Honda Hornet 600 Import Guide: Buying from Japan for the UK Market

From 1998 to 2013, the Honda CB600F Hornet defined what a naked middleweight should be: a high-revving inline-four engine in a compact, lightweight chassis with no unnecessary complexity and honest, direct handling. It sold in huge numbers across Europe — and in Japan, it was equally well-received.

Today, Japanese auction channels hold an excellent supply of Hornet 600s at prices well below UK used market equivalents. Better still, both generations — carburetted Gen 1 (1998–2006) and fuel-injected Gen 2 (2007–2013) — are pre-2016 models and fully exempt from the MSVA test. That makes the Hornet one of the cleanest import propositions in the middleweight class.

This guide covers both generations, what to check on auction sheets, total landed costs, and how the Hornet compares to alternatives in the same price bracket.

Why the Hornet 600 Makes a Strong Import Choice

The CB600F Hornet has several factors that make it particularly attractive as a Japanese import:

• No MSVA — either generation: Both the carburetted Gen 1 and fuel-injected Gen 2 are pre-2016. Neither requires the MSVA test. Registration is straightforward: NOVA, standard MOT, and a UK-compliant speedometer.
• Strong auction availability: The Hornet 600 was popular in Japan and appears consistently through BDS and other domestic auction houses. Multiple examples across different years and conditions are available weekly.
• Value gap: A 2008 fuel-injected Gen 2 in good condition at UK dealers lists for £3,500–£4,800. A comparable Japanese auction example lands fully registered at £3,000–£4,200 — a saving of £500–£1,000 for the same bike in typically better-maintained condition.
• Proven reliability: The 599cc inline-four engine is Honda's — which means exceptionally well-documented reliability. With proper servicing, these engines run past 60,000 miles without major work.
• Low ownership costs: Insurance in the middleweight naked class is low, parts are inexpensive and widely available, and fuel consumption is reasonable for an inline-four at around 45–50mpg in mixed riding.

Generation Guide: Gen 1 vs Gen 2

Generation	Years	Engine	Power	MSVA	Best For
Gen 1 (PC34)	1998–2006	Carburetted 599cc inline-four	~95 hp	Exempt	Lower budget, classic character
Gen 2 (PC41)	2007–2013	Fuel-injected 599cc inline-four	~102 hp	Exempt	Reliability, daily use, best all-rounder

Gen 1 (1998–2006) — Carburetted

The original Hornet 600 arrived with a 599cc inline-four derived from the CBR600F, producing around 95hp in a chassis weighing just 170kg wet. It was — and remains — a fast, responsive, engaging motorcycle to ride.

The carburetted engine is not complex, but it does require attention. Cold-start fuelling can be sensitive, particularly on bikes that have sat unused for extended periods. Japanese auction examples have often had low annual mileage, which means carburetors may need cleaning and rejetting if not serviced recently. Confirm float bowl condition and idle behavior on the auction sheet video if available.

Gen 1 auction prices typically run ¥150,000–¥350,000 (£800–£1,900) at BDS, making them among the most affordable options in the performance naked class. Factor in shipping (£600–£800), import duty (6.7%), VAT (20%), NOVA (£103), and speedometer conversion — total landed cost typically £2,200–£3,800.

Gen 2 (2007–2013) — Fuel-Injected

Honda updated the Hornet 600 thoroughly for 2007. The carburettors were replaced with PGM-FI fuel injection, delivering smoother cold starts, better fuelling at all temperatures, and a modest power increase to around 102hp. Styling was updated, suspension revised, and ergonomics refined.

The Gen 2 is the recommended choice for most UK buyers. Fuel injection eliminates the main maintenance concern of the Gen 1. Cold starts are instant regardless of temperature — relevant for year-round UK use. The slightly higher auction prices (typically ¥250,000–¥550,000 / £1,350–£3,000) are justified by the reliability improvement.

What to Check on the Auction Sheet

Japanese auction sheets follow the BDS grading system. For the CB600F Hornet, focus on these specific areas:

Frame and Structural

• Frame grade (フレーム): The Hornet's trellis frame is strong but check the sheet for any A (repair) or U (rust) marks. Minor cosmetic marks are expected on older examples; structural repairs are a red flag.
• Forks: Look for oil seep indicators around the fork legs (marked as 油 or similar). Gen 1 forks are conventional and easy to service; Gen 2 got slightly revised internals. Minor seeping is common at age and inexpensive to reseal.
• Swingarm pivot: Check for corrosion notation on older Gen 1 examples — the pivot area can develop surface rust that affects bearings.

