The 2000 Hornet has a 17 inch front wheel compared to the original Hornet's 16 inch version. The front tyre on the 2000 model is slightly narrower. 120 as a pose to a 130.
The increase in size of the front wheel and the change of tyre spec as improved handling a great deal. My first Hornet was a 98, my current Hornet is a 2000 model and the difference is very noticeable, particularly when dropping into fast corners. The bike feels more stable and more positive. Sometimes the 1998/9 model felt a little 'vague'.

The 2000 Hornet has uprated brakes. It uses a stronger passover system at the front (being steel instead of reinforced rubber) which has improved the braking power considerably. To boost the brakes all round, Honda have also fitted better pads.

The 2000 Hornet has black brake calipers as a pose to the gold ones of the 98/99 models.

The 2000 Hornet has re-mapped ignition timing for a slight power increase and better response througout the rev range.

The 2000 Hornet has Gun Metal Metallic coated parts such as Grab rail, yoke top, foot peg hangers and engine. The original 98/99 Hornet had a bronzey coloured engine and the other parts were just grey alloy with a tendancy to dull if not kept clean.

The 2000 Hornet has different paint schemes, see above.

The 2000 Hornet has a small red triangle trim on the foot peg hanger.

The 2000 Hornet has a shorter tail as standard. (the sale of hacksaws will tumble!)

 

2003

With just minimal changes to the Hornet since 2000 Honda finally got their thinking caps on and gave theri designers the go ahead to start re-styling the Hornet for 2003. The launch of the 900 in 2001/2, with its sleeker more angular styling, had already got heads turning. This coupled with complaints of the 600's relatively small petrol tank and a few other gripes, they got to work.

The results were good...

Firstly, they updated the styling. A reshaped and larger capacity tank (now 17 litres instead of 16). A sharp upswept tail unit flanked by an updated exhaust featuring hex-bolt end detailing. The plastic side panels were also restyled and revised to include bulges and cutaways creating a more up to date look.

The clocks and instruments received a much need overhaul. They ar enow similar to the 900 setup but with more impressive backs. They kept the sporty white dails associated with the 600 since 98.

The headlight is an altogether cooler unit. Shaped lense and brackets of much better look and quality finish the bike off nicely. The headlight is superb at night.

The mirrors are now square, which look more stylish at first glance compared to the original round ones, but don't appear to offer as good vision.

Indicators are now smaller (thankfully!) the elephant ears have gone and have been replaced by the shaped versions used on the 900.

The bike is 2kg heavier than the earlier models.

The 2003 Hornet also features the Honda HISS ignition immobiliser facility.

The bike is overall a much better looking package, with the added benefit of the larger tank.

The 2003 Faired Hornet remains unchanged and stays exactly the same model as the 2000-2002 setup.

The 2003 Hornet CB600F (unfaired) RRP: £4600.00 inc VAT

The 2003 Hornet CB600S (faired) RRP: £4999.00 inc VAT

In their own words...

"The sleek, compact and lightweight CB600 has won a rabid following in the two years since its introduction for its bare-bones look of spare 'streetfighter' bravado, and the sharp, powerful performance to back it up. Shorn of all but the fundamentals of aggressive sport-riding enjoyment, the CB600 has also grown increasingly popular as a 'one-make' racer that provides big-time excitement and winning track performance at a relatively reasonable cost. Because of this unexpected boom in popularity, the new Year 2000 CB600 receives several improvements to its performance and handling that will see it winning not only the hearts and minds of European 'naked sport' bike lovers, but also quite a few races as well. More than any other machine, the CB600 epitomises the definition of the roadster. It does so literally, exulting it to a new realm of excellence. As proof of this, the engine is nothing less than the one in the CBR600F super sports bike and the wheels are those used on the CBR900RR Fireblade. As for the weight to power ratio (95.3PS for 176kg) it is by far the best in its category. If you add to the picture an ultra-compact back-end, a guarantee of the extreme agility demanded by formula racing, an exemplary finish and a superb design emphasising all the Hi-Tech aspects in its construction, we have in the CB600 the most explosive cocktail on the road today. Introduced in 98. Manufactured in Japan."

"The last few years have seen a phenomenal boom in the popularity of unfaired, Înakedâ motorcycles that offer sportbike-class performance at an easily affordable entry price. This popularity is representative of all displacement classes, but is especially prominent in the midsize 600cc class, where sales virtually trebled in 1996 alone. This phenomenon is partly explained by the surge of new riders who have qualified for their full motorcycle licenses opting to go for a full-powered 600cc machine after having been limited through the term of their beginnersâ licenses to the machines offered in the 125cc class. Another contributing factor is the entry cost in this class, as nakedâ machines, by virtue of being generally shorn of expensive body work, high-tech aluminium parts and other styling touches that add to their cost, provide a satisfying balance of performance, fun and excitement at an exceedingly reasonable price. Likewise, bare-bones naked motorcycles like the CB600FS allow riders to add any of a wide range of after-market accessory parts, from bikini cowls to pannier bags and lots more in-between, to fit them to a riderâs particular requirem ents or simply personalise their mount."

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