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How Long Do Honda 919s Last? (5 Examples)

The Honda 919, the second generation of the Honda CB900F, is a standard or naked bike built around a sportbike engine. 

Unlike the Fireblade it took its motor from, the 919, or the Honda Hornet in Europe, has an upright seating position and revised gearing, down-tuned to split the difference between a cruiser and a sportbike. 

Its untapped potential makes the 919 one of the most reliable bikes on the market, but just how long does a Honda 919 last? 

Find out in this article.

Here’s the Short Answer to How Long a Honda 919 Lasts:

A Honda 919 will likely last well over 70,000 miles, providing its well kept. A properly ridden, serviced, and maintained 919 is over-prepared for the commuting it’s intended for thanks to the fact its sportbike engine, down-tuned for efficiency, increasing longevity and reliability.

How Many Miles Do You Get on a Honda 919?

You can get over 70,000 miles on a Honda 919, providing it’s ridden according to its intended purpose. Honda designed it to be a commuter bike but gave it a Fireblade motor, an engine that has enough power to run a track-ready race bike. More than enough power means the 919 is never overworked, increasing its lifespan past the projected naked bike lifespan of 25,000 miles.

Please don’t take our word for it. Here are 5 real-life examples straight from the mouths of 919 owners:

  1. 37,000 miles- A couple of shims required at the 32K valve check. Wheel bearing at 37K. Chain replaced at 24K. Brake pad replaced at 31K
  2. 45,486 miles- Same wheel bearing as previously mentioned. No valves needed yet. Through second chain already. Brakes pads—the normal [maintenance] stuff.
  3. I typically put 1,000 miles a month on the bike. I went almost a month with a bad speed sensor, so I have 28,000 – 29,000 miles on the bike. 30,000 will come before the end of July.
  4. 67,822 miles on my ’02. Two chains, four sprockets. Plugs at 47,000 miles. One battery. Front brake pads every 12,000 miles like clockwork. Five rear tires. Six front tires. Rear wheel bearings at 46,000 miles. Roughly 1,650 gallons of fuel.
  5. 94,448 miles. On my third set of bearings front and rear. Forth chain. Third set of pads front and rear. Replaced the front brake switch that stopped working.  Forth headlight bulb. Third set of spark plugs. Changed 2 valve shims at 85k kms. Lots of fuel and oil. Original equipment includes:

-battery :idunno:

-FPR

-stator

-head bearings

-swing-arm bearings

-water pump

-all fuses

Check the stats on that last one. Almost 100,000 miles on a naked bike! Keep that figure in mind as you move on to the section below.

What Is Considered High Mileage for These Models?

The used market considers a Honda 919 to be high mile after 25,000 miles simply because it’s a naked bike. The market finds all standard bikes high mile because they are popular choices for stunt riders. A well-kept and responsibly ridden 919 will far outlast that figure. 

Sure, once your 919 crosses the 35-45k mile threshold, there may be a component here or there that’s endured some general wear and tear and needs replacement.

  • The cost of replacing most of these components isn’t expensive, providing you keep up with your services and adjust/maintain/replace the parts as needed. 
  • If you keep up with the general service maintenance, storage and ride your 919 responsibly, it can last well over the 25k projection—over 100,000 miles in some cases.

I know what you’re thinking; if my 919 will last longer than 100k, why does the used market consider the Honda 919 high mileage after 25,000 miles?

  • The 919 is intended to be a high-performance naked bike, ideal for commuting. 
  • That said, the fact is that for most naked bike riders, motorcycling is a hobby, not a common means of transportation.
  • Therefore, there are myriad naked bikes available online with low miles, making a 919 that’s ridden and enjoyed for over 20,000 miles high mileage in relation to the slew of 5K used standards available online. 

That said, low mileage doesn’t translate to good condition.

A Honda 919, or any naked bike for that matter, could have sat unused for extended periods, dry rotting in the garage while a daily-driver 919 with 35k gets flushed with fresh fluids once a month since it’s used regularly.

Related: 6 Most-Common Problems With The Honda Hornet

How Many Years Does a Honda 919 Typically Last?

Honda 919 can last longer than 10–15 years, though its predecessor, the 900F, was known to far outlast that benchmark. Since the 919’s engine is overpowered for the task of running a commuter bike, it will probably last even longer. 

First, it’s essential to have a general idea of how many miles an average 919 ripper tends to put on their motorcycle in a year.

The average yearly mileage the naked rider covers on their motorcycles is between 3,000-5,000 miles.  

  • When window shopping for a used 919, keep this figure in mind and deduce how often the previous owner rode it or if it sat unused for long periods.
  • While a daily commuter tends to incur miles more than a seasonal hobby bike, it also has an increased chance of being serviced regularly. 
  • A Honda 919 that’s ridden and serviced regularly will last longer than one that sits with stale fluids.

Still, the only natural way to determine how many years a Honda 919 will last is to peep into the maintenance history. A well-serviced Hornet can last for years after its projected expiration date, while an inadequately serviced one will have its lifespan cut into fractions. 

Honda 919s that are ridden, stored, and maintained responsibly can last for decades. 

