Its Finally come down to 2

  > >What started as a list of 6 bikes (3 cruisers, 3 standards) is now
  > >down to 2004 Honda 919 and 2003 or 2004 Kawasaki ZRX1200. Letting go
  > >of the Honda VTX1300C took awhile but the other two just seem more
  > >bike for the money. Here is my list of my subjective pros and cons
  > >please comment if I am off somewhere.
  > >
  > >'04 Honda 919
  > >Pros:
  > >Fuel injection, modern suspension, handling, easy access to oil
  > >filter, good power, like the exhaust look, lighter weight
 > snip
 >
 > And we care about this becaaaaaaause?

Geezus dude, if you don't care don't post. They sell decaf where you
live? I'm about to pull a $7,000+ trigger I'm trying to make the best
educated buying decision I can. I am trying to benefit from the
experience that resides here.
 >
 > Sheesh motorcycles are motorcycles. You put gas in them, turn the key
 > and go. Rest asasured whatever differences exist in your head are
 > ultimately irrelevant on the open road.

I guess I should just buy the cheapest thing I can find since
"motorcycles are motorcycles".

 > There's simply no place where
 > you could rationally explore the limitations of said machines without
 > being a damn fool. It's the feel when you're riding them that
 > ultimately matters most. This is why Hardleys despite their lame duck
 > performance sell so well.

Agreed.
 >
 > And spin-on oil filters aren't all they're cracked up to be. I wish
 > many a times I could simply pop out the cartridge and peek at the
 > folds to see if anything is amiss during an oil change.

Now see this is what I am posting for, thanks.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Its Finally come down to 2 

"Jim" <jvegas RemoveThis @vegas-blvd.com> wrote in message
news:fcf2144e.0402050951.41fc10ae@posting.google.com...
 > What started as a list of 6 bikes (3 cruisers, 3 standards) is now
 > down to 2004 Honda 919 and 2003 or 2004 Kawasaki ZRX1200. Letting go
 > of the Honda VTX1300C took awhile but the other two just seem more
 > bike for the money. Here is my list of my subjective pros and cons
 > please comment if I am off somewhere.
 >
 > '04 Honda 919
 > Pros:
 > Fuel injection, modern suspension, handling, easy access to oil
 > filter, good power, like the exhaust look, lighter weight
 > Cons:
 > Bars are a little short, engine as a part of the frame is just a bit
 > odd to me, needs new mirrors, would buy sport fairing +$85. I like the
 > look but not as much as the Kaw
 >
 > '03/'04 Kawasaki ZRX1200
 > Pros:
 > Great power, good looks, bikini fairing included, good low end torque,
 > nice seat
 > Cons:
 > Reliability(just from my readings), no spin-on oil filter, older rear
 > suspension
 >
 > Any comments from owners of these two or anyone who has ridden both?


Both good bikes but the kawasaki is a tank... 50 lbs more doesnt sound like
much but its huge in the handling dept.

Personally you need two bikes, a tank like one of those for cruizing at
light speed...and a light bike for hauling ass in the mountains, under 300
lbs.

Phil Scott<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Its Finally come down to 2 

Jim <jvegas.TakeThisOut@vegas-blvd.com> wrote in message
news:fcf2144e.0402050951.41fc10ae@posting.google.com...
 > What started as a list of 6 bikes (3 cruisers, 3 standards) is now
 > down to 2004 Honda 919 and 2003 or 2004 Kawasaki ZRX1200. Letting go
 > of the Honda VTX1300C took awhile but the other two just seem more
 > bike for the money. Here is my list of my subjective pros and cons
 > please comment if I am off somewhere.
 >

I think they look like 2 fine bikes. They Kaw's suspension is more
adjustable, some people can live with the 919's suspension, some cannot.
I have a 919, and if it was stolen or destroyed, I'd likely get another.
If I was a bit richer, I'd think about getting a Tuono, or a Multistrada,
hell, I would....

I'm very pleased with my 919. I think it's more comparable to the Z1000,
which I considered, but then I remembered that 2 of my four bikes were a
pain in the ass... the other 2 were Hondas.

Reassembler<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Its Finally come down to 2 

if you are condsidering a Honda 919 I suggest you look at a Yamaha FZ1,
fantastic machine! I have an 02 FZ1, of all the bikes I have owned in my
35 yrs of riding and owning both american and imports, The FZ1 is a
keeper. power, handling. comfort ect, sit on one, much more comfy than
both the Kaw and the Honda. just in case you are not up to date on the
naked bikes. the honda 919, the Kaw Zrx 1200 and the Suzuki sv1000 and
the Yamaha FZ1 the FZ1 was rated number one in the naked bikes for 3
years in a row by Motorcyclist Magazine.

