No Speed Triple... but a nice consolation.

After riding the Speed Triple at a factory demo day I was hooked! I love the S3! I don't love the price so much... I'm not ready to put that kind of money on a bike so I had to go with a cheaper alternative....

The Honda 919. It's VERY similar to the S3 but cost 2/3 to 1/2 as much. I bought a low mileage used one for under $5k. Anyway, it's close enough to the S3 (performance, handling, comfort, uniqueness) to get me by for the next few years until I can come off the $$$ for a Triumph Speed Triple!

[gr8shandini]

I'm glad you like the new scoot. I have to wonder, though, why didn't you go for a used S3?

[cheapbastard]

I have to agree with gr8shandini, the 919 is only priced about $1500 under when you compare MSRP brand new to brand new. You can't compare a used 919 price to a new S3 price! :???: Glad to hear you got something you wanted, but you didn't compare apples to apples on the price there bud. :-D

Yes I did. I was looking for used on both bikes. Two problems with the S3... one was I couldn't find one and two was that even the used ones (that were too far away) were more than the $5000 that I had to spend. I don't care for the older ones. I was looking for the 02 and newer.

[desmoface]

Nice bike. It's got the old blade motor which is arguably the most reliable to ever grace a motorcycle. Definitely not lacking in power. Styling is a little bland, typical Honda. But, after owning a bunch of European bikes I find the comfort in knowing you have a bullet proof machine a breath of fresh air.

As far as performance, well, check out these videos; some of the best I've ever seen: http://www.drsardonicus.com/videodownloads.html

About half way down the page, starting with and including all the "mountain rider" videos...should erase any doubt about the 919's performance.

Steve

On 2006-05-11 07:01, amchev wrote:
After riding the Speed Triple at a factory demo day I was hooked! I love the S3! I don't love the price so much... I'm not ready to put that kind of money on a bike so I had to go with a cheaper alternative....

The Honda 919. It's VERY similar to the S3 but cost 2/3 to 1/2 as much. I bought a low mileage used one for under $5k. Anyway, it's close enough to the S3 (performance, handling, comfort, uniqueness) to get me by for the next few years until I can come off the $$$ for a Triumph Speed Triple!

[johnshumpert]

Yeah, you can find cheaper 2002 and better prices on a 919 versus the S3. That just lets me know the S3 holds its resale value better than the 919. But the 919 is an awesome bike. The looks are a little on the bland side, but you can mod the hell out of it and change all that, but it's still a good looking bike either way. It's very refined, wheelies like mad, handles well and plenty powerful.

I'm glad you like your new ride. I'm dying to have a new Speed Triple, and have to resist the urge daily to go buy a new one. I'm trying to save money though. Being responsible sucks sometimes...hehe.

- John

[cheapbastard]

On 2006-05-11 07:01, amchev wrote:
The Honda 919. It's VERY similar to the S3 but cost 2/3 to 1/2 as much.

That's not a price comparison, the actual fraction ratio is 17/20 the price of a new S3!!! :-D Like I said, glad your happy, you're just not comparing fairly. And you test rode the S3 and feel the 919 is very similiar? The 919 is a great bike, and great performer, but it doesn't touch the S3. I haven't ridden much of anything that will touch the torque and streetability that the S3 has. And I rode jap bikes for almost 11 years, and I'm a big Yamaha fan, but I'm just stating my opinion over the almost 12 years I've been riding. :-D