VTR Firestorms

[flak monkey]

I may be crossing to the darker side....:batman: sorry!

Been looking at a few VTR Firestorms and now I just have to have one...:smt083

Found a nice 50th anniversary one which would be very nice as and when the SV sells :) I'll still be hanging around here though! :smt019

The big twin lures me!

Out of interest anyone ever owned one?

[fizzwheel]

Thirsty beasts.

[MR UKI (1)]

Poor mans SV1000?! :D

[dyzio]

Thirsty beasts.

Reminds me of the AR:

Please make sure you've got enough fuel - Viper!!

:D

[bigchris]

Have a word with firestarter1977. He has a real nice firestorm and has done lots to it. He knows lots about em.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[tom-k6]

they are real thirsty, worked with a guy who had one and he was lucky to get 100 out of a tank, but he did go everywhere in 2nd gear ;)

[davepreston]

Poor mans SV1000?! :D
:winner:

[fizzwheel]

they are real thirsty, worked with a guy who had one and he was lucky to get 100 out of a tank

Pretty much what Viper gets out of his. Its fine if you are scratching or having a ride out with mates. It gets to be a pain in the bum ( his words not mine ) if you are touring or on a long rideout. I can see him getting twitchy about fuel when we've done 90 miles or so.

Tank range is not the best.

[flak monkey]

The insurance on a TL was way too much and the SV1000 are too expensive for me I am afraid. I dont ride like that much of a loony, so hopefully they arent that thirsty!

I only get about 140miles out of a tank on the SV before the light comes on though..

[Holdup]

Quality Honda motorcycle :D

Corrected for you :p

later ones have bigger tanks iirc, so you may just get 105 miles

[kaivalagi]

There was discussion on the VTR not so long back here: http://forums.sv650.org/showpost.php?p=2462403&postcount=2753

Something dodgy about cam chain tensioners no doing their job which needs looking out for!

Maybe the more knowledgeable can post further details on this?

[maviczap]

Some issues with Camchain tensioners, which make engine go bang in a big way.

[flak monkey]

Thanks :) I know of that problem. The one I am looking at has had the chain and tensioners changed for revised versions :)

[maviczap]

Suspension is a bit basic too I understand. But you have an Sv, so nothing new there. ;)

Pity Honda didn't fit it with gear driven cams, then it would probably have been a blinding bike.

But they tried to compete with Ducati and lost, unless you buy an Sp1 or Sp2, but thats a totally different beast altogether

[yorkie_chris]

I dont ride like that much of a loony, so hopefully they arent that thirsty!

So what's the point of having a thou? You just got more expense.

[Jackie_Black]

the voice of reason speaks again.

Its obvious isn't it? the thou will sound better, handle worse due to weight increase and vibrate itself to bits. At least thats what my last suzuki thou did.

[flak monkey]

Then again I a building a 2.1 twin...

So a thou is small in comparison....

[Jackie_Black]

that will be awesome. Makes sense that you want a thou as your everyday bike then.

[andrewsmith]

Then again I a building a 2.1 twin...

So a thou is small in comparison....

you must have the controlling stake in Shell.

I think Lozzo has had one in the past

[flak monkey]

Nope, just more money than sense apparently!

[Lozzo]

I had one from new for 18 months from July 1998. I don't really regret buying it, but I certainly don't regret selling it either. It wasn't particularly fast compared to other V-Twin 1000s, it didn't handle particularly well, it had average brakes, average looks and horrific fuel consumption. The best thing about it was the noise from the Scorpion alloy race cans I fitted.

In short I found it pretty boring after a few weeks of ownership and was looking to replace it after 6 months but couldn't afford to at the time.


Pretty much what Viper gets out of his. Its fine if you are scratching or having a ride out with mates. It gets to be a pain in the bum ( his words not mine ) if you are touring or on a long rideout. I can see him getting twitchy about fuel when we've done 90 miles or so.

Tank range is not the best.

