15 years of Honda Hornet motorcycling pleasure

For the first 6 years of ownership the Hornet was was my daily, all weather, transport (apart from in snow & ice) for my commute of 40 miles to and from work. Once retired it got used a lot less for a few years. 

But I married a French/Corsican woman, we got a house in the center of Corsica and in 2014 I did my first UK Corsica trip, 950 miles each way. This trip was repeated yearly until Covid 19 hit and I was confined in France for over a year from March 20 with the Hornet in my garage in Hastings.

All of this time it has been very reliable and has never let me down in any weather from hours riding in heavy rain to 42 C+ in the south of France in July 15. It cleans up well and has virtually no corrosion. It accelerates well (0 to 60 mph ~3 secs) and has a top speed of ~140 mph, I have done 130 on it a few times but fears for my safety and licence usually means I travel nearer the speed limits.

Over the years I have done a few mods. EBC brake discs and pads and SS braided lines

Maxton replacement rear shock and fork upgrade MIVV exhausts and K&N air filtre

Screen, hand guards and handle bars. Gearing upped by 10% and Speed Healer fiited.

The power increase from the MIVVs and K&N means no noticeable drop off in performance with the higher gearing, but it now it cruises at 4500 rpm at 80 mph, I can get up to 250 miles to a tank of fuel - that`s 60 mpg (UK). The Maxton upgrades have seriously improved the handling.

I have thought of replacing it from time to time but have seen nothing as versatile, fast, comfortable and with a robust, quality finish and at a reasonable price.