The brand new Honda CB600F Hornet attracts in its debut at Intermot

The new Hornet 2007 has a radical streetfighter look. © Honda Motor Co., Ltd. One look says it all; with sharper styling and a lighter and sleeker form that concentrates its heavier components closer to its centre of mass, the new Hornet 2007 is not just a looker, but also a top performer, briskly negotiating tight twisties and midtown traffic with equal ease.

A whole new concept has been called for. One which incorporates the latest developments in engine and chassis design while again charting bold new trends in the Performance Naked segment of Europe's growing midrange motorcycle class. As can be readily seen, the dynamic results of this next-generation Hornet speak for themselves.

A Thoroughbred Bloodline

A close blood cousin of the new race-ready 2007 CBR600RR, the new CB600F Hornet focuses on delivering a more broadly accessible balance of performance and riding ease. This new direction combines more versatile and easier to use engine power characteristics, a more exhilarating thrust of acceleration and sharper, smoother handling that any rider can easily enjoy.

With detailed modifications to the new 600RR's engine producing distinctive power characteristics and strong midrange punch, the Hornet's development team also set out to achieve sharper, more responsive handling through the pursuit of lighter weight—everywhere. From its engine (fully five kilograms lighter than before) to its all-new frame and chassis, weight was trimmed and by extension the Hornet's overall power-to-weight ratio maximised.

Attention was also focused on giving the new Hornet quicker and more easily manageable handling. This was achieved not only through reductions in weight, but also by carefully calculating precisely where that weight should be trimmed, or moved, to gain the most responsive, easiest-handling riding control. Here, the all-important concept of ‘mass centralisation' played the key role in making the new Hornet the hottest performing and quickest handling middleweight Performance Naked on the streets of Europe.

The new CB600F Hornet's shortlist of hard-hitting new features includes:

• A stunning new streetfighter look, with slimmer lines and lighter, more aggressive form.
• Mass-centralised construction that locates heavier components closer to the Hornet's central turning axes for sharper, smoother and more confident handling.
• A lighter, more compact and higher-revving new fuel-injected engine developed alongside the all-new 2007 CBR600RR Super Sport.
• A new low-slung exhaust system for enhanced mass centralisation and sharper handling.
• A newly developed gravity die-cast (GDC) aluminium Mono-Backbone frame for lighter weight and sharper handling.
• A tapered dual-box-section aluminium swingarm.
• A 41mm inverted cartridge-type front fork.
• Lightweight, newly designed five-spoke aluminium alloy wheels.
• A new over/under dual multi-reflector headlight and slim LED taillight.
• A Combined-ABS version for the ultimate in braking control.
• HISS immobiliser security system.

For those who'll settle for nothing less than the most aggressive streetfighter they can throw a leg over, the new Hornet delivers up the goods with lighter construction, a hotter power-to-weight ratio, quicker, more responsive handling and a defiant look of pure ferocity. Honda's original streetfighter stands poised to reclaim the streets.

More muscular and aggressive lines

Designed based on the styling theme of ‘Edged Armour Form,' the new Hornet's more muscular and aggressive lines stream back from its piercing nose and through the curves of its larger-capacity new 19-litre fuel tank to narrow down to one of the slimmest and lightest weight seat and tail cowls in the Naked class. Seemingly hovering in space over Hornet's fat rear tyre, this slippery form terminates into a sharp tail that incorporates a brilliant LED taillight into its curves. Every line accentuates the Hornet's feeling of movement, from nose to tail and even as far as the design of its new five-spoke aluminium alloy wheels.

The fundamental styling cues of the new Hornet's hard edges and curves are based on the elaborate suits of armour once worn by the medieval knights of olde. Even its integrated front headlight and minicowl strongly suggest the pointed mask of an ancient knight's helmet brought up to date with aggressive downward tapering lines that thrust forward with each burst of the Hornet's breathtaking acceleration. Even the engine's exterior form has been thoroughly restyled from the base CBR600RR's version to project a more aggressive look of high performance.

