Thoughts on a 919?

[Cincykz]

Hey all. I currently have a cherry red 08 ST13 (keeper) and a minty 09 Buell Firebolt 12R.

The Buell is my favorite (in a romantic sense) bike I've ever owned (14). But I find that I often have to tuck my knees up out of the way to keep them from dragging on the road whilst navigating fun roads. While I truly love the Buell and consider myself a reasonably skilled rider who USUALLY practices reasonable risk management, I find that the Buell is so good, that I'm afraid someday I will do something silly and meet a tractor, guide rail, or tree while traveling at twice what a reasonable speed would be for whatever chicane I'm traveling through.

I'm thinking of selling the Buell, but my ST will need a stablemate. I want something smaller, naked, sportyish, but reasonable. I've become enamored with Honda and would like another. I've always had a soft spot for a 599, but think I'd be won over by FI and torque on a 919. I've had pretty much every type of bike, from 12-180hp, from really nice to junk. I like my bikes stock, quiet, and shiny.

Every time I ride my ST13 I'm tickled by how good it is at virtually everything. 2mph U-turns, 90mph sweepers, 300 mile days. It's a little hot in July and August, and a little big for some rides.

Whose had a 919 (or 599), and am I on the right track? I understand that I'd be giving up some of the scalpel-like handling of the Buell.

Thanks!

 

[ArTravlR]

A friend had one. She put over 45K on it with zero reported problems. She put givi bags on it and took them off. Unsettled the bike she said. Sweet ride.

 

[Jerbear]

You mean something like this.
In the right hands 919 is a lot of fun, light, powerful and excellent handling. Mine has upgraded suspension though; front forks from F4i and fully adjustable Ohlins in the rear.
Last fall I did the Lake Michigan Circle Tour. Even with a aftermarket Sargent seat it was not a cushy ride. Hence the ST1100 in my garage as the stable mate to the 919. At my age, (52) I feel like I am 20-something again, I call her my hooligan bike. I find the ST more age appropriate, age as in less of an aches and pains after riding for a while, however there are people who have done the coast to coast on 919's too, go figure.
There is a huge following for the 919, check out Wristwistters.com
You can get hurt on any bike, its up to you how that happens

 

[gpz1170]

I was told by a former 919 owner that the last two years that bike was made were the best ones to buy. They had some nice upgrades and much more power.

 

[ST-DocLizard1]

I have an '03 with 85K and a '06 with 37K. No issues with either one. I would suggest to find a stock unit '02-'07 in the color you like. Later years have the adjustable front forks. The only common issue I'm aware of is a broken exhaust bracket if you look underneath the bike where the exhaust attaches to the frame.

Power is not an issue throughout the years.

All of us "Niners" hang out over here:

Sportbike Forums on WristTwisters

A forum community dedicated to all sportbike owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!

www.wristtwisters.com

 

[Upt' North]

I presume you're talking about Fireblades and CBR600's.
In my mind no competition, the Fireblade is a hooligan of a bike and if the Buell doesn't kill ya first that will. Now the CBR600 is probably one of the best sports bikes ever and if you're thinkin you want to ride quicker than the 600, don't. We got two variants over here the R and RR (?). The standard was by far the best all rounder.
Enjoy.
Upt'North.

 

[Cincykz]

Thanks for the replies folks. Upt' North, I'm referring to the 919 Hornet naked, and trying to move away from the clip ons ergos and attitude. I'd also like the second bike to be naked. I have my eyes on two, one is a 2007 stock in the same candy glory red as my ST (nice) with 21k miles, and the other is a black 05 in apparently excellent shape with 7500 miles, about two hours from me. Both are totally stock (I'm a fan of quiet motorcycles).

 

[Upt' North]

The Hornet was a nice bike. I can't think what the engine was re-tuned to though.
The 600 Hornet is a little small in stature. But a damn good bike.
Upt'North.

 

[Sadlsor]

Not from personal experience, but a track rider and Keith Code instructor I used to ride with, described the motor as a rheostat.
With the front wheel in the air, he could just twist the right grip to raise or lower it, in relation to the ground.
And that was one of the first years they were available stateside.

 

[ST-DocLizard1]

Thanks for the replies folks. Upt' North, I'm referring to the 919 Hornet naked, and trying to move away from the clip ons ergos and attitude. I'd also like the second bike to be naked. I have my eyes on two, one is a 2007 stock in the same candy glory red as my ST (nice) with 21k miles, and the other is a black 05 in apparently excellent shape with 7500 miles, about two hours from me. Both are totally stock (I'm a fan of quiet motorcycles).

