Well, it's not quite a 599...but almost!

[jmd]

I went and did the deed today. Found a 2005 Honda 919 in black (I love the black) and the guy gave me a price i couldn't refuse. I am truly in love with this bike.

Here are a few pics. Completely stock (not for long, of course :wink: ), with 2,045mi. They're not exactly glamour shots...but you get the idea.

(Oh, and Super Sneaky Steve...i must confess your videos did play a part in my wanting a 919. I had never seriously looked at one...never seen one in person...but your 919 vid made me notice this bike, started me researching it and found that it was just what i was looking for. Part sportbike, part streetfighter. Mmm, mmm. Thanks, bro! ;) )

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-10/1223801/IMG_3478.JPG

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-10/1223801/IMG_3469.JPG

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-10/1223801/IMG_3471.JPG

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-10/1223801/IMG_3474.JPG

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-10/1223801/IMG_3476.JPG

[Alex]

:rad That's awesome! Congrats on your purchase! Ride safe.

[stringburner]

It's a beauty! Congrats on the new bike. :D

[mechanic77]

Nice Bike dude and definitely the fastest color :P

[jmd]

Thanks, guys.

And apparently the '05-'06 models have adjustable front and rear suspension! :rad I had read several reviews (mostly of '02 and '04 models) and that was pretty much their biggest and only complaint...having non-adjustable suspension. So when i took this for a test ride and looked down and saw the fork damping adjustment knobs it cleared up the only real concern i might have had about this particular model bike. That being said, i might have to start a thread about preferred suspension settings for 599's and 919's...

(Oh, and although several reviews talked about some vibration through the handlebars at freeway speeds, i never really noticed it. As i said, they've come a long way in the last 10-15 years. Maybe it's noticeable compared to other modern bikes...but to me it's so little that it's pretty much a non-issue.)

[Super Sneaky Steve]

Hey, Awsome bike! It was a real hard decision for me to pick the red over the gloss black. They are both really cool colors.

I agree with you about the vibes. Not a problem at all for me. I think magazine testers just look for little things to complain about sometimes. This bike is perfect if you ask me.

The 04+ modles also have a new EFI map, four hooks under the seat instead of two, a digital clock, and all chrome guages.

Now I have a buddy to share 9er tips and tricks with. :D

[jmd]

So what's different in the new map? I'm curious...

The only teeny complaint that i might have is the way the throttle tends to come on and off when you're just trying to wheel around a parking lot on the transition from zero to just a little partial throttle. It's nothing that really bothers me, but has been something to get used to. But i've heard that's not unusual for a FI bike engine. Have you noticed anything like that with your bike?

Yeah, the red '06 models actually looked really nice. I'm not a huge fan of red, but the deep crimson really did make me stop and rethink getting the black for a minute.

So yours is a '06? I don't remember.

And while i'm on it (and because there's no 919 section in this place :wink: ), do you know the best place to get a fender eliminator, integrated rear light, and sliders (i kinda like the Sato ones)? I haven't really started looking yet, but if you have any recommended products or sites i'd like to hear about them.

[Super Sneaky Steve]

Yeah I have an 06.

I don't mind the jerkyness. My last bike was more jerky, but if you want to get rid of that get a Power Commander and that will fix you right up.

Frame sliders here http://www.motovationusa.com/mvstore/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=201

For fender elims you can buy a Jardine one for $80 or you can just cut your plastic one or make one like I did. It goes will with my clear alternatives tail light.

The newer maps are not as rich as the old ones.

There is a lot of 919 info here. http://www.wristtwisters.com/index.php

Although I like this site a lot more.

[rndthought]

...and all chrome guages.
I hate you. :D

[vthoky]

Nice Bike dude and definitely the fastest color :P

... Even my cruiser friends tell me black is the fastest color. (Maybe that's why I like it so much.)


For my other two-wheeled habits I had two mountain bikes a while ago, identical but for the color -- one red and one green -- green is definitely harder to ride for some reason. Sold 'em both and bought a black one. Far better, and faster to boot! :D

Congrats on the new wheels! Be safe out there.

[jmd]

Hey Steve...have you done the bafflectomy or heard a 919 with it done? I'm curious as to how it sounds compared to stock...

[Super Sneaky Steve]

I've heard it. Sounds like ass if you ask me. Keep in mind that the stock exhaust would cost you $700 to replace. Better keep them as is so you can go back to stock when you sell the bike. Or just sell them.

Save up for some slip on's. The best choices IMO are.....