Dynamically Styled Lights and Instruments

The new Hornet's uniquely styled new dual-bulb headlight features low beam and high beam positioned one over the other behind a protruding polycarbonate lens that accentuates this dynamic riding machine's overall sense of excitement. Above this eye-catching headlight and its surrounding minicowl is mounted a slim, fully electronic instrument panel behind a compact, aerodynamic front cowl that features a hard-edged mechanical look derived directly from the CBR1000RR Fireblade. This lightweight, fully electronic unit features a big, racy-looking centrally positioned analogue rev counter and a large digital LCD readout of vehicle speed, dual trip gauges, multi-segment fuel gauge and a clock.

Colouring

The new CB600F Hornet arrives to Europe in four dynamic colour variations that provide distinctive accents on its sharp blend of performance, style and high-impact riding enjoyment.

Pearl Night Star Black, a deeply shimmering pearlescent black exudes the sharp-eyed sense of ever-present danger prowling the night streets of the big city.

Pearl Amber Yellow, a warm pearlescent yellow complements the metallic greys of the engine and frame to provide sporty, high-revving look of wide-eyed excitement.

Candy Xenon Blue, a electric candy blue calms the Hornet's raging spirit with the icy tones of impenetrable cool.

Pearl Siena Red, a rich pearlescent red gives the new Hornet a bright and aggressive impression of short-tempered impulsiveness that can't wait to lay the rubber down.

The new engine and wheels share the same Matted Axis Grey Metallic finish for a burly mechanical look that provides a striking counterpoint to the richly finished colours gracing the new Hornet's bodywork. Streetfighting performance countered with stylish elegance for an attractive visage that travels well with the Hornet's corner carving assaults and broadly satisfying riding capabilities.

Engine

The all-new CB600F Hornet delivers exceptionally strong acceleration coupled with instant response and a powerful, torque-filled drive out of the corners. Its new state-of-the-art 600cc fuel-injected engine was developed in parallel with the race-ready mill now powering the all-new CBR600RR. One of the shortest, lightest and most compact 600cc powerplants ever in its class, this new engine makes a major contribution to the new Hornet's 5kg reduction in overall weight relative to its previous configuration. This weight reduction also translates into big improvements in both the Hornet's acceleration and handling.

All-New Lighter and More Compact 600cc Engine

Based on and developed together with the innovative engine now powering the 2007 CBR600RR, the CB600F Hornet's new powerplant is one of the shortest and more compact engines in its class. Its smaller size and lighter weight also afford greater positioning freedom within the frame for an ideal balance of weight leading to quicker, more responsive handling.

New PGM-FI Fuel Injection

The new Hornet's engine also features Honda's most advanced PGM-FI electronic fuel injection system for more instantly responsive surges of power, more precise throttle control and smoother, more predictable changes in speed. It also combines with Honda's oxygen-sensing catalytic converter system to reduce harmful exhaust emissions to well within EURO-3 emissions standards while still maintaining exhilarating top performance.

Specially Tuned Performance

The Hornet's engine was developed alongside the CBR600RR's mill and shares most of its component parts. However the focus of its performance is fundamentally different and the changes made to achieve it add up to stronger overall Hornet performance, with increases in midrange power and torque that extend far higher and smoother into the upper reaches of the new engine's rev range than the engine it replaces. Combining strong midrange torque for faster acceleration out of the corners with a higher-revving top end, this new engine was specially tuned for exhilarating streetfighter riding excitement and more of the sheer Naked performance that put the Hornet at the top of its class in the first place.

New Low-Slung Exhaust System

One of the Hornet's signature design features since its first debut has been the impressive exhaust silencer underlining the right side of its seat cowl. For 2007 this characteristic design element has been totally changed. To minimise weight near machine's extremities that can slow handling with inertial mass, all traces of the exhaust system have been removed from the vicinity of the seat cowl, leaving a much lighter and sleeker form that makes a major contribution to the new Hornet's swift banking and turning capability.

Now, with the goal of achieving optimised mass centralisation for quicker, more neutral handling, the entire exhaust system has been moved directly underneath the engine. The Hornet's exhaust headers now reach straight down from the engine's exhaust ports to join together at the front corner of the engine, where a single exhaust pipe enters the large primary muffler secreted under the engine. The exhaust then exits out a right-side secondary muffler, just below and behind the swingarm pivot, through a uniquely styled tailpipe.