90? I used to start searching for fuel at 70 and considered myself desperate for fuel at 90. I ran mine right out from full in 63 miles of mental back road blasting once. Fuel consumption was the second worst thing about the bike. The worst thing was the fact I could easily have fallen asleep while riding it... it was a bit boring

[timbuk21980]

iv got a mate who has one, he has the 2005 model, its very nice, bigger tank, good fuel range, alot better than my sv but then mine is a 650. if you get a good one with good history i think your onto a winner.

my mates has remus cans on it and it sounds very very nice indeed, he loves it and he has had sv650's tl's, 2009 gsxr, and some others.

i like it a lot actually, thinking of geting one my self

Tim

[yorkie_chris]

My opinion is if you want a TL then get one. Buying the sensible option that wasn't anywhere near the same idea isn't going to scratch the itch.

I think you need to look harder for insurance, I could have insured one with sh*tloads of mods for about £600 (no NCB applied) when my SV insurance (1 NCB, IIRC) was about £400.

Though, how long have you been riding? Are you getting all you can out of the SV because a thou is a complete waste of time if you can't use any of it.

[STRAMASHER]

I had a black 1999 about 9 year ago, renegade hi-cans, kept it for 3 years and 36,000miles after moving on from a BROS650.

I loved it. 100-110miles if smooth (older 16L tank) on the track its a different matter. Proper v-twin thin, with a smooth engine and perfect fuelling (HUGE carbs...ahhh,backfires!). Nothing vibrated loose, not even a blown bulb. Brakes braked, handling was easily handled. 165mph on the clock.

Best thing was obviously the deep boom boom from the exhausts and its ability to blat out of corners leaving my mates 600's for dead in the twisties without really having to try. Also it power wheelies like feck, so get the front wheel in the air and check for a notch in the head-bearings when turning the bars.

Good enough for a 2-up weekend away but this was the eventual reason for selling.... wanting a better 2-up distance tourer.

Later versions have a 19L tank, higher bars, fork mods and some engine mods. The weird clocks on the later ones are the easiest way to tell though.

An absolute blast for the amount of cash you can pick them up for now.

Good luck.

[kaivalagi]

Though, how long have you been riding? Are you getting all you can out of the SV because a thou is a complete waste of time if you can't use any of it.

I've been umming and arrrrring about moving on to something bigger than my SV (KTM SMT/Tuono etc) after only having it since the later half of summer last year but I have simply decided to stay put atleast until next winter now. The main reason is I know I can improve as a rider a lot yet and the SV is probably a good bike for helping me get there...I think that if I can get everything out of an SV then I am ready for "moving up". If I remember back that's why I got an SV in the first place...

That wont stop me test riding a bunch of bikes this year but I wont be making a purchase until I've had atleast this summer to practice first....

Each to their own though, atleast the OP would be satisfying the itch with a bike that isn't too much of an outlay

[flak monkey]

Checked insurance and the TL comes out about £40 cheaper than a VTR. Both are sensible (under £300). Difference is the TL's are more expensive to buy in the first place.

I dont know. I have looked at a few different bikes, and can think of things I like about all of them. I have considered: VTR, TLS, GSF1200, XJR1200.

Whether I get the most out of my SV or not is kind of beside the point to me. I get itchy feet pretty quick and change vehicles often. Sometimes I just fancy a change even if I end up going back to something smaller in 6-12 months it makes no odds.

[tom-k6]

well i know someone who is sellinga TL with full custom paintwork thats union jack all over, and he wants about 1600 for it,
not sure on engine condition or mileage, can find out for you if you were interested?

[flak monkey]

Not really my idea of a good paintjob to be honest :) But thanks for the offer :)

[tom-k6]

is a bad paintjob but would get it re-done, he bought it like that and it also has bon jovi lyrics on the rear seat hump. "its my life, its now or never, i aint gonna live forever."

[kaivalagi]

:puker:

[andrewsmith]

is a bad paintjob but would get it re-done, he bought it like that and it also has bon jovi lyrics on the rear seat hump. "its my life, its now or never, i aint gonna live forever."

Ebay and the breakers will make a mint out of the next owner of that bike

[SUPERSTARDJ01]

What about a falco?

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/7561/apriliafalco.jpg

[mikerj]

What about a falco?

My next bike I think. I do like the VTRs but with the terrible fuel consumption coupled with a small tank you'd spend as much time in petrol stations as riding it.

