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Press Information 2000

Hornet-S

Hornet-SIntroduction

The last few years have seen a phe-nomenal boom in the popularity ofunfaired, ‘naked’ motorcycles thatoffer sportbike-class performanceat an easily affordable entry price.This popularity is representative of all displacement classes, but isespecially prominent in the midsize600cc class, where sales virtuallytrebled in 1996 alone. This pheno-menon is partly explained by thesurge of new riders who have

qualified for their full motorcyclelicenses opting to go for a full-pow-ered 600cc machine after havingbeen limited through the term oftheir beginners’ licenses to the ma-chines offered in the 125cc class.Another contributing factor is theentry cost in this class, as ‘naked’machines, by virtue of being gen-erally shorn of expensive body-work, high-tech aluminium partsand other styling touches that add

to their cost, provide a satisfyingbalance of performance, fun andexcitement at an exceedingly reaso-nable price. Likewise, bare-bonesnaked motorcycles like the Hornetallow riders to add any of a widerange of after-market accessory parts, from bikini cowls to pannierbags and lots more in-between, to fit them to a rider’s particularrequirements or simply personalisetheir mount.

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Hornet-SDevelopment Concept

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In the two years since its introduc-tion, Honda’s lightweight, sleek and compact ‘performance naked’Hornet has won a large followingowing to its bare-bones look ofspare ‘streetfighter’ bravado, and its aggressive combination of sharp,full-blooded power output andcrisp, responsive handling, whichtogether give the Hornet the highestpower-to-weight ratio in its class.

Still, it was felt that for all theHornet’s sporty appeal, manyriders—especially more matureones—would appreciate a bit morein the way of creature comforts,and less of a beating from the windwhen riding at the higher speedsthat the Hornet itself is perfectlycomfortable cruising at for long

hours at a time. So, with the goalof expanding the Hornet’s appealwhile maintaining the same funfactor that has won it renown, its design team investigated severalpossible modifications to enhanceits riding ease, ranging from a tiny,handlebar-mounted bikini cowl toa full-coverage fairing that couldprovide all the protection anybodycould desire. However, the firstalternative seemed to be more of a styling exercise than a seriousattempt to enhance the Hornet’sriding ease with better wind pro-tection, and the full fairing was dismissed as being too far from the Hornet’s original ‘PerformanceNaked’ design ideals, and too close to the design parameters of a machine like the CBR600F.

The team thus decided on a half-fairing design that could provideample protection from the mainblast of wind without completelyisolating the rider from the ‘close to the elements’ riding experience,while enhancing handling andmaintaining the same fun factorthat gives the Hornet its fundamen-tal appeal. The new Hornet-S pro-vides all the explosive performanceof the original Hornet, augmentedby the long-term riding comfort of a half-fairing that will appealto an even larger cross-section ofriders looking for something out of the ordinary.

The new Hornet-S features threeeye-catching colour variations forthe Year 2000. First is an impres-sive solid black that boldly con-trasts the dark lustre of its halffairing, fuel tank and seat cowlwith the silvery painted and metalparts of its engine and chassis toproject a lean and mean dispositionthat leaves no mistaking its single-minded devotion to high-poweredriding enjoyment. Brightening thescene on any road the Hornet-Stakes are a brilliant metallic silverthat quickens the pulse with its

sparkling image of explosive accel-eration and responsive handling,and a luxurious candy blue thathighlights the distinctive curves ofthe Hornet-S’ fuel tank to reinforceits look of aggressive power and‘take no prisoners’ performance.The engine, step holders and reargrab rail also receive an attractivenew paint job in the form of aslightly brown-tinted matte silverthat complements the Hornet-S’body parts with a colour-coordi-nated look of finished quality.

