Honda CB 600 F Hornet 2008 — Specifications

How do you redesign an icon without betraying it? When Honda decided to turn the page on the first generation of its CB 600 F Hornet, the challenge was significant. The recipe, however, remains unchanged: a booming inline four, a lively chassis, and an upright riding position to tame urban asphalt as well as country roads. With this new version presented at the end of 2006 for the 2007 model year, the manufacturer does more than just a simple facelift. It almost reinvents everything, starting from a blank sheet of paper, to create a machine that aims to become the undisputed reference among mid-size roadsters.

From the first glance, the visual impact is striking. The round headlight and conservative shapes are gone. The 2007 Hornet features an aggressive front light unit, manga-style, which immediately divides the community. Some will see it as a welcome boldness, others as a design that is too heterogeneous. It is true that when scrutinizing the details, one recognizes a bit of everything from the competition: a rear end reminiscent of a Voxan, an exhaust suggesting a Yamaha R6. Surprising from Honda, but perhaps it was the price to pay for a radical renewal. Beneath this sharpened bodywork lies a completely new heart. Farewell to the old CBR 600 F block from 1997! Here, it is the engine from the 2007 CBR 600 RR that is reworked, with the mission of softening its sharp sporty character for the roadster. The result? A claimed power of 102 horsepower at 12,000 rpm and a torque of 63.5 Nm higher in the rev range, at 10,500 rpm. On paper, it remains lively, but PGM-FI injection promises better response in everyday use.

Weight loss is the other major victory of this redesign. With only 198 kg fully fueled, it noticeably lightens the scale compared to its ancestors. This rediscovered agility is supported by a redesigned chassis. The MonoBackbone frame changes from welded steel to cast aluminum, gaining rigidity and lightness. Combined with 41mm inverted forks and an adjustable monoshock, it promises precise and incisive handling. The braking system, with its two 296mm front discs, remains effective, and Honda even offers ABS as an option, a significant plus for mixed use or for those less experienced. The 800mm high seat remains accessible, and the 19-liter tank offers correct autonomy for a roadster of this caliber.

So, does this 2007 Honda CB 600 F Hornet live up to its promises? It clearly positions itself as a more technical and demanding machine than the previous generation. Its engine, although reworked, needs to be revved to deliver its best, which may disappoint those looking for generous torque at low revs. Faced with a competitor like the Yamaha FZ6 Fazer of the time, more focused on comfort and mid-range torque, the Hornet plays the card of nervousness and sporting character. It is aimed at a motorcyclist who already has some experience, who appreciates the sensations of a four-cylinder engine that sings, and who wants an agile and visually striking machine without turning to a full-fledged sportbike. It is an exhilarating roadster, sometimes a little showy, but which deserves credit for having dared a real renewal. Finding a 2008 Honda CB 600 F Hornet used today is offering yourself a piece of history of this model, often at a much sweeter price than the original 7290 euros.