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Nice. What's the suspension like on bumpy roads? What's the wind like on an open road/motorway at about 70 mph? Thanks.

The suspension is quite firm and fine in most situations but it can be a bit jarring over bumps. The wind at high speed is good for a naked. I reckon the shape of the front headlight and the small fairing I have does a good job as the air around all of me is not turbulent at all.

@@marcwelstand6791 Thanks for your reply. Can’t decide between the Hornet or the CB650R. I think both bikes have the same front Showa SFF-BP suspension but I could be wrong?

@johnflavin1602 i think you're right about the same suspension. I had a CB500f with the same dash as the 650. Difficult to read anything, just about see the mph. Someone's done a vlog with back-to-back acceleration between the 650 and the hornet and there's bugger all difference up to 60 but beyond that the hornet stomps it. I've not ridden the 650 but you'd likely have to rev it a good deal harder than the hornet to get to peak power. Depends what your riding style is I guess.

You really notice the ease at which you can flick it left to right and enter a corner. No need for a relatively flat sectioned 180 with 90bhp given tyres are so good these days. CP2 is still a great little engine. It's definitely the most memorable thing about the MT, the rest of the bike is showing its age and budget nature. The CP has a better instant hit at low rpm. The hornet is still really good lower down, but is also happy to rev it's heart out at the top and has a genuinely surprising amount of power there. Combined with a half decent quickshifter you can really blast through the gears and overtakes (as you can see from the video) are done incredibly easily. Bike of 2023 for me, though I need to try a Gsx8S, just to be sure 😁

@@shortblokeonabike Thanks for a good reply. The mt07 would have to be significantly cheaper and the Suzuki significantly better to be chosen over a hornet. These are the bikes I’m interested in buying and riding IRL. Also, The Cf Moto made KTM 790 Duke is the same price as the hornet and just released also and warrants a place on this list of new 800 ish naked bikes for 7-8k. I can’t help thinking the 285 degree crank in the LC8C engine is different how?

​@@shortblokeonabikeCompletely agree with your comments about the CP2/MT-07. I test rode the same bike as you did and despite the obvious advantages on paper, it just wasn't as much fun as the MT-07 so I didn't change. Having said that, the Yamaha really needs a serious update, they've been riding the reputation far too long. Why didn't they see the Hornet coming 😂 Great review, thanks.

I’m doing exactly the same!

Suzuki is physically bigger and would definitely suit a larger rider far better than the Hornet, it really is small, thankfully so am I. 😁 I would get yourself a test ride on both and see which you prefer. There are so many things to take into account about you and how you ride, what you want from a bike, how it will be used etc that it's impossible to answer. Hornet has 6:57 a better top end, is a fair bit lighter and is is insanely flickable. Suzuki is a grand more expensive (£750 if you take into account the optional quickshifter on the hornet), 10kg heavier, 10 bhp down but appears to be a more stable and "grown up" bike if that makes sense.

As long as you are happy that's all that counts! I've had that before myself. The Yamaha is a great little bike with an awesome engine.

@@shortblokeonabike That's what it's all about. As long as your bike brings you joy. I am fortunate to have several bikes that gives me so much joy. When the ZX400RR came out I was thinking that that bike would be just what I needed for riding my country roads. I have since talked myself out of it. I am going to go see it today though, just to say I looked at it. No buying today.

Ha we all say we are just looking 😊 400s are great fun and the ZXR was generally the fastest. I had a CBR & VFR400 and loved them.

Aah thanks Lee really appreciate it. I'm still finding my voice and style when it comes to these reviews so that means a lot to hear. Makes up a little for all the editing frustration 😊

Hi Richard. Completely agree with you. It's like the journalists that say that about the Suzuki are just trying to say something complimentary about it when on paper it doesn't stack up to the Hornet. I'll be reviewing the GSX8S as soon as they hit the dealers here in the UK. The Hornet has set the bar very high! Didn't know that it isn't coming to the US. Fingers crossed it makes it into the 2024 range.

@@shortblokeonabike Looking forward to hearing what you think of the GSX 8S. I'm sure the Suzuki is a very nice bike too but it doesn't seem to emotionally light the reviewers fire like the Hornet does. Thrilling and fun sounds good to me + I'm a shorter rider so the Hornets low seat height is an added bonus.

@@richardwarsinske7064 exactly that. Suzuki don't generally build particularly bad bikes, but I'm not expecting that same buzz (sorry, couldn't resist) as the Hornet. Seat height on the hornet is low at 790mm. At 5ft 6 I'm just about both feet flat footed. It doesn't sag much with a 75kg rider so isn't as low as it looks, but still perfectly manageable and is so light that it's just not an issue.

@@shortblokeonabike I saw a reviewer say the GSX-8S is better low end torque and feels more planted and secure to the road than the Hornet's front end.

@@filoIII I can imagine it will be. Suzuki generally build bikes with a safer more stable profile. Depends which you prefer I think. Personally for me I love the darty nature of the Hornet, others may not. It's nice to have the choice 😊

Nope. 160/60 rear and a standard 120 front.

The 160/60 rear tyre has been used on the far bigger and heavier CBF1000, the 180 on a small bike is more like a fashion statement.

I agree, the looks are a bit divisive! I think the black is the one to go for as well.

Had mine for a month now. (Black & Red). Had the SC tail pipe, quick shifter & heated grips too. The bike is awesome. It’s fast, fun, cheap & easy to ride. Appreciate its not everyone’s cup of tea looks wise but I really like it & couldn’t care less what some folk say about the looks. I have seen Suzuki’s new 800 & it looks pretty cool too but is a grand dearer. I’m chuffed to bits with mine & think Honda will sell a lot of them.

@@user-cx7tk4ts2d sounds exactly like the one I rode. Absolutely loved it. Looks are subjective and I think it looks edgy and current / fresh. The Suzuki I'll reserve judgement on until I see it in the metal. They are selling like hotcakes, I can't get one until late August...

I got lucky!

I like the yellow ones floating around but don't like the matt finish much

I'll be reviewing the Suzuki the moment I can get my hands on one . For me the hornet handled just fine. Very darty but you soon get used to it. If you mean front end being light in a 2nd gear power wheelie kind of way then you may be right 😊

Hi Dan One on the left is a Swiss Vignette. You need this if you want to use their major roads. Instead of using pay as you go toll roads you pay for this once and get to use it for a whole year. Right side is a No Limits Trackdays sticker that shows group and that my bike passed scrutineering and noise tests when I was at Lydden Hill circuit.

Hi Mark I stay in normal drive mode in this video. I do override this sometimes as you have noticed, mainly dropping down gears when I want a bit more thrust or engine breaking. Drive mode takes you to higher gears very quickly, so doing this allows the engine to really rev out more, without having to switch to fully manual mode. The best of both worlds! Thanks for your comment, happy riding to you!

@@shortblokeonabike so why dont you use sport mode?

Manual or DCT they are fantastic and really are great for UK country roads 😊

Thanks for your comment Joe, so do I! I use it far more than any of my other bikes. Riding from the UK to Croatia in June, looking forward to it.