As the title says I'm thinking of a 929 as a second bike to my 08. Has anybody ridden both models ? In particular i know the 929 is said to be a bit snacthy but has anyone had first hand experience ?
Awesome second bike. And even better when you can spank the arse of it and give the keys back to Dave v lol
Like the guys have mentioned, I've got a 929. Bought it four years ago to replace a Versys 650 as my commuter/winter bike. Many on here will vouch that I ride better on the 929 than RRA and Monster not having any trouble keeping pace with the rest of the ride, The Scotland tour was a great example. Until I bought the R1 I used it as my track bike too. Upgrading the Master Cylinder with some SBS pads added to the Hel lines made a huge improvement to the brakes. Other than that the bikes not been touched other than the normal servicing. I lie, it's got heated grips. It's nowhere near as quick or light as the RRA, it's less refined. But an Awesome bike IMO, I suggests better built than the RRA which I doubt very much would have worn as well through four winters. I'll never sell it as still brings a huge smile to my face and some of my best biking memories have been on it. Like Col says, my favourite.
Thanks for that Dave. Strangely I have a 650 Versys too as a winter bike so this would probabilly go too, it was the fueling that was my main concern, how smooth is it at small throttle openings?
I think it's fine mate, don't find it snatchy at all. Mine does have a problem in that once the fans operated once eg the bike got to a certain temp it hesitates below 3k. Made me laugh that Jimbo thought he'd broke it! Never got around to looking into this, the bike hasn't always done it so assume it's a fault of some kind. Mines approaching 40k and in need of a decent service, plug change etc. If you test ride one, let it get red hot to see if it does the same.
I spent a lot of miles on a 929, 90K+, bulletproof build quality, the only real issues I had was a clogged rad, which was down to my laziness with winter cleaning, an air flow sensor from memory, somewhere around the airbox used to play up and the usual crappy brakes when they get winter crud on them, seems to be more of an issue on Hondas than most other bikes I have owned. Compared to the 08 on, they are a bit tank like in the handling dept and feel wide and tall to me, and as juicy as fook, mine always returned around the 30mpg mark commuting compared to 55 on an RRE. Certainly not snatchy, that's the domain of the 08 to 11 bikes. But if has had general maintenance carried out they will go on for ever. IMO the 954 and the RR6 were good upgrades on a 929 and I would be looking at them if there was a choice.
Suppose it's all about the money you want to spend mate. When I bought the 929 it was mint, one owner with 8k on it. I couldn't find a similar 954 without spending silly money. I do agree though with Kentblade, the 954 would be my choice of the three if I was buying again.
My previous bike was a 954RR2 and if you can stretch to the money then i would go for it but they do have a bit of a following and the prices compared to a 929 show this.
I owned a 929, truly a do everything bike. As happy touring as it is on a track day. Compared to a newer blade though it's a bit trickier to ride. There is no damper so accelerating on a bumpy road let to the odd tank slapper. Way more comfortable than a modern blade though.
I had one for 12 months as a hack, when actually it was very refined for its age and a pleasure to ride. comfortable, commuter, fast bike when needed and overall a really lovely bike. Make sure you do the usual checks, HPI, matching numbers engine and frame and check the head bearings as mine were knackered! The only three things i did was to have new leavers, completely clean and bleed both front and rear brakes and get the suspension done!!!! the latter is a must (unless you're competent in changing the settings back to default and then adjust yourself) in my view and i get it done on all bikes i buy, best £60 you'll spend in my view. I didn't find it snatchy on the fuelling and the shims didn't need adjusting at 28k which you'd expect from a Honda!
I've got a 2003 954 and I am in love with it... I've been told it is 'the best' I doubt I'll ever sell it either.
Owned a 929 from new and put 30 odd thousand miles on it. It was a little snatchy at lower revs until I fitted a power commander and had it custom mapped. Fitted Ohlins shock and had Ohlins oil and springs in the front, had it set up correctly and it handled like a dream! A little underpowered compared to the latest crop of blades, but then it was only a 900! You couldn't tell on the road though. Comfy bike, great tourer, biggest underseat storage I've ever seen on a sportsbike..........Oh yes.......it made one hell of a trackbike too!!