[davepreston]

What about a falco?


awaits 90 page thread by dyzo and geek about how wonderful falco's are





super what madness have you started you fool ,ahhhh the pain its begun

[Reeder]

That falco actually looks quite nice... never seen one before.

[yorkie_chris]

Checked insurance and the TL comes out about £40 cheaper than a VTR. Both are sensible (under £300). Difference is the TL's are more expensive to buy in the first place.

I dont know. I have looked at a few different bikes, and can think of things I like about all of them. I have considered: VTR, TLS, GSF1200, XJR1200.

Whether I get the most out of my SV or not is kind of beside the point to me. I get itchy feet pretty quick and change vehicles often. Sometimes I just fancy a change even if I end up going back to something smaller in 6-12 months it makes no odds.

Meh, I'd rather ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow, but if you're dead set on changing then:

There's a nice TLS on evilbay with revalved forks and maxton shock and other kit.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SUZUKI-TL1000S-FULLY-SORTED-MOTORCYCLE-2-600-OVNO-/320648505939?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item4aa823ea53

Needs a bit of TLC but could be worth a look. There's another one on there that's been stood a couple of years, on about £500 at the moment.

[dyzio]

What about a falco?




Despite all the p!ss taking, it's a decent bike. Needs a few mods done though.


And it's easier to find spare parts for it than a SV1000SZ :D

;)

[flak monkey]

Well I am hopefully finalising a deal on a 2002 VTR tomorrow morning! Cursed with yellow vehicles!

[STRAMASHER]

Get ready to be disappointed then.











....if it's on standard cans! ;)

Like a standard sv, it sounds like an angry sewing machine!

[flak monkey]

Its got Microns fitted....

[flak monkey]

And here it is in all its glory

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y197/flak_monkey/vtr.jpg

[Reeder]

And here it is in all its glory

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y197/flak_monkey/vtr.jpg

Wow... That's very yellow

[mikerj]

You been for a blast on it yet? Pleased?

[flak monkey]

Dont pick it up until next weekend :(

Looking forward to it though! :D

[tom-k6]

those cans look faaarrr too long, need some stubbys on it

[yorkie_chris]

I don't think they suit stubbys TBH, they sound very lazy and I don't think the harsh tone sounds good with that.

[tom-k6]

at low end they do sound nice but suppose when the rev's build and stay high it would start to sound a bit flat, crackin bike tho,

[yorkie_chris]

Stubbys sound great at full chat, but the firestorm never really gets to full chat, they're a lazy torque type bike.

Stubby sounds nice on SV with race cams and full system though :-P

[tom-k6]

haha, i got a stubby ART on mine now, but with standard pipes, it kinda pops and bangs and flames a bit on roll off now :P

[flak monkey]

They look long because they are quite small diameter.

I may change them for some black Beowulfs or somethign similar when I can be bothered.

[flak monkey]

After now owning this for a couple of months I thought I would give some feedback...

Its returning around 45-50mpg on a run and the same when I am commusting on it. Infact on monday I went for a quick ride out, around the coast, up and down the gears and generally having a larf. 156miles until the reserve started flashing and 14.3 litres to fill it back up (19litre tank)

So thats a good 10mpg more than the SV would have returned on a similar run...

Its easier to ride than the SV as well IMO, much smoother and more chuckable as well. ;)

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y197/flak_monkey/Bikes/m_P1010979.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y197/flak_monkey/Bikes/m_P1010970.jpg

[mikerj]

If you were only getting 35-45mpg from your SV there must have been something wrong with it. I was getting 55-65mpg from mine on my 60 mile daily commute, the lower number obtained when cruising at 90+ on the dual carriageway sections (about half of the journey). Sticking to 75-80mph really improved the economy.

FWIW I'm getting about the same as you from my RSV Mille on a commute, but somewhat less on a proper thrash.

[stormingjoe]

I have an old one 1998 and it always brings a smile when exiting corners, now its running good its better, you can have the forks improved on if they not been done youll know as they bounce all over try maxton or Roger at Revolution Racing, economy is fair to good as no need to thrash like the sv650 to attain the same speed. Under-rated bike.

