2002 Honda Hornet 900 Review

[@Jordy1979]

I love the design of naked bikes during the 2000s. Naked bikes these days all look like they are insects

[@PapaP86]

That or Michael Bay transformers

[@Jordy1979]

@@PapaP86 they look exactly like that lol

[@Mybwain]

Is just the current buzz on the scene.

[@laillahilaallah001]

I love insectoid motorcycles. They give that primal yet alien look that encapsulates the experience of motorcycles. Like an ant in the jungle floor. You share the same roads as soccer moms and Karen's in their suvs. From bro-dosers to ricers in their clapped out hondas. You form a almost symbiotic bond with the motorcycle. You complete its figure.

[@uhtred7860]

Modern bikes are over styled and "fussy" looking, many of them are just downright ugly. The simple elegance of this bike appeals to me. Also I was never a fan of the under seat exhaust fad, but these ones on this Honda are far from the worst.

[@soulgivesoul07]

one of the best bikes honda ever made....

[@NudaMan]

VFR,HORNETS,CBRS, and last but never least RC51, Honda did it all first

[@peterkinda4983]

Bought one today for 2 grand (euro) rode it home 2 hours away, it never missed a beat and pulled hard, bought it to tidy it up

[@SusanWillan]

IV owned a Honda CB 919 Hornet 03 model from brand new here in Australia IV just put just over 352 thousand kilometres on my bike it's been the most reliable motorcycle 🏍️ IV ever owned all IV done is the basic maintenance that most Japanese bike's require please don't sell yours just because you want something much better I honestly believe there isn't much more available that will keep on keeping on like 1 of these reliable Honda's around

[@tubeengineer]

Only decent review I've seen of the 900, everyone else just immediately dismisses it because it's not a naked Fireblade - good job!

[@HarleyFirestorm]

No it really is not a naked fireblade. As an ex owner I sadly found out this for myself.

[@WyreForestBiker]

One of the most underrated bikes around.....

[@danstewart42]

well if all you're concerned with is impressing others, you lead a pretty sad life

[@donweaver1600]

There getting snapped up now not so underrated

[@borarider669]

@@danstewart42 well said

[@irish-thinker4429]

I have one stripped down and been rebuilt

[@aniruddhagujar4119]

3:50 such a beautiful location😍

[@trislynd1]

Just bought my Hornet 919 and LOVE it!!

[@Krezo200]

Please tell me about your experience with it! Im gonna visit one tomorrow and maybe buy it

[@trislynd1]

Great review! Sounds perfect for the type of riding I want to do. Cruise through town or go fast on the backroads!! I love the riding position.

[@PapaP86]

I've had my 2002 919 for 6 years now and I may never get rid of it. It still seems like one of the best all-around bikes. Only bikes I could consider replacing it with off the top of my head are an MT10, CB1000R, or 2nd gen Tuono. Stock suspension at least on the 2002-2003 models is a bit crappy, but that can be remedied with F4i forks with Racetech internals and an F3 rear shock, pretty cheaply or a Penske or Ohlins shock if you want to spend big money.

[@deerock498]

I had a 2003 919. It was by far my favorite bike I ever owned. Had to sell it when I started having children. I miss it everyday

[@AW8UK]

Curious as to whether the F3 CBR600 rear shock will swap into my '00 PC34 CB600S...albeit toying with idea of CB900 or 1st Gen SC60 CB1000RA (not so good for pillions) .

[@PapaP86]

@@AW8UK If the frame and swingarm of the CB600S is the same as the CB900F/919 then it'd probably work. The CB600's are very rare here in the states. Even the 919s are, but they're a lot more common than the 600F. Don't think we got the 600S here at all. The F3 rear shock did raise the seat height/sag a decent little bit from stock, but can still flat foot without an issue at all.

[@AW8UK]

@@PapaP86 Thanks for a decent & comprehensive reply...I appreciate it. I seem to recall seeing mixed info re F3 shock compatability.. I am aware that the bike was more available in the UK & that it came in different power outputs. For the '00 year in UK I believe my Carb fuelled bike is 94 bhp. It redlines at 13k. I believe read mine has same engine as an F2 CBR600 but I am not certain. I love the bike ...so smooth yet 3 distinct power zones 0-5k (smooth mild) 5-9k (good mid range pull) 9--13k (more urgent). I test rode a modern Italian premium naked bike recently...Great bike but I actiallt prefer my CB600S (599) as an all rounder to ride. May stick with this or try the 900 or an SC60 CB1000R in the future. Thanks again

[@PapaP86]

@@AW8UK No worries. I've had my 919 for 10 years now. Still a great all rounded and I've had no major issues with it. Added a 2015 FJR1300A to the stable 4 years ago, and a 2003 R1 (as a track bike) last year. Been debating if I want to get rid of the FJR1300A and 919 and get something that's sort of in between them like a BMW 1200/1250 GS or KTM 1290 Superduke GT, but part of me think I'd have trouble getting rid of the 919 and maybe regret it.

[@silviofontana3666]

well delivered review, no BS, just the facts as you see it, thanks

[@skyliner4610]

Fuken Brittain :P Its allways raining ower there, ain't it? xd It must suck for bike riders

[@uhtred7860]

Yep. I lived over there in the late 80s for a few years, and was working as a motorcycle courier in London, once it rained for 2 months non stop! 😆

[@ronwhite8503]

​@@uhtred7860I moved to Cumbria four years ago......and it rained every day for the first six months.