That would be a toss up in my book and would come down to price. Just as a reference, I bought my '06 down in Tennessee that had 17K on the clock with a Yoshimura exhaust back Dec of 2010 for $3800. Nice examples hold their value.

 

[Cincykz]

The black one is asking 4100, the red one wants my Buell, ad asking for 5k or trades.

Both stock. I'm thinking $3500 for the black one, or $3000 for the red one, or maybe my Buell and a few bucks on his end. A Buell just like mine but three years older sold on FB for $4k firm in about six hours this week.

I'm torn between the perfect color match, or the lower mileage black one...

 

[ST-DocLizard1]

The black one is asking 4100, the red one wants my Buell, ad asking for 5k or trades.

Both stock. I'm thinking $3500 for the black one, or $3000 for the red one, or maybe my Buell and a few bucks on his end. A Buell just like mine but three years older sold on FB for $4k firm in about six hours this week.

I'm torn between the perfect color match, or the lower mileage black one...

I usually try to start at the asking price less 10%. Cosmetic condition, age of the battery, tire age/tread, and when the valve check was done. Regarding the last item, I have never had the valve cover off of the '03 with 85K on the clock, but then again, I don't kick the crap out of the motor by bouncing it off of the rev limiter or doing wheelies. If both bikes are equal except for mileage, I would opt for black. The red is more common due to it being the shared color for '06 and '07.

 

[Cincykz]

Well, the red one was all dinged up, scratched, dented, and the sidestand was snapped off...

It's amazing what presents well in pictures. I think I will look at the black one, hopefully it's better because it's not as close.

 

[Sadlsor]

Well, the red one was all dinged up, scratched, dented, and the sidestand was snapped off...

It's amazing what presents well in pictures. I think I will look at the black one, hopefully it's better because it's not as close.

So much for "truth in advertising."

 

[Cincykz]

I've found a couple more red ones, but they're pretty far and 1 and almost 2k over bluebook, respectfully. I offered 3500 on the cheaper one, which is $300 under bluebook asking price, on a bike with 19k miles and no valve clearance check. The owner is firm at 4100.

There are two nice speed triples near me. An 09 with 5k, $6k, and a 15 with 1k for $8k. If I can't get into a 919 for around book value, I think I might spring for a SIII. I think it would be comfier than my supersport Buell, but wouldn't solve my hooligan problem...

 

[mello dude]

You mean something like this.
In the right hands 919 is a lot of fun, light, powerful and excellent handling. Mine has upgraded suspension though; front forks from F4i and fully adjustable Ohlins in the rear.
Last fall I did the Lake Michigan Circle Tour. Even with a aftermarket Sargent seat it was not a cushy ride. Hence the ST1100 in my garage as the stable mate to the 919. At my age, (52) I feel like I am 20-something again, I call her my hooligan bike. I find the ST more age appropriate, age as in less of an aches and pains after riding for a while, however there are people who have done the coast to coast on 919's too, go figure.
There is a huge following for the 919, check out Wristwistters.com
You can get hurt on any bike, its up to you how that happens

Quite a tastefully farkled 919... Curious, what is that fairing you have on there?

 

[Sadlsor]

I've found a couple more red ones, but they're pretty far and 1 and almost 2k over bluebook, respectfully.

I imagine Sellers recognize this is now officially riding season, at least in the Northern hemisphere.
To find your bike in your price range now, may well require superior negotiating skills AND a bit of patience.
Along with a degree of luck.
I wish you the best in your search!

 

[Jerbear]

Quite a tastefully farkled 919... Curious, what is that fairing you have on there?

Thank you, most of the farkles were added by a previous owner, a friend of mine. The windshield is a Givi A755/A756, pretty hard to come by these days.

 

[Al st1100]

prices will come down soon and in fall. Wait and see how long it's listed. Most Bike sales are made in March and April

 

[Cincykz]

I'm just waiting for the right 919 to show up. In the meantime, I'll keep riding my trusty 13 and probably sell the Buell.

Just got off the ST, it's a pretty damn good motorcycle. Exudes quality. Every time I ride it, I get this goofy thought of Japanese engineers wearing tuxedos, building MY bike. It's a gentleman's express.