Could a former 954 owner be happy with a 919?

pdx954 · 03-15-2005, 7:04 AM

Local shop has a left over 2004 919 for $6699. Pretty good deal and easy investment for the time I really have to put into riding these days. Just not sure if I'll get on it and have the same expectation I had from the 954 and be completely disappointed. Part of the trade off I guess.

What do you guys think? Could some simple mods change it enough? Really, that may be entertaining enough. Another toy to mod!!!

They also have a leftover 1000RR for $10k...way too tempting.

l'timbré · 03-15-2005, 7:56 AM

I rode the 919, and I wouldn't be happy with it, can't you test it?

pdx954 · 03-15-2005, 8:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by l'timbré

I rode the 919, and I wouldn't be happy with it, can't you test it?

That is my plan, just thought I'd see if anyone on the board had any experience comparing the two.

Colo.TJ · 03-15-2005, 9:30 AM

Engine is detuned and the frame/suspension is questionable. Also heard of some real problems w/ the exhaust and it making everything stink on the bike including the rider. I bought a used 900RR and I'm stripping it down to be naked.

ConqSoft · 03-15-2005, 9:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colo.TJ

Also heard of some real problems w/ the exhaust and it making everything stink on the bike including the rider.

All underseat exhausts have that issue.

Chain · 03-15-2005, 9:38 AM

Can you be happy with it? Depends on your criteria. If you're looking for a better all around machine for commuting and whatnot, something that you can still have fun with on a weekend sortie but w/o the compromised riding position and higher insurance rates (to say nothing of the fact you'll be virtually invisible to the local authorities), then sure, you can be happy with a 919.

It's still a 900cc motorcycle that would blow the average guy's skirt up and put most cars you'll run into on the trailer in the stoplight drag wars. But it's not nearly as fast or as capable as a 954 for aggressive sport riding or a track day. In fact, any of the new 600s will blow its doors off.

It all depends on what you want...

Jayfooey · 03-15-2005, 10:50 AM

buy one, you like it...

also I've did 5 track days with mine last year.
and you know the better you are at riding the more bikes you'll be passing up, even the liter bikes too.

Jay's 919

pdx954 · 03-15-2005, 11:30 AM

Thanks everyone for your input. It just seems to be a fairly well balanced machine and there have been more favorable reviews on it's suspension since it's release in 2002.

There's a ton of mods out there to change it's appearance to make it appear a little beefier, the underbelly pan seems to make a significant change in it's overall look. Performance mods seem standard with moderate gains.

It just seems like a very viable option for the price. Plus, I've always been a sucker for something unique and the naked bikes truly offer that advantage. I would like to go the Italian route, but after all the drama I've heard, it's just not worth the time and money to have a non-functional piece of art in my garage.

02FBlade · 03-15-2005, 12:29 PM

Personally I'd buy an out of the box motard before a 919 or another naked bike. KTM, husky makes some. Insurance is prolly cheaper too.

Chain · 03-15-2005, 1:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdx954

There's a ton of mods out there to change it's appearance to make it appear a little beefier, the underbelly pan seems to make a significant change in it's overall look. Performance mods seem standard with moderate gains.

I recall a hop-up one of the American rags did with a 919 a year or two ago. I'll be damned if I can remember which one, but it had to have been Motorcyclist, SPORT RIDER, or Cycle World (because those are the three US bike mags I subscribed to at the time).

Anyway, they put Satos on it, Power Commander, braided lines front and back, Race Tech worked on the fork, new shock, a few cosmetic mods and a sick new paint job, toxic lime green. It was a killer machine and proof that a bike like the 919 is a blank canvass for the owner to make his own.

slodsm · 03-15-2005, 2:00 PM

I have never ridden one myself but looking at Jay's and the mods he did on it, I would not be ashamed to ride it anytime. It's a pretty nice looking bike, especially like the double headlight.

Northern RR · 03-15-2005, 7:43 PM

The 919 is a pretty cool bike, like chain said a modern day 600 would smoke it, but as far as riding position, carrying a passenger, mid range torque and fuel mileage go, the 919 is much better IMO. I have ridden both and was pretty impressed with it, mind you I am not difficult to impress

As far as maintainance goes, it's all good, it's a honda

good all around bike, definatley not as "focused" as some of the available bikes but I would say just as much fun on the road. On that note, I LOVE MY 1000RR, and hey, you only live once

(or so I have heard)

maxib · 03-15-2005, 8:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Northern RR

On that note, I LOVE MY 1000RR, and hey, you only live once

(or so I have heard)

Yes, I can vouch for that because I've BTDT, but I sold my soul to some dude in a red costume with a pitchfork so I could get back on the road and ride again, but that's another story.

Think of the ergonomics that work for you. Think of your budget. The 919 is a great bike. I almost bought one twice, but my style guided me in a different direction. If I could have a third bike, I would be really thinking about it again.

