Honda Hornet 600

A mildly detuned CBR600 engine in a steel frame and wrapped in minimal bodywork that was pretty much the definition of standard. It might not sound like a recipe for longlasting success, but the Hornet 600 had just enough ability and style to elevate it above the masses, and soon became the first bike of choice for a generation. The highlevel exhaust and (weirdly) an element of styling emphasis on one of the radiator tubes was enough to make an otherwise dull shape distinctive and slightly sporty. Everything else was Honda of the era when that meant so close to perfect that its verging on boring. Which explains why it was so well loved.