Has anyone ever written or read a comprehensive comparison between the Honda 919 and the VFR? I know they are not exactly competitors, but I would be curious to see what someone has to say after riding them back-to-back. More specifically, I am curious about the 5th Gen VFR because of easier valve adjustments, and no VTEC.
Comparison Of Vfr800 To Cb919?
12 posts Started 29 Jul 2009 Last recovered post 6 Aug 2009 Wayback Machine snapshot 12 Jan 2011
I'd like to hear about this one too.
I had the early model '03 919, have you ridden a Bandit? same handling as a bandit, but slower. I have a fifth gen vfr now and it a far superior handler and is faster on the top end than the 919 was. ( I have revalved and sprung the vfr front, and run a wilbers in the rear). The second gen of the 919 added a little adjustability to the suspension. Think slow bandit, with bandit level handling not bad at all, but never really sharp. this is pretty much the culmination of the 750 nighthawk standard with a bigger motor. If I remember the rev limit was 9,500, the low end torque is just a bit better than the vfr though (ie 2-3300k) but hit 5,000 up and the v4 really outpaces it.
maint is easier on the 919, Less body work, 1 radiator etc.
It was a fine bike, boring as a stump think Nighthawk 750 but faster, or bandit 1200 but slower with worse throttle response.
I'll keep the vfr, there are probably fewer hornets around than viffers. so it does have that "whats that....oh, ok" kind or response when folks see it.
It really was just a modern big ujm if there ever was one...and thats not a bad thing.
maint is easier on the 919, Less body work, 1 radiator etc.
It was a fine bike, boring as a stump think Nighthawk 750 but faster, or bandit 1200 but slower with worse throttle response.
I'll keep the vfr, there are probably fewer hornets around than viffers. so it does have that "whats that....oh, ok" kind or response when folks see it.
It really was just a modern big ujm if there ever was one...and thats not a bad thing.
Awesome, thanks man. If I ever get one (600 or 919), I would have to get the flat black. Oh yeah.
Sounds like the 919 could use the "standard upgrades" that a lot of VFR's get, a PowerCommander + major suspension improvements, and that would go a long way towards improving the thing. I do wonder what all could be done about the power deficit in the top half of the rev range though, probably a full exhaust system and maybe some airbox mods with a K&N plus the already mentioned PC.
No personal experience but when I had a superhawk we had a few crossover owners on that forum. Their main complaint was that it was a budget bike with little character. One guy complained about exhaust smell contaminating his clothes. Never heard a 6gen owner, myself included, say that. Must be different aerodynamics at play. FWIW
Trickster is very dead on -I have an 02 VFR and had 03 919-totally UJM but fun for shooting around town. Terrible on freeway- grearing was not designed for that and many owners changed over the last sprocket because of it. All that being said it was very fun for me-I grew up on many of 70s UJM and it took me back to the days when everything was simpler and all you wanted to do sometimes is hit the "on" and go!
The can be found for a steal most of the time on ebay...
The can be found for a steal most of the time on ebay...
[image: View Post]FotoMoto, on Jul 29 2009, 04:17 PM, said:
No personal experience but when I had a superhawk we had a few crossover owners on that forum. Their main complaint was that it was a budget bike with little character. One guy complained about exhaust smell contaminating his clothes. Never heard a 6gen owner, myself included, say that. Must be different aerodynamics at play. FWIWI remember reading that sort of complaint, there's a weird aero issue causing that for riders of average height it seemed, different cans seemed to help for those that had the issue. The nice thing is how the tail section of the 919 doesn't make some aftermarket cans look quite as odd as they can on the 6th gen VFR.
My buddy has a 919, I've ridden both bikes back to back. The power really seems similar as far as seat of the pants.
1. Once the 919 hits about 100mph you've had enough, the wind blast is just too much, you really feel the pull on your arms. On the other hand the 919 is nice because it doesn't have a fairing, it's amazing how much of a blessing and a burden the fairing is!! (The 100 mph comment can be translated into a 1 hour 70 mph highway ride, same effect)
2. The 919 sounds like any other run of the mill inline 4. The VFR of course is a growling beast.
3. I really expected a lot more power first because the 919 is 137 cc's bigger and second because it's lighter, but really the power is similar. (That just shows what an excellent engine the VFR has).
4. Both bikes run the twisties about the same. The VFR feels better to me most likely because I'm used to it, but really I think the extra weight makes it sail through the corners and hold it's own like a bullet.
In the end, I of course choose the VFR and so does my buddy, but he is just a little financially challenged right now and can't swing the extra insurance cost. For me the VFR is cheap to insure but for him the premium is a lot higher.
1. Once the 919 hits about 100mph you've had enough, the wind blast is just too much, you really feel the pull on your arms. On the other hand the 919 is nice because it doesn't have a fairing, it's amazing how much of a blessing and a burden the fairing is!! (The 100 mph comment can be translated into a 1 hour 70 mph highway ride, same effect)
2. The 919 sounds like any other run of the mill inline 4. The VFR of course is a growling beast.
3. I really expected a lot more power first because the 919 is 137 cc's bigger and second because it's lighter, but really the power is similar. (That just shows what an excellent engine the VFR has).