One of the primary considerations used moto-shoppers look into is the 919’s odometer reading; mileage is not the clear-cut indicator of how many years a bike will last. People tend to believe it to be.

I’d take 919 with high miles that’s been maintained per the service schedule in the owner’s manual before I’d consider buying one that’s sat around rotting, thus with low miles on the clock. 

Hondas are built to last, and the 919 seems to live up to that reputation.

Is the Honda 919 Reliable?

The 919 is one of the most reliable naked bikes in the high-displacement standard class. It starts dependably and, if well kept, stays on the road more than it’s in the shop. For the rare occasions a 919 won’t start, Honda mounts the throttle body on the fast idle knob. Most never have to use it. 

As we’ve mentioned above and will touch on again in the following section, the 919’s engine is an overqualified powerhouse. 

There’s no question that the 919 has the efficient force to commute, both when slicking up the city streets and ripping down the highway. 

Its overpowered motor not only offers a smooth ride that is comfortable to take on long distances, but it also increases the bike’s reliability. Its de-tuned engine barely has to wake up to power this puppy, making it one of the most reliable bikes in its class.

Related: How Long Do Honda Hornets Last? 4 Examples

Does a Honda 919 Last Longer Than Other Motorcycles?

The Honda 919 is one of the longest-lasting motorcycles in its class. Remember, Honda ripped the 919’s motor straight off the frame of a track-bike built to clear 175 mph on the regular.

In the 919, it’s down-tuned and given a less dramatic gear ratio. Therefore, the engine is overqualified for basic commuting, meaning it’s never overworked.

An overqualified motor incurs less wear and tear, increasing its longevity well past the projected naked-bike-projections of 25,000 miles. 

And while the 25k figure isn’t accurate for most of the modern standard motos, it can’t be further from the truth with the Honda Hornet 919.

What Typically Breaks First on a Honda 919?

On a Honda 919, some of the first parts to wear out are:

  • Chain/Sprockets
  • Dead Battery
  • Valve Service
  • Regulator/Rectifier
  • Brake Pads
  • Fork Seals
  • Clutch Plates

The cost of replacing most of these components isn’t expensive, providing you keep up with your services and adjust/maintain/replace the parts as needed. 

If you fail at the general upkeep of your Hornet and the parts fail all at once, you could have to replace them at the same time, and your bike will be out of commission for much longer.

Related: 4 Most-Common Problems With Honda 919

6 Great Tips to Make Sure Your Honda 919 Will Last Long

Here are six great tips to help prolong your Honda 919’s longevity:

1. Lubricate Your 919 Regularly

It is not just your 919’s motor that requires lubrication. It is also advised to inspect the following Honda parts once a year and lubricate them:

  • Steering-head bearings
  • Wheel bearings
  • Suspension linkages
  • Swingarm
  • Check fork oil and replace it if needed. 

All this will help keep your Honda 919 running smoothly and slow down any wear and tear before it gets out of hand.

2. Clean/Replace the Air Filter Per Honda’s Spec

Your 919’s air filter plays a crucial role in how the Hornet’s engine runs. Once your filter is clogged, if you continue to ride, you’re creating the potential for engine damage at the hands of debris entering your filter in contaminated airflow.  

Not to mention, a clogged air filter prevents your 919 from forming the proper air-fuel mix.

The manual for your specific year-model Honda 919 will outline the frequency at which Honda suggests you clean or change your air filter. In addition to following their spec schedule, clean out your filter after long rides in the dust. 

3. Perform Routine Service Per Your 919’s Owner Manual’s Maintenance Schedule

At the very least, check your Hornet’s brake pads, maintain its proper tire pressure, and check and replace the spark plug according to the service schedule. Oh, and don’t forget to check the battery every so often. 

4. Ride Your 919 Per Honda’s Suggested Use

While its sportbike engine is designed for high performance, and you can rev them up to their limits, it is not recommended to do so to your 919 often. One of the most effective ways of extending the life of your motorbike is to use it properly.  

Even if your 919 rocks a damn-near superbike engine, realize that standard road conditions differ from track-bike life. In professional racing, motorcycles are checked, and parts are replaced every few laps. That doesn’t happen when you’re ripping up highways and city streets. 

5. Inspect and Change Your 919’s Motor Oil Regularly

This is perhaps the most critical step you can take to ensure that your standard commuter lasts long.

  • Check the engine oil quality and level before and after every long ride.
  • Replace the oil per Honda’s suggested mileage listed in your 919’s owner’s manual.
  • Use the Honda-recommended grade of engine oil
  • Keep in mind that extreme weather, either hot or cold, increase your oil consumption.

6. Brake-in Your Honda 919 Properly

One fundamental way of extending the lifespan of your Honda 919 is to break in the motorcycle properly. Honda outlines particular specs for you to follow during the first 500 miles or so.

Following these guidelines not only keeps your brand new bike under warranty but also prevents damage to the 919’s engine. If you deviate from the instructions Honda outlined in your owner’s manual, you can cause irreparable engine damage and significantly reduce the lifespan of your Honda 919.

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