Well, this thread aged well. As much as I liked the 919, I found that it ended up being the bike that I rode too fast (you guys were right). I generally preferred the ST13 unless it was very warm out, or I wanted to play sport bike. I recently picked up a Sportster, and I find that I ride it about 50% slower than the hornet (no surprise there). I could see keeping three bikes if I was retired, but as it is I don't ride enough. Sold the CB900 to a kid from Utica last night. Sad to see it loaded up, but the guy was excited and I think he will enjoy it.
I would still recommend a 919 though, it was a very pretty, comfortable, and capable bike with no outright flaws.
Pros:
Honda quality, fit and finish
Simple (No SMC, all maintenance super easy)
Fast
Very nimble
Good ergos, although legs a little cramped compared to a big bike. (Felt like a cruiser coming off of a sport bike though)
Great power through the rev range, good stock exhaust note
Very quiet, smoothe air
Cons:
Ride quality, especially rear, was lacking. Suspension control over sharp bumps pretty jarring.
Shift quality and controls felt a step behind the best bikes I've owned. Certainly not bad, but not as good as my ST, my old kz650, or the newer HD products (surprisingly)
The buzz between 4 and 5k. Not terrible. It would be no problem if it was your only bike, but coming off of the glass smooth ST or the thumpy but not tingly HD, the first few minutes on the 919 I always said "wow this thing really buzzes" in my helmet.
More awkward at walking speed than the ST13. 1st gear/clutch out speed a little fast for my liking
Great bike, but I'm a bike ho I guess. Keeping with my reasonable trajectory, I'm sure my next bike will be a goldwing, an Electra glide, or a zx14r.