[flak monkey]

I would average 40mpg on my commute run and 35 on a fun ride on the SV. My commute is fast open A-road and dual carriage way. I would find myself working the SV pretty hard, but not thrashing it. The Storm is much more effortless at the same pace, which must be the sweet spot for the storm!

[Lozzo]

After now owning this for a couple of months I thought I would give some feedback...

Its returning around 45-50mpg on a run and the same when I am commusting on it. Infact on monday I went for a quick ride out, around the coast, up and down the gears and generally having a larf. 156miles until the reserve started flashing and 14.3 litres to fill it back up (19litre tank)



There's this little thing on the right handlebar that is quite useful. If you twist it, it makes the engine rev a bit faster.

You must be riding that thing slower than a restricted ped to get that sort of fuel consumption. Mine didn't do that sort of mpg when I was running it in... very carefully.

[kaivalagi]

In contrast I am only getting 30-35mpg with my FI SMT and that is being easy going half the time and the other half nailing it...not had any long runs on it yet though, just ~10 mile commutes and twisty b-road adventures :)

I'd say you're taking it real easy....

[sv4me]

You must be riding that thing slower than a restricted ped to get that sort of fuel consumption

:smt045 2 of my dads mates had storms years back, both got rid because of the shocking tank range. 100 miles if you're lucky between fuel stops if they were really going for it. theirs were originals before Honda made the tanks slightly bigger though

[Lozzo]

:smt045 2 of my dads mates had storms years back, both got rid because of the shocking tank range. 100 miles if you're lucky between fuel stops if they were really going for it. theirs were originals before Honda made the tanks slightly bigger though

As I think I've said earlier, I managed to run mine dry at 63 miles once on a mad thrash through the lanes. I thought the bike had a fault and needed recovery to the dealer, but it was bone dry of fuel.

[suzukigt380paul]

I may be crossing to the darker side....:batman: sorry!

Been looking at a few VTR Firestorms and now I just have to have one...:smt083

Found a nice 50th anniversary one which would be very nice as and when the SV sells :) I'll still be hanging around here though! :smt019

The big twin lures me!

Out of interest anyone ever owned one?

looks to me if you must have a vtr with all its problems then best go for the sp2 with 137hp and 170mph as the one your looking at is to put it bluntly is a bit short on the hp front and for a sports 1000 has less power than my vfr800,although the claimed 100hp will still go fast enough,never owned one but the last person i talked to who owned one had got through 2 camchain tensioners had the cam chain jump a tooth both times before he had time to stop engine and had to get spare engine off evilbay to replace nackered head/topend this rather put me off ever looking at one

[flak monkey]

There's this little thing on the right handlebar that is quite useful. If you twist it, it makes the engine rev a bit faster.

You must be riding that thing slower than a restricted ped to get that sort of fuel consumption. Mine didn't do that sort of mpg when I was running it in... very carefully.


:rolleyes:

Funny enough I raised the same thing on the VTR forum and strangely I am not the only one who averages 45-50mpg from their storm. Infact it seems the majority do with normal riding.

The only conclusion I can come to is that people who get less dont know what the little lever is just by their left foot. No need to rev the nuts of a bigger twin to have a laugh.

I ride an an average sort of pace on the road, but certainly dont hang about. I want to keep my license

[flak monkey]

looks to me if you must have a vtr with all its problems then best go for the sp2 with 137hp and 170mph as the one your looking at is to put it bluntly is a bit short on the hp front and for a sports 1000 has less power than my vfr800,although the claimed 100hp will still go fast enough,never owned one but the last person i talked to who owned one had got through 2 camchain tensioners had the cam chain jump a tooth both times before he had time to stop engine and had to get spare engine off evilbay to replace nackered head/topend this rather put me off ever looking at one

Why would I want to be able to do 170mph? I dont use the bike on the track.

By my reckoning the VFR800 makes 110bhp and the standard VTR mk2 makes 109bhp. Not that much difference ;) But the VTR has quite a lot more torque...

I know well of the camchain tensioner issues, and if you bother to research there are loads of fixes available.

[suzukigt380paul]

Why would I want to be able to do 170mph? I dont use the bike on the track.

