Honda 919 - new (to me) bike in the family

I know a guy with a 599. It's a great bike (inverted forks, more frenetic engine, hybrid analog/digital instruments, carbs instead of FI) but not enough grunt for a lazy shifter like me.

Still want to know what flyscreen is on this:

J308 wrote: Anyway, check out wristtwisters forum. Caters to 919s. At least it did, last time I checked.

Thanks, I will do that.

One of my favorite bikes. . . congrats!!! Ride moar

Beautiful. Well done.

It is the optional fly screen Honda sold. I'm not sure if they are still available, the supply was running low when I got mine.

The funny thing about the 599 is that even though the forks are upside down, the 919 got what are basically CBR600 cartridge forks while the 599 just has basic damper rods.

Thanks Zipty, and dang on the flyscreen - those have been sold out for a while. I like the simple look of it, though.

I didn't know that about the forks, either, though - interesting. I think the 919 forks are a bit harsh over really bad roads. The Street Triple forks are much, much smoother. I've ridden a 599 before, but not on bad roads.

The 919 is kind of a "bargain bin" bike. I'm sure you could adapt some CBR stuff pretty easily.

From what I've read, getting the right springs up front is the key.

For an upgrade, the RC51 front end is practically a bolt on.

A power commander is your friend on the 919 too. They are set rich from the factory. The standard PC map smooths out the bottom end considerably, and i gained 3-4 mpg in the process too.

I keep looking at liter sport cruisers now. Gee thanks

Yeah, I'm trying to get a few people at work to take the plunge.

On the Power Commander (I read "Power Commander III" in a few places), reviews are mixed. Some people love them, some people swear the throttle response becomes too abrupt. A matter of preference? I haven't done much research yet.

RC51 front - mmmmmm. Interesting. I've also read that the shock is low-rent. Heck, though, it's not like I'm riding near the limit of the bike as-is.

It probably depends on how you ride, I tend to keep it in 6th and cruise, so to me and my dad who also has a 919, it made everything feel better. Its also a matter of choosing the right map. The shock isn't the best, but it's also has too stiff of a spring for riding solo. Ohlins makes a shock, but nobody makes a spring that will fit the stock shock. Even with the suspension upgrades, the minimalist frame is a touch too flexy for hardcore sport riding. That said, if you only have one bike that you have to live with daily, the 919 kinda like the BMW 3 series wagon of bikes. You can actually use it.

It's like a pogo stick. Wait until you hit your first big bump during a turn. You may as well just buy an RC51 instead of getting the front end to swap....join us on the dark side.

So, the rear shock is crappola... any swaps besides an ohlins? Thinking grassroots here.

best bet would to be to scour wrist twisters. I havent really felt the need to look into it at this time.

Yep Taiden, I have access to the machine shop (manual and CNC) at work, plus I am honestly both a machinist and an engineer as well as a mechanic. (insert evil laughter here). All I need is money...

rotard wrote: It's like a pogo stick. Wait until you hit your first big bump during a turn. You may as well just buy an RC51 instead of getting the front end to swap....join us on the dark side.

One of ussss.... one of usssss...

I want an RC51 so bad. I will do terrible things to it. Like add straight bars and a comfortable seat. When I'm done I'll have an Aprilia Tuono that's made by Honda.

The RC51 is a beaut for sure. But when I had to do carb work on a vf500, I wanted to shoot myself in the face.

The only way I would endure that again is if it were on an NC30

drmike wrote: Yeah, I'm trying to get a few people at work to take the plunge. On the Power Commander (I read "Power Commander III" in a few places), reviews are mixed. Some people love them, some people swear the throttle response becomes too abrupt. A matter of preference? I haven't done much research yet. RC51 front - mmmmmm. Interesting. I've also read that the shock is low-rent. Heck, though, it's not like I'm riding near the limit of the bike as-is.

Nice bike!

Get the power commander V with auto tune. That's what I put on my k1200s and I love it!

Out of the box the PC map was off and I did not like the throttle response at all. Pull out the laptop, plug in my target AFRs , go for ride, and let autotune do it's thing. After a few sessions it was spot on....BIG improvement over the stock mapping! PC says the PCV is for newer bikes only, I think 09 and above, but it works perfectly on my 2005 k1200s.

FYI I bought my PCv from these guys http://www.fuelmotousa.com. They will support you with the PCv on an older bike even if dynojet may not, which is why I went with them.

The RC51 is fuel injected. It's also comfortable for me. I'm 5'8 with a 32" inseam. I can't flat foot both feet with the bike, but then you probably shouldn't be riding a bike like an RC51 if you HAVE to do it to feel comfortable at a stop. That said, it's heavy, unforgiving, sounds like sex and is just not very beginner friendly at all. Without a Nicky Hayden riding it, it's slower than a newer middleweight around a track. It's very cool in a way that very few inline 4 bikes can match.

RC51's are also pretty ugly nekkid.

Now, you just need to steal the swingarm from a CB1000R.

I'm in love with RC51's. However, I don't think that the look very good; from the paint scheme, to the exposed radiators, to the bodywork. But THAT SOUND!

Mitchell wrote: I'm in love with RC51's. However, I don't think that the look very good; from the paint scheme, to the exposed radiators, to the bodywork. But THAT SOUND!

I'm with you on all of that. The sound is just...

rotard wrote: The RC51 is fuel injected. It's also comfortable for me. I'm 5'8 with a 32" inseam. I can't flat foot both feet with the bike, but then you probably shouldn't be riding a bike like an RC51 if you HAVE to do it to feel comfortable at a stop. That said, it's heavy, unforgiving, sounds like sex and is just not very beginner friendly at all. Without a Nicky Hayden riding it, it's slower than a newer middleweight around a track. It's very cool in a way that very few inline 4 bikes can match. RC51's are also pretty ugly nekkid. Now, you just need to steal the swingarm from a CB1000R.

Fairings would stay. I am not really into the inline 4 bikes. After having an SV650 for a few years I just want... double that.

clutchsmoke wrote:

rotard wrote: The RC51 is fuel injected. It's also comfortable for me. I'm 5'8 with a 32" inseam. I can't flat foot both feet with the bike, but then you probably shouldn't be riding a bike like an RC51 if you HAVE to do it to feel comfortable at a stop. That said, it's heavy, unforgiving, sounds like sex and is just not very beginner friendly at all. Without a Nicky Hayden riding it, it's slower than a newer middleweight around a track. It's very cool in a way that very few inline 4 bikes can match. RC51's are also pretty ugly nekkid. Now, you just need to steal the swingarm from a CB1000R.

Fairings would stay. I am not really into the inline 4 bikes. After having an SV650 for a few years I just want... double that.

Why not look ata SV1000, TL1000 or better yet, a TLR. They are less loved and because of that, cheaper then the RC51.

I am not a suzuki guy, but I always like the TL100R and they look decent as street fighters, so you can get a cheap crashed one and fix it up. I know they have a wonky shock, but there are work arounds for that.

Between the TL1000 and the SV1000 I would pick the SV. It doesn't carry the reputation of 'widow maker' so I would imagine insurance is cheaper. Though neither bike matches the sound of the RC51.