Honda CB 600 F Hornet 2004 — Specifications

Who still remembers the wave of madness that swept through dealerships at the turn of the 2000s? The Honda CB 600 F Hornet was the promise of a lively roadster, designed for everyday use and weekend rides, without the excesses of a pure sportbike. The 2004 version we have on hand represents the peak of this first generation, a well-proven machine, free of its early youthful flaws. It inherits the heart of the CBR 600, an inline four-cylinder 599 cm3 engine delivering 96 horsepower at 12,000 rpm, a reliable mechanism like a Swiss Army knife and which forged the brand's reputation for robustness. For around €7,000 new at the time, you were buying much more than just a means of transportation.

Compared to its rivals of the time, such as the Yamaha FZ6 Fazer or the Suzuki GSF 600 Bandit, the Hornet plays the card of agility and character. Its MonoBackbone frame, combined with a wet weight of 202 kg, gives it remarkable liveliness in the city. It weaves through traffic with disconcerting ease, the engine delivering accessible torque from mid-range rpm. It is precisely this versatility that made it a best-seller and a favorite for the A2 license in a restricted version, a Honda CB 600 F Hornet A2 then offering an ideal platform for progression. The riding position, with a 79 cm seat height, is natural and relaxed, a perfect compromise between control and comfort for long urban sessions or small roads.

However, not everything is perfect in the hornet kingdom. While the 41 mm fork and monoshock were revised in 2003, offering firmer and more predictable handling than the very first 1998 models, the machine shows its limits as soon as the pace accelerates. On the highway, at a stabilized speed, tangible vibrations appear on the handlebars and footpegs from 6,000 rpm, a chronic defect of this generation. The braking, with its two 296 mm front discs, does the job without brilliance, far from the bite of today's radial calipers. As for the catalyzed silencer of this 2004 version, it certainly reduced emissions, but it also silenced the raw sound that was part of the charm of the early models.

So, who rides this Hornet today? It is the ideal mount for a neo-license holder seeking a reliable first large displacement motorcycle, or for an urban rider looking for a hassle-free companion. Its used market is very active, and a Honda CB 600 F Hornet 2006 or 2007 in good condition represents excellent value for money. Enthusiasts may seek later versions, such as the Honda CB 600 F Hornet 2009 or 2012, which brought a restyling and sometimes ABS, an equipment that has become crucial for many. But this 2004, in its efficient simplicity, embodies the very essence of the accessible roadster: not the fastest, not the most technological, but diabolically effective and terribly endearing. It wrote an important page in the history of accessible motorcycles, and its technical specifications, still often consulted, are proof of that.