By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike
Honda CB600F Hornet (PC 41) vs CB600F Hornet (PC36)
Flick the 2007 Honda CB600F Hornet into a bend and it's tipped in on neutral steering, settled before the exit. The 2002 Honda CB600F Hornet's bars swing it through with the even manner of an everyday tool. It'll carry that same steer straight into Monday traffic.
So which one do you buy?
The 2007 CB600F Hornet has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
A touch ahead: 2007 CB600F Hornet
Back-road fun leans slightly toward the 2007 CB600F Hornet. It's a narrow call, so trust your test ride.
What makes each one tick
2007 CB600F Hornet
The 2007 Hornet's inline-four wants revs, yet it's still pulling clean from low rpm on the way to its top-end rush. The brake lever doesn't bite hard once the pace rises, and the soft fork wallows under braking. You sit tall over level pegs. The padded seat's still kind on the ride home.
Nils rode the 2007 CB600F Hornet in Austria in 2007, and in 2009 (NastyNils Testride).
2002 CB600F Hornet
There's real punch in the 2002 Hornet, but it's stored at the top of the tach. Its chassis forgives a clumsy line. At low revs the throttle gets a sluggish answer, and the engine won't hurry. Its four's happiest with the needle near the limiter.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 2007 CB600F Hornet has the lower wet weight: 381 lb (173 kg) vs 437 lb (198 kg).
- The 2007 CB600F Hornet has the larger fuel tank: 5.0 US gal (19 L) vs 4.5 US gal (17 L).
- ABS: option on the 2007 CB600F Hornet, not offered on the 2002 CB600F Hornet.
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Look elsewhere
Long days aren't what these two do best. Plan shorter legs and plenty of stops.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Wrong job for both
For a brand-new rider, both are the wrong place to start. Learn the basics on a smaller bike first.
On commuting and running costs, these two are a wash. That's where your budget and your inseam get the final say.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
2007 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
2002 CB600F Hornet
What owners say
Strengths
- Rev-happy engine with sporty potential
- Low running costs
Trade-offs
- Low power at low RPM
- Basic suspension (2002–2004)
- Poor wind protection
Known problems to check before you buy
2007 CB600F Hornet
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
2002 CB600F Hornet
- Automatic cam chain tensioner failure The stock automatic cam chain tensioner can wear and fail. Symptom: rattling/clattering when closing the throttle while warm. Widely cited as the most well-known problem of the Hornet series. Aftermarket solutions (manual cam chain tensioners) are common.
- Radiator fan not engaging; overheating tendency The thermostat-controlled radiator fan can fail due to a blown fuse (10A under seat), temperature sensor defect, or fan motor failure. Leads to overheating in stop-and-go traffic. Low coolant from neglected maintenance exacerbates the problem.
- Voltage regulator/rectifier failure The regulator/rectifier can fail, causing charging problems (battery not charging or overcharging). Symptoms: dead battery, blown bulbs, fluctuating voltage. Heat-related, as it is mounted close to the engine. This is a known cross-generational Honda problem, not specific to the PC36 but documented for it.
- Sticking float needle valves in carburetors The float chamber needle valves can stick, causing excessive fuel consumption or fuel overflow. Occurs particularly after extended storage. Requires carburetor cleaning.
- Surface corrosion on lower triple clamp The lower triple clamp is prone to surface corrosion with year-round use and road salt exposure. Not a structural problem, but visually noticeable and progressive if maintenance is neglected.
What they share
- Displacement
- 599 cc
- Engine
- Inline-four
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Peak power at
- 12,000 rpm
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front brake
- 296 mm
Where the spec sheets split
| 2007 CB600F Hornet | 2002 CB600F Hornet | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.5 in (800 mm) | 31.1 in (790 mm) |
| Wet weight | 381 lb (173 kg) | 437 lb (198 kg) |
| 2007 CB600F Hornet | 2002 CB600F Hornet | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 102 hp (75 kW) | 97 hp (71 kW) |
| Torque | 47 lb-ft (64 Nm) | 46 lb-ft (63 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 10,500 rpm | 9,500 rpm |
| 2007 CB600F Hornet | 2002 CB600F Hornet | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 5.0 US gal (19 L) | 4.5 US gal (17 L) |
| 2007 CB600F Hornet | 2002 CB600F Hornet | |
|---|---|---|
| Front tire | 120/70-17 | 120/70-ZR17 |
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 | 180/55-ZR17 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| 2007 CB600F Hornet | 2002 CB600F Hornet | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Option | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
