[DJS]

What about the 919?

I know its not considered a "real" sportbike but I'm holding off buying a 919 until I know they're bringing them in at least one more year. A very large dealership I called to check prices told me a rumor that the 919 is not coming in 2003 due to poor sales. Please check your early release redbook for the 919 and see if there are changes for the CB900F2.

Thanks

David

 

[DJS]

Re: What about the 919?

[email protected] To me that says that they are not bringing in the 919 next year. Usually if there is no update but "Bold New Graphics" it will be listed among the early release press materials. I guess it is possible that Honda did a serious update to a niche bike only one year after introduction but I doubt it.

I was really looking forward to buying one despite its flaws. Who knows maybe for once Honda listened to its customers and fixed the issues with the 2002 but I doubt it.

Oh well, I'll wait a few more weeks to see and keep my eye on the used FZ-1's. If only the FZ could lose that butt ugly fairing and get the FI system off the R1.

Thanks for the prompt response. So were you just mouthing off or is there really a nakid bike comparo in the works?

David

 

[DJS]

Re: What about the 919?

Yeah the Honda is flawed but so is every model. Honda emphasized agility with a light bike, quick steering geometry, linear torque but then did not follow through with top shelf suspension. I'd love a bike that emphasizes agility over top end power but finish the job at least. The reason I'm leaning to the 919 is its flaws are fixable with time and money.

The FZ1 is my second choice but I hate that quarter fairing and I'd rather have the FI system than four carbs to clean and maintain and rejet.

Bandit's out because I live in Houston. Lousy traffic to commute in and extremely hot weather make an air cooled bike miserable.

SV650 is a reasonable choice but it needs too much work to bring it up to snuff in power and suspension. By the time you get a SV modded up to its potential you've spent as much money as a 919. If I found an outstanding deal on an SV I might still consider one.

Triumphs are out of my league in price and maintenance issues. Good bikes but I don't want to deal with parts availability and such.

Kawasaki's ZR series is pretty decent for nakid bikes but the 93 ZR1100 I left a bad taste in my mouth that has yet to go away. It was a maintenance nightmare.

Ducati? Two words: Valve Maintenance. . Too expensive to ride.

What a ramble... There really is a niche in the nakid bike to make a monster like bike that does not have the desmo maintenance issues at a reasonable pricepoint.

C'mon SV1000 or even better, stuff an RC51 power plant in a 919 frame and call it good .

David

 

[DJS]

Re: What about the 919?

You're missing the advantages of a standard. No fairing means cheaper to insure and cheaper to repair. Upright riding position means greater comfort. Real handlebars mean easier maneuvering compared to clip ons. The superhawk and TL both are sportbikes, not standards and I would consider them if I could work out the insurance without selling a kidney but I'd still rather have a liter class standard that is liquid cooled and has good handling with lots of down low torque.

Thanks for the suggestions though. The Superhawk is a good bike but the short gas tank range is a turnoff. The TL is too much of a pure sporty, not enough of a commuter / weekend cruiser.

David

 

[DJS]

Re: What about the 919?

Hadn't really thought of that. It has the comfy ergos and the good power delivery. Don't care for the plastic but I might just have to look into that.

Thanks,

David

 

[DJS]

Re: What about the 919?

Just be aware that the centerstand is available in Europe and can be sent over here and soon it will be available in North America. Also realize that what you see are the heat shields, not the pipes. I've got a buddy here in TX with one and after 2 hours of squidding around in a Texas July the heat shields were just warm to the touch. Check www.919.org, he has chase harper bags mounted with no problem. Actually soft bag mounting on a 919 is less of a problem because of the position of the pipes and the efficient heat shields than on traditional pipes where you have to worry about contact with the bags .

David

 

[DJS]

Re: What about the 919?

Actually that is not true... The hornet 600 has been in europe for years but the Hornet 900 (aka 919) is brand new for 2002 everywhere. Couple of issues...

The chain is too long. If you look at a 2002 on the showroom floor the chain slack adjuster is already halfway through its travel. In Europe a few lucky riders have had their dealerships replace it at no cost with a shorter chain but Honda USA is still pretending there's no problem. I'll bet it's magically fixed on the 03 model if it makes here for 03.

Biggest complaint is the suspension. The kindest reviews have been "inexpensive but adequate". No adjustability on the front forks, preload only on the rear. Some guys with money to burn are looking into mounting F4i forks on it. Ohlins makes an aftermarket rear shock already and I'm sure it will help.

The bike is typical production Honda so fit and finish are great but the bike is running rich. A power commander is out for it and it supposedly greatly smooths the powerband.

If they bring them in for 2003 I'll buy one in a few weeks. If they don't, Yamaha will probably get my business for an FZ-1.

David

 

[DJS]

Stealth is great

That's what makes this bike great, is the stealth factor. People think its boring when it actually beat a 954 from 0-60 in Motorcyclist testing (can you say torque boys and girls).

100hp and 425 dry pounds is boring in a 919 but 90HP and 400 pounds is exciting in a 600cc supersport. That's what's fun, teaching the kids the difference between HP and torque. This bike will leave the fast n furious racer boys behind.

David