I have to think that the exhaust is a big factor in this. Nobody wants the old style side exhaust anymore. If you don't have the underseat or the little shorty style, you are going to get less attention. I don't really think the technology is all that outdated.

It's a world nowadays that people have a hard time compromising...they want the newest, neatest, absolute fastest thing - regardless of the fact that 99%+ of them will never tap all of that potential. For me, the F4i is perfect. I think the '07 RR is really sweet looking, but, the comfort factor is a biggie to me.

 

599 was fairly popular around here. Honda killed it off for 07. The word from my dealer friend is that Honda is planning a more sporty 599 replacement for North America. The Hornet with the RR engine sounds like it fits that description.

 

God that thing is sexy.

 

It doesn't help the F4i that the price point between the 2006 F4i and the 2006 RR was only $500. And I'm sure that was a thought out business decision. Entice people to the more expensive bike, then phase out the F4i. It seems like Honda has had it out for the F4i since they put the bannana seat on it (and the arrival of the RR). I know some people love the bannana seat, but it isn't sexy and isn't going to sell like the RR.

 

I have been hearing rumors of a tweaked f4/f5 for the 08 and that 07 was a planning year. I still havent heard from dealers that the f4i is gone plus people are still buying the 06 if they can find one.

 

There is no rumor, this is fact, check out the link i posted earlier to see the 2007 Honda Hornet (599), its the CB600F, doesnt matter what they call it on the plastic...

In any case, the 2007 model, has been released in europe and not in the US, its only a matter of time for the new 599 to show up over here. In case you guys did not notice, the US had a 599 for 2004, then skipped 2005, and brought in a 2006. So looking at this pattern, i Believe you can expect to see the totally overhauled 599/hornet/cb600f here in the US for 2008.

So once again,

Honda 599 = CB600F
Honda Hornet = CB600F

therefore we can logically conclude that Honda 599 = Honda Hornet. sorry if i sound like a jerk on this post, but i thought i was clear enough on my previous post in this same thread, i try to read every post on the thread before posting myself, i assume others do the same.

so the 599/hornet/cb600f is NOT the F4i replacement, they are two different bikes, in two different classes all together. The f4i is just being cut out, period.

 

I neversaid the Hornet/599 was a F4i replacement.

Until it hits the Honda USA or Honda Canada websites, North American distribution is just a rumour as stated in my post. I'm fully aware this bike is available in Europe.

My source actuallyfelt that the 599/F4i filler in the model range would be something in the 750cc range but that doesn't seem too likely given the Hornet's upgrade.

 

sorry, but i think that thing is ugly as hell, granted honda made a mistake by going to the banna seat, but take off the banna seat and put on the 02's seat and they probably would sell alot better.
just my 2 cents

 

my mistake i misspelled banana, what a idot

 

Put some fairings on that hornet - and sign me up !!!