Honda Launches Improved Hornet Slim-Profile Road Sports Bike
September 29, 1998, Japan
Tokyo, September 29, 1998 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has announced the launch of the new upgraded Honda Hornet 250cc road sports bike, which will go on sale on September 30. Its slim-profile conveys the sizable presence of its high-performance inline 4-cylinder engine and impressive, high-class frame. Equally at home cruising downtown or negotiating winding suburban roads - and as stable as heavier bikes - the new Hornet is guaranteed to give a comfortable and smooth ride.
Prior to its original February 1996 launch, the Hornet was designed as a pared-down road sports bike, which provided an impact greater than one would expect from a machine of its class. In addition to ease of handling which is characteristic of a lightweight bike, ride smoothness; stability and comfortable cornering feelings were also engineered to be on a par with heavier models, giving the bike an overall responsiveness that is hard to match for a bike of its size. With its uniquely impressive slim-line profile, it's not hard to see why the Hornet has been a big success.
Honda Hornet
The liquid-cooled 4-cycle DOHC 4-cylinder 249cc engine features Honda's unique cam-gear train, (a mechanism where the engine drives the camshaft via a cogwheel arrangement). It combines power in the lower and mid-rev range that makes up a large proportion of everyday riding, with a sporty yet smooth response at higher speeds, superbly engineered for a truly thrilling ride.
The mono-backbone frame snugly encloses the lightweight, compact engine. The new Hornet conveys a direct and vivid riding experience to the rider over a wider range of riding conditions, combining suppleness with a super-firm handling feel.
Wide tubeless radial tires (front: 130/70ZR16; rear: 180/55ZR17) along with large-diameter inner-pipe front forks (41mm diameter) are what might be expected in a higher displacement bike. The rear damper smoothly complements the high-rigidity rear swingarm suspension to confer superior handling and a superb ride.
Complete with front and rear aluminum 3-spoke wheels for that unbeatable sporty look, there are two color selections: Force Silver Metallic and Candy Tahitian Blue. The Force Silver Metallic version features frosted black-colored wheels. The Candy Tahitian Blue includes touches of gloss white to soften the lines, and red used on the stepguard gives the bike a sporty and individual air.
With hydraulic disc brakes fitted both front and rear, the braking system combines the stopping power of a floating-disc with a 4-piston caliper arrangement at the front, together with the smooth, reliable feel of a single-disc brake at the rear.
The lines are designed to accentuate the new Hornet's smooth, sumptuous curves, all the way from the 16-liter fuel tank to the rear cowl, helping to emphasize the large upper surface area. Combined with slim-profile side covers and a mono-backbone frame, this design is also very practical, resulting in a seat that is conveniently low (760 mm seat height) and a comfortable leg position, while also giving riding-position flexibility.
The existing Candy Tahitian Blue coloring option has been joined by Force Silver Metallic, conveying a truly chic image. The hue of the fuel-tank logo has also been changed in line with the new image.
Finally, the new Hornet also comes with a host of useful new features, including a separate helmet-holder, a rear grab rail for a pillion rider, and luggage hooks at two separate positions on both sides of the bike.
Domestic annual sales target:
3,500 units
Main specifications:
Model | Hornet | |
Type | Honda MC31 | |
Length x width x height | (m) | 2.045 x 0.740 x 1.055 |
Wheelbase | (m) | 1.415 |
Ground clearance | (m) | 0.170 |
Seat height | (m) | 0.760 |
Curb weight/dry weight | (kg) | 166/149 |
No. of riders | (person) | 2 |
Fuel economy (km/l) [60 km/h test on flat ground] | 32.0 | |
Minimum turning radius | (m) | 2.6 |
Engine type | MC14E liquid-cooled 4-cycle DOHC 4-valve inline 4-cylinder | |
Displacement | (cm3) | 249 |
Bore/stroke | (mm) | 48.5 x 33.8 |
Compression ratio | 11.5 | |
Maximum power output | (PS/rpm) | 40/13,000 |
Maximum torque | (kgm/rpm) |
2.4/11,000 |
Carburetor type | VP03 | |
Starter | self-starter type | |
Ignition | full-transistor battery ignition | |
Lubrication | forced pressure and wet sump | |
Oil capacity | (l) | 2.7 |
Fuel tank capacity | (l) | 16 |
Clutch | coil spring | |
Transmission | 6-speed return | |
Gear ratios | 1st gear |
2.733 |
2nd gear | 2.000 | |
3rd gear | 1.590 | |
4th gear | 1.318 | |
5th gear | 1.111 | |
6th gear | 0.965 | |
Drive ratios (primary/final) | 2.966/3.214 | |
Rake (degrees)/trail (mm) | 25°40'/99 | |
Tire sizes | Front | 130/70ZR16 |
Rear | 180/55ZR17 | |
Brakes | Front | hydraulic disc |
Rear | hydraulic disc | |
Suspension | Front | telescopic |
Rear | swingarm | |
Frame type | diamond (mono-backbone) |