Honda 919

**Sgt. Hartman** · 07-31-2011, 07:54 AM

What do you guys think about a Honda 919? I think it's called the Hornet in Europe.

I haven't had a street bike in almost 10 years and even then I only had one for about a year or two, so I'm looking at this as a 1st bike. I've always had and still have a dirt bike so I know how to ride but definitely not used to something heavy or riding on the street.

So would this be a good first bike?

ENGINE:
Engine Type Horizontal In-line
Cylinders 4
Engine Stroke 4-Stroke
Cooling Liquid
Valves 16
Valves Per Cylinder 4
Valve Configuration DOHC
Compression Ratio 10.8:1
Starter Electric
Fuel Type Gas
TRANSMISSION:
Transmission Type Manual
Number Of Speeds 6
Primary Drive (Rear Wheel) Chain
WHEELS & TIRES:
Front Tire (Full Spec) 120/70 ZR17
Rear Tire (Full Spec) 180/55 ZR17
BRAKES:
Front Brake Type Dual Disc
Rear Brake Type Disc
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
Wheelbase (in/mm) 57.5 / 1460.5
Fuel Capacity (gal/l) 5 / 18.9

**DSM4Life** · 07-31-2011, 08:34 AM

919 for a first bike? Just make sure your life insurance is up to date. Dirt bike riding is nothing like a streetbike.

**beatango2008** · 07-31-2011, 09:31 AM

I don't like how the front looks like a cruiser and the rest of the bike looks like a crotch rocket, but thats just me.
maybe you should start out with a 600 first, just untill you get the feel for it again, then you can upgrade.

**redz** · 07-31-2011, 09:42 AM

I agree I bought a GS500F for my first bike and it was a smart decision. I almost bought an R1 and I`m sure I would have hurt myself badly or killed myself if I had.

**gixxerboy1** · 07-31-2011, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by DSM4Life

919 for a first bike? Just make sure your life insurance is up to date. Dirt bike riding is nothing like a streetbike.

that 919 makes around the same hp as a typical 600

**Pizzle** · 07-31-2011, 10:14 AM

Love my cbr rr 929. Go for it Bro

**dec11** · 07-31-2011, 11:45 AM

its basically a de-tuned fireblade engine, good for spirited commuting, you might a cbr600 a better way to go, weather and windblast protection from the fairings etc

**dec11** · 07-31-2011, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by DSM4Life

919 for a first bike? Just make sure your life insurance is up to date. Dirt bike riding is nothing like a streetbike.

only goes as fast as your right hand allows it. i started off on a zx6r and many times the power got me out of trouble, weedy bikes teach you nothing about white line spin ups or highsides, two of the most common fails with inexperienced riders

**Sgt. Hartman** · 07-31-2011, 02:05 PM

919 for a first bike? Just make sure your life insurance is up to date. Dirt bike riding is nothing like a streetbike.

It only makes about the same horsepower as a cbr600, I know it's not like riding a dirt bike - that's why I said I'm considering it like a 1st motorcycle.

I don't like how the front looks like a cruiser and the rest of the bike looks like a crotch rocket, but thats just me.
maybe you should start out with a 600 first, just untill you get the feel for it again, then you can upgrade.

LOL. That's what I like about it, it looks like a sport bike but without the full fairing.

I agree I bought a GS500F for my first bike and it was a smart decision. I almost bought an R1 and I`m sure I would have hurt myself badly or killed myself if I had.

R1 is definitely out of the question until I get alot more experience but my ego won't let me settle for a 500.

that 919 makes around the same hp as a typical 600

Exactly

Love my cbr rr 929. Go for it Bro

Isn't that the Fireblade? Those are bad ass but not ready yet.

its basically a de-tuned fireblade engine, good for spirited commuting, you might a cbr600 a better way to go, weather and windblast protection from the fairings etc

Never really thought about the fairing as having the purpose of protection from weather. Duh.

I'm gonna try to ride a 919 and a CBR600 and see which I feel more comfortable on. Thanks for the advise guys.

**dec11** · 07-31-2011, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by Sgt. Hartman

It only makes about the same horsepower as a cbr600, I know it's not like riding a dirt bike - that's why I said I'm considering it like a 1st motorcycle.

LOL. That's what I like about it, it looks like a sport bike but without the full fairing.

R1 is definitely out of the question until I get alot more experience but my ego won't let me settle for a 500.

Exactly

Isn't that the Fireblade? Those are bad ass but not ready yet.

Never really thought about the fairing as having the purpose of protection from weather. Duh.

