In 2006, the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer launched the Honda CB600F Hornet, a standard or naked motorcycle part of the CB series, built in 1998 and powered by a detuned 599cc version of the engine used by the CBR600 sports bike.
The CB600F was a sport-oriented motorcycle that offered an upright riding position that made it be considered a standard or naked bike and was based on the CB250F model, which was restricted to 250cc in Japan due to local laws.
Over the years the bike received several updates in 2000, 2003, and 2005 that included the front wheel being changed from 16-inch to 17-inch for better corner stability and increased strength of the front brake pass-over, which resulted in stronger brakes.
Also, for 2003, the bike got a larger fuel tank with a capacity of 17-liter instead of the earlier 16-liter unit, but also with a sharper styling, and in 2005, it got a modernized instrument cluster and an inverted front fork that improved handling and cornering stability.
In terms of power, the 2006 Honda CB600F Hornet featured the same performance specifications as its predecessor, with a 599cc four-stroke four-cylinder liquid-cooled engine that delivered an output power of 98 hp at 12,000 rpm and 66 Nm (48 lb-ft) of torque available at 10,000 rpm.
Overall, the bike was virtually unchanged with its all-rounder capabilities for daily riding, commuting, and cutting through the city jungle but also was easy to convert into a touring machine with the optional luggage system.