2023 Honda Hornet 750 Review. Is it worth the hype??!!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 เม.ย. 2023
- Full review of the 2023 Honda Hornet.
there's been a lot of talk and hype surrounding this bike since it launched. Time to find out if it deserves it!
Massive thanks to Doble Motorcycles for making this video possible, they are an absolute pleasure to deal with.
Doble Motorcycles
86-92 Brighton Road
Coulsdon
Surrey
CR5 2NG
0208 668 8851.
Sales@doble.co.uk
I've ridden both the Honda and Suzuki and bought the Honda. Grand less (£750 if you include the quick shifter) and more "fun". Then of course there's more tech with the Hornet (phone connectivity for example).
I'd say with the longer wheelbase and more weight the Suzuki feels more like a "big" bike whereas the Honda feels like someone's stuck a powerful engine in a 250. It's just so light and nimble.
The Suzuki probably feels a little more "grown up" but, hey, I grew up 40 years ago and I'm trying to pretend I'm 20 again on an YPVS RD350.
Test rode. Loved it. Buying the showroom display one.
I’m doing exactly the same!
I've had my new white/red Hornet for a week and done 200 miles so still running it in. I had no problems with the snatchy throttle going round my first roundabout BUT trying to maintain a set speed between 15-35mph is proving difficult, even in rain mode. Whilst others have said the fuelling is good once you're up and running, mine seems to be hunting at the speeds I've mentioned. I've certainly had to be careful with the throttle and clutch. Go over a couple of bumps and immediately your speed changes. I've only wound it up to about 5500-6000 revs a few times and bloody hell it shifts! When the 600 service is done I'll give it more beans. I'm averaging 65mpg and got 70mpg on one run. I'm 5'8" and have a 29" leg and with my boots on can just flat-foot it and at my height there's acres of room on the seat. For the nay-sayers who moan about the looks, it looks better in the flesh than any video. I think mine looks stunning.
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.
Yes, its that Good !
Couldn’t have said it better myself what a lot of bike for the money!! Great handling enough power to get you out of trouble and the looks to match!!!!. Brilliant review what bikes next and when’s the video out.??? 👌👌👌
Great review mate looks like you had fun nice nimble bike that
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 😊
Nice review fella 👍
I too remember the old Hornet.
Im thinking of downsizing from MT09
I bought a Transalp 750 with the same engine as the new Hornet which isn’t available here. My bike is a 2024 and I have not experienced any bad throttle behavior.
Hi shortbloke. Im 62 just passed my motorcycle test. Will be doing a 12 mile commute and a 60 mile trip to London once or twice a month. Cant decide between this and nc750x dct. Better fuel and storage on NC but hornet cheaper. Any views on these 2 bikes would be greatly appreciated. A friend recommended a cb500f or a kawasaki 650 rs for instance. information
Best bike overall is not always the most fun! I've seen the "better all around bike" comments about the new Suzuki and "better performance" comments about the KTM Duke 790 but neither of those bikes got the "giddy/enthusiastic ride experience" reaction I've seen from all the Hornet reviews. Unfortunately I live in one of the few places (US) Honda doesn't currently sell the Hornet but plan on putting a deposit on one when I can (2024?).
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 😊
I've heard the front end is light and really doesn't handle ALLLL that well, and the GSX-8S is better handling and perhaps more grunty down low. Price price price.
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 😊
If this bike was available in 2021 I probably would have bought it instead of my MT07. I am happy with my choice at the time and don't see getting anything else for quite some time.
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.
Is it not a bit snachey with power for London roads?
My CB500F had that red/white color scheme. I really dig it. Do NOT like that yellow one floating around. There's a black and red one that may be the best looker.
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
Next bike perhaps?
Bro its good bike?good for high way?
Totally agree about the smaller tyres making it handle better most bikes have oversized tyres.. is this engine better than a cp2?
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.
Im torn between this and the Suzuki. What should i get?
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.
Are the tires oddball size and hard to find?
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.
Seat needs replaced first,!