Honda 919 vs. BMW R1150R edition 80

[Tan Rezaei]

Hi everyone,

I have never posted on the forum and I could really use your input. I
have been riding on and off for about 4 years now but I am still
pretty novice. I started with a Honda Nighthawk 750 which I loved and
I sold for the dumbest reason. Now I am ready for a new bike and I
can't decide between the Honda 919 and the BMW R1150R Edition 80.
Please ignore the price difference as I would be buying the BMW used
but the Honda new so the cost would be almost the same (BMW would
still be about $1000-$2000 more).

Here is my priorities, I don't like the crouching feeling of
supersports bikes, I like the more relaxed sports bikes that you can
ride for a few hours with someone on the back and feel comfortable.
The bike has to be a good looking bike of course and I really like the
Naked look of both of the bikes. In fact even looks wise I can't
decide which one I like more. Of course the BMW comes with ABS, and
amazing craftsmanship + 2 years left of the warranty, the BMW drive
train, grip warmers.

So I wanted to hear from owners of both bikes to see which one they'd
recommend and for what reasons. And if you have another bike in mind
below or around $10K that I should know about please let me know. I
want to keep my next bike for around 5 or so years so I want to pick a
good one.

Thanks in advance

T

[M. J. Freeman]

Post by Tan Rezaei
Of course the BMW
comes with ABS, and amazing craftsmanship + 2 years left of the
warranty, the BMW drive train, grip warmers.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

You say that like it's a good thing.

[Chris Cavin]

Post by M. J. Freeman
You say that like it's a good thing.

I rode a friend's BMW once and found that he was indeed correct in describing
the transmission as "crunchy". :)

-Chris-

[Chris Cavin]

Post by Tan Rezaei
So I wanted to hear from owners of both bikes to see which one they'd
recommend and for what reasons.

Here's what I posted about my 919 in a different thread in response to a
question regarding a good handling, comfortable bike:

"IMO the Honda 919 fits that to a tee. It's lighter than the other bikes in
its class, has ample grunt (It feels as quick as my 929 below 100 mph), has
very good looks (if you're into naked bikes), had very comfortable ergos (I'm
6'2"/210 lb and never feel cramped), is very stable (never had a head shake
or anything close to it) and handles as well as my 929 when you neglect
frame/swingarm flex which really doesn't enter the equation until you've hit
8/10ths or more. It's nimble and quick-steering and easy to toss around. I
don't find the wind blast objectionable at all below 60 mph and it's not
really all that terrible up to 80 mph. What you give up in wind protection
you gain back in smooth, unturbulent airflow. My hemlet is suddenly much
quiter without the turbulent layer of air coming off the windscreen hitting
me at chin level.

"Downside? It's said that the front end feel isn't the best, but I've never
found it to be a problem. The steering can get a little heavy if you keep
your tires inflated under 35 psi like many do. I find it steers and flicks
much better with 35f/40r to 40f/45r inflation pressures. The seat isn't the
greatest, but its better than most sportbike seats and offers a lot of room
to move around in. It's an easy thing to replace in any case. Storage sucks
with the under-tail exhaust, but there are bungee hooks that fold out from
under the seat to help in that regard. Springing is a bit soft, but I've
never pushed it hard enough to really make that an issue. If you threshold
brake on a regular basis you'll probably want to put in stiffer fork springs
to prevent bottoming."

-Chris-

[Timberwoof]

Post by Tan Rezaei
Hi everyone,
I have never posted on the forum and I could really use your input. I
have been riding on and off for about 4 years now but I am still
pretty novice. I started with a Honda Nighthawk 750 which I loved and
I sold for the dumbest reason. Now I am ready for a new bike and I
can't decide between the Honda 919 and the BMW R1150R Edition 80.
Please ignore the price difference as I would be buying the BMW used
but the Honda new so the cost would be almost the same (BMW would
still be about $1000-$2000 more).
Here is my priorities, I don't like the crouching feeling of
supersports bikes, I like the more relaxed sports bikes that you can
ride for a few hours with someone on the back and feel comfortable.
The bike has to be a good looking bike of course and I really like the
Naked look of both of the bikes. In fact even looks wise I can't
decide which one I like more. Of course the BMW comes with ABS, and
amazing craftsmanship + 2 years left of the warranty, the BMW drive
train, grip warmers.
So I wanted to hear from owners of both bikes to see which one they'd
recommend and for what reasons. And if you have another bike in mind
below or around $10K that I should know about please let me know. I
want to keep my next bike for around 5 or so years so I want to pick a
good one.
Thanks in advance
T

The Honda 919 looks to me like a really big CB-1, which was my first
bike. My second bike is an R1100GS, sort of a bigger, older brother to
the R1150R.