I'm gonna try to ride a 919 and a CBR600 and see which I feel more comfortable on. Thanks for the advise guys.

ive a 929rr aswell and they are very user friendly, they arent as snap vicious as an r1 or zx10r, all those bikes are quick but only as quick as you want to ride them mate, you are in control

**TBrah** · 07-31-2011, 03:13 PM

To the OP, I don't like sportbikes with no fairings , even an r1 with no plastics won't go past like 120 and you can't even turn lol. Good choice on a japanese bike though at least parts are easy to get and not as costly but I think you should get a 1k with some fairings

**DSM4Life** · 07-31-2011, 06:35 PM

Didn't know it only had the HP of a CBR600. Then i say go for it. My first bike was a CBR600. I grew out of the bike in 6 months but i learned a lot. Some would call it a waste to only keep a bike for 6 months but im still a live so it was worth every penny. First sportbike should always be a used one IMO.

**Twist** · 08-01-2011, 02:53 AM

Unless you are a pro racer you don't really grow out of a 600 (superbike only). It takes one hell of a rider to use a bike to its full ability.

I went riding with an AMA racer and he had a big bmw with saddle bags and everything. I had a zx6-r. He made me look like a fool without even applying himself. He told me that he can't use a 600 to the bikes limits and 99% of riders can't. I will never sacrifice comfort again.

**Times Roman** · 08-01-2011, 03:38 AM

first bikes ALWAYS go down at least once. Did you know that? They do! it's a gravity thing, and a "you are learning to ride" thing. So why screw up and expensive new bike?

What I would do? I'd go to Craigslist and pick up something for $3k and learn on that. Once you get comfortable, say after a year, then sell it and get you something new.

Did you know you can get some screaming deals on Craigslist? Lot of blokes having to part with their scoots so they can put meat and potatoes on the table.

**Times Roman** · 08-01-2011, 03:39 AM

------------

**Sgt. Hartman** · 08-01-2011, 03:53 AM

Yeah, I was planning on getting a used one - they haven't made the 919 since 2007. Just trying to decide between the 919 and a CBR600.

How long can you guys ride your CBR before it becomes too uncomfortable?

**Times Roman** · 08-01-2011, 06:26 AM

no idea. i have a 2006 harley ultra, and I can ride that thing clear across the country no problem...

**gixxerboy1** · 08-01-2011, 07:35 AM

Originally Posted by Sgt. Hartman

Yeah, I was planning on getting a used one - they haven't made the 919 since 2007. Just trying to decide between the 919 and a CBR600.

How long can you guys ride your CBR before it becomes too uncomfortable?

my first bike was a cbr600rf3. I would ride it for hours. It wasnt uncomfortable to me. But how tall are you

**beatango2008** · 08-01-2011, 07:48 AM

Originally Posted by Times Roman

first bikes ALWAYS go down at least once. Did you know that? They do! it's a gravity thing, and a "you are learning to ride" thing. So why screw up and expensive new bike?

What I would do? I'd go to Craigslist and pick up something for $3k and learn on that. Once you get comfortable, say after a year, then sell it and get you something new.

Did you know you can get some screaming deals on Craigslist? Lot of blokes having to part with their scoots so they can put meat and potatoes on the table.

So I was going to reply to this but I changed my mind I don't want to jinx myself lol

**Sgt. Hartman** · 08-01-2011, 07:52 AM

Originally Posted by gixxerboy1

my first bike was a cbr600rf3. I would ride it for hours. It wasnt uncomfortable to me. But how tall are you

6' even

**Times Roman** · 08-01-2011, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by beatango2008

So I was going to reply to this but I changed my mind I don't want to jinx myself lol

so you were going to say...

"I'm a first time rider and haven't went down yet...."

something like that?

**beatango2008** · 08-01-2011, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by Times Roman

so you were going to say...

"I'm a first time rider and haven't went down yet...."

something like that?

Something along those lines, I'm a fairly new rider 3 years 2007 Yamaha R6 first bike, haven't had any incidents yet.
I probably will now that I said something though.

**Times Roman** · 08-01-2011, 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by beatango2008

Something along those lines, I'm a fairly new rider 3 years 2007 Yamaha R6 first bike, haven't had any incidents yet.
I probably will now that I said something though.

how many miles have you put on?

**beatango2008** · 08-01-2011, 10:59 AM

I put around 30k on it

**dec11** · 08-01-2011, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by Twist

Unless you are a pro racer you don't really grow out of a 600 (superbike only). It takes one hell of a rider to use a bike to its full ability.

