[losttoy]

I went from Suzuki SV650 -> Ducati 695 -> Ducati S2R 800 to Honda 919. Somehow I wasn't too happy with the whole Ducati package and the Honda looks perfect for me. I sat on the bike and liked it, read the reviews and like them and I like the looks too. It is probably not the fastest or most powerful out there but that isn't what I am looking for.

Recently I read some comparisons to Yamaha FZ1 and Kawasaki Z1000. The FZ1 felt a tad bit heavy and I don't want the fairings. But the reviews put the FZ1 above the 919, so not sure about that and maybe I will get used to the extra weight. The Z1000 looked nice but I sat on it and felt as if I am right on the front fork. So still a bit undecided between the 919 and Z1000.

Another issue that came up was that I went to GP Sports in San Jose, CA to look at the FZ1 and 919 side-by-side. Walked into the store and couldn't find either bike. The sales guy said the 919 is a lemon and he has sold one in three years. He said it is a dead bike that no one wants around here and because it has no fairings it is difficult to hold on to on the freeway. That surprised me a bit because I saw a few in the lot at another Honda dealer and the other dealer's storage manager rides one that has done ~60k miles and seems to be going strong. So not sure what was going on at GP Sports. Maybe the 919 is really unpopular here in California or maybe I just came across a bad sales person.

Ofcourse, this being a Honda naked bike forum, I expect to hear all good things about the 919. But still, any comments/feedback are welcome!!

Thanks!!

[LMac_72]

I just bought a 919 a couple weeks ago. I love it. I didn't test ride any other bikes but did read alot of reviews. I did not read a bad review and the salesman at the dealership where I bought it said that they didn't sell many of them but that he had never heard of anyone that bought one from their dealership not liking it.
I have not had a problem getting blown around on the road. I'm not sure why not having fairings would make it so hard to handle on the freeway. I have had several motorcycles without fairings and never had a problem. The bike is superlight and responsive. Then again I have been riding a Goldwing for the last four years. Don't know if this helps you but I would go for the 919.

[KenB]

The 919 is a fantastic bike. I've owned both an '06 919 and a 1st generation FZ1. The biggest difference between it and the FZ is the powerband. You'll need to do more RPM's on the FZ to get at the sweet spot of its powerband.

I rode 1 919 on highways, city streets , country twisty roads for commuting and longer rides. It does them all well. You will get bounced around and more wind blast with the 919 however. In the end I traded it for a new Bandit for more comfort, more torque, and better passenger accommodations.

[MaxwellEdison]

919 is a bit of a lemon here in Utah in the sense that if it isn't a liter bike with full fairings then it sucks. In truth though, the 919 is a sweet bike, perfectly responsive, comfortable, and 85% as fast as just about any sport bike. I also have no troubles on the freeway "holding on," even when breaking that triple digit mark

[The Captain]

alternatives??? Triumph Speed Triple.

[ozthis]

ktm super duke

[919hooligan]

Z1000! I rode an '06 and loved it. Plus it has received good reviews in the bike mags. I like the way it looks better than the FZ. If I bought a new bike tomorrow it would be the Z1000....... or maybe a CBR1000RR. So many bikes so little money.

[ratdog]

z1000 the front end feels like it disappears under you

the fz1 the is much heavier, feels sluggish by comparison...though plenty of umpf when you wind it up

the zrex is mucho heavier and feels it but has grunt from the git go

the 919 is not a lemon, just not terribly popular and it's no more naked than any other 'naked bike' so the 'hanging on while on the highway' isn't specific to the 919...u either dig naked or u don't (mini fairings are less than $100)