Engine

• Gen 1 carburettors: The sheet may note レーシング (racing modification) or キャブ調整 (carb adjustment). Confirm the bike has the original 4-into-1 or 4-into-2-into-1 exhaust rather than aftermarket — aftermarket exhausts on carburetted bikes sometimes require re-jetting that was done incorrectly.
• Gen 2 fuel injection: FI bikes are generally simpler to assess. Check for engine noise notation (エンジン音) and any warning light (警告灯) comments on the sheet.
• Oil condition: Sheets sometimes note 要オイル交換 (oil change needed). This is common and not concerning on its own — factor in a service on arrival.

Body and Cosmetics

• Tank dents: The Hornet's fuel tank sits exposed as a design feature. Dents are noted as D (dent) on the sheet and affect grade significantly. Grade 3.5+ examples are typically dent-free.
• Exhaust system: The original 4-into-1 exhaust is part of the Hornet's look and sound. Aftermarket systems are common but check fitment quality — poorly fitted exhausts can cause cracking at joints. Sheet notation: マフラー交換 (exhaust replaced).
• Handlebars and controls: Naked bikes are more prone to handlebar and lever damage from tip-overs. Check for notation about lever or bar condition on grade B and C panels.

MSVA Status: Both Generations Are Exempt

This is the Hornet 600's strongest registration advantage: all CB600F Hornets produced between 1998 and 2013 are pre-2016 models and exempt from the MSVA test.

Registration procedure for Hornet 600 imports:

1. NOVA notification — Notify HMRC of the vehicle's arrival in the UK (£103). Required for all imports.
2. Speedometer conversion — Japanese models display km/h. A UK-legal speedometer showing mph is required for MOT. Options include an aftermarket unit, a GPS speedometer, or — on Gen 2 FI models — reflashing if supported. Budget £80–£200.
3. MOT test — Standard UK MOT (£29.65 maximum fee). Lights, reflectors, and horn should be checked beforehand.
4. V5C registration — Apply to DVLA with NOVA reference, MOT certificate, and purchase documentation. Standard first registration fee applies.

Total Cost Breakdown

Cost Item	Gen 1 (2000–2006)	Gen 2 FI (2007–2013)
Auction price (BDS)	¥150,000–¥350,000	¥250,000–¥550,000
Buyer's premium (~10%)	¥15,000–¥35,000	¥25,000–¥55,000
Japan domestic transport	¥15,000–¥25,000	¥15,000–¥25,000
Sea freight to UK	£600–£800	£600–£800
Import duty (6.7%)	£60–£140	£100–£220
VAT (20% on CIF+duty)	£240–£500	£380–£760
NOVA notification	£103	£103
Speedometer conversion	£80–£200	£80–£200
MOT	£30	£30
Total landed, registered	£2,200–£3,800	£2,800–£4,600

Currency conversion calculated at £1 = ¥185 (rates fluctuate — confirm current rate before bidding).

Hornet 600 vs Alternatives

Model	Engine	MSVA	Typical Landed Cost	Character
Honda CB600F Hornet	599cc inline-four	Exempt (all years)	£2,800–£4,600	High-revving, lightweight, classic
Yamaha MT-07	689cc parallel twin	Required (2014+)	£3,800–£5,500	Torquey, modern, adjustable
Suzuki SV650 Gen 3	645cc V-twin	Required (2016+)	£4,000–£6,800	V-twin character, approachable
Kawasaki Z650	649cc parallel twin	Required (2017+)	£3,900–£5,600	Modern, upright, daily-friendly

The Hornet 600 is the only option in this comparison where no MSVA test is required on any available model year. For buyers who want to minimise registration complexity and total cost, that's a decisive advantage — particularly when combined with the strong auction availability and proven Honda reliability.

Against the MT-07 and Z650 specifically: the Hornet's high-revving inline-four character is categorically different from the parallel twins. It rewards pushing and needs to be revved to deliver its best — riders who enjoy working through the rev range will find it more rewarding than the torquier modern alternatives.

Ready to Source Your Hornet 600

The Honda CB600F Hornet is one of the most straightforward imports available from the Japanese market. Both generations are MSVA-exempt, auction supply is consistent, and the Honda inline-four engine has a reliability record that makes ownership predictable and inexpensive.

AWA monitors BDS and other major Japanese auction houses weekly. Whether you're targeting a low-mileage Gen 2 FI example in a specific colour or a budget-friendly Gen 1 for a project build, AWA can source and handle the full import process from bid to UK registration.

Browse current Hornet 600 listings on AWA or contact AWA to discuss your requirements before the next auction session.

Related guides: Suzuki SV650 Import Guide · MSVA Test Guide · Total Import Cost Breakdown