Chet

Phil Scott wrote:
 > "Jim" <jvegas DeleteThis @vegas-blvd.com> wrote in message
 > news:fcf2144e.0402050951.41fc10ae@posting.google.com...
 >
  >>What started as a list of 6 bikes (3 cruisers, 3 standards) is now
  >>down to 2004 Honda 919 and 2003 or 2004 Kawasaki ZRX1200. Letting go
  >>of the Honda VTX1300C took awhile but the other two just seem more
  >>bike for the money. Here is my list of my subjective pros and cons
  >>please comment if I am off somewhere.
  >>
  >>'04 Honda 919
  >>Pros:
  >>Fuel injection, modern suspension, handling, easy access to oil
  >>filter, good power, like the exhaust look, lighter weight
  >>Cons:
  >>Bars are a little short, engine as a part of the frame is just a bit
  >>odd to me, needs new mirrors, would buy sport fairing +$85. I like the
  >>look but not as much as the Kaw
  >>
  >>'03/'04 Kawasaki ZRX1200
  >>Pros:
  >>Great power, good looks, bikini fairing included, good low end torque,
  >>nice seat
  >>Cons:
  >>Reliability(just from my readings), no spin-on oil filter, older rear
  >>suspension
  >>
  >>Any comments from owners of these two or anyone who has ridden both?
 >
 >
 >
 > Both good bikes but the kawasaki is a tank... 50 lbs more doesnt sound like
 > much but its huge in the handling dept.
 >
 > Personally you need two bikes, a tank like one of those for cruizing at
 > light speed...and a light bike for hauling ass in the mountains, under 300
 > lbs.
 >
 > Phil Scott
 >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Its Finally come down to 2 

 > the Yamaha FZ1 the FZ1 was rated number one in the naked bikes for 3
 > years in a row by Motorcyclist Magazine.
 >
 > Chet
 >


I would second the vote for the FZ1. I had a Honda 919 and one of my riding
partners had a FZ1 and we traded bikes quite a bit. The FZ1 was faster and
had better instrumentation along with the center stand. I did feel like the
919 was sportier to ride but there is something to be said for that R1
engine on the Yamaha. The resale on the Honda 919 isn't very good and the
bike shop that took it on trade when I traded it for a ZX12R still had it
sitting out in their lot four months later. Obviously both of these bikes
along with the ZRex are all great bikes and you will be happy whichever way
you go.

Dave Pedersen
03 Hayabusa<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Its Finally come down to 2 

 >From: "f100driv"

 >I would second the vote for the FZ1. I had a Honda 919 and one of my riding
 >partners had a FZ1 and we traded bikes quite a bit. The FZ1 was faster and
 >had better instrumentation along with the center stand. I did feel like the
 >919 was sportier to ride but there is something to be said for that R1
 >engine on the Yamaha. The resale on the Honda 919 isn't very good and the
 >bike shop that took it on trade when I traded it for a ZX12R still had it
 >sitting out in their lot four months later. Obviously both of these bikes
 >along with the ZRex are all great bikes and you will be happy whichever way
 >you go.

I thought I'd read through the responses before I chimed in.
Having not ridden the Honda all I can say is that from its looks and its
writeups Honda put together a rather cheap and uninspiring machine in the 919.
Of course it's a Honda and will surely be bullet proof.
I have a friend with an FZ1 and it's a nice enough bike. Very smooth for an
inline four everywhere in the rev range. Goofy upright riding position makes
getting sporty kinda...well goofy. Power is good, but it's all up top, not
nearly as spunky as my ZRX1200 when jacking the throttle below 7 or 8k RPMs.
The ZRX has a rather cheapo (if fully adjustable) suspension. Still it gives a
decent ride that doesn't get particularly shaken up as the pace picks up. Not
terrible, just not particularly plush (Score FZ1).
The power output of the motor for real world riding is the shit. The FZ1 can't
match it. From what I've read the 919 isn't even in the same league.
The ZRX motor is not as smooth throughout the range as the FZ1. There are a
couple of buzzy spots, one at between 4500-5000 RPM which can be a little
irritating during highway drones. Happiness is but a downshift away, but your
gas mileage will suffer.
The stock seat on the ZRX is a board, it was the first thing I changed.
The front end gets squirrely once the fun commences so I put a steering damper
on mine. Much less chaotic feeling these days.
Muzzy makes a bunch of fun stuff to hop up Kaws with though Yami has plenty of
aftermarket goodies too.
To provide full disclosure I must admit that my ZRX shed its cylinder lining at
14k miles. The folks at the mechanic shop said it was the first time they'd
seen it on one of their streetbikes, though they had a shop that repaired such
problems on their dirtbikes. They fixed mine and the bike is running great
again. Aside from that incident the bike has not been any problem.
To address Phil's critique of the weight I say horsedick. On a track at full
bore the added pounds may make some difference. On the street, the Kaw rulez.
If I even thought about digging out the lean angles I do with the Kaw, the FZ1
would have me sooo levered off the ground and into the hospital.
All the bikes are serious bangs for the bucks. IMO, you can't find better
values anywhere in motorcycledom.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Its Finally come down to 2 

