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'Avignon' from Kiwibiker takes ownership of a 2005 Honda CB900FHornet

2005 edition 900 Hornet - not a buzzy bee this one... The 05 CB900F differs from earlier models in now having fully adjustable forks and in new colour scheme's a candy apple red and black, its also cheaper too! I chose the gloss meta-flake black.

The 919cc Fireblade engine has been re-tuned to deliver low to midrange grunt, perfect for fast starts (read 10s 1/4 mile) effortless overtaking and due to its comfortable riding position touring duties as well. Sure it doesn't have a fairing, but you can fit a small bikini fairing like I have and quite frankly the engine just doesn't care and will quite happily punch you up to nearly any speed you might want, very rapidly.

Even during the running in period with limited rpm available. The low to midrange torque on offer as a joy (max 5500rpm). At any set of lights or through any series of bends the Honda makes it easy to lay down globs of torque through its light clutch, fuel injection and 180 section sports radial. Once the bike was run in (750km) and the mineral oil exchanged for semi-synthetic I could really start to have some fun and rev the bike towards its peak torque of 92nm @ 6500 & 81kw/ 108.5bhp@9000prm (not sure where this is measured but probably the crank). These are very similar figures to the VTR1000.

Some journo in Spain, flat on the tank hung on to 170mph indicated with no bikini fairing. I've seen 160 indicated after slipstreaming then overtaking a VTR SP1 (on the road), but it didn't really have too much more to come, however top speed is a bit really academic on a bike like this. Any gear, just twist the wrist and instantly the bike howls, digs in and pulls. When the bike is making it's most torgue @ 6,500rm the front wheel can be lifted on the power delivery and carried through the smooth, fuel injected throttle control up towards the 9000rm peak power. Notching up more gears is simple as long as the road is straight enough. I can't wheelie round corners, although I know some people can.

I've fitted a factory spec bikini fairing, which makes riding at speed and touring much more comfortable. Its surprising what such a small bit of Perspex can do. Without it I'd need to be lifting weights every second day just to hang on with the wind-blast above 90mph. Regardless of the retune the engine and chassis package contributes to make this a ridiculously easy bike to ride fast. Steering is quick and precise. I found the front end surprisingly planted, where I could feel the road surface much more than I thought could be delivered through a 'comfortable' handlebar, the 120 section front and 43mm forks work well. Side to side transitions can be described as adequately fast but not razor fast as most modern supersport machines deliver but I ain't going racing, I'm going for a ride. And when I want to I can stick with the open class bikes easily enough, at least in open sweeper territory.

The riding position feels very natural, absolutely in control and very comfortable. My other bike is a 95Gsxr-w, heavier, more top heavy, less all round power and with a racers crouch, sore wrists after an hour. On the Hornet you sit upright and can see all around and at a simple flick of the wrist you surge forward. Honda has made a streetfighter in their unique Honda way. This ain't no bad ass bandit or Fazer or Z-though - its a Honda, sort of sanitised/civilised muscle bike, does that make sense? I know the price made sense to me. Its happy purring along at 40 or 70mph, the sound of the values whirring away is bliss or you can wind it up to go to jail speed, your choice.

I have now put about 3000km on the bike since new, on all sorts of road and conditions. Even in the wet it fells planted and assured. I did have a front-end slide under braking in one down pour. But the road surface was de-laminated stone chip sort of like one big white line and others on the ride had identical experiences. On the plus side, it was a controllable and easily corrected slide, or more realistically the bike corrected it for me then flattered my riding talents.

I have also fitted Oggy knows and hope to get to a trackday soon and have some on the side fun. Time for the blah, blah marketing speak… it also has catalytic conversion, low emissions, great toolkit, multi-language manual etc. As for the mirrors, they are fine, I have a great view of my elbows! I might try some rectangular jobbies.

Looks imposing from the back as well... I haven't worked out the fuel economy yet, even though I've put a couple of thousand kms on in about two weeks. I imagine if you were restrained it could be quite frugal, what with the fuel injection and all. I only ride on the weekends. I need a car for work, and then only on country roads etc. I also tend to give it a bit because the engine is just so much fun to flog, so I imagine my fuel economy is poor, but compared to my car its probably fantastic.

Verdict: So far, the bike is a bargain and great fun!

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