The positioning of this new low-slung exhaust compactly integrates its weight and mass into the centralised package created by the engine and major chassis internals to lower the machine's overall centre of gravity and concentrates its mass much closer to its turning axes. This results in significantly quicker response to steering inputs, especially felt when leaning quickly over for tightly executed turns, or side-to-side through a series of tight esses.

Chassis

The new 2007 Hornet features a totally upgraded chassis based on its well-established Mono-Backbone frame configuration, which reaches from steering head to rear engine mount and swingarm pivot in one long stretch of large-section rectangular tubing. One of the primary concepts behind this design is to provide a simple and solid ‘diamond' configuration that incorporates the engine as its central stressed member for an excellent balance of rigidity and light weight. This design also allows the engine to be prominently seen, with no large frame sections interfering with its sleek, simple and aggressively mechanical design.

All-New Aluminium Die-Cast Mono-Backbone Frame

The new 2007 Hornet maintains essentially the same basic Mono-Backbone frame configuration. However, instead of being constructed of welded steel tubing, its newly developed frame features lightweight gravity die-cast (GDC) aluminium construction. The frame's three cast sections (front head pipe, backbone and swingarm pivot) are welded together for lighter weight compared to the older steel tube design. Besides being lighter, this new cast aluminium frame provides significant increases in strength and rigidity for sharper yet smoother handling and instantaneous response to changes of direction.

Centralised Mass

In order to achieve sharper, more responsive handling in its new design, the Hornet also underwent a well-proven regimen of mass centralisation that positions the its heavier components, notably its new engine and exhaust system, as close as possible to the machine's rolling centre of mass while lightening those sections positioned farther away from its centre. The Hornet's slimmer and lighter seat and tail cowl combine with reduced weight at the front end to reduce inertial mass at the machine's extremities, which translates into lighter and sharper handling everywhere. The result is a look of uncompromising performance backed up with crisp, highly responsive cornering control that handles rapid changes in direction with calmly assured control.

New Tapered Aluminium Swingarm

The new Hornet also features a newly designed tapered dual-box-section aluminium swingarm, which makes an important contribution to reduced unsprung weight while playing a key role in optimising the chassis' overall balance of rigidity. At 579mm in length, this new swingarm is also 5mm longer than the box-section unit fitted to its predecessor.

Swift-Handling Suspension Systems

To ensure the new Hornet is up to handling everything a road can throw at it in high-speed chases through the twisties or daily negotiations of dense city traffic, its new die-cast aluminium frame mounts highly capable suspension systems. Up front, the big gold-anodised outer tubes of its 41mm inverted HMAS cartridge-type front fork exude a look of invincible control while compliantly soaking up the road's rough spots with 120mm of smoothly damped wheel travel. At the rear, a Monoshock damper takes up position between the swingarm and the rear frame to provide positive and progressive control for assured handling balanced with compliant comfort. Include description of damping modifications and reduced unsprung weight.

High-Performance Wheels and Brakes

One of the Hornet's main points of visual attraction has always been its wide, low-profile Super Sport tyres, as used on Honda's premier Super Sports riding machines. Providing outstanding performance to back up their aggressive looks, these tyres further ensure precisely responsive high-speed cornering control for aggressive street riding capability.

For 2007, the Hornet's lightweight new aluminium alloy 5-spoke wheels mount the same high-speed rated tyres (Front: 120/70–ZR17; Rear: 180/55–ZR17) for both top performance and dynamic looks.
Fast bikes need strong brakes, and in its basic configuration, the new Hornet mounts a pair of dual-piston front callipers gripping wide 296mm drilled floating discs. At the rear, a compact new single-piston calliper, like that used on the CBR600RR, slows a 240mm disc for smooth, responsive control.

New Combined ABS Version

For riders who want the ultimate in braking control to match its aggressive streetfighting performance, the all-new Hornet will also be made available with the highly responsive braking capability of Honda's most advanced Combined ABS brake system.