Demetrius XXIV and the Gladiatores <nero RemoveThis @casaputana.it> wrote in message news:<o61520p0jnfid23phengl9mrm32fdngdem RemoveThis @4ax.com>...
 > On 5 Feb 2004 09:51:22 -0800, jvegas RemoveThis @vegas-blvd.com (Jim) wrote:

  > >What started as a list of 6 bikes (3 cruisers, 3 standards) is now
  > >down to 2004 Honda 919 and 2003 or 2004 Kawasaki ZRX1200. Letting go
  > >of the Honda VTX1300C took awhile but the other two just seem more
  > >bike for the money. Here is my list of my subjective pros and cons
  > >please comment if I am off somewhere.

 > And we care about this becaaaaaaause?

Because some of us remember when this used to be a motorcycle forum.

 > Sheesh motorcycles are motorcycles.

If that were the case, we'd all be riding Royal Enfields.

Jim, you'll find that the older suspension of the Z-Rex is actually
more responsive than you'd think by just looking at it. That said, the
Z-Rex is definitely more brutish and unrefined than the Honda. It is
more staid, but also more torquey. Personally, I think it looks better
than the Hornet. The aftermarket for the Z-Rex is huge, as well, with
everything from hard bags to Muzzy engine kits currently available.

Dem is correct in saying that both are fine motorcycles. But they are
inherently different with regard to performance and handling. Just
because he can't sense the nuances between the two bikes doesn't mean
you won't be able to.

Best of luck and happy riding,

Tim Kreitz
2003 ZX7R
2000 ZX6R
DoD #2184
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.timkreitz.com" target="_blank">http://www.timkreitz.com</a>
--------------------------------------------------
All I want is a fast sportbike and absolute power.
--------------------------------------------------<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Its Finally come down to 2 

Jim <jvegas.RemoveThis@vegas-blvd.com> wrote in message
news:fcf2144e.0402050951.41fc10ae@posting.google.com...
 > What started as a list of 6 bikes (3 cruisers, 3 standards) is now
 > down to 2004 Honda 919 and 2003 or 2004 Kawasaki ZRX1200. Letting go
 > of the Honda VTX1300C took awhile but the other two just seem more
 > bike for the money. Here is my list of my subjective pros and cons
 > please comment if I am off somewhere.
 >
 > '04 Honda 919
 > Pros:
 > Fuel injection, modern suspension, handling, easy access to oil
 > filter, good power, like the exhaust look, lighter weight
 > Cons:
 > Bars are a little short, engine as a part of the frame is just a bit
 > odd to me, needs new mirrors, would buy sport fairing +$85. I like the
 > look but not as much as the Kaw
 >
 > '03/'04 Kawasaki ZRX1200
 > Pros:
 > Great power, good looks, bikini fairing included, good low end torque,
 > nice seat
 > Cons:
 > Reliability(just from my readings), no spin-on oil filter, older rear
 > suspension
 >
 > Any comments from owners of these two or anyone who has ridden both?

Everyone has their own criteria for choosing one bike over the other. I have
not ridden the ZRX1200, but I can easily recommend the 919 based on my
experience. It is VERY comfortable and allows me to ride the 200+ miles
before the low fuel light comes on and not get sore anywhere. Handling is
very neutral in the corners and stable on the straights. Some of the
magazines whine about the suspension but it works fine for me and I'm 225
lbs with gear on. The 2004 models do get adjustable forks, a clock and a
second trip odometer. I did look at an FZ1, and thought it was slightly more
practical for commuting, but got such a great price on my 2003 919 that I
couldn't pass it up. Enjoy whatever you end up getting.

