bugger, very annoying for you.

I'm very much of the mind that if I want it, I want it now but to accept a date then to be told it'll 3 or 4 months later.......

And as you say, that's all summer gone.

Might go and see what Ducati are saying about monsters

Yours going well??

[croyde]

Glade said:

Might go and see what Ducati are saying about monsters

Yours going well??

Hate to say it, but it's just getting better

It flatters me, makes me think I'm Rossi, even around the Chiswick Roundabout during the rush hour.

[Bumblebee7]

Glade said:

Well, I ordered one today. Grey with sport pack and heated grips.

Enough power, comfortable, no wind problem for me, light and agile, enough tech. I have a feeling a more competent rider might pick at the suspension and i did feel a little issue with the fuelling from closed to open throttle around town. Seems like the perfect upgrade from my 2006 SV650S for commuting and occasional weekend blasts. I think it'll be great fun!

All stock sold out, so factory leadtime. Hopefully June, but they're not sure when they will get their next allocation.

A bit late to the party but I test rode one a few weeks ago and ordered it on the spot, unfortunately not likely to receive it until November. Also went for Grey but I've only ordered the heated grips and quick shifter as standalone options.
I rode a Tracer 7 which felt very slow and basic by comparison and a Tracer 9 which was too quick for my liking, I would ride like a bellend everywhere and just end up crashing it. The Hornet felt like a real Goldilocks for me and I am already very biased towards Honda. I thought the Honda was brilliant everywhere except the suspension, I probably wouldn't have noticed had it not been for riding it back to back on the same roads and conditions as the Tracer 9 which would glide over some bumps whilst the Hornet bucked me out of the seat on one particular pothole (same as Tracer 7), and yes I did hit the same pothole 3 times intentionally.

Please keep the thread updated when anyone gets one.