I went riding with an AMA racer and he had a big bmw with saddle bags and everything. I had a zx6-r. He made me look like a fool without even applying himself. He told me that he can't use a 600 to the bikes limits and 99% of riders can't. I will never sacrifice comfort again.

very true, any 600 sports class is fast enough for 99%. i cant use my blade to full capability, id kill myself, i just like the usability of the extra power and never having to go down gears for roll on over takes

**dec11** · 08-01-2011, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by Times Roman

first bikes ALWAYS go down at least once. Did you know that? They do! it's a gravity thing, and a "you are learning to ride" thing. So why screw up and expensive new bike?

What I would do? I'd go to Craigslist and pick up something for $3k and learn on that. Once you get comfortable, say after a year, then sell it and get you something new.

Did you know you can get some screaming deals on Craigslist? Lot of blokes having to part with their scoots so they can put meat and potatoes on the table.

i disagree there mate, ive ridden four years without as much as dropping a bike and i started on zx6r and im a bit mental on a bike (blame ghost rider

). im now touching wood lol

i do agree on not buying new, way too many good deals on nearly news

**TBrah** · 08-01-2011, 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by dec11

i disagree there mate, ive ridden four years without as much as dropping a bike and i started on zx6r and im a bit mental on a bike (blame ghost rider

). im now touching wood lol

i do agree on not buying new, way too many good deals on nearly news

I love ghostrider you'd probably like this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xheLF1qub2Q

**Times Roman** · 08-01-2011, 08:37 PM

isn't one of the differences between a small bike and a midsize bike the weight? and with weight comes a better ride, more comffortable?

**gixxerboy1** · 08-01-2011, 08:42 PM

Originally Posted by Times Roman

isn't one of the differences between a small bike and a midsize bike the weight? and with weight comes a better ride, more comffortable?

in the sportbike the weight difference is usually minimal. The difference between a gixxer 600 and 100o is about 20lbs.

**dec11** · 08-01-2011, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by Times Roman

isn't one of the differences between a small bike and a midsize bike the weight? and with weight comes a better ride, more comffortable?

well i found the weedy 125cc, i legally had to do my test on, a complete bitch to manoeuvre in comparison with the zx6r id already been riding.

**dec11** · 08-01-2011, 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by gixxerboy1

in the sportbike the weight difference is usually minimal. The difference between a gixxer 600 and 100o is about 20lbs.

yeah, its mad theres only 2kgs between a 2000 cbr600 and a 929rr blade. i think TR meant from between say a 125-250 and a 600 class

**TBrah** · 08-01-2011, 08:49 PM

Now I'm a highschool dropout so I'm not a physics expert but isn't a 20lb difference actually a big deal? I know the faster something is moving it weighs significantly more.

**gixxerboy1** · 08-01-2011, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by dec11

yeah, its mad theres only 2kgs between a 2000 cbr600 and a 929rr blade. i think TR meant from between say a 125-250 and a 600 class

oh maybe. I didn't even consider bikes that small. They are more like scooters.
I actually just looked the ninja 250r is the same weight as a gixxer 1000

**gixxerboy1** · 08-01-2011, 08:51 PM

Originally Posted by TBrah

Now I'm a highschool dropout so I'm not a physics expert but isn't a 20lb difference actually a big deal? I know the faster something is moving it weighs significantly more.

yes if they both had the same power. But the 1000 is has so much more power it doesnt matter

**TBrah** · 08-01-2011, 08:51 PM

Originally Posted by gixxerboy1

oh maybe. I didn't even consider bikes that small. They are more like scooters.
I actually just looked the ninja 250r is the same weight as a gixxer 1000

they look like scooters from the back lol doesn't it have like a 160 on the back? A zuma would have a wider tire lol

**TBrah** · 08-01-2011, 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by gixxerboy1

yes if they both had the same power. But the 1000 is has so much more power it doesnt matter

I meant in terms of handling like if you did a trackday

**dec11** · 08-01-2011, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by gixxerboy1

oh maybe. I didn't even consider bikes that small. They are more like scooters.
I actually just looked the ninja 250r is the same weight as a gixxer 1000

pea shooter lol

**Times Roman** · 08-01-2011, 09:02 PM

Originally Posted by dec11

yeah, its mad theres only 2kgs between a 2000 cbr600 and a 929rr blade. i think TR meant from between say a 125-250 and a 600 class

sorry mates. to me, a 600 is a small bike. about 1/3 the engine size what I ride

**TBrah** · 08-01-2011, 09:07 PM

Originally Posted by Times Roman

sorry mates. to me, a 600 is a small bike. about 1/3 the engine size what I ride

1/3 the engine size but has a higher power to weight ratio. I've ridden a harley with what I THINK was a 1250cc engine and I would say a 600 could easily accelerate faster. How much HP does your harley make?