4. Both bikes run the twisties about the same. The VFR feels better to me most likely because I'm used to it, but really I think the extra weight makes it sail through the corners and hold it's own like a bullet.
In the end, I of course choose the VFR and so does my buddy, but he is just a little financially challenged right now and can't swing the extra insurance cost. For me the VFR is cheap to insure but for him the premium is a lot higher.
there were some bikini, fairings that would hep out the 919 a ton, I used the large national smoked flyscreen on mine and if you mount it right it will make most of the wind hit shoulders and up and really cuts the fatigue.
have him look at a bandit s, he may be able to find one cheap ish, and the ins should be in the standard catagory, both these bikes should be listed as standards not sport bikes, so shop for ins. company that sees them as a standard.
yea it was a bigger motor, but it pretty much ran out of air at about 8k, (a good thing they break at high revs)
DO NOT try to hot rod a 919!!!!!!!! (a pc and exhaust is ok but only to smooth out the throttle) The cam profile and timing really limit the breathing on these things anyway.
they had cast pistons, and cast cams!, and a weak cam chain tensioner!!!! they gave no real trouble as they were but they had a 9,500 rev limit for a reason.
have him look at a bandit s, he may be able to find one cheap ish, and the ins should be in the standard catagory, both these bikes should be listed as standards not sport bikes, so shop for ins. company that sees them as a standard.
yea it was a bigger motor, but it pretty much ran out of air at about 8k, (a good thing they break at high revs)
DO NOT try to hot rod a 919!!!!!!!! (a pc and exhaust is ok but only to smooth out the throttle) The cam profile and timing really limit the breathing on these things anyway.
they had cast pistons, and cast cams!, and a weak cam chain tensioner!!!! they gave no real trouble as they were but they had a 9,500 rev limit for a reason.
Not sure if it helps but this is what I wrote when I tested one at Fontana ama track a while back, you can see the other bikes we had. I am one of those guys that likes to pretend my VFR is a big comfy sportbike so I prefer that over a little standard.
The matte black Honda 919 was next. My first impression was how machinelike and crisp this bike felt while performing all of its duties. Handling was fast and sharp and the brakes were appropriate. The motor lacked the Tyson punch of the FZ-1 and ZRX but was very linear and predictable, gently trailing off as the red approached. All in all a very well put-together ride.
The matte black Honda 919 was next. My first impression was how machinelike and crisp this bike felt while performing all of its duties. Handling was fast and sharp and the brakes were appropriate. The motor lacked the Tyson punch of the FZ-1 and ZRX but was very linear and predictable, gently trailing off as the red approached. All in all a very well put-together ride.
I have an 02 matte black CB 919 and an 02 VTEC and also owned a 4 gen,and for a brief period a 5 gen.
All the VFRs are superior to the CB919.I like naked bikes and the CB is a great all rounder.Commute,sunday rides,tour.The VFRs are more sportier so commuting isnt what i would use it for.As the plastic and VTEC would make it more work to maintain if you put a lot of miles on it.Also more susceptible to tip over damage and theft.CB has adequate power,brakes,suspension,and comfort.Also about a thousand dollars cheaper on the used market.You could go with a PC3,race tech springs /vavles, shock and better seat but you'd be in for a couple of grand more.
Bottom line is the CB is a good value if you love the way it looks and could make it a monster with some money but the VFR is better at most things out of the box.I love V4 motors they just do it for me.Unfourtunatley the VTEC acts ,ore like an I4 than a V4 as you have to keep the revs up to get power.If you want a Sunday scratcher/sport tourer,nice day commuter, I think the 5 gen is the best of the lot.Hope the 7gen will restore my faith in Hondas V4s!
All the VFRs are superior to the CB919.I like naked bikes and the CB is a great all rounder.Commute,sunday rides,tour.The VFRs are more sportier so commuting isnt what i would use it for.As the plastic and VTEC would make it more work to maintain if you put a lot of miles on it.Also more susceptible to tip over damage and theft.CB has adequate power,brakes,suspension,and comfort.Also about a thousand dollars cheaper on the used market.You could go with a PC3,race tech springs /vavles, shock and better seat but you'd be in for a couple of grand more.
Bottom line is the CB is a good value if you love the way it looks and could make it a monster with some money but the VFR is better at most things out of the box.I love V4 motors they just do it for me.Unfourtunatley the VTEC acts ,ore like an I4 than a V4 as you have to keep the revs up to get power.If you want a Sunday scratcher/sport tourer,nice day commuter, I think the 5 gen is the best of the lot.Hope the 7gen will restore my faith in Hondas V4s!
End of thread · 12 posts recovered Wayback Machine snapshot 12 Jan 2011