Colour• Mute Black Metallic• Candy Tahitian Blue• Force Silver Metallic

Hornet-SColouring Concept

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The only major difference betweenthe new Hornet-S and its Hornet predecessor and sibling is theaddition of its newly designed,frame-mounted half-fairing and itsrelated modifications. This compactfairing slices cleanly through thewind to offer a more comfortableride at the mid-to-high cruisingspeeds for which it was speciallydesigned. Its three-piece designfeatures wide-coverage side panelsattached to a slimly designed central

cowl, headlight and windscreen as-sembly, which is not only somewhateasier to produce, it helps reducepotential replacement costs. The sidepanels feature outward flares thatfurther enhance the fairing’s degreeof upper body wind protection fora comfortable balance of long-termriding enjoyment.

To maximise its area of wind pro-tection, the fairing features a pairof built-in ports located above its

headlight that help optimise thebalance of air pressure on the insideof the windscreen to reduce thebuffeting effects of turbulence on the rider’s upper body. The fairing’sflush-mounted single-bulb headlightis based on that used for theCBR600F, and features a wide,cat’s eye look that provides a clear,brightly illuminated view of thenighttime road ahead.

Hornet-SDesign Concept

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Half Fairing Air Management Design

Other styling additions that are also featured on the new Year 2000Hornet include a shorter rear fenderthe offers a much more impressiveview of its wide, Z-rated ZR reartyre, and a brighter, high-lustrefinish on the exhaust system thatextends right under the engine tothe upward-bent section leading

up to the silencer, which is paintedmatte black.

Since the fairing was speciallydesigned for the Hornet-S alone, it cannot be bolted onto a standardHornet owing to special modifica-tions made to the frame andhandling in order to accept it.

Hornet-SDesign Concept

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The Hornet-S’ powerful 599cm3

engine is exactly the same unit thatprovides the standard Hornet withits superb range of performance. Like the current Hornet, the newHornet-S features a lightweight 4-into-2-into-1 stainless steel ex-haust system that empties into alarge-volume silencer mounted highup under the right side of the seat,and a simple yet effective air injec-tion system that reduces exhaust

emissions. Tuned for a strongermidrange punch, the engine pro-duces strong, aggressive torquethroughout its 3,000 – 7,000rpmrange. Its responsive 34mm slantedflat-slide CV carburettors combinewith a highly-refined, hot-firingcomputer-controlled, map-typeignition system to deliver a strong,torque-filled rush of power thatcomes on low and grows in asmooth line to an explosive peak.

Hornet-SEngine

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New Single-Pulsar IgnitionThe Hornet-S’ digital computerisedignition system also features dif-ferent timing setting for the innerand outer pairs of cylinders to compensate for heat differencesbetween the cylinders and providea more precise balance of perfor-mance that ensures strong, reliableperformance throughout the rev

range, and quick and easy startseven when the weather turns cold.While a lightweight single-shaftbalancer contributes to the engine’ssmooth, unruffled performance,modifications to the aircleaner’sintake duct help improve midrange-to-high-end combustion to providea further boost in the Hornet-S’acceleration and performance.

Smoother Shift OperationGear shift feel has also been im-proved over the current Hornet.However, the Hornet’s smooth-shifting transmission remainsentirely unchanged. Instead, a newset of damper blocks was designedand installed to provide a snuggerfit that minimises the lash and joltof shift operation.

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Engine Performance Comparison

! kW@ Engine Speed (rpm)# Nm$ Power

% Torque^ New Hornet &

Hornet-S& Current Model

Engine Performance Comparison

Fuel Consumption Comparison

! Fuel Consumption (km/l)

@ Speed (km/h)

# New Hornet & Hornet-S

$ Current Model

Fuel Consumption Comparison

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To ensure that the Hornet-S providesthe same degree of aggressive perfor-mance as its standard, unfaired sib-ling, great care was taken not only in its fairing design, but also in thedesign of the chassis on which it’smounted. Amazingly, in contrastwith its perceived size, the additionof this new fairing only results in anadditional 3kg of weight comparedto the bare-bones Hornet.

