The Honda CB600F, known as the Hornet in Europe and Brazil and as the 599 in the United States, is a street motorcycle powered by a 599 cc liquid-cooled inline four, originally a detuned version of the CBR600 engine and producing around 102 bhp.
Honda Hornet at a glance
| Maker | Honda |
|---|---|
| Names | CB600F, Hornet, 599 |
| Introduced in Europe | 1998 |
| Engine | 599 cc liquid-cooled inline four |
| Engine origin | detuned CBR600 unit |
| Power | about 102 bhp (76 kW) |
| Gearbox | six speeds |
| First front wheel | 16 inch, from the Fireblade |
| Rear wheel | 17 inch, 180 section |
| 2000 update | 17-inch front wheel, stronger brakes |
| Faired version | CB600FS from 2000, dropped in 2003 |
| 2005 update | inverted front forks |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the CB600F.
History of the Honda Hornet
Naked bike, sports hardware
The CB600F Hornet was introduced for Europe in 1998. It was based on the CB250F, a 250 cc model restricted for the Japanese market, and had a six-speed transmission. Suspension was a single rear shock and a conventional telescopic fork until an upside-down fork arrived in 2005; brakes were dual Nissin twin-piston discs at the front and a single-piston disc at the rear. It used the Fireblade’s 16-inch front and 17-inch, 180-section rear wheel sizes. As a sport-oriented bike with an upright riding position, it is considered a standard or naked bike.
Updates
In 2000 Honda replaced the 16-inch front wheel with a 17-inch one for better cornering stability and strengthened the front brake system, but did not enlarge the fuel tank. A faired version, the CB600FS, was also introduced in 2000. In 2003 the CB600F gained a larger 17-litre tank, up from 16 litres, and sharper styling, while the faired CB600S was discontinued. In 2005 the instrument cluster was modernised and the bike received inverted front forks for better road-holding and cornering stability.
The name in America
The Hornet name was not used in North America, because AMC and its successor Chrysler had trademarked it with the AMC Hornet; there the bike was sold as the 599.
Design and features
- Detuned CBR600 engine: about 102 bhp in a naked chassis.
- Fireblade wheel sizes: 16-inch front and 180-section rear at launch.
- Inverted forks: fitted from 2005.
- CB600FS: the short-lived faired version.
Honda Hornet versions
- CB600F Hornet (1998): the original naked bike.
- CB600FS (2000–2003): the faired version.
- CB600F (2003): larger tank and sharper styling.
- CB600F (2005): inverted forks and new instruments.
- Honda 599: the American name.
The Hornet uses an engine from the Honda CBR600F family and shares the naked role with the CB750. More Hondas are in the Honda collection.
Sources
- Honda CB600F, English Wikipedia: launch, engine, updates, names
