By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike
Honda CB600F Hornet (PC 41) vs Ducati Monster 695 (MY2007)
Honda CB600F Hornet vs Ducati Monster 695: no fairing, no excuses. Here's how to pick.
Roll on the Honda CB600F Hornet's throttle and the light chassis doesn't squirm off its neutral line. The Ducati Monster 695's air-cooled L-twin picks up the instant you twist, and it's pulling hard across a broad spread. It thumps forward to the classic Ducati rumble.
So which one do you buy?
The CB600F Hornet has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
A touch ahead: CB600F Hornet
Through a string of corners, the CB600F Hornet feels a little more eager. The gap is small, so ride both.
What makes each one tick
CB600F Hornet
The CB600F Hornet's inline-four doesn't tire of revs, and it climbs smoothly from a clean low-rpm start to an eager rush up top. It stays composed once it's leaned over. Corner entry takes only a nudge on the bar.
Nils rode the CB600F Hornet in Austria in 2007, and in 2009 (NastyNils Testride).
Monster 695
The Monster 695's desmo engine has muscle through the midrange, and there's punch in every gear. The brake lever squeezes twin front discs as it scrubs off speed. Its seat sits low. The exhaust's rich note greets every stop.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Monster 695 has the lower seat: 30.3 in (770 mm) vs 31.5 in (800 mm).
- The CB600F Hornet has the lower wet weight: 381 lb (173 kg) vs 408 lb (185 kg).
- The CB600F Hornet makes more peak power: 102 hp (75 kW) vs 73 hp (54 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both miss here
Hours in the saddle won't flatter either of these. They're happier on shorter runs.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Not suited: CB600F Hornet
The CB600F Hornet makes too much power to start out on. Build your skills on something smaller first.
Traveling with luggage
Look elsewhere
Both of these make awkward travel bikes. Pack light and keep the trips short.
They come out level on commuting. The better-kept used example is the smarter money.
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
Monster 695
What owners say
Strengths
- Characterful and punchy L-twin engine
What they share
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
Where the spec sheets split
| CB600F Hornet | Monster 695 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.5 in (800 mm) | 30.3 in (770 mm) |
| Wet weight | 381 lb (173 kg) | 408 lb (185 kg) |
| CB600F Hornet | Monster 695 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 599 cc | 695 cc |
| Engine | Inline-four | L-twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled | Air-cooled |
| Power | 102 hp (75 kW) | 73 hp (54 kW) |
| Torque | 47 lb-ft (64 Nm) | 45 lb-ft (61 Nm) |
| CB600F Hornet | Monster 695 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 5.0 US gal (19 L) | 3.7 US gal (14 L) |
| CB600F Hornet | Monster 695 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 296 mm | 300 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 | 120/60-17 |
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 | 160/60-17 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| CB600F Hornet | Monster 695 | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Option | Not offered |
| Slipper Clutch | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