The front fork was given a 5mmforward offset (from 35 to 40mm)to extend its trail and enhanceriding feel, while still maintainingthe light, quick control for whichthe Hornet has become renowned.A new 17" front wheel replaces the current Hornet’s 16" rim, andmounts a high-performance, wide-

carcass Z-rated ZR tyre that furtherensures light handling and enhancedriding feel. The new, more widelyused 17" rim also makes available a wider assortment of replacementtyres when the time comes to put on a new set of treads. At the rear is mounted the same ultra-wide 17"tyre used on both the Hornet andthe CBR900RR Fireblade.

Since the Hornet-S’s fairing offersa broad area of wind protection, the riding position could also bemade a bit taller to take advantageof the relative pocket of calm be-hind it. So, the handlebars wererepositioned slightly back for amore relaxed reach to the bar than would be comfortable onan unfaired bike at top speeds.

Hornet-SChassis

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Enhanced Braking ControlBraking control is another areawhere the Hornet-S sees improve-ment over the original Hornet.Its set of high-grip front brake padscombine with a fine-tuned hydraulic

ratio to provide smoothly controlledresponse over a wide range of ridingconditions. Likewise, several of therubber brake lines used on the current Hornet were replaced withmetal tubing to ensure crisp brake

response even after repeated periodsof hard braking. However, althoughthe Hornet-S features smoothly re-sponsive braking control, its brakesare not designed for the extremes ofcircuit racing.

Hornet-SChassis

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Front Braking Force Comparison

! Deceleration Rate (m/s2)@ Brake Lever Pressure (N)# New Hornet & Hornet-S$ Current Model

Front Braking Force Comparison

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Slim, Fully Electronic Meter PanelMounted inside the fairing’s com-pact cockpit is an ultra-thin, fullyelectronic meter panel based closelyon the unit used in the VTR1000FFirestorm. Its high-visibility layoutincludes a large, centrally positionedtachometer located high in the paneland a smaller speedometer positionedto its lower left. Both meters featuresimulated carbon-fibre faces for an aggressive look of performance,while the unit’s indicator lights areclustered together to the right foroptimum visibility.

Decorative Step GuardsThe Hornet-S also features a set of sharp-looking bright red,dimpled plastic inner step guardsthat provide a smoother footingand protect shoes from wear whileaccentuating the Hornet-S’ fastsport riding credentials.

Hornet-SEquipment

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Specifications Hornet-S (ED-type)

Engine Liquid-cooled 4-stroke 16-valve DOHC inline-4Bore × Stroke 65 × 45.2mmDisplacement 599cm3

Compression Ratio 12 : 1Carburettors 34mm slanted flat-slide CV-type × 4Max. Power Output 95.3PS/12,000rpm (95/1 EC) (70kW/12,000min-1)

97.5PS/12,000rpm (DIN) (71.7kW/12,000min-1)Max. Torque 6.3kg-m/10,000rpm (95/1 EC) (64.6Nm/10,000min-1)

6.5kg-m/10,000rpm (DIN) (66.6Nm/10,000min-1)Ignition Computer-controlled digital transistorised with electronic advanceStarter ElectricTransmission 6-speedFinal Drive ‘O’-ring sealed chainDimensions (L×W×H) 2,095 × 740 × 1,175mmWheelbase 1,425mmSeat Height 790mmGround Clearance 140mmFuel Capacity 16 litres (including 3-litre reserve)Wheels Front 17 × MT3.50 hollow-section triple-spoke cast aluminium

Rear 17 × MT5.50 hollow-section triple-spoke cast aluminiumTyres Front 120/70 ZR17 (61W) (Michelin TX15; Bridgestone BT56F)

Rear 180/55 ZR17 (73W) (Michelin TX25; Bridgestone BT56R)Suspension Front 41mm telescopic fork, 120mm axle travel

Rear Monoshock damper with 7-step adjustable pre-load, 128mm axle travelBrakes Front 296 × 4.5mm dual hydraulic disc with dual-piston callipers,

floating rotors and sintered metal padsRear 220 × 5mm hydraulic disc with single-piston calliper and

sintered metal padsDry Weight 179kg

All specifications are provisional and subject to change without notice.

Hornet-SSpecifications