Honda CB600S Hornet: review, history, specs

Honda CB600
Manufacturer	Honda
Also called	CB600S Hornet-S, CB 600 S Hornet-S, CB600F ABS, CB600F, CB600F Hornet 600, CB600F Hornet ABS, CB600S Hornet, CB600F Hornet, CB 600 S Hornet, CB 600 F Hornet
Production	1998-99
Class	Standard
Engine	Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Bore / Stroke	66.0mm x 66.0mm
Compression ratio	12.0:1
Top Speed	229.8 km/h
Horsepower	96.96 HP (72.3 KW) @ 12000RPM
Torque	47.94 ft/lbs (65.0 Nm) @ 10000RPM
Fuel System	4x34mm carburetors
Ignition	Analogue CDI (Capacitive Discharge Ign.)
Spark Plug	NGK CR9EH-9
Transmission	6 Speed
Frame	Steel, Backbone frame
Suspension	Front: 41mm Telescopic forks Rear: Monoshock preload adjustable.
Brakes	Front: 2x 296mm discs 2 piston calipers Rear: Single 220mm disc 1 piston caliper
Front Tire	130/70ZR16 (61W) (Michelin Bridgestone)
Rear Tire	180/55ZR17 (73W) (Michelin Bridgestone)
Wheelbase	1425 mm / 55.9 in
Length	80.91 inches (2055 mm)
Width	29.29 inches (744 mm)
Seat Height	790 mm / 31.1 in
Weight	179 kg / 389.2 lbs (dry), 201 kg / 457.7 lbs (wet)
Oil Filter	K&N KN-204
Recommended Oil	Honda GN4 10W-40
Fuel Capacity	16 Liters / 3.6 gal
Related	Honda CB600F
Manuals	Service Manual

The Honda CB 600S Hornet was a liquid-cooled, four-stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder Naked motorcycle produced by Honda between 1998 and 2003. Max torque was 47.94 ft/lbs (65.0 Nm) @ 10000 RPM. Claimed horsepower was 96.96 HP (72.3 KW) @ 12000 RPM. It could reach a top speed of 229.8 km/h.

The major practical failing of Honda's original Hornet compared with its main competitors was the lack of any wind- or weather-protection on longer trips. Honda's answer was the Hornet'S', launched two years after the base bike. A small bikini fairing gave the Hornet'S' the long-distance capability it had lacked before. Year-round commuters and occasional tourers benefited from the higher top speeds and relaxed progress made possible by the screen, although many considered the naked bike the more stylish version. Honda also changed the front wheel size for this model year to a 43cm (17in) part. This allowed much wider tire choice for the Hornet, and also applied to the unfaired bike from 2000 onwards.

Engine

The engine was a Liquid cooled, cooled Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder. The engine featured a 12.0:1 compression ratio.

Drive

Power was moderated via the Wet, multiple discs, cable operated.

Chassis

It came with a 130/70ZR16 (61W) (Michelin Bridgestone) front tire and a 180/55ZR17 (73W) (Michelin Bridgestone) rear tire. Stopping was achieved via 2x 296mm discs 2 piston calipers in the front and a Single 220mm disc 1 piston caliper in the rear. The front suspension was a 41mm Telescopic forks while the rear was equipped with a Monoshock preload adjustable.. The CB600S Hornet was fitted with a 16 Liters / 3.6 gal fuel tank. The bike weighed just 179 kg / 389.2 lbs. The wheelbase was 1425 mm / 55.9 in long.

1998 Honda CB 600S Hornet

The 1998 MY Honda CB 600S Hornet has, at its heart, a liquid-cooled, four-stroke, 599cc, transverse four cylinder powerplant that was paired to a six-speed manual transmission with a chain final drive, that can reach a maximum power output of 97 horsepower and 65 Nm of torque.

Also, it has been fitted with a half-fairing with a small windscreen, an under-belly exhaust system with an under-seat mounted chromed muffler, a dual seat with a pillion grab handle, die-cast aluminum wheels, wide handlebars, a telescopic front fork coupled to a rear monoshock and dual front disc brakes.

1999 Honda CB 600S Hornet

The 1999 MY Honda CB 600S Hornet has standard features such as a half-fairing with a small windscreen, an under-belly exhaust system with an under-seat mounted chromed muffler, a dual seat with a pillion grab handle, die-cast aluminum wheels, wide handlebars, a telescopic front fork coupled to a rear monoshock and dual front disc brakes.

In the engine department it is powered by a four-stroke, liquid-cooled, 599cc, transverse four cylinder powerhouse, mated to a six-speed manual transmission with a chain final drive, and can produce a claimed 97 horsepower and 65 Nm of torque.

