[aminalmutha]

Re: Purty

Nahhh, this is more of a hooligan bike. I don't see a whole lot of soft bags on streetfigher-type bikes, and besides, Honda says it's ok to do so since the mufflers are somewhat insulated. The beauty of these types of bikes is that you're not hauling around a bunch of plastic, so the fuzz pays less attention to you. Other riders are also less likely to mistake you for a squid. But, with good usable power, good brakes and decent handling, you have a great canyon carver, commuter, and general all around fun bike. And with that SUPER DOPE exhaust, you'll never scrape it. I bet a couple carbon cans under that tail would look great, and I ususally am not much for carbon exhaust. The really cool thing about the 919 is that it's as naked as can be. You can hardly see any frame at all. It's like riding a motor with wheels. You might think it's ugly, but it sure looks like a grin machine to me.

 

[22193]

Boy did you miss the point. Go run down your lost road pal and stay off this one. End of story.

 

[Philbiker]

Different strokes!

Great reply . However, I still think the bike is ugly as a 500 lb bikini model. If you like the hidden frame engine on wheels concept I'm guessing you also like the Yamaha V-Max and Kawasaki ZXR1200 huh?

 

[slowburner_1]

1. I like the thing Honda has going with the pipes on the VFR and the 919. It's way cool.

2. The "choice" of colors for the ST, VFR, and 919 sucks. No doubt it solves some marketing problems for Honda, but for the rest of us, it sucks.

3. Styling sometimes takes a while to grow on you. Don't be hypercritical because this year's bikes don't look the same as the last bike you fell in love with. Look at more than one picture; look at it for a while, let the lines sink in; it sometimes takes a while to "see" what the engineers were trying to achieve.

4. I think the 919 *is* the new Nighthawk; I'm surprised they don't call it that. If Honda did freshen up their trusty Nighhawk 750, would the result be any different from this 919? Look at the bikes, and think about it. The easiest way to get more power out of a 750 is to swap it for a 900. Other than the displacement, this bike obviously fills the same role.

5. Honda is neglecting the midsize market. I can't believe this is an oversight, but it's inexplicable to me. They still don't have anything to compete with the likes of Suzi's SV 650, which, incidently, will probably be my next bike. AND it even comes in more than one color. =)

 

[thatguyjohn]

Re: Smaller do-it-all bikes

Ducati has the Monster 600 and the Monster 750 in several versions.

 

[BigGit]

Re: Different strokes!

Yes.

 

[BigGit]

1. I don't think that exhaust treatment is cool in any sense of the word. It looks like it'll give the term "toasted buns" a whole new meaning. YOW!



2. No comment.



3. "Simplicate and add more lightness." - W.B. Stout

"Less is more." - Robert Browning/Mies van der Rohe

"Simplicity in human scale" - Kevin Cameron.

"Keep It Simple, Stupid!" - U.S. Army



These are good guidelines for styling IMHO.



4. Please get real! A 919 is a sportbike without plastic. A Nighthawk 750 is for people who live on their bikes the way cagers live in their cars. And the 919 can't call it the new Nighthawk because people are still buying the old one new. If I could afford one, I'd be one of them...



5. Yep, IMO Honda needs to make a SV650 challenger AND a EX500/GS500/Blast! challenger. But the SV650 is not without competition; there is such a thing as the MuZ Skorpion...

 

[4INer]

Re: I

I too am impressed with the ST1300 from what I see. I've been waiting for Kawasaki to come out with a replacement Concours. My 98 has served me well and with the price tag that Kaw had on it, I can forgive th buzziness. I will be replacing it in the next year or 2, and was almost certain that we would see a new Connie with the new 1200 engine in it. But not to be at least this year. So as it stands right now the new ST may be my next bike. Anybody heard a price on it yet?

 

[RWUB]

1. What you see are not actually the mufflers. The exhaust system is covered with thorough heat shielding so as not to make the passenger uncomfortable.



P.S. Anyone heard, perhaps, about a bikini faired version, or at least some form of wind protection?

 

[Rob-SV650]

On #4. Your comments about the 919 vs. Nighthawk were right on the mark. This is exactly what I mean when I say I'd like to see a modern V65 Sabre (my current worldbeater), it's mission is similar to the Nighthawk's, but it's bigger (and more modern) and way fast. I've also owned a Nighthawk S.



Unfortunately I don't know if there are enough people like me who fit the mold of living on the bike the way cagers live in their SUVs though.