Martin<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Its Finally come down to 2 

Ever going to the track? Get the 919! Plan on any long trips / touring -
get the ZRX1200. Where do you do most of your riding and how big a rider we
talking about here? Do you need the extra cc's? Seems like the 919 would
be just a little more versitile for me.
John
 >> Stay informed about: Its Finally come down to 2 

Demetrius XXIV and the Gladiatores <nero RemoveThis @casaputana.it> wrote in message news:<o61520p0jnfid23phengl9mrm32fdngdem RemoveThis @4ax.com>...
 > On 5 Feb 2004 09:51:22 -0800, jvegas RemoveThis @vegas-blvd.com (Jim) wrote:
 >
  > >What started as a list of 6 bikes (3 cruisers, 3 standards) is now
  > >down to 2004 Honda 919 and 2003 or 2004 Kawasaki ZRX1200. Letting go
  > >of the Honda VTX1300C took awhile but the other two just seem more
  > >bike for the money. Here is my list of my subjective pros and cons
  > >please comment if I am off somewhere.
  > >
  > >'04 Honda 919
  > >Pros:
  > >Fuel injection, modern suspension, handling, easy access to oil
  > >filter, good power, like the exhaust look, lighter weight
 > snip
 >
 > And we care about this becaaaaaaause?
 >
 > Sheesh motorcycles are motorcycles. You put gas in them, turn the key
 > and go. Rest asasured whatever differences exist in your head are
 > ultimately irrelevant on the open road. There's simply no place where
 > you could rationally explore the limitations of said machines without
 > being a damn fool. It's the feel when you're riding them that
 > ultimately matters most. This is why Hardleys despite their lame duck
 > performance sell so well.

Yes! My Hardley isn't the quickest thing on the road, but it's quicker
than 99% of the cars on the road and will run with a 'vette up to
about 75 mph or so It's a simple tractor-like workhorse that'll be
around for the rest of my life.

 > And spin-on oil filters aren't all they're cracked up to be. I wish
 > many a times I could simply pop out the cartridge and peek at the
 > folds to see if anything is amiss during an oil change.

Totally agree. Cutting open spin on oil filters is a bitch. Another
plus: On my Honda I get to re-use the case over and over. On the
Hardley (and my two cars) I gotta throw a perfectly good metal case in
the trash every 5000 miles.

Rayvan<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Its Finally come down to 2 

the 919 is an older style engine. its the fireblade 900 engine. with fuel
injectors., but its probably built like a tank.

why would you buy a 919 then add fairings?

if you like the zx1200, have you seen the cbr1100?


"Jim" <jvegas.RemoveThis@vegas-blvd.com> wrote in message
news:fcf2144e.0402050951.41fc10ae@posting.google.com...
 > What started as a list of 6 bikes (3 cruisers, 3 standards) is now
 > down to 2004 Honda 919 and 2003 or 2004 Kawasaki ZRX1200. Letting go
 > of the Honda VTX1300C took awhile but the other two just seem more
 > bike for the money. Here is my list of my subjective pros and cons
 > please comment if I am off somewhere.
 >
 > '04 Honda 919
 > Pros:
 > Fuel injection, modern suspension, handling, easy access to oil
 > filter, good power, like the exhaust look, lighter weight
 > Cons:
 > Bars are a little short, engine as a part of the frame is just a bit
 > odd to me, needs new mirrors, would buy sport fairing +$85. I like the
 > look but not as much as the Kaw
 >
 > '03/'04 Kawasaki ZRX1200
 > Pros:
 > Great power, good looks, bikini fairing included, good low end torque,
 > nice seat
 > Cons:
 > Reliability(just from my readings), no spin-on oil filter, older rear
 > suspension
 >
 > Any comments from owners of these two or anyone who has ridden both?<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Its Finally come down to 2 

I didn't think it was the same R1 engine.


"f100driv" <f100drivnospam DeleteThis @earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:njEUb.13300$F23.12736@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net...
 >
  > > the Yamaha FZ1 the FZ1 was rated number one in the naked bikes for 3
  > > years in a row by Motorcyclist Magazine.
  > >
  > > Chet
  > >
 >
 >
 > I would second the vote for the FZ1. I had a Honda 919 and one of my
riding
 > partners had a FZ1 and we traded bikes quite a bit. The FZ1 was faster
and
 > had better instrumentation along with the center stand. I did feel like
the
 > 919 was sportier to ride but there is something to be said for that R1
 > engine on the Yamaha. The resale on the Honda 919 isn't very good and the
 > bike shop that took it on trade when I traded it for a ZX12R still had it
 > sitting out in their lot four months later. Obviously both of these bikes
 > along with the ZRex are all great bikes and you will be happy whichever
way
 > you go.
 >
 > Dave Pedersen
 > 03 Hayabusa
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Its Finally come down to 2 

