Honda CB 600 F HORNET WAKIZASHI 2006 — Specifications

In the samurai's arsenal, each blade had its purpose. The katana carried the warrior's soul — long and solemn. The wakizashi was the blade of honor, short and always within reach, tucked into the belt as a complement to the great sword. Honda chose this name to dress its Hornet 600, and it must be said the metaphor holds up: this motorcycle never claimed to be a great sportbike. It is that secondary blade that everyone ends up preferring for everyday use.

The platform needs no introduction. Inline four-cylinder, 599 cc, 96 horsepower at 12,000 rpm, 62.8 Nm of torque at 9,500 rpm. An engine pulled from the CBR 600 RR and detuned for the street, housed in a clean and efficient MonoBackbone frame. 178 kg dry, 202 kg fully fueled, seat height at 790 mm. The Hornet formula hasn't changed since Honda invented it in the 1990s: light weight, responsive engine, controlled pricing. Measured against a Kawasaki Z750 or a Yamaha FZ6, it remains the benchmark of the middleweight roadster category — the one recommended to riders who want fun without breaking the bank or beating themselves up.

What sets the Wakizashi apart is a surface treatment entrusted to Bower Design, a workshop specializing in limited editions that has already produced notable transformations on the SV1000 special edition and the SSR 1000. Here the program is more restrained: a carbon-look engine spoiler stamped with the "Wakizashi" name, two radiator scoops in brushed aluminum finish with engraved Japanese ideograms, and a dashboard sticker to tie it all together. It's subtle — some will call it cosmetic, and they won't be entirely wrong. But the package is cohesive, creating a distinct visual identity without falling into the excess of poorly integrated aftermarket kits.

Worth knowing: the Wakizashi models are in fact 2005-vintage Hornets dressed as a special edition, offered in four colors: blue, black, silver, and orange. The price aligns with that of the standard Hornet 06, at €6,990. The graphic kit is therefore not a bonus — it's built into the margin. For the rational buyer, that may seem debatable. For the rider looking to stand out in a sea of standard Hornets at every red light, the proposition makes sense.

The target audience for this motorcycle is well defined: the rider aged 25 to 40, full license held for a few years, wanting a versatile machine capable of handling urban commutes as well as a weekend on winding roads. The Hornet is not built for long distances — its 17-liter tank and slightly forward-leaning riding position make that clear quickly enough. Nor is it a track tool; its 41 mm inverted fork and single shock with 128 mm of travel deliver honest handling without any circuit ambition. It is what it is: an accessible, enjoyable motorcycle, and the Wakizashi simply gives it a little extra character to own that identity.

In samurai tradition, it is said the wakizashi never left its owner's side. Not at the table, not at night. This Hornet carries something of that quiet loyalty: not spectacular, but always there when needed.