Can you take the Honda for a rest ride? Try this: ride it down a bumpy
road and apply the brakes. Do that harder. Now try it on the BMW. I
loooove the BMW's Telelever front suspension.

[Larry]

Post by Tan Rezaei
So I wanted to hear from owners of both bikes to see which one they'd
recommend and for what reasons. And if you have another bike in mind
below or around $10K that I should know about please let me know. I
want to keep my next bike for around 5 or so years so I want to pick a
good one.

I ride a 2002 919 (#114), and I'm very pleased with it (also have an
Aprilia Falco and an Interceptor 500). It's stock except for a bolt-on
windshield and Ventura rack system. I've also ridden all the BMW
models several times each at one of the local BMW dealers.

From the viewpoints of reliability and overall quality, I would love
to have a BMW. I am determined that my next bike bought will also be
kind to my 57 yo, 6'3" back and knees, and it will definitely have
ABS. But two things mitigate against the R1150R from my viewpoint: the
vibration and relative lack of power of the engine, and BMW's
non-standard control placement. If BMW ever trims some of the fat off
their 4-cyl. bikes and offers standard controls, I'll have the
checkbook out in a flash.

If you only ride one bike, the controls may not matter to you, of
course.

The 919 is a great, bulletproof standard, with an excellent engine.
Add aftermarket pipes for a little more sound, and it's a tough
package to beat. The BMW probably has better brakes, but it's also
got more weight to stop. And in other performance categories, the 919
wins hands-down.

The competitors you might consider include the V-Stroms (I'm
considering the 650 as a backup bike). I think the 919 is a more
utilitarian, better-rounded real world bike than the FZ-1 and 6 and
the KZ-1000.

Happy shopping!
-- Larry

[Timberwoof]

Post by Larry

Post by Tan Rezaei
So I wanted to hear from owners of both bikes to see which one they'd
recommend and for what reasons. And if you have another bike in mind
below or around $10K that I should know about please let me know. I
want to keep my next bike for around 5 or so years so I want to pick a
good one.

I ride a 2002 919 (#114), and I'm very pleased with it (also have an
Aprilia Falco and an Interceptor 500). It's stock except for a bolt-on
windshield and Ventura rack system. I've also ridden all the BMW
models several times each at one of the local BMW dealers.
From the viewpoints of reliability and overall quality, I would love
to have a BMW. I am determined that my next bike bought will also be
kind to my 57 yo, 6'3" back and knees, and it will definitely have
ABS. But two things mitigate against the R1150R from my viewpoint: the
vibration and relative lack of power of the engine, and BMW's
non-standard control placement. If BMW ever trims some of the fat off
their 4-cyl. bikes and offers standard controls, I'll have the
checkbook out in a flash.

Lack of power? 85hp isn't enough? How much power do you need?

As for the controls, they make you look like a spaz for the first
half-hour, but then you get used to it. I and most other Beemer riders
never cease to be amazed at the amount of negative press the controls
get.

Post by Larry
If you only ride one bike, the controls may not matter to you, of
course.

There is that.

Post by Larry
The 919 is a great, bulletproof standard, with an excellent engine.
Add aftermarket pipes for a little more sound, and it's a tough
package to beat. The BMW probably has better brakes, but it's also
got more weight to stop. And in other performance categories, the 919
wins hands-down.
The competitors you might consider include the V-Stroms (I'm
considering the 650 as a backup bike). I think the 919 is a more
utilitarian, better-rounded real world bike than the FZ-1 and 6 and
the KZ-1000.
Happy shopping!
-- Larry

[texdays]

