honda firestorm, any good?

[mattyL]

I've sold my SV and am thinking of moving on to a firestorm now I can get cheaper insurance, has anyone owned a firestorm or had a test ride on one? I'd be interested to know how it compares to an SV650, in handling and in power. And does a firestorm still run on two cylinders when it rains, cos my SV never did! cheers

[Yams]

I test rode one, nice bikes... pretty fast, feels a bit like the SV actually only faster.. pathetic tank range though.

[K]

Personally I found the Firestorm I rode a few years ago to be a bit lumpy and twitchy on more restricted riding through towns. Fine on the open road though.

Better all round is an SP1. Lovely bike, loads of grunt. Nicer looks to my mind too, but that a purely personal thing I guess.

We have a Firestorm (with some nice sounding Remus cans on) as a Demonstrator, so if you're ever over Northampton way...

[mattyL]

Well I live in Nottingham and am looking to buy one soon so I might just take u up on that offer thanks. What bike shop is it by the way?

[K]

PM'd ya.

[Jelster]

Bit dated these days, really poor tank range too. Have a look at the Falco (SL1000) a lot of bike for the money....

.

[M.C.]

they have got some falcos in the bike shop near me brand new £5500 IIRC

[Peter Henry]

Having really studied the 1000 V twin market over the last 12 months, I have to go with jelster.If you don't want to go for the all out race rep type bike(SP1/2,Aprilia Mille,Ducati,TLR) the Falco is a whole lot of bike for your money. If I had gone straight in for a thou last year the Falco would have been the winner by a long way. Great looking and a touch of exclusivity built in to a package with a bomb proof motor and handling way above average. 8)

[jonacol]

Hmm VTR's, I've had four of 'em! Yes I'm am a serial bike slut. Build quality way ahead of the Sv you'll be glad to hear, no miss-firing when wet. Front forks too softly sprung and too much compresion damping, sorted by a fork rebuild (200) or DIY job for 100 (and its a must do job IMHO). Rear shock said to be a bit hard but i didn't feel that it was especially bad. Tank range is poor 100-110 to red light 85-90 when your trying hard, fuel cons isn't that bad its just a small tank. With pipes they make between 106 and 112 with out dynojeting which doesn't seem to do much for the VTR btw. Great bike, under rated IMHO and cheap now too, prices from <2k for the early models. Try the owners group on yahoogroups for more info and bikes for sale, theres a few boys from Nottingham on there too. If Honda made a naked VTR with front mounted rad I'd have one.

[thowdmon]

Matty ,My mate's selling his, He's had it from new,Minter in black on an"R" plate. Black screen, belly pan,Twin CCC cans plus originals, He lives in Leyland nr Preston if you dont mind traveling, He's trading in for a Z1000 in a few weeks, Bet he'd do you a good deal. Never been dropped.

[GDBD59]

There was a wee feature on used VTR's in MCN in the last 2 or 3 weeks.
They said that the later models had a much-needed larger tank....21 litres if memory serves?

[$i]

All the reviews ive read have said the svthou is better. Looks much more modern too. well, thats what i'm getting next. but thats jus my opinion. :D

VTR is still a great bike though! :wink:

[Moo]

The firestorm was an option when I was looking to change but the poor tank range was the main thing that put me off it went for the SV1000S and I'am happy with the choice.

[petetong]

did someone say big v-twin??

SP2 - but I'm bias...

[arc123]

MattyL

I will 'potentially' have a 2003 Aprilia Falco for sale. PM me if you have any interest and I will provide you with further details....... I'm just down the road from you in Leicester as well.

Chief.

[Barty_b0y]

and i know where there is an absolute mit looking one in yellow its done 18000 miles but it looks like it s done only 500 its that good

dry weather bike think its on a r reg not tooo sure but its very nice not sure how much pm me if you want to know i`ll get in touch with him at rainworth

[robertpog]

hi
had one for two years great bike, easy to ride. excellent bike plenty of aftermarket bits for it. i changed it for the mille (which i'm about to sell hopefully) which is a great bike as well but harder to ride around towm.if you wanted to find out more suscribe to list below plenty of helpful people on there. i 'm still a member great info and funny bits.

VTR_List-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

regards
robert

[Stig]

Moved to Biking Issues :wink:

[mattyL]

thanks for all the help everyone, but I think I'm gonna go for a 2001 ZX6R after all that! Spent the last few days sitting on bikes and seeing what I like and the ninja just looked and felt good, didnt really like the firestorm after sitting on it, it felt a bit long and upright, not as sporty as I like. So I'm gonna have a test ride on the ninja next week and if its good I'll have it.

[mattyL]

by the way will I still be welcome at the annual rideout if I'm not on an SV, or will I just be ignored!?

[wyrdness]

thanks for all the help everyone, but I think I'm gonna go for a 2001 ZX6R after all that! Spent the last few days sitting on bikes and seeing what I like and the ninja just looked and felt good, didnt really like the firestorm after sitting on it, it felt a bit long and upright, not as sporty as I like. So I'm gonna have a test ride on the ninja next week and if its good I'll have it.

I'd go for a big V-twin over a smaller IL4 any day, but that's just personal preference.

[BURNER]

Early RWU Fireblade forks can transform the handling of a firestorm. Keep the 17" 'storm wheel tho.
Always liked the 'storm, for a H*nda it's not bad....