Staintune (most expensive, best finnish, no tags, adjustable sound, never needs a repack, no rivits)

Sato (most popular, titanium, very loud)

Erion (black stainless, cheapest, good quality)

I bought some Staintunes. I'll have clips of it as soon as I get it which should be tomorrow. If I had a black bike. I'd get the Erion's because they are black and look really good on black bikes.

[599hornet]

the 2brothers "stash" can for the 919 is interesting, makes up for the lack of trunk space

Honda 919 “The StashTM” Slip-On Exhaust (http://www.twobros.com/cgi-bin/shopper?search=action&keywords=919stash&searchstart=0&template=Templates/TBRSearchResult-Simple-Hon-919-Stash.html)

[rndthought]

the 2brothers "stash" can for the 919 is interesting
Logical yet some how it's just dorky to have a non functional can. Here is how I increased the storage of my 599... Works like a charm and NOBODY will touch it. :D
http://gallery.mostvaluablenetwork.com/d/1815-1/JonPapelbonRookieHazingWalkingToBullpen.jpg

[jmd]

Augh!!! Get that picture out of my thread!

Yeah, the stash can is definately an innovative idea...but just because it can be done, doesn't mean it should. Ick. That's even worse than having fake vents on your car...

[Super Sneaky Steve]

Two Brothers is the worst. They make crap.

[antihero]

Two Brothers is the worst. They make crap.

Strong words. Bad experience? What do you recommend?

[Super Sneaky Steve]

I've seen a lot of TBR cans that corrode and look like junk in a few seasons. Usually people only make that mistake once. (I'll take a pic of my friends TBR if you wanna see it after a few seasons)

The best quality can's are the ones I listed above. The Staintune's and the Sato's. They don't make one for the 599 unfortunately.

Maybe you can find more info on the UK nest. If I had a 599 I would take a closer look at the Scorpion for it's sound, discount if you crash your bike, and not needing a repack (so they claim).

Most people won't keep their bike more than a year or two anyway, so it doesn't matter that much I guess. I plan to keep my 919 for a long time so I bought the best, I sure paid a lot for them though $800 for both.

[antihero]

[...]I'll take a pic [...]

I like pictures.

[rndthought]

I've seen a lot of TBR cans that corrode and look like junk in a few seasons.
Mine looks as good as the day it was delivered (`04 ) but I don't ride on salted roads or in the rain or through sprinklers or anywhere liquid water has collected. I've seen maybe a dozen other 2Bro cans and remember none (although I wasn't looking for it) looking bad. TO ME, the dinky dorky rolled tin can outlets on most other cans are a put off. The 2Bros outlet is about the size of a racket ball and looks nice, finished & mean. Different strokes for different folks :thumbsup

http://www.twobros.com/images/M2_Titanium.jpg

Really would like to hear some of these other cans live (over the internet is worthless), if I had to describe my 2Bro Ti can - at speed it sounds like a F1 race car and when lumping along it's a low growl. <even more useless than listening over the internet!!!!! :lol:

[599hornet]

Two Brothers is the worst. They make crap.

I'd like to see pictures of that too. I've had an erion (right after the split from 2brothers) and two 2brothers pipes and havent had any problems with any of them. Of course i keep my bikes clean so there is no opportunity for them to corrode

[Super Sneaky Steve]

Erion makes better stuff. That's why the one brother left. He left because he didn't think it was right to sell that kinda stuff.

If you like it that's all that matters. Ask around on other forums and see what you come up with.

[rndthought]

Mine looks...TO ME...Different strokes for different folks :thumbsup
What he said... :lol: :wink:

Sexy:
http://www.twobros.com/images/m2_flat_TI.jpg
Sexier:
http://www.twobros.com/images/m2_flat_CF.jpg
But hay I've already spent my $400+ and it's the only one I know frist hand (and now that Steve has trashed their whole product line I'll never be able to unload it :? ) The only other 599 I ran in to down here had the same setup so all combined maybe I'm biased. I love the way it sounds and I love the way it looks and I love the way it feels...but love is ever the fickle beast :twisted: still want to hear all the others live and in color. You never know... :P

[DarkTint]

Everyone's obviously got their own opinion, but I put over 12,000 miles on my 599 with a Two Brothers pipe without a quality problem, and a good friend of mine has had a 2Bros pipe on his YZF600 (which he got after seeing and hearing mine), and now currently has one on his F4i, and has no problems. I've also never met anyone on the street who hasn't been happy with theirs, nor have I ever read a bad thing about the quality of 2Bros pipes on any other forum. Once I start modding my 1000rr I'll be getting a Two Brothers carbon fiber slip-on for it.

