By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike
Honda CB600F Hornet (PC 41) vs Aprilia Shiver 750 (MY2007)
Honda CB600F Hornet vs Aprilia Shiver 750: no fairing, no excuses. Here's how to pick.
You'll notice first how the Honda CB600F Hornet drops into a bend off the lightest nudge at the bars. The Aprilia Shiver 750 sinks into its soft suspension and won't fight the lean. It never asks for a perfect line.
So which one do you buy?
The CB600F Hornet has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
A touch ahead: CB600F Hornet
Through rush hour, the CB600F Hornet is a little easier to live with. Put it down to lower running costs and simpler maintenance.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Inches ahead: CB600F Hornet
Back-road fun leans slightly toward the CB600F Hornet. It's a narrow call, so trust your test ride.
What makes each one tick
CB600F Hornet
The CB600F Hornet's inline-four begs for revs, and it saves its real rush for the top of the tach. The throttle doesn't wait for high revs: the engine pulls cleanly from low rpm. Its pegs sit where feet land.
Nils rode the CB600F Hornet in Austria in 2007, and in 2009 (NastyNils Testride).
Shiver 750
On the Shiver 750, ride-by-wire smooths away the jolt a V-twin can throw when the throttle snaps open or shut. At corner entry the front doesn't turn in with hard-edged precision. There's enough cornering clearance to keep pushing over a mountain pass at a real clip. The twin trickles through town traffic.
Nils rode the Shiver 750 in 2007 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The CB600F Hornet has the lower wet weight: 381 lb (173 kg) vs 450 lb (204 kg).
- The CB600F Hornet makes more peak power: 102 hp (75 kW) vs 95 hp (70 kW).
- The Shiver 750 makes more peak torque: 58 lb-ft (79 Nm) vs 47 lb-ft (64 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Neither is a natural fit
Both of these get tiring on a long day. A proper tourer will treat you better on big miles.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Not built for it: CB600F Hornet
The CB600F Hornet has too much motor for a first bike. Get your basics down on something smaller.
Traveling with luggage
Wrong job for both
Neither of these was built to haul bags. A tail bag and a credit card is the realistic plan.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
CB600F Hornet
Strengths
- Handling That Forgives Mistakes
- Reliability You Can Bank On
- Cheap to Run and Service
- Lean Clearance to Spare
Trade-offs
- No Shelter From the Wind
- Fork Without Any Adjustment
- Reg/Rec Can Give Up
- Fasteners and Cases Corrode
- Weedy braking performance
Shiver 750
Strengths
- Smooth ride-by-wire throttle
- Soft suspension, real lean angle
- Fun on track, pass, or city
- Surprising touring range
- Attractive Italian design
Trade-offs
- Not the sharpest front end
- No wind protection stock
- Coolant T-piece gets brittle
- Sensors dislike water
Known problems to check before you buy
CB600F Hornet
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
Shiver 750
- Rear wheel lock-up potential (2014-2015 models) Recall 15V007000 A manufacturing defect on the gearbox output shaft could cause the sprocket fastener to loosen, potentially locking the rear wheel. Subject to NHTSA recall 15V-007.
- Coolant T-connection breakage The plastic T-piece in the cooling system can become brittle and crack over time, leading to coolant loss and potential overheating.
- Faulty MAP/speed sensors after exposure to water The manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor and/or speed sensor can fail when exposed to heavy rain or pressure washing, causing poor running or erratic speedometer readings.
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 180/55-17
Where the spec sheets split
| CB600F Hornet | Shiver 750 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.5 in (800 mm) | 31.9 in (810 mm) |
| Wet weight | 381 lb (173 kg) | 450 lb (204 kg) |
| CB600F Hornet | Shiver 750 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 599 cc | 750 cc |
| Engine | Inline-four | 90° V-twin |
| Power | 102 hp (75 kW) | 95 hp (70 kW) |
| Peak power at | 12,000 rpm | 9,000 rpm |
| Torque | 47 lb-ft (64 Nm) | 58 lb-ft (79 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 10,500 rpm | 7,250 rpm |
| CB600F Hornet | Shiver 750 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 5.0 US gal (19 L) | 4.0 US gal (15 L) |
| CB600F Hornet | Shiver 750 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 296 mm | 320 mm |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| CB600F Hornet | Shiver 750 | |
|---|---|---|
| Ride Modes | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
