Honda Hornet CB250F

The Hornet CB250F was conceived before the 600 and was never officially imported into the UK. The Japan only Hornet 250 is visually indistinguishable from the 600 unless they are viewed side by side. The handling is excellent for a 250 and the 16 front wheel makes for lively cornering. You can fit many accessories that are available for the 600 and there are a few common parts between the 250 and 600.

The engine is a marvel (same as the CBR250) It has been around for a good few years and produces a characteristic whine noise from the gear driven cams. There isnt a cam chain to worry about which makes for low maintenance. At tick over and low revs the CB250F Hornet is quiet (you are aware that it is a 4-cylinder 4-stroke however) but as the revs increase the exhaust note increases quite noticeably. It is not excessively fast nor is the acceleration likely to stretch your arms, but its rewarding when ridden along country roads

The Hornet 250 is capable of 100-115 mph but you could ride around town at 4,000 RPM / 30-40 MPH in top gear. The engine is very smooth even at 14-16,000 RPM and invites the rider to use the 6-speed gearbox to the full. The clutch is light, the gearbox gives a slightly clunky / vague selection into neutral and reasonably positive action into the other gears. The riding position is neutral although the rider footrests are a little high in relation to the seat height. The pillion footpegs are also high which makes the Hornet 250 unsuitable for extended journeys carrying a passenger.

THE GOOD
The Hornet 250 has a low seat height (lower than the 600) combined with light weight makes it fun to ride. It has a certain novelty value, as it does not look like a 250. The superb finish ensures that it will last and look good for many years coupled with Honda reliability at its best. The styling still turns heads and the 180 wide CBR600 rear tyre is a first for a 250. Low maintenance is the order of the day but regular oil changes are a must. The handling and brake package makes this a fantastic bike to buy if you are a beginner or hardened veteran alike.

THE BAD
Expensive parts include radiator, clocks and fuel tank. Lack of centre stand complicates servicing. Thinly padded seat, ineffective short front mudguard and service info that is virtually non-existent in English. Expensive brake discs that will set you back 180 from Honda or 170 from EBC.

A single rear shock (adjustable for preload only) can give you a kick in the butt when ridden over speed humps. Eventually the shock will lose its damping requiring a replacement. Spark plug access is tight and adjusting / checking the valve clearances at 16,000 miles is an expensive dealer job. The Hornet 250 is fairly rare in the UK so prices can be high in comparison to the 600 and not many come up for sale at any given time.

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