The last thing I want to do is start (or continue) a pissing contest. I just thought I'd throw my two cents in to defend about a product that I've actually owned, since it was bashed by a person that hasn't.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v603/DarkTint/Honda%20599/599rightside.jpg

[rndthought]

So other than the obvious larger motor, what are the differences between the 599 and the 919? (I'm coming from the perspective of an '04 599)

[Super Sneaky Steve]

Everything is different. I won't say that one is better than the other. It comes down to preferance. Some technical differances are the EFI on the 900 and the adjustable suspension.

The 600 has a more frantic feel to it. It's lighter and makes you push it to go fast. Some say it feels faster even though it's not.

The 900 is more about torque. It redlines at 9.5k rpm and just pulls hard from the bottom of the rev range, although there's a hit at 5K. It's also a more stable bike.

Here is some good reading for you.
The 599
http://www.onewheeldrive.net/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=108&Itemid=126
The 919
http://www.onewheeldrive.net/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=105&Itemid=126
Which one they picked
http://www.onewheeldrive.net/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=109&Itemid=126

[rndthought]

...the 599 is your jittery, over-caffeinated friend, who’s buzziness makes even coffee a bit nervous...
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
This is SOOOOOOO true. I remember the first time I took it for a spin. Never got out of third gear, broke every speed limit in the states, experienced vision blurring tunnel vision under acceleration and when I jumped off my body was numb from the vibrations and jittery from the adrenalin (quite a change coming from a 650cc thumper!!). Today the tunnel vision is gone but I still jump off all numb and jittery.

Didn't realize that the 919 motor didn't rev that high... I don't do long trips, yet…(get ready you TN, NC, SC boys <gals?>) so for now winding the 599 out toward the mid teens and hearing the exhaust scream like it does... :P ...the change in sound between below 8k to over 12k is Dr. Jekyll / Mr. Hyde :twisted: But can see how it would quickly become a pain for anything other than going out to terrorize for a few hours at a pop. I'm shifting non-stop, my ears are ringing, hands cramping, neck strained, and I've had to stop and fill up twice but it’s all :D

Someday maybe I give the 919 a ride....it sounds a bit more mature. :naughty

[jmd]

From what i've heard it's pretty much the same chassis design and dimensions except that the 919 has a slightly longer wheelbase and about another 25-40lbs. And as Steve said it's EFI instead of carbs, and has adjustable preload and damping on both front and rear ('04 and up). Note that the review was of a earlier model before this updated suspension.

I can't really comment on how they ride differently, but i do know that the 919 feels very stable while riding. I wouldn't call it 'nimble' as it doesn't just fall into turns with a thought like other modern sportbikes do, but that being said it's very easy to maneuver and i have loved it on some of the twisties i rode yesterday. But i've never been on a bike this fast before. I feel like i don't even have time to look at the tach before i have to click to second gear, some more gas, and *voila* you're going 80...and i didn't even redline it or snap the throttle. The road gets short real fast if you're not careful. It has a few more hp than the 599, but a signficantly amount more torque. You really can ride around in almost any gear at any time and downshifts to pass are pretty much optional.

It might be *slightly* more effort to walk it around a driveway or parking lot as it does weigh a little more and some of that weight is up high (another gallon in the gas tank and another exhaust canister up high). But it's still a lot better than some of the older sportbikes i've had.

If you have any other questions feel free to speak up!

Edit: And in response to what rndthought said, the highway manners of the 919 are really great. The only change i would make for riding it on trips would be the addition of a windscreen (but i'd take if off to just ride around). There's really very little vibration in the bars and you can adjust the suspesion softer if you just want a nice comfy cruise. Oh, and it's around 4k rpm at around 65-75mph, so it's pretty quiet and laid back.

It's really a nice bike to just wheel around town as it never does anything unexpected. It's pretty tame unless you give that throttle a good, hard twist. Then you'd better hold on! :twisted:

[jmd]

onewheel drive wrote:
someone who holds onto a bike for several years, or you’re concerned about outgrowing your bike, the 919 offers a lot more to room grow.

That pretty much sums me up. I couldn't have said it better myself. I just didn't want to get a 599 and then wish it had more power to keep up with my gixxer buddies. I can't let them get too cocky now, can i? :twisted:

[antihero]

Maybe I'm just not demanding enough on a bike (still under a year riding) but I could ride all day on the 599 without ever going over 6 on the tach and still do freeway riding. That's what is great about this bike, I don't have to rev the hell out of it to ride but once I get comfortable enough with her, I can really twist her open.