Known as the 919 in the United States, the Honda CB900F entered its second generation of production in 2002. The 2005 Honda 919 arrived in the middle of its production run, at a time when the bike was garnering more acclaim for a sporty performance that belied its standard motorcycle status.
There was only one model of the 2005 Honda 919, and its manufacturer, Japanese automaker Honda, priced it at $8,399. Of course, the bike derives its name from its engine displacement, which is measured in cubic centimeters.
The engine itself is a four-stroke liquid-cooled horizontal four-cylinder unit designed by Japanese engineer Tadao Baba. It is fuel-injected by four 36-millimeter throttle bodies, and it bears 16 intake valves with a double overhead camshaft configuration. The engine has a bore and stroke of 2.8 x 2.29 inches (71 x 58 millimeters) and compression ratio of 10.8 to 1.
Paired with the engine on the 2005 Honda 919 is a six-speed manual transmission. Peak fuel capacity on each 2005 Honda 919 is measured at five gallons (18.9 liters), and the bike can achieve up to 38 miles per gallon in fuel efficiency. With its powertrain, the 2005 Honda 919 can achieve a top speed of around 143 miles per hour, and it can cover a quarter-mile distance in less than eleven seconds. The engine itself produces up to around 103 horsepower and 67 pound-feet of torque.
The 2005 Honda 919 uses a steel backbone frame for a sturdy construction. A dual-disc brake measuring 11.7 inches (296 mm) is placed at the front, while a smaller 9.5-inch (240-mm) single-disc brake goes at the back. A 1.7-inch (43-mm) telescopic fork and twin-sided aluminum swing arm with rear shock absorber constitutes the bike’s suspension. Honda provides the 2005 Honda 919 with 17-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in tubeless Michelin tires.
On top of the 2005 Honda 919 is a one-piece vinyl seat that can accommodate the driver and a passenger. Below is a kick center stand for parking the bike. Digital instrumentation on the 919 consists of a tachometer, trip odometer, speedometer, clock, and temperature and fuel level warning gauges. Added on the bike are halogen lighting and side mirrors.
Each 2005 Honda 919 weighs 427 lbs. (193.7 kilograms). The wheelbase is measured at 57.5 inches (1,460.5 mm), and the seat is set at a height of 31.5 inches (800.1 mm).
More of a rugged conqueror of all types of terrain, rather than a compromise between sport-oriented biking and casual riding, the 2005 Honda 919 was one of the best standard bikes from the 2005 model year. Even though the price was on the high side, it wasn’t – and still isn’t – enough to deter customers from a bike with great acceleration, speed, lightweight design, and overall performance.