Just a quick post to say Hi, I am from the UK and a member of the Hornets Nest site over here. I currently have a Silver 2008 Hornet which I picked up a couple of weeks ago. I had a 2006 Blue Hornet before this one. I will post up a pic if anybody is interested.

Oooo, I am,I am!!! Welcome Marty!!

Thanks for the welcome.

My new Hornet (599).
http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/6893/dsc00008yy6.jpg

which replaced this one.
http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/6259/10042007009yz8.jpg

Nice. I think I like those wheels even better than the old-CBR-retrofit option.

Side by side (top to bottom...?) like that, can definitely tell Honda's gone a bit upscale with the old girl... congratulations and welcome.

Both very nice bikes! So how do you like the new Hornet compared to your 2006? Are you still in the break in period?

Be interested to hear the thoughts of someone who has owned both (although we won't see the new on this side of the pond).

I think the look of the new hornet is growing on me. It's too bad we don't have them here stateside.

Nice. I think I like those wheels even better than the old-CBR-retrofit option.
Absolutely. Awesome bike, Martin-UK. Can you ship me one?

Both very nice bikes! So how do you like the new Hornet compared to your 2006? Are you still in the break in period?

Be interested to hear the thoughts of someone who has owned both (although we won't see the new on this side of the pond).
Still in the break/running in period at the moment but already I prefer the new one, the engine has more pull from low down, not a massive amount but enough to notice. The brakes (I have the ABS version) are much better and the linked brakes are not too intrusive. The seating position is very similar although the foot pegs seem slightly further forward. The new speedo cowl diverts a lot of the wind, it feels as much as the screen fitted to my old bike. The new exhaust means most of the weight of the bike is carried much lower even with a full tank which is bigger on the new one and in turn makes riding in traffic of which we have plenty a lot easier. I know the looks are a love it or hate it thing but I do prefer the new one over the old one and it does look even better in the flesh than via pictures. Overall the new one is a winner for me, the only bit that is worse are the mirrors. The new mirrors are not much good for seeing what is behind without a good look past your elbows. I'll stop there for fear of sending you off to sleep.
Thank again all for the welcome and best regards to all.

The exhaust is really different. Did last year's have the exhaust all the way near the wheel? Kinda wild.

Welcome Martin. Love your bike, it looks good in silver. It's interesting to read the comparison, no sleeping here. Appreciate you participating, its cool to hear viewpoints from my home side of the Atlantic, especially on the new bike. Unfortunately I doubt we will have the oportunity to buy one whilst the purchasing power of the $ stays so low :cry: What did it run at "on the road"? How much is road tax for bikes now?

Welcome Martin. Love your bike, it looks good in silver. It's interesting to read the comparison, no sleeping here. Appreciate you participating, its cool to hear viewpoints from my home side of the Atlantic, especially on the new bike. Unfortunately I doubt we will have the oportunity to buy one whilst the purchasing power of the $ stays so low :cry: What did it run at "on the road"? How much is road tax for bikes now?
Thanks Mark. Road tax for the 600 or less is £48 currently but if this lot in power have their way it will double.
OTR approx. £5300, I did part-ex my old one though.
The old Hornet/599 is a great bike I loved mine, the new one just feels better, I had both from brand new, difficult to put your finger on just one thing.

Beautiful bike, both old and new. Glad to hear they improvements really improved the bike. Damn shame we won't get them over hear. I've always liked the gold forks on the euro versions as well. Enjoy the new ride!

I can't stand it! You guys get the new bike, and even when we were getting new stuff, you got color choices! Aaarrrgh. :x

Nonetheless, that '08 looks great in silver! Glad to hear it's a better ride. :welcome

Funny, seems like suddenly everyone likes the new Hornet. I seem to
remember pages and pages of folks trashing this bike's looks on this
forum not too long ago. :roll:
Looking good there Marty, thanks for the pics. 8)

:welcome Martin. Thanks for the writeup.

Funny, seems like suddenly everyone likes the new Hornet. I seem to
remember pages and pages of folks trashing this bike's looks on this
forum not too long ago. :roll:

I've always liked it. I don't remember how I felt a few months ago comparing it to the older bikes, but if we got them here now, I'd be in for a trade as soon as I could sell my bike for more than I owe...

Funny, seems like suddenly everyone likes the new Hornet. I seem to
remember pages and pages of folks trashing this bike's looks on this
forum not too long ago. :roll:
Looking good there Marty, thanks for the pics. 8)
Thanks, I found the looks grew on me especially this year with the silver model. I first saw the new Hornet at the National Motorcycle Show and the colours on the stand were the gold and the metallic red. I will admit to not being that impressed. This year they have also changed the rear cowl from silver to black again in my opinion improving the looks further. The colour of any bike to me can make all the difference between liking and disliking.

Funny, seems like suddenly everyone likes the new Hornet. I seem to
remember pages and pages of folks trashing this bike's looks on this
forum not too long ago. :roll:
Looking good there Marty, thanks for the pics. 8)
Very true. And I still have issues with the headlight and gauge cluster. But I really like the silver. All I've ever seen previously are pictures of the bike in that odd goldish color Honda used for advertising.

