The CB900F first appeared in 1980 as Honda’s
latest foray into the ever-increasing naked
muscle bike market. The machine took styling
cues from its bigger brother, the CBX1000,
and used a power plant derived from the company’s
then revolutionary CB750KZ.
The Honda CB900F (also called the 919 in
the U.S. and Hornet in Europe) is a "standard"
or "naked" style motorcycle based on a sport
bike engine but with a more upright seating
position and revised engine and gearing, providing
performance and comfort between a typical
sport bike and a cruiser. It was introduced
in 2000 and its last model year was 2007.
It was replaced by the Honda_CB1000R.
The CB900F is powered by a retuned Honda
CBR900RR engine, developed by Tadao Baba,
one of Honda's Large Project Leaders. The
motor is a transversely mounted, liquid-cooled,
fuel-injected 919 cc (56.1 cu in)
in-line 4-stroke 4-cylinder DOHC engine that
produces around 100 hp (75 kW).
The engine utilizes cast camshafts and pistons
instead of the pricier forged items. For greater
midrange punch, the CB900F's camshaft profiles
are milder and compression is slightly lowered.
Four 36 mm (1.4 in) fuel-injection
throttle bodies take the place of the CBR900RR's
38 mm (1.5 in) carburetors. Redline
happens at a 9,500 rpm and the bike has
a six-speed transmission.
The 901cc 16-valve motor was deemed one of
the smoothest engines available at the time
of its release. It produced a respectable
95bhp at the crank, which was transmitted
through chain final drive via the Honda’s
5-speed gearbox.
A steel, square-tube backbone frame supports
the engine as a stressed member. In front,
a cartridge fork (adjustable beginning in
2004) guides the wheel, while a single shock,
adjustable only for preload,(& rebound
dampening beginning in 2004) connects with
the aluminum swingarm and carries the weight
in back. Its brakes are dual-disc in the front
and single-disc in the rear.
Instrumentation consists of an analog speedometer
and tachometer and basic indicator lamps,
incorporated under a tinted window, and a
single tripometer.
While the CB900F comes sans centerstand,
one is offered as an accessory for 49-state
models, although it can be fitted to a California
model. The bike's rake is 25°, trail is
98 mm (3.9 in), wheelbase is 1460 mm
(57.5 in), and seat height is 800 mm
(31.5 in). It has a tested dry weight
(minus fuel only) of 455 lb (206 kg)
and a tested wet weight of 485 lb (220 kg).
Air-assisted 39mm front forks and remote-reservoir
shocks were fitted in an attempt to improve
the machine’s handling over its predecessors.
Sadly, the Honda handles no better than most
1980s muscle bikes. The engine is also prone
to premature cam chain wear.
Honda has had a CB900 model since 1980 in
North America and an even earlier CB900F model
in Europe. A 599 cc (36.5 cu in)
carburetted version called the CB600F exists.
The US models can not use the Hornet moniker
due to the name being trademarked by the American.
A 750 and 1100cc version of the CB900 were
also sold by Honda, both of which are increasingly
rare.
Price new - £2291
Power – 95bhp @ 9000rpm
Top Speed – 132mph
Weight – 250kg
