Anyone have experience w/ Honda 919 ?

[PowerDubs_imp]

I remember when these bikes came out... thought they were cool- as I understand and appreciate usefulness over image. (in this case compared to full sport-bike)

I ended up never getting one...although I did own a beautiful silver ZRX1200R with muzzy pipe and jet kit.


A one owner 919 just popped up on my local area- 18k, appears to be all stock other than 2 brothers mufflers and a fly screen windshield.


Given it has fuel injection, new tires... I'm tempted.

Might be fun to source a power commander, do some airbox mods and throw it on the dyno.

[mvk24_imp]

I know that my neighbor loved his. I got the CB from him after a big wreck kept him off the bikes for awhile.


He was a super in the NYC elevator union and constantly had 3 motorcycle in rotation of anything you could think of when they came out. Man must have owned over 100 different bikes over the years I knew him alone. For him to always bring up the 919 must mean alot of how much of an impression it left on him!

If you have any specific questions I'll shoot him a text.

2014 CB1100, 1981 KZ440 LTD, 1993 Yamaha XJ600 Seca, 1994 Yamaha XJ600 Seca

[the Ferret]

I rode one once. I seemed to remember it was geared really close together and required a lot of shifting. That's about all I remember about it.

[pekingduck]

I commuted on a stock one for a week, about half on L.A. freeways, and the only drawback I recall was that the high-mounted exhaust allowed the exhaust fumes to permeate my Aerostich suit to the point that I had to take it off and leave it in the garage after the first day.

If this seems illogical, you may recall guys riding at highway speeds in T-shirts that were blowing up their backs and around their shoulders.

[peterbaron]

Moto friend had read one with 7K miles and never heard him complaining about his bike. Rode only a few times with him
He sold her 2 years ago.

[WRXer_imp]

Have one for 22 years & counting

[Whoops]

I commuted on a stock one for a week, about half on L.A. freeways, and the only drawback I recall was that the high-mounted exhaust allowed the exhaust fumes to permeate my Aerostich suit to the point that I had to take it off and leave it in the garage after the first day.

If this seems illogical, you may recall guys riding at highway speeds in T-shirts that were blowing up their backs and around their shoulders.

I had a 2004 Silver 919 that I bought new when I lived in Phoenix. I had the exact same issue. Everywhere I went my jacket smelled like gasoline and exhaust. I mean, REALLY smelled. That and it was very buzzy at 55-65 mph. So much so my hands would go numb after about 30 minutes.



It was quicker than I expected and I accidentally pulled a wheelie out of the first traffic light close to the dealer on the way home after buying it. It just pulled a lot harder than my CB900 Custom and caught me by surprise.

The riding position was fine for me 20 years ago, now though it would be too much for my arms and back. I loved the look of the bike in spite of any detraction's and still wish I had it. It was a fantastic bike in traffic. Very nimble. The new CB1000R's remind me a lot of the 919 actually. If I had the choice between those two however, I would take the CB1000R.

[Ollie]

I bought a stock 2007 919 back in 2014. Only thing I added was a Corbin seat. I really liked the riding position as well as how the bike ran, handled, and looked. The catalytic converters on earlier versions emitted a rotten egg smell but that was remedied by 2007. While the high pipes looked cool they really made it difficult to use throw over bags, in fact I couldn't, so since I couldn't do much with it other than day rides I ended up selling it for something else. Now I wish I had it back. Of the standard Honda UJM type motorcycles I've owned (CB1100, CB750 Nighthawk, and 919) the 919 is the better motorcycle in most ways.

[url=https://postimages.org/]

[Whoops]

I bought a stock 2007 919 back in 2014. Only thing I added was a Corbin seat. I really liked the riding position as well as how the bike ran, handled, and looked. The catalytic converters on earlier versions emitted a rotten egg smell but that was remedied by 2007. While the high pipes looked cool they really made it difficult to use throw over bags, in fact I couldn't, so since I couldn't do much with it other than day rides I ended up selling it for something else. Now I wish I had it back. Of the standard Honda UJM type motorcycles I've owned (CB1100, CB750 Nighthawk, and 919) the 919 is the better motorcycle in most ways.

[url=https://postimages.org/]

Ahhh, so that's why my jacket stunk so horribly? I took my 919 back to the dealer twice to complain and they gave me some shtick about it needing longer to break in because it was a detuned superbike engine. Obviously horse crap, but nothing I could do about it.

[Ollie]

Yeah a lot of owners complained about the smell. Apparently some 919's were pretty bad while others not so much or not even at all. Honda even sent engineers over to try to figure it out. If you're old enough you might recall that same odor coming from certain cars using catalytic converters back in the late 70's and early 80's.
That motor is under stressed and will probably run forever. I hope the one PowerDubs is looking at comes with the stock mufflers as well 2brothers.