Help me choose Honda 919, Kawi. ZRX 1200R or Bandit?

Tsmith · 05-03-2009, 1:43 PM

I am looking for a bike and I am trying to decide between The Honda 919 02-06, the Kawi. ZRX 1200R 00-05 and 02-05 Suzuki Bandit.

I will be doing allot of commuting to and from NYC (abt 60 mi. each way) along with the Sat. night or Sun. morning ride with the guys, the occasional weekend trip, and once in a while some two up. I would like to ride as long as possible weather permitting.

I am 6' 230 ish and just came off a 99 Buell X1 for a season and a half (LOVED IT!!!). Before that a Radien 600, a GPZ 750, a shadow 1100, a Katana 1100 and the Buell.

I could use the help from people who have actually ridden one or both as I am trying to buy the bike plus a house at the same time so it will need to hold me over for awhile.

Thanks

fusion919 · 05-08-2009, 5:27 AM

i have a 2002 honda 919, i love that thing. i've ridden a few different bikes and this is easily my favorite. i'm about 6'3 240ish, and i've never been uncomfortable on my bike. and my friend rode it for around 10 hours one day and told me that there were no real problems, ran all day long no problem, and was never really uncomfortable. he has also ridden a buell firebolt 1200. said that choosing between the two would be a very hard choice (which is one hes trying to make at the moment). the only problem i have with the bike is that there is nothing protecting you from the wind. the bike can easily do 140mph and never feels like it is under powered in any situation, but the wind at times is just annoying. i'm used to it by now, but when you are trying to go fast or keep up with friends or just get out of the direct wind for a moment its nearly impossible. but they make aftermarket flyscreens and things to help with that i just don't like the way they look. another thing i love about it is that it is pretty smooth at all speeds, kinda jerky in 1st, but i've ridden bikes that were much worse. i've never ridden any of the other bikes you mentioned. so i can only tell you what i love about mine. if you have any other questions about the bike i'd love to answer them.

Tsmith · 05-09-2009, 11:04 AM

Fusion
THANKS! That sounds great I am going to see if I can get a test ride at a local dealer.

gavin929 · 05-09-2009, 12:37 PM

the 919 is a faster bike and alot bigger, very good on gas mileage, stay away from the bandit you won't like it, no balls. zxr1200 just don't look that nice and if it is like the v max 1200 it is a pig on fuel you will always be the first to stop for fuel. this is my two cents, i own a 929, had a vmax and my girlfriend had a bandit

Twincam · 05-09-2009, 3:49 PM

I have a 919 - haven't ridden a Bandit or a 1200R though.

I can't fault her, she is comfortable (apart from the lack of wind protection - but then again, I have the VFR or the CBR for that), not short of power (they have the same engines as the Fireblades used to have although they have been re-tuned for more torque lower down rather than top speed (Still she pulls up to 140MPH easily)) and looks great! (Candy red surely looks the best IMO) - Oh and they are made by Honda!

One thing to do is make sure after you ride her in the wet (i.e. Salt on the roads) that you hose the downpipes down (can corrode them fairly easily)

Modifications are readily available e.g. belly pans, fly screens, different lights (front and rear), Power commanders, different cans etc.

mikestib1 · 05-11-2009, 4:07 PM

I'd recommend a 1200 Bandit for commuting if you're cruising at over 70mph for it's fairing. I've owned one and also an 00 Zrx1100. The kawi has a smoother engine, the bandit more low end stomp.I just bought a new 07 919 for $6k .Alot of Honda dealers bought these leftovers cheap.Below 70 mph the lack of fairing is not an issue.The light weight and flickability of the 919 makes the other two bikes feel pretty porky.
I enjoyed all 3

zrx robb · 05-24-2009, 7:22 PM

well I don't own either the bandit or the 919 honda , but let me tell you about my 02 zrx 1200r eddie lawson bike you were asking about. It is the bike that your gonna want trust me it is very fast and thee gas milage is good and as being a pig like the one guy said well he's totally wrong and woulsd love to meet up with him and blow his doors off! anyway if you do commute alot like you say you do then the zrx is a good choice seeing how you sit up on it and not lay on it and the look of this bike (the lime green one) will turn heads and have people coming up to you asking about it. Whaen you are on the zrx you a riding a legend in the superbike world and history. I guarantee if you get the zrx you will be alot happier and will thank me for this note. Good luck .

dmclone · 05-26-2009, 9:55 AM

I agree that the ZRX1200 is the best looking of this group with the exception of the Speed Triple. As far as riding I would put the 919 near the top. The ZRX1200 just seems too heavy after riding a few of the others. It's just a different type of bike. You really can't go wrong with any of these bikes, it just depends on what type of riding you're doing.

mikestib1 · 05-26-2009, 11:05 AM

Buy all of them as each has it's own strength and weakness! One bike is never enough!

zerogara · 07-12-2009, 10:37 AM

Has the CB1000R been scheduled to arrive to the US any time soon? Italian styling and handling with Honda reliability are hard to beat.

http://thekneeslider.com/images/hondacb1000r6.jpg
Link: Honda UK

fusion919 · 07-13-2009, 10:02 PM

i don't know if or when the CB1000R is suposed to come to the US. but i hope it does soon, that is one good looking bike.

TheHeath · 07-14-2009, 1:28 AM

I just picked up my 919 tonight. Talk about your fun rides. I haven't ridden in about a dozen years, so I was a little bit nervous jumping on her and going. Twice around the block, and everything was fun and comfy. I put about 120 miles in the first few hours, some around town, and a bit @ michigans 70 mph freeway speed.

My first impression is that the bike is almost too comfortable (never want to get off!) while negotiating the city traffic and side streets of Detroit/Toledo. At highway speeds...wind is wind, I expect that, but the buzzing in the handlebars was excessive to say the least. After about an hour, my right hand was completely asleep and the left was close behind. For me, the buzzing starts at almost exactly 60 mph, and at 75 she's singing. I didn't notice it worsen much up to about 85... I'm not sure if that's because it was a constant buzz, or my hand was numb enough I couldn't discern the difference.

There have been reports that aftermarket handlebars greatly reduce the buzz, and I'll plan on trying that. Something will change, because the rest of the behaviors this bike exhibit are just too damn fun. If you can get a test ride at a dealer, make sure you bring her up to speed and get a feel for it.

Haven't ridden the others, gl with your hunt.