Hornet 250 (249cc)Owner: Jō-chan
This corner introduces one MY BIKE submitted to Webike Community every week.
The model introduced this time is Yamaha "Hornet 250" and the owner is "Jō-chan".
The Hornet 250 is a popular model that has captured a strong fan base since its launch in 1996. Its large body, which is hard to believe for a 250 cc machine, 180 mm wide extra-thick tires, and its unique silhouette, which is constricted by the seat, remind one of a fighting bee, as the name「Hornet 250」means. The engine was also based on the CBR250RR (MC22), a racer replica, and was equipped with a high-power, super high-revving engine with an output of 40 PS at 13,000 rpm. The tachometer is calibrated to 18,000 rpm, and the "cam gear train," a mechanism that achieves another dimension of rpm, is recognizable by its unique high mechanical noise. Even now that it is out of print, it is still very popular on the used market!
Joe-chan, the owner of the Hornet 250, has customized his Hornet 250 into a café racer.
In a word, "never seen a Hornet like this!"
The most obvious external features are the downsized custom seat, Moto Gear titanium exhaust pipes, originally painted under the cowl, and short-size rocket cowl! The basic parts, such as the tank and frame, remain in the OEM style, but the motorcycle has a shop-made appearance. The low handlebar position and the old-school round headlight are very café racer-like, but the fact that the base model is a Hornet 250 makes it look very futuristic!
Joe-chan's Hornet 250 is still in the process of evolution. The rocket cowl was installed in 2021, and now it has been further customized with a Coworth-made bikini cowl, giving it a street-fighter look. The appeal of customization is the ability to pursue one's own unique style, and Joe-chan's Hornet 250 is a perfect example of the joys of customization.
At first glance, the silhouette of the motorcycle is fascinating, but a closer look reveals that customization points are scattered throughout the details, such as fenders, footpegs, handlebars, and subframe.
The customization never stops with the Hornet 250, which has now been transformed into a style that gives a different impression from that of the café racer. Riding new models as they come along is one of the joys of motorcycling, but putting everything you have into one model like this is also one of the great pleasures of motorcycling. However, the Hornet 250 has already been out of print for almost 10 years, and even though there are concerns about parts supply, the style that continues to evolve like this is truly wonderful