Post by Tan Rezaei
Hi everyone,
I have never posted on the forum and I could really use your input. I
have been riding on and off for about 4 years now but I am still
pretty novice. I started with a Honda Nighthawk 750 which I loved and
I sold for the dumbest reason. Now I am ready for a new bike and I
can't decide between the Honda 919 and the BMW R1150R Edition 80.
Please ignore the price difference as I would be buying the BMW used
but the Honda new so the cost would be almost the same (BMW would
still be about $1000-$2000 more).
Here is my priorities, I don't like the crouching feeling of
supersports bikes, I like the more relaxed sports bikes that you can
ride for a few hours with someone on the back and feel comfortable.
The bike has to be a good looking bike of course and I really like the
Naked look of both of the bikes. In fact even looks wise I can't
decide which one I like more. Of course the BMW comes with ABS, and
amazing craftsmanship + 2 years left of the warranty, the BMW drive
train, grip warmers.
So I wanted to hear from owners of both bikes to see which one they'd
recommend and for what reasons. And if you have another bike in mind
below or around $10K that I should know about please let me know. I
want to keep my next bike for around 5 or so years so I want to pick a
good one.
Thanks in advance
T

I'm old so I don't like the bent back knees of the 919. I don't like the
ergos of the 1150 either. I bought a vstrom 1000. check them out.

[Larry]

Post by texdays
I'm old so I don't like the bent back knees of the 919. I don't like the
ergos of the 1150 either. I bought a vstrom 1000. check them out.

Since I've been considering the baby V-strom, on our ride to lunch on
ride to work day yesterday, I swapped rides with a fellow, my 919 for
his V-strom 1000.

The V-strom was totally unlike any other bike I've ridden in my 41
years on two wheels.

Good points:

1. Great, cushy seat and riding position.
2. Excellent visibility from the high seating position.
3. Excellent transmission, short throws, positive neutral selection.
4. Tons of cornering clearance.

Bad points:

1. Lots of vibration through everything but the seat.
2. Considerably less "go" than my 919.
3. High center of gravity -- much more nottceable than the BMW 1150GS,
for example.
4. Absolutely zero steering feedback -- no resistance whatsoever to
steering input.

This last point, frankly, scared the shit out of me, and almost put me
on the ground while puttering initially in the parking lot. The bike
felt like an over-steering race car, or like a car with power
steering driving on ice. With the very wide bars, you really have to
steer in very small, precise increments. I found myself constantly
correcting while going through twisties.

The V-strom owner, of course, had the opposite reaction to my 919 --
he felt like he couldn't get it to turn in. I find the 919 to be very
nimble, more so than my Falco or any of the other bikes I've ridden
lately.

BTW, the V-strom owner is an inveterate Iron Butt-er, who rides this
bike all over the country at a whim. I don't understand how he can
possibly do those distances on a bike this touchy, but he does.

Do other V-stroms share this trait, or is this unique?

-- Larry (crossing the V-strom off his wish list...)

[Tan Rezaei]

What do you guys this of the Aprilia Tuono ? 126 HPs. Although it
doesn't look very comfortable. I am also looking into the new Moto
Guzzi Scheduled for release in Sept. Man now I have soooo many
choices. When you hit the $10K limit the doors all open wide don't
they. Although I have to say that I have heard nothing but great
things about the 919 so far and its the cheapest player in the bunch.
What kind of Exchaust would you recommend for that bike and how much
will it cost including install?

thanks

[M. J. Freeman]

Post by Tan Rezaei
What do you guys this of the Aprilia Tuono ? 126 HPs. Although it
doesn't look very comfortable. I am also looking into the new Moto
Guzzi Scheduled for release in Sept. Man now I have soooo many
choices. When you hit the $10K limit the doors all open wide don't
they. Although I have to say that I have heard nothing but great
things about the 919 so far and its the cheapest player in the
bunch. What kind of Exchaust would you recommend for that bike and
how much will it cost including install?
I have been riding on and off for about 4 years now but I am still
pretty novice.

I'd vote a big "No" on the Tuono. And which Guzzi are we talking? A
Breva, maybe. A Cafe Sport or such? Probably not.

And I wouldn't slap an exhaust on there too soon. I know lots of
folks immediately put a slip-on on their new bike, but personally, I
think it's a waste to do that before you're ready to get the carbs
properly sorted. As in with a Dyno.

[Chris Cavin]

Post by Tan Rezaei
What kind of Exchaust would you recommend for that bike and how much
will it cost including install?

I've heard good things about the Sato slip-on cans. They look the best IMO:

http://www.919.org/sato/

available here:

http://www.kyleusa.com/catalog/sato_racing_exhaust_slip-ons_2030625.htm

-Chris-

[Desmoface]

if you want to see some cool 919 video footage check out www.drsardonicus.com
watch some of the "series" vid's and the trailors are cool too..

steve
00sv6fity