On #5, The SV650 is a sportbike without plastic. I have one. It's gonna be for sale due to the V65 Sabre being a much better all around bike.

 

[slowburner_1]

3. Those are indeed good guidelines for designing anything. I generally appreciate a minimalist design - clean and functional, with just a touch of class. The front end the '02 VFR looks a bit busy for my taste, but if you try to look at it as "chiseled" instead of "angular", it begins to make sense. The angles are chiseled into a very fluid overall package.



The same trend is evident in the auto industry right now, as most of you have probably noticed. Lots of angular, chiseled front ends on the '02 and '03 concepts. It is a trend that will go away and return periodically, like all other aesthetic fashions.



Once the trend turns, will owners of this style of bike find themselves on conspicuously out-dated machines?

 

[Philbiker]

Why would you buy a Nighthawk

when the Kawasaki ZR-7S is such a better bike?

 

[aminalmutha]

Re: Different strokes!

Yes, the ZRX is really cool, but could be a little lighter. The V Max is cool, but overpriced, way overweight and underbraked. If this 919 puts 110hp to the ground, and handles and stops well, then it just might be one of the coolest bikes out there.

 

[aminalmutha]

Re: Dig that crazy factory rat-bike!

I dig the flat black. Looks kinda tough. All that thing needs now is some drag bars and a big fat turbo hangin' out there for all to see.

 

[BigGit]

Re: Why would you buy a Nighthawk

There is more to riding than all-out performance. The ZR-7S is probably lighter and more powerful, but the Nighthawk 750 has adequate power, very good brakes (despite being a front disc and a rear drum) and is stone reliable (also has self-adjusting hydraulic lifters; what does the ZR-7S have, threaded adjusters, or shims?). The only thing stopping the Nighthawk from being a gas & go vehicle is the chain drive, but OTOH there are no shaft reactions in corners...

 

[fleshharrower]

Re: 919 is ugly and not in the right way

Butt ugly is what I call the 919. I'm sorry but having the radiator and pipes all stacked up front like that is just gruesome looking. I could live with the radiator if the pipes didn't all exit the front of the engine. I would love to get a honda monster-like bike since it would be reliable as hell and I could save the time I spend with my Buell X1 and Ducati Monster (which is going up for sale) for riding. If the 919 had some shred of style or street-fighter looks about then I might be interested. The damn thing looks like a 70's CB bike or one of those butt-ugly naked bandits. Maybe I'm just partial to v-twins, especially air or oil-cooled.

 

[Thrash1]

Jaw Dropped....

I'm duely impressed with the styling of the VFR, I would almost say it was perfect. We no longer have to buy aftermarket pipes to clear the single sided swing-arm. Its just Awsome..

Sorry I'm just a Viffer Fan...

KtchMe..If you Can;-)

 

[aminalmutha]

Re: 919 is cool as hell

Where the hell else do you want the exhaust to exit the engine? And hangin' the radiator out in front is the easiest way to do it. Especially with an MSRP of $8k. I dig twins and four bangers, but I won't buy a new air cooled bike. Maybe a pre 1980something, but liquid cooled is the way to go. Buells have some questionable styling in my opinion. I'd be willing to bet this thing would be just as quick or quicker and more reliable, though.

 

[StarAsh]

My favorite bike was my '78 CB750K, which, though heavy and aged, was often underestimated by other bikers at the red lights. The 919 is exactly what I've been looking for since then- the understated bike with the power to street fight. The blackout paint makes me happy- though I can understand why people used to flashy sporters or deep toned cruisers might be dissapointed. The pipes make my mouth water- I love the under the seat position of the 919 and the VFR. And the engine is the highlight- Big enough to rip- small enough to be lighter in weight as well as lighter on the fuel, and basic styling- no need to make it pretty- this one is for riders, not for show. I have a feeling that there are going to be some red-faced full-farrers out there shortly after the beginning of the year. Lastly, a standard that isn't BUTT UGLY, who ever would have guessed? I'm tired of looking at the Bandit as the only affordable choice in the powerful end of the standards, since it unsucessfully tried to be cheap without looking cheap. Thanks Honda, you have a customer waiting.

 

[Philbiker]

The only major problem with the ZR-7

Is that it has a short valve adjustment interval. The engine is stone reliable, at least as much so as the Nighthawk. I believe the ZR-7 has threaded adjusters for the valves, not sure though. Otherwise it is a better bike than the Nighthawk in every way, not just performance.