By my reckoning the VFR800 makes 110bhp and the standard VTR mk2 makes 109bhp. Not that much difference ;) But the VTR has quite a lot more torque...

I know well of the camchain tensioner issues, and if you bother to research there are loads of fixes available.

this may or maynot be true mcn give the firestorm upto 2005 97hp and the vfr800 108hp,and by your reckoning we all should be rideing 125s cos the speedlimit is 70mph why do we need something that will do more mph,only kidding,but ive got a fireblade that may well do a 170 mph never been that fast but its the way it gets to the speed you want to get to,and that will easily return 55mpg at 100mph allday long, with about 140/160bhp depending whos figures you believe,mind you the vfr only does about 35mpg pos 40mpg on a long run,but anycase getting back to the subject i allways considered the vtr as a sports bike but with out a sports bike performance seems like a old 600 fazer got more hp thats why i said get a sp2 coz thats what the firestorm should have been right from the start

[yorkie_chris]

Well he bought one, so it must have been right somehow. It's not a sportsbike, it kinda fits into the ST category. All you are saying is it does not fit your categories.*

Though I dunno about the mpg there, a mate of mine has one, he's a good, smooth, experienced rider and gets terrible mileage. Then again no idea how you get 35-40 on SV regularly, I find I've got to take some serious liberties to get it to 35. You sure it was healthy?



*They don't float my boat either, but they sold a lot of them so they must have floated someone's.

[leebex]

I find I've got to take some serious liberties to get it to 35. .

:D like that sentence, but does seem very low.

Saw a black vtr with aftermarket cans the other day, sounded fantastic, can see the attraction of one.

[maviczap]

If only they'd made them with gear driven cams like the VFR, then it would have been almost perfect

[yorkie_chris]

:D like that sentence, but does seem very low.

I had written it down somewhere but worst I've ever managed is 20 or so. Average I see high 40's.

[stormingjoe]

The storm not about horses(110), its about twisty stuff, and they have it in spades from 1500 rpm up and strong from 2500, try that on an inline or v4, firestorm a sporting/tourer the sp1/2 are focused sports machines, faults are cct's can fail, renew every couple of years or fit manual ones have been known to do mega miles, 150000 +. Front forks soft, get rebuilt as per sv650. Rear abit to stiff easily sorted, mods on the firestorm similar to sv 650 and quite easy to fit a single swinger on the back end. I have rejetted mine, got k&n air, noisey pipes been shortened after an encounter with a roundabout(cold tyres), fully adjustable pro flex shock on rear with + 5 mill ride height 350(345 standard), forks at standard height but with modified internals, courtesy of k-tech. now tyres, been messing of late got 190/50 rear which aint to bad giving extra side wall as 180/55 ran off edge of tyre, front tyre just trying 120/60 aka sv tyre, fast turn in, not happy though, running out of edge and felt like front was washing out(understeering) on fast bends, will change back to a 120/70 was stable with this tyre but heavy to turn in. I get between 110 thrashing and 160 miles steady to a tank filling up 14.5 ltrs or so, sv 140 and 230 miles filling up 16.5 ltrs do doubt accruacy of speedo on sv though!!

[stormingjoe]

forgot to mention got ebc discs and pads up front.

[kaivalagi]

I say big v-twins are cool no matter what :) If you know the faults and get them sorted whats the biggy....the KTM LC8 kicks ar$e btw :p Only down as 115bhp but it gathers revs reeeeeal good

The SV speedo is definitely 10% higher than actual on most if not all models - 77mph when 70mph, 66 when 60, 55 when 50 etc..several of us tested with GPS and got the same results

[flak monkey]

this may or maynot be true mcn give getting back to the subject i allways considered the vtr as a sports bike but with out a sports bike performance seems like a old 600 fazer got more hp thats why i said get a sp2 coz thats what the firestorm should have been right from the start


The VTR isnt a sports bike and wasn't designed to be, which I why I ended up with one. I dont like the riding position on a sports bike at all. The SP1/2 is a sports bike. Basically 1 bike underneath, but 2 markets....clever Honda...

I don't do any town riding at all, so that probably helps with the MPG quite a lot.