Honda Hornet 900 - Review - cb900 -Initial b

This video is all about my Honda Hornet 900.
I talk through what i like about it, why i bought it, how it rides and what i'm thinking about doing to it as a side project.
The hornet 900 or 919 in America is the bigger version of the popular cb600 hornet. In my opinion it’s quite the bike.
Classic lines, beefy engine, super bike noises and a great usable bike

[@trevortrevor1626]

Mam ten motocykl, przejrchałem nim całą Polskę, jeździłem po polnych drogach, piachach, szutrze, wykorzystywałem go w sposób w którym Japońscy inżynierowie nie przeznaczyli jej do tego i powiem jedno... Motocykl jest genialny 👍😁

[@N269]

Yes, the 900 is a nice bike. After 55k you might want to change out the fork oil&seals. I advise use OEM seals as I have found that aftermarket might be very difficult to seat in. The rear shock might also need lookng at. The Hagon shock I once purchased, is about 1/2" higher than the OEM and that interfered with the center stand (another major plus for this bike - SWMotech have a nice one) so now I use Nitron. I think the CBR900RR has the low swept exhaust and are essentially plug&play, ya just gotta figure the silencer mounting bracket off the right footrest. Personally I like the twin upswept exhaust. I have removed the cat-conv section on the "Y" link pipe. The OEM silencers are heavy, so replacing with Scorpion/PipeWerx or smaller will save some weight. Also, if weight is a factor, you can get away with removing the P.A.I.R. system, but like the popping sound when rolling off. Might consider braided brake hoses too. A tail tidy is also a nice touch. Unfortunately, as this bike is going 20yrs old, some aftermarket parts (and some OEM parts) are becoming less abundant. I've 2 of these bikes and absolutely love them. Safe trails.

[@InitialB]

Cheers man. I ended up making my own exhaust for it and the weight saving was huge. Like 14kgs. I’ll look into shock and fork seals as I didn’t intent on keeping the bike but it’s still with me. So easy to ride.

[@LastExile1989]

I just picked one up for $700 with 22k on the clock. Love it!

[@InitialB]

Massive bargain! Yeah cool bike!

[@maroshek19]

Mine has little over 75000 miles and still runs sharp. Only problem I see is very soft front springs...

[@trevorroberts73]

Great video great bike I have 2007 900 hornet fantastic bike

[@InitialB]

Cheers man. Yeah I’m quite overwhelmed by how good it is for the price

[@trevorroberts73]

@@InitialB I'd put screen on it makes great difference

[@Kingsoupturbo]

I have the US spec 919, they said at the time, it was faster in 2nd gear to redline then a ZX14 from its super powerful midrange and short gearing, videos don't do justice to how hard and sudden it hits when you crack it open, I like the stock exhaust personally, it still makes a great noise when you get up in the revs and nobody is annoyed by you when your commuting (a lot less actual noise while riding too) nice review man!

[@InitialB]

Really, that’s impressive, the throttle has quite a lot of travel so it’s always impressive when you wind it fully on.

[@Kingsoupturbo]

@@InitialB Its pretty serious! I have to admit I haven't gone wide open in 1st and 2nd yet like you have, does it want to lift the front a lot or is it easy enough to keep it down?

[@InitialB]

@@Kingsoupturbo yeah if you roll onto full by the top of the revs and lean forward ot stays down . But crack it open and it lifts easy

[@Kingsoupturbo]

@@InitialB It hits so hard with fuel injection just cracking it open, no doubt she can lift the wheel anytime! a bit scary to me!

[@Big1_]

Yep, better to put a Lithium battery and save 3kg instead of changing all the exhaust system for 5kg.

[@smokin1974]

Would love to see an update video with the custom exhaust too !

[@InitialB]

Ah cool, well the weather has improved so I guess there’s no excuse!

[@peakdistrictguitarplayer]

New video is up on this bike :)

[@barryjohnstone2255]

great bike i have the same with scorpion cans on

[@InitialB]

I bet that sounds lovely

[@user-qk7mc1nc6c]

Скорпион без заглушек используешь?

[@nadeem7020]

That’s a nice bike

[@nadeem7020]

Hello I need some help for my honda cb 919

[@germanshepherdlover2613]

Should be able to do the 0-60 without changing gears. I think they hit 100 kph in first gear at full revs at your 2nd gear shift....hence the claimed 3.1 secs 0-100 kph. Nice bike, mines black but I love the blue.

