CB-1... Hornet 400???

[91cb-1]

It came to mind recently that the cb-1 is a cbr400 in street form, now the hornet 250 is a cbr250 in street form as is the 600, therefore is it right to say that even though it came out before them the CB-1 could be classified under the same category and could be called a hornet 400 or is there something i haven't taken into account here? i obviously have too much time on my hands but any input would be appreciated!!! cheers just food for thought

[earthbound14]

That would seem fair.

The CB 250 Hornet was the first of the Hornet line built in Japan in 1996. The roots of this engine is the 1986 CBR250Four, with gear driven cams. Aggressive body styling, high level exhaust and of course, that fat 180 came from the early 90's 900 Fireblade. It lead to the design of the later CBR600 Fireblade and the CB600 Hornet, same frame, swingarm, tank, and wheels and styling.  Ok not exactly the same, but lots of styling similarities.

The CB-1 has the same engine as the CBR400 of the same era. The CBR400 is the little brother of the larger Fireblades produced later (according to some).

The CB400SF which replaced the the CB-1,  has chain driven cams, 5 gears rather then 6 (although some models have 6), a less race oriented suspension, lower red line and a more standard frame (like others in the CB line - the CB750, the CB1100). There is of course the CB500F that sort of blends both.

So ya, given the the way the naked bikes developed into both race nakeds and standard nakeds. The early development of the CB-1 as a race ready naked similar to the CBR400, it would seem that the Hornet line developed from a similar concept, if not from the CB-1. Other more standard nakeds sort of went back in time a little bit and tuned down their racing side.

So the CB-1 seems to show more similarity to the CB Hornet line than it does to the standard CB line.

This is the geeks interpretation.....but it was a geeky question....am I more geeky, or less geeky? Hmmm, now that's a question.

Given the relative failure of the CB-1 in the western market, it probably took them a long time before they decided to bring it back (or at least some of it) in the form of the 250 Hornet....which was so damned cool they had to make the CB600 Hornet and the 919. Which seems likely because the key draw back of the CB-1 was it's relatively high cost compared to the 600cc CBR.....I mean it's really what did in the 400's. Low HP and high cost in comparison. Japan has been dominated by the smaller standards...hell any standard. They like em. Those retro dual rear shocks, flat seat to handle bar styling and those steel frames. I just wish they'd bring the Cb400F NC36 back into production....I think this is where the 400cc bikes belong, spoled rims, classic styling, small size bike...perfect urban bike and small highway cruiser that's nimble and quick rather than a dog.

Another cool question...with the CB400SF being the best selling bike in Japan, will a 400cc naked make it back to the US, the UK or Canada or will the 400cc bikes remain too small for people who like to rip or too big for cheapos who like to commute?

[ptlcb1]

What will be interesting, is what size bike is going to replace the 125s in GP racing.  Everyone knows that the 2-strokes are being phased out.  I believe in 2011, the 250 GP bikes are being replaced with 600cc 4-strokes.  So when its time to end the 125 2-strokes, what will replace them???   I think 400 4-strokes.  The are physically smaller the the current 600s.  I believe a well set-up 400 with the right power, is in the same ballpark as the 125s.  If I remember correctly, at the Isle of Mann, they ran the 125s and 400s at the same time...

[Drewski]

I've heard the CB-1 being called the first Hornet before, the most comparable bit that grabs me is the shape of the tank, it's almost halfway to morphing into the Sexy shaped Hornet one. I like to belive the story, (however true), that the CB-1 was an "appology bike" from Honda for the jinxed early V-fours. I would have thought it was a Japanese Market influenced design and maybe in development at the same time that the VFs were, not so much to run in production together but rather one or t'other. Did you get many 250 Hornets in The States, I don't remember seeing any here in the UK. I'd love to have a ride on one, Kawasaki have a 250 revmeister naked bike around the same time, the name of the bike escapes me now - but it can rev to something like 20K if I remember right

[ptlcb1]

Honda never brought the 250 Hornet to States

[earthbound14]

Honda never brought the 250 Hornet to States

Wish they would. In North Am, you either ride a 125, a half assed 250 (the Hyosung Comet or the antique Ninja) or a 600.....where the hell are the 250's and 400's? The 250 Hornet is a pretty cool little bike. Light, sexy and quick...what every learner would love to ride...perhaps not the best choice for the commuter (crap fuel efficiency). I'd love to see the VTR 250 myself. Nice little ride, great on gas, but still a nice looking little bike, nicer than the Comet in my opinion.

[Drewski]

The 250 Hornet is a pretty cool little bike. Light, sexy and quick...

And reliable too by all accounts, I know most of the slightly earlier 250-4 sportsbikes were a bit problematic. Not sure if the 250s would make enough horses for my requirements. It's the same with two strokes - plenty of very desirable quarter litre strokers around, but the 350s, 400s and 500s perform so much better.

Speaking of nano motors, I was lucky enough to witness a pair of 250 6 cylinder Hondas being fired up and put through their paces at a show this summer, man, what a beautiful sound.

[91cb-1]

that certainly sounds like a hell of treat alright, a friend of mine here has a hornet 250 and man what a bike, pure class, he's fitted a micron exhaust so you can actually hear the bike as it approaches you, i noticed it sounds very electric with standard exhaust! i've had a spin on it and it's a sweet ride, the tank is perfect fir gripping with your knees although his has high riser handle bars on it forcing you to sit up straighter, she reves higher than the cb-1 but not by much and as you can imagine going from the cb-1 to the 250 is a bit of a down grade but all the same sweet ride, my other friends lookin for a 600 i'd kill for a spin on one, if evne just to see the difference between the 3 bikes. the 250 and the cb1 handle much the same i thought but the 250 has a bigger profile tire 180/70 i think, so cornering feels alot safer but the cb1 has the power to come out of them with ellegance and speed... my two cents

[earthbound14]

I had a chance to ride a CB600 Hornet (08). Very nice ride. Handles similar to the CB400, but much tighter and slicker. Lots more power, smooth running engine. Sweet little ride.

[91cb-1]

My friend got his 600 what a bike he got a great deal with low milage over in manchester only problem is it's so imacculate that now i'm too scared to even ask him for a spin on it might get the courage one of these days

[hurricane]

i didnt know the cb1 came with 5 gears and chain driven cams, mine is 6 speed and has cam gears. also my motor says nc23 and frame nc27, is this mix match or did they come like this?

[91cb-1]

No no cb-1's are all 6 geared and gear driven as far as i know, the cb super four often mistaken as a later model as the cb-1 is chain driven i'm not sure if it's 5 speed though that could be where you're getting you're info from. the frame and engine number are different on mine too, i think it's because the engine was orrigionally made for the old racing cbf 400 bikes and they made a new frame for them!!! this is just me speculating anyone with other more accurate info please feel free to correct me!

[hurricane]

okay cool, atleast some of it is cleared up. shot bud