2007 Honda 919 vs. 6th gen VFR?

I've ridden neither yet but am close to buying either a new 2007 Honda 919 - a pretty amazing price massacre deal at $6,000 from a Baltimore dealer who's got several leftovers - or if I can test ride one, I might go for a 2007 -2009 VFR instead. (The Baltimore dealer said I can test a used 919 he's got).

I ride a Suzuki m50 now, am bored with the cruiser baraclounger and want to step it up powerwise without getting too crazy about it. And the 'standard' ergos that VFRs and the 919 offer seem like a better fit for a guy in his 50s!

Is there a big difference in the engine experience (sound/torque/power, etc.) between the V4 VFR and the inline 4 of the 919? The power specs are not all that different on paper, the engines are close to the same size. I have a feeling the V4 is going to be more awesome overall but it would be great to hear from those with experience riding both types of machines. I'm hoping the seat of the pants torque from either of these 4 cycliner machine is at least as good as the M50 vtwin. On paper at least it should be. Thanks for any insights.

 

being both Hondas you cant go wrong. the big thing that strikes me is the weather. naked bikes are utterly awesome in my books, but as a only bike in a cooler climate, its a no go for me, too cold even on 50 degree days. i want to streetfighter my zx10r and have my vfr for cooler inclimate days....

 

Here we go again! opcorn:

 

So Much Win! :biggrin:

 

Go with what feels good to you. All the options are great bikes. You will fall in love with the one that ends up in your garage.

 

Go with the 919; it doesn't have a vtec engine.

 

Don't listen to Jaime he does not have a VTEC engine....:biggrin:

 

Yo man, No doh! two different rides, yea both Honda so fit and finish is great, but that's where the two stop being in either ones league. I rode a friends 919 on a 200 miler, nice and simple a bit breezy compared to what I was use to but ok.. power delivery was just about the same, not a big difference the vfr engine is way linenier but I have to say the 919 has a pretty decent power plant, thing here is you can do better price wise, (98-02vfrs are great!) The VFR is bigger has longer legs, meaning it will take you places in style and comfort, you'll want off the 919 sooner, but for just popping around sat a tankful or two, the 919 is pretty good at it, it's way nimbler than the VFR, in fact a good rider has no problem getting the goods out of a 919 and IMO it can out handle the VFR. But the vfr is up the next notch or two in what the bikes are intended, if you like em simple the 919 is hard to beat, want a bit more for the open road VFR is a good way to go, I'd Brag up the V4 engine, but... especially if you stick with the gear driven versions. Bottom line, it's your money, if you can I say go take em for a spin. hard to go wrong with either one.

 

That's true. I don't mean to offend anyone, but I just get so pissed off at Honda when I think about the 6th gen VFR. All they had to do was keep the same powerplant as the 5th gen (maybe increase the HP a bit if they wanted to), throw on some fully-adjustable USD forks, a fully-adjustable rear shock, and update the styling a bit and the VFR would continue being Bike of the Year material. I don't know what they're thinking over there at Honda. I know this has been beat to death, but I've never vented about it on this forum, so this is my rant/thread hijack. Rant over. Yes, ride both and see which one you like. Many who own the 6th gen like it.

Oh yeah, my imaginary 6th gen would come with a rear hugger, like many other bikes have nowadays, and stainless steel brakelines.

 

Don't listen to Jaime he does not have forks on his bike now :biggrin:

http://vfrworld.com/forums/mechanics-garage/27298-race-teching-5th-gen.html

No offense taken Jaime. You make a good argument :cheersaf:

 

Had my 919 for 2 1/2 yrs. I always said, "the best, most fun bike I ever owned. Very fun to mod and make it your own. Good low end power, (a little better than the VFR), A "little" more nimble than the VFR, More upright than the VFR.....but I am glad I have a VFR in my garage now. It's just a better all around bike..Much smoother, supension and motor, better top end punch, looks better, much better wind protection, much better long distance running, sounds better. The Vtec is fun, it adds to the riding experence in mho. you wont go wrong with either.

 

Ditto on what everyone said. As far as price, beat the dealer up some more on that. A dealer on Long Island (New York) was selling them at $5,600 about 4 months ago.

 

I can only tell you the difference between a Harley Davidson (Softail - Dyna - Roadking), and the VFR ROCKS!!!

I know, useless information!