[@InitialB]

I think your right, but I don’t like to idea of running it round to 10000rpm and then shutting off, I’d rather shift up and then roll off. I’ll have a few more goes I think!

[@Konjo316]

I'm thinking of buying one soon. I'll be going from a CBR 600F4 to it, so I hope it's as good as everyone says.

[@Big1_]

Not the same league dude.

[@Konjo316]

@@Big1_ I bought one in December and I can firmly say the CBR can't lace it's shoes, or whatever the motorcycle equivalent is to that lol.

[@irish-thinker4429]

​@@Konjo316you prefer the 900 ? Is the 900 faster ?

[@MrSmartstots]

I have one of these, 2002, 13500 on the clock, Remus carbon cans

[@InitialB]

Nice man. Enjoy it!

[@Krezo200]

Thank you for the Video Im looking for a japanese naked bige with displacement I got 4 targets currently Hornet900 X11 Cb1000r Fz1n Im curious what its gonna be

[@InitialB]

Well the hornet 900 on figures is the least powerful but it’s a really nice old feeling engine. And I prefer the styling of this one. You’ll enjoy any of them really mate . Safe riding!

[@Krezo200]

@@InitialB thanks! Everyone of them has their pros and cons Cant wait for the next season

[@dave8204]

X11 is a superb machine.

[@patrickglasscock4884]

I have a 2007 919 and I really love it except for one thing - gearbox whine in every gear! Has anyone else experienced that? I find it so annoying that I won't ride it without ear plugs and it still annoys me. The bike only has 13,000 miles and has been very well maintained. The whining dose not seem to be getting any worse.

[@dave8204]

I went from the 600 to the 900 thinking it would be massively better and felt a bit let down. After the 6 it felt bland and lardy and living in a city the 600 was an excellent commuter with the 9 again feeling like a bit of a lump. Even with Microns it sounded quite bland while the smaller bike would howl when you were shifting. I've been riding for 40 years and had 30-odd bikes in my time and the 900 was one the few that I never really took to. The MK 1 Fazer I had before the 600 was better than both Hondas in a number of ways. 900 was "nice" but in my opinion at least very bland. I've got a mate with a bike shop who had a Fireblade that he'd turned into what the 900 Hornet should have been with very little effort , made a lot of money doing the same for other guys.

[@InitialB]

Ah yeah the hornet is definitely not a naked fireblade. Which is a shame. But I’ve really gelled with this bike and haven’t had a 600 around to back to back compare it. I don’t recall being able to rip up the back tyre on the 600 though or power wheelie 1st and 2nd.

[@papatorr3669]

I picked up my new to me Honda Hornet 919 at the mechanic's house. He rebuilt the front forks and set the suspension to a little stiff. He also put on a pair of Pirelli Angel ST tires. After a 1 hour ride up and down the mountain I'm still impressed with how quick it was through the mid-range. I didn't initially connect with this bike on the test ride before I bought it, but it seemed to have potential. So far it has beat out a couple of my sporty bikes: a Nighthawk 700S, and a Bandit 600S. Next I'll do a head-to-head with my Thunderbird Sport. My mechanic was impressed with it. And I picked up a no start '03 Bandit 1200 S last week. Will get it running and do a head-to-head comparison with the Hornet 919. I've been riding 47 years and am 64 now, so I don't do track style bikes like the capable GSXR series. It's sporty standards for me, like my SV650. On a spec spreadsheet The 06 Hornet 919 came in second only to the 06 FZ1. So I'll have to get around to one of those after I sell some other bikes. But the Hornet was half the price of the FZ1...

[@InitialB]

@@papatorr3669 yeah it’s not got a massive wow. But that comes at the cost of something else usually. I love the way i can ride it for anything

[@InitialB]

So I’ve updated the hornet video. And now bought a 600 version. So I have a chance to see what you was saying.

[@AfroCycle]

What app did you use to track your zero to 60?

[@InitialB]

I’ve got a dragy box. It’s about 100quid.

[@normski262]

HAHh yep the CAN is a lead weight for sure

[@peakdistrictguitarplayer]

Your Honda is missing two wheels

[@Anyonewhos]

Just checked your channel and you don't really seem to make that many videos. I'd like to see a follow up on this thou with all the extras you've done. Looks like a nice run around. Can't really fault honda engines.

[@InitialB]

Hi mate. Yeah I’m really not fast enough at getting the filming done. Winter hasn’t helped.. but… there will be an update soon on this bike!

[@peakdistrictguitarplayer]

Update video has just been released :)

[@InitialB]

It’s on man. Thanks for the boost!