Is this not sex?

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e46/JHenley17/RIMG0132.jpg

I want to order that can... but I really think I'll need the Hindle header to make it work right, which then brings up a jet kit, so it would be very expensive...

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/6259/10042007009yz8.jpg
Wow! It's so good to see a picture of a blue '06.
When I got my '06 599, I was disappointed to discover it only came in black. I wanted blue or red one at first (CB-1 or Hawk GT wannabe, I guess).
The dark blue '06 looks great! Your new '08 Hornet looks fantastic, too! I'll keep my '06, though, until this comes along: http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/9362/mcb1020083baub2.jpg

:welcome

The brakes (I have the ABS version) are much better and the linked brakes are not too intrusive.

Now the Hornets have ABS and linked braking systems? F*ck me. As has been said before, the headlight area still leaves me cold, but the rest is the bee's knees.

I want to order that can... but I really think I'll need the Hindle header to make it work right, which then brings up a jet kit...

I thought slide put a whole Hindle system on his without any jet tinkering? In which case, maybe your conversion would only be expensive as opposed to very expensive... :wink:

Is this not sex?

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e46/JHenley17/RIMG0132.jpg

I want to order that can... but I really think I'll need the Hindle header to make it work right, which then brings up a jet kit, so it would be very expensive...
Oh dear God that's nice.

I would be tempted to think that an '07-'08 exhaust would bolt up if you went from the headers all the way back. The mounting points should work since the bike's frame and body lines didn't change much. It may require drilling a hole or two, but it would be a very cool twist on a US model. Oh yeah, and wouldn't be cheap. Rules me out.

As much as I love my 599, I have decided that in a couple years I will likely trade it on a Shiver or a Street Triple. Triple has more peak HP with the 3-cylinder, Shiver has more torque with the twin. Both have the "wow" factor but I think the Shiver is a little more exotic and - by the smallest of margins - is better looking. I considered the Monster 696 but I realized after studying some photos that it just doesn't speak to me. I actually think it's a little frumpy.

Unless, of course, a new 599 miraculously makes it back to the US... then it gets complicated.

:wink:

Unless, of course, a new 599 miraculously makes it back to the US... then it gets complicated.

If the Hornet, or especially the CB1000, ever made it to the States, that would be the most UNcomplicated decision I ever had to make.

[As much as I love my 599, I have decided that in a couple years I will likely trade it on a Shiver or a Street Triple. Triple has more peak HP with the 3-cylinder, Shiver has more torque with the twin. Both have the "wow" factor but I think the Shiver is a little more exotic and - by the smallest of margins - is better looking. I considered the Monster 696 but I realized after studying some photos that it just doesn't speak to me. I actually think it's a little frumpy.
Unless, of course, a new 599 miraculously makes it back to the US... then it gets complicated.
:wink:
I went through similar choices, the Street Triple is a stunning bike but with the min. 6 month waiting list and I was left with the feeling that I every time I sat on it I would be full throttle everywhere decided it wasn't for me. The Shiver although a nice bike is still an Aprilia and there is still the parts supply/reliability issues. The new Monster was never an option due to its looks.
I suppose I am a Honda person deep down, my last 4 bikes have all been Hondas.

If the Hornet, or especially the CB1000, ever made it to the States, that would be the most UNcomplicated decision I ever had to make.
Are we talkin' money no object...? `Cause every time I look at things like that with any seriousness... my wallet bitch slaps me. And since we all know who doesn’t wear the pants in that relationship... makes it the most uncomplicated decision for me too :cry: :lol:

Considering a brand-new Shiver and Triple are in the high-$8000... and the Hornet was $7399 MSRP, I don't see it as much of a stretch after a few hit the market and used ones start popping up.

As I tell all my friends who buy anything new... "See you at the bottom of the depreciation curve, bitches!"

Of course, I haven't really researched Aprilia or Triumph reliability very much... and then I have a problem with my Honda branded gear... yada, yada, yada.

It's just "random thought". I'm a 599'er for quite some time. And if I have my way I'll never sell it. I can't discount the possibility of a Speed Triple either. In a few years I might be able to tame that beast. Who knows.

"See you at the bottom of the depreciation curve, bitches!"
:lol: Word.

I thought slide put a whole Hindle system on his without any jet tinkering? In which case, maybe your conversion would only be expensive as opposed to very expensive... :wink:

Well, I wouldn't need the Hindle header, so it could be just kind of expensive, but I'd rather put the Hindle header on than put such a sharp bend in the pipe to run it back down under the peg.

J, I've wondered the same thing about the 07 exhaust. It's designed for a much different engine, so I wouldn't even know where to start tuning it, assuming all the holes line up. But it would look pretty sweet if it would work. That's a really expensive shot in the dark, though.

Here's a cool looking Hornet. http://www.motorcyclingblog.com/media/images/vijesti/070622001.jpg