I went through the EXACT same debate on the 919 and the ZRX1200R about a
year and a half ago. Read all the tests, etc.. I opted for the ZRX1200R.
One of the deciding factors for me was the tremendous support from the
owner's group at <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.zrxoa.org." target="_blank">www.zrxoa.org.</a> I didn't even have the ZRX or know anyone
personally, but people on this board invited me to a ZRX held BBQ and let me
ride a few of their bikes. VERY nice people! They even had a Z1000 on hand
so we could all ride that.

I also visited the 919 forum, and was somewhat concerned about the constant
complaints of exhaust fumes stinking up your jacket. Apparently, the
position of the rider and the exhaust tips can contribute to an aerodynamic
phenomenon. And yes I know, it doesn't happen on Ducati 916s, etc,, but the
aerodynamics are different. Not everyone reported this problem either.

The 919 has no underseat storage where the ZRX's storage is gigantic because
there is no single shock eating up that room. The room is truly huge, and
there is still room further back under the seat. The bike is heavy at about
540 lbs soaking wet, but it does not bother me, and the wide bars allow one
to throw it around. The 919 is no doubt even better in this regard. The
suspension on the ZRX is way too harsh at stock settings, but adjust it
according to the <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.zrxoa.org" target="_blank">www.zrxoa.org</a> Board, and it is much better. As already
stated, a ton of aftermarket parts for the thing, including Ohlins shocks.

The engine is excellent. Very strong at all speeds. Has just a 5 speed,
but could get by with 3. Not close ratio like the 919. The ZRX spins much
less rpm at cruising speeds. Despite that, roll-on power is eyeball
flattening. The fairing is more effective than you might think. Gas gauge
is not very accurate. Vibration is minimal. Gearbox is not good, mine
being clunky and nearly impossible to shift smoothly. Brakes are OK, not
super strong.

Handling is OK. Probably not as good as the 919. It is not the weight, but
more the suspension I think, as it is not that sophisticated. The precision
that my Yamaha YZF750 has is not there, but neither would I expect it to be.
More than anything, one has to be smooth with the ZRX. Careless inputs on
the bars at speed don't always sit well with it. The wide bars and ample
leverage are responsible I think.

The engine is easy to work on. Rockers slide to the side and shims come
right out. No "under the cam" shims here. The Kawasaki shop manual is one
of the best. While it is carbureted and not injected, there is also no
"on/off" syndrome either. The carbs are a bit lean however (California bike
in my case). The Kawasaki chain adjuster is nice.

The seat is not comfortable for me. But, the more I ride the bike, the more
I get used to it. The stock Bridgestone BT020 tires are OK, the rear in
particular as I have seen some ZRX riders go awfully fast on this tire. The
front is less inspiring, with many feeling the BT010 a better bet.

I rode with a few guys on ZRXs on backroads. Don't let anyone tell you the
bike can not go quickly. It can. Doodling around town works OK as well.

If the 919 had more storage space, came in the blue like it did in England,
and had some decent wind protection, it would have been harder to decide
between the two. Especially now since the 919 got some suspension
adjustment in this years model.

- Phil


"Jim" <jvegas RemoveThis @vegas-blvd.com> wrote in message
news:fcf2144e.0402050951.41fc10ae@posting.google.com...
 > What started as a list of 6 bikes (3 cruisers, 3 standards) is now
 > down to 2004 Honda 919 and 2003 or 2004 Kawasaki ZRX1200. Letting go
 > of the Honda VTX1300C took awhile but the other two just seem more
 > bike for the money. Here is my list of my subjective pros and cons
 > please comment if I am off somewhere.
 >
 > '04 Honda 919
 > Pros:
 > Fuel injection, modern suspension, handling, easy access to oil
 > filter, good power, like the exhaust look, lighter weight
 > Cons:
 > Bars are a little short, engine as a part of the frame is just a bit
 > odd to me, needs new mirrors, would buy sport fairing +$85. I like the
 > look but not as much as the Kaw
 >
 > '03/'04 Kawasaki ZRX1200
 > Pros:
 > Great power, good looks, bikini fairing included, good low end torque,
 > nice seat
 > Cons:
 > Reliability(just from my readings), no spin-on oil filter, older rear
 > suspension
 >
 > Any comments from owners of these two or anyone who has ridden both?<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Its Finally come down to 2