However, if the 1000rr fits your budget and ergos, go for it!

Northern RR · 03-15-2005, 9:04 PM

if you sold your soul for the riding you get to do, you got a bad deal...your in Minnesota...

from what I hear theres lots of snow in minnesota, right

maxib · 03-15-2005, 11:31 PM

Yeah mang, it's snowing again right now!

Coming from you it's doubly funny! Did you get a room with airconditioning in Hell as I did, or did you just go for the basic efficiency apartment?

I hope Spring arrives for you as soon or sooner for me.

Fireblades.com rocks

JakeT · 03-16-2005, 2:31 AM

I would say no if you are really demanding performance and lightness.

Just get crashed 954, stick some streetfighter bars on and you have best of both worlds. 954 motor and suspension with the high bar ergonomics.

JakeT.

Colo.TJ · 03-16-2005, 9:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayfooey

buy one, you like it...

also I've did 5 track days with mine last year.
and you know the better you are at riding the more bikes you'll be passing up, even the liter bikes too.

Jay's 919

Do you want to sell your original headlight?

Hamburgler · 03-16-2005, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdx954

I would like to go the Italian route, but after all the drama I've heard, it's just not worth the time and money to have a non-functional piece of art in my garage.

Don't believe the hype. Aprilias, Guzzis, and the 2-valve Ducs are reliable.

Jayfooey · 03-16-2005, 3:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colo.TJ

Do you want to sell your original headlight?

Sorry, no I don't want to sell it...

tailgunn · 03-16-2005, 4:20 PM

I have been wondering the same thing myself. I've got too much $$ tied up in bikes and am thinking about selling the 54 and looking for a wrecked 919 to fiddle with... I love the 54 but don't necessarily need warp drive.
I have that issue with the 919 hop-up; it's Motorcyclist I believe, from late last year. I know I have it laying around someplace that bothers my wife so it should be easy to find; I'll post it tomorrow. They did some simple mods and it seemed like it changed the bike quite a bit... of course, I said simple not cheap.

Jayfooey · 03-16-2005, 10:43 PM

a couple 919 links for you to check out...

919.org
project 919

tailgunn · 03-17-2005, 11:00 AM

The mag with the 919 hop-up is Motorcyclist July '04; the one with Gina and the 749 on the cover.
As far as the Italian bikes being reliable, everything is reliable if you fix it often enough.

I think the 749/999s are the most beatiful bikes I've ever seen, but I'm staying away from twins due to small range... and price. I don't like gassing up every other day.

ratdog · 03-21-2005, 10:21 AM

Can you be happy w/ a 919 coming from 954?

SURE....will you? depends on what you're looking for and how you ride...it's all about balance. There's no mistaking the horsepower deficit, the real point is in understanding how and where you will notice; around town you will exerience the rewards of a retuned 900rr lump with improved low end response...on the highway, there you will notice the lack of wind protection...pencil necked squids need not apply

what will you notice? comfort and a suspension tuned for the street not the track, thankfully...and it's the 04-05's that give you the fully adjustable setup, the 02-03's lacked adjustable sticks

you will also notice how nice it is to have instant torque instead of having to rev the throttle so much...the powerband is nice and wide, you can be a little lazy w/ your throttle management and still have plenty of zip to pull you out of the way of blind cagers.

what do you give up? only the top end pull of the 954, no more fierce redline rushes

if you want to feel like you're riding an RR sportbike, the 919 isn't...if you want a standard looking bike with performance that is closer to the RR's than it is the classic standard....you'll be fine

and fwiw, to those that would tell you a 600rr or liter bike will 'outperform' a 919...just keep in mind what is required to do so, using that RR part of the sportbike, chasing that maximum lean angle, running WOT and staying in the max portion of the powerband...

i ride w/ busas, liter bikes and 600rr's all day long...you know what we're talking about in a practical sense? being more comfortable, experiencing less heat, no more back or wrist pain, having less wind protection, having a more useful rpm range and making your 954/r1 riding buddies wait a couple extra seconds at the stop sign if it happens to be at the end of a long straight and you're all doing the hooligan thing...big deal.

if you really think the hp is big deal, there are several nakeds that have a greater sportsbike bias than the 919, the FZ1 and Z1000 for an example....it's really a lifestyle choice...are you a plastic lover or do you want to ride naked?

ratdog · 03-21-2005, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colo.TJ

Engine is detuned and the frame/suspension is questionable. Also heard of some real problems w/ the exhaust and it making everything stink on the bike including the rider. I bought a used 900RR and I'm stripping it down to be naked.

the suspension was upgraded for the 04/05 models and there is nothing questionable about the frame...the steel box formed spine is almost entirely hidden and creates a minimalist feel that is unmatched....