[@Siper2]

Great review, thank you! Here in the States it was the "919" but it's a bike I'm very interested in, may look for a good used one in a year or two.

[@trislynd1]

I just heard about the Hornet. Im hoping to get one soon!

[@johna6968]

Love my 919. Never owned a fire blade, so I'm none the wiser with regards to the motor

[@danstewart42]

just got my 919 2 days ago! Love it

[@soulgivesoul07]

@@danstewart42 how are you liking it?

[@ripmax333]

this is the bike called..jack of all trades. it can do it all

[@mikelapiz5213]

I love this big.

[@SeanBlazze]

Good vid just what i was looking to see. Thanks

[@HarleyFirestorm]

I've had a Hornet 900 and three Hornet 600, the 600 is a brilliant little bike, the thing with the Hornets is they are really easy to ride, however the hornet 900 is probably the biggest disappointment I have had when I bought a Hornet 900, I really wanted a Blade engined Hornet, the frame isn't up to the job nor the suspension, so you get a grotesquely detuned bike. Why the Honda CB1100 X11 wasn't popular I don't know, I have had two and they are a far, FAR superior bike than the Honda hornet 900. Personally I would prefer the 600 over the 900, much more fun.

[@MadnessOfMarmots]

+HarleyFirestorm If you got a 900 expecting a naked Fireblade, that nobody's fault but your own.

[@HarleyFirestorm]

+thinkpol why is it my fault, why shouldn't I expect a 900 cc bike to be as close to its big brother the CBR900RR fireblade, when its actually worse than the 600 Hornet ( 600 Hornets are great BTW ). What I got with the 900 was a naked fireblade with the fire taken out of and a huge disappointment, its got to be one of the most disappointing modern day large capacity naked bikes I have ever ridden. when you compare it to the likes of the CB1000R and the CB1100 SF, the 900 Hornet was a weedy bike.

[@MadnessOfMarmots]

HarleyFirestorm It's your fault because it was never a naked Fireblade, and it made no secret of the fact that it had a DETUNED Fireblade engine. The guy said the same thing in the video that I said to you. You went into it ignorant and uninformed, that is why it was your fault. Why in God's name would you expect a DETUNED Fireblade engine to behave just like the regular one? Understand? It's very simple. I can't help you if you don't understand simple concepts.

[@HarleyFirestorm]

+thinkpol Listen, if your going to be funny then I will, I never for once thought it would be the SAME power as the fireblade, the fact that it is so far AWAY from the blade engine is almost laughable, compared to the 600 which is not a million miles away from its donor bike. Now do YOU not understand simple facts, don't blame me for your poor choice in *ahem* a supposed muscle bike.

[@MadnessOfMarmots]

HarleyFirestorm What are you on about? I wasn't trying to be funny. I don't even have a Hornet. Your reading comprehension skills aren't very good, obviously a reflection on your ability to know what you're buying before you do.

[@Shake_Well_Before_Use]

Such a beautiful bike

[@robbenalfans5501]

How mutch is in 100 km cost benzin

[@sugarrfree]

Best review

[@rayleeaustralia]

I had one and I love it

[@ferdaaydin7405]

👍🕉

[@martinquinn3382]

Less than 200 kg ? False !!

[@uhtred7860]

He's quoting the sales brochures "dry weight" figure. Dry weight figures are completely pointless, as they mean no fluids at at, not just no fuel. So, no engine oil, coolant, fuel, fork oil, brake fluid, battery fluid (when they still had fluid in them) and who rides a bike like that? Claimed HP figures are another load of marketing BS too.

[@StevesHornet900]

....I'm baffled why Honda ceased production - it should be made into a shaft drive 1400 with a bar mounted choke...and it'd be perfect!

[@LancerFIN]

Because it's very dated design. They replaced it with CB1000R.

[@StevesHornet900]

+LancerFIN ....dated design my ass - so the cb1100 retro model is 'dated' too?.....of course it is because it's meant to resemble a 1970's bike. The CB1000R is hideous....in my opinion - it's all a question of taste isn't it.

[@uhtred7860]

Emissions probably. They also had the CB1300 at the same time, and that would have robbed a few sales. I also remember the British bike magazines being a bit harsh on this model, the race reps were still the number 1 sellers back then. The American mags were far more generous in their reviews.

[@Terraceview]

MUCH a better bike than the 600.

[@HarleyFirestorm]

+cq33xx Having owned 3 600 Hornets and 1 900 Hornet I can confidently say the 600 is the superior bike if its a Hornet your after.

[@HarleyFirestorm]

The actual ride on the 600 does and always felt much better than the 900, it felt lighter and more flickable, Just because the 600 may be built in Italy doesn't make it any less quality, the 900 build quality was no better nor worse in my book. If you want to feel massive torque then ride an X11, I felt nothing on the 900 Hornet.

[@volante8657]

my 600 is a genuine JDM bike, I can't see any "J" in the chassis number. also, JDM bike, no matter which make, is further tuned down on power due to Japanese regulations, JDM 900s only does 90-ish horses, not 109

[@HarleyFirestorm]

I had a Hornet 900, if your referring to anything else, I have had Fireblades, X11's Speed triple and more, so yes I have had 900s and above.

[@Krezo200]

I test drove a x11 a few weeks ago and found it totally boring [unfortunately] tomorrow i will try out a hornet.. believing your words it will be a huge disappointment Well lets see