Proven Combined Brake System

In its Advanced Braking System configuration, the new Hornet features Honda's well-proven Combined Brake System, which links the rear brake pedal to the centre piston of its right-side three-piston front brake calliper to provide a measured amount of front brake control whenever the rear brake is firmly used.

A delay valve positioned in the line between the rear brake master cylinder and the front calliper ensures that light operation of the rear brake, such as when trailing through a corner, has little or no effect on front brake operation. Firm operation of the rear brake pedal results in just enough front brake engagement to assure a positive balance of front and rear braking forces for smooth, controlled operation. A proportional control valve (PCV) installed between the master cylinder and the rear brake calliper ensures progressive braking control.

Front brake engagement is strong and responsive, and the remaining five pistons of the two three-piston front brake callipers operate in the conventional manner, providing reassuringly strong braking control to match the Hornet's sporty riding capability.

High-Performance Antilock Brake System (ABS)

The new CB600F Hornet is also the first mid-sized Performance Naked streetfighter ever to be equipped with the precision braking control of ABS (Antilock Brake System). Featured on several Honda models to date, this compact and lightweight system minimises the chance of tyre slip when braking over uneven or slippery road surfaces, for greatly enhanced rider confidence. The system's high-speed computerised electronic control unit (ECU) manages a single, compact motor-driven modulator that controls the operation of both front and rear brakes.

The ECU monitors a pair of small Hall-effect sensors mounted to the front and rear brake calliper mounts, constantly comparing the rotating speeds of the small louvered pulsar rings attached to the centre of each wheel. The slightest hint of tyre slippage, which is detected as minute fluctuations in the relative speeds of the front and rear wheels—and is usually far too small for riders to detect—causes the ECU to activate the modulator with a rapid cycling of brake pressure in rapid micro-intervals of brake pressure control (Decrease-Hold-Increase) that applies just enough brake pressure to provide smooth and steady deceleration. All this happens too quickly for riders to notice, but effectively prevents either the front or rear wheel from slipping and losing control before it can begin. High-performance riding always requires high-performance brakes, and the Hornet's advanced Combined Antilock Brake System provides sportsbike braking performance to give both seasoned experts and less experienced riders more confident braking control in situations where optimal braking ability is a must.

Equipment

Honda Ignition Security System (HISS)
Like most of Honda's larger displacement motorcycles, the new Hornet is also fully equipped with the highly capable Honda Ignition Security System (HISS), which features a fail-safe electronic interlock to prevent the engine from being started by anything other than the machine's two original keys, thus providing effective protection against ride-away theft. Designed to totally disable the engine at the very heart of its ignition system, the HISS system cannot be bypassed by hot-wiring the ignition or exchanging the ignition switch module.

Optional Equipment

To expand the new Hornet's range of riding enjoyment, Honda Access Corporation will also be making available the following extensive range of optional equipment:

• A motion and vibration-sensitive anti-theft alarm, which complements the Hornet's HISS immobiliser by warding off potential thieves and vandals with a piercing shriek. Easy to install, the system is equipped with a pair of compact push-button remote controllers to provide operating convenience on par with its enhanced security. The new Hornet is also specially equipped with mounting and connection hardware to facilitate installation.
• An adhesive-backed tank protector pad designed to give the fuel tank a range of extra protection from scuffing and scratches.
• A distinctively curved fly screen which gives the Hornet a sharper front image while reducing the blast of wind to the chest area at higher speeds.
• An aggressively styled snap-on, colour co-ordinated rear seat cowl that covers the pillion seat section to further emphasise the Hornet's sporty solo image.
• A rear wheel hugger which gives a more classy look to the bike and protects the rear damper from dirt.
• A set of electric grip heaters which effectively extend the Hornet's range of cold weather riding comfort.
• A compact and highly convenient magnetic tank bag for carrying a variety of daily riding necessities.
• A selection of sturdy U-locks designed for extra anti-theft protection and easy storage under the Hornet's seat.
• A rugged, full-coverage motorcycle cover to protect the Hornet from rain and the elements.

(Honda Motor Co., Ltd.)

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