2000 Honda CB 600S Hornet

The 2000 MY Honda CB 600S Hornet boasts a maximum power output of 97 horsepower and 65 Nm of torque from its liquid-cooled, four-stroke, 599cc, transverse four cylinder powerplant that was paired to a six-speed manual transmission with a chain final drive.

Also, it comes equipped with a half-fairing with a small windscreen, an under-belly exhaust system with an under-seat mounted chromed muffler, a dual seat with a pillion grab handle, die-cast aluminum wheels, wide handlebars, a telescopic front fork coupled to a rear monoshock and dual front disc brakes.

2001 Honda CB 600S Hornet

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  2001 Honda CB 600S Hornet

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  2001 Honda CB 600S Hornet

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  2001 Honda CB 600S Hornet

The 2001 MY Honda CB 600S Hornet has been fitted by the Japanese engineers from the House of Tokyo with a half-fairing with a small windscreen, an under-belly exhaust system with an under-seat mounted chromed muffler, a dual seat with a pillion grab handle, die-cast aluminum wheels, wide handlebars, a telescopic front fork coupled to a rear monoshock and dual front disc brakes.

In addition, it can produce a claimed 97 horsepower and 65 Nm of torque from its four-stroke, liquid-cooled, 599cc, transverse four cylinder powerhouse that was mated to a six-speed manual transmission with a chain final drive.

2002 Honda CB 600S Hornet

The 2002 MY Honda CB 600S Hornet has, at its heart, a four-stroke, liquid-cooled, 599cc, transverse four cylinder powerplant, mated to a six-speed manual transmission with a chain final drive, that can reach a maximum power output of 97 horsepower and 65 Nm of torque.

Standard features include die-cast aluminum wheels, a dual seat with a pillion grab rail, a 41mm telescopic front fork coupled to an adjustable monoshock, an under-belly exhaust system with an under-seat chromed muffler, a digital and analogue instrument cluster, a half-fairing with a small windscreen and dual front disc brakes.

2003 Honda CB 600S Hornet

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  2003 Honda CB 600S Hornet

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  2003 Honda CB 600S Hornet

The 2003 MY Honda CB 600S Hornet has been equipped with die-cast aluminum wheels, a dual seat with a pillion grab rail, a 41mm telescopic front fork coupled to an adjustable monoshock, an under-belly exhaust system with an under-seat chromed muffler, a digital and analogue instrument cluster, a half-fairing with a small windscreen and dual front disc brakes.

In the engine department it is powered by a liquid-cooled, four-stroke, 599cc, transverse four cylinder powerhouse, paired to a six-speed manual transmission with a chain final drive, that can produce a claimed 97 horsepower and 65 Nm of torque.

Photos

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  Honda CB600

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  Honda CB600

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  Honda CB600

Specifications

Make Model	Honda CB 600S Hornet
Year	1998-99
Engine Type	Four stroke, transverse four cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Displacement	599 cc / 36.5 cu-in
Bore X Stroke	65 x 45.2 mm
Cooling System	Liquid cooled,
Compression	12.0:1
Lubrication	Wet sump
Engine Oil	Semi-Synthetic, 10W/40
Induction	4x 34mm carbs
Ignition	Analogue CDI (Capacitive Discharge Ign.)
Spark Plug	NGK, CR9EH-9
Starting	Electric
Max Power	97.5 hp / 71.1 kW @ 12000 rpm (84.31/11400
Max Torque	65.6 Nm / 6.83 kg-m @ 10000 rpm
Clutch	Wet, multiple discs, cable operated
Transmission	6 Speed
Final Drive	Chain
Frame	Steel, Backbone frame
Front Suspension	41mm Telescopic forks
Front Wheel Travel	120 mm / 4.7 in
Rear Suspension	Monoshock preload adjustable.
Rear Wheel Travel	128 mm / 4.9 in
Front Brakes	2x 296mm discs 2 piston calipers
Rear Brakes	Single 220mm disc 1 piston caliper
Front Wheel	16xMT3.50 hollow-section triple-spoke cast aluminum
Rear Wheel	17xMT5.00 hollow-section triple-spoke cast aluminum
Front Tire	130/70ZR16 (61W) (Michelin Bridgestone)
Rear Tire	180/55ZR17 (73W) (Michelin Bridgestone)
Rake	26°
Trail	96 mm / 3.7 in
Dimensions	Length 2055 mm / 80.9 in Width 745 mm / 29.3 in Height 1070 mm / 42.1 in
Wheelbase	1425 mm / 55.9 in
Seat Height	790 mm / 31.1 in
Ground Clearance:	140 mm / 5.5 in
Dry Weight	179 kg / 389.2 lbs
Wet Weight	201 kg / 457.7 lbs
Fuel Capacity	16 Liters / 3.6 gal
Consumption Average	19.2 km/lot
Standing ¼ Mile	11.6 sec
Top Speed	229.8 km/h