The Milan Show this week saw the unveiling of the 2009 Honda Hornet 600 all-rounder, which is styled and assembled in Italy.

The bike is already one of the most popular middleweight machines and the styling updates, including new clocks, lights and a re-shaped gas tank will help to freshen up the image of the bike. In addition the Hornet 600 gets adjustable suspension front and rear. There is an optional combined ABS braking version available too.

There’s no word on the price as yet, but with a new Bandit 650 and Gladius from Suzuki, plus models like the Monster 696, Kawasaki Versys and new Yamaha Diversion 600 on the market in 2009, the middleweight sector looks likely to be highly competitive next year.

Honda also released a new version of its SH125i commuter scooter at Milan, as the accent of the show was very much on economic transport alternatives. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi promised more legislation which would effectively ban the use of some older motorcycles and scooters, with cash incentives for buyers of Euro 3/4 compliant machines.