View Full Version : Honda VTR1000 Firestorm
Took my bike for its MOT at Lings Triumph yesterday (it passed with flying colours :D ) and while I was waiting I was speaking to one of the salesmen whom I know vaguely, he said if you see anything that catches your eye he would wheel it out so I could sit on it and see what I thought. I already knew that they had a couple of Firestorms in there and was intrigued to see what they are like. After sitting on it and talking about it for a few minutes he offered me to take it out, I was reluctant at first (as I wasnt really seriously looking) but he said not to worry. Anyway, the blooming thing wouldnt start as the battery was totally flat! Come back tomorrow he said and I will make sure its all ready.
This morning it was chucking it down! :( Luckily, after my initial worries, the weather turned out ok and I got to take it out for a blast… what can I say, well, when I stopped to take the attached pictures a bloke walking his dog asked me what I thought of it – “under whelmed” I found myself saying! Yes it was faster than the SV, I hit 140mph a couple of times (off road private test route :-dd had lots of straights!) and yes it went round corners nicely and yes it was comfortable – but would I swap the SV for it? No. It just didn’t light my fire, it was nice and friendly and easy to ride, and risking following the crowd - but I kind of felt it had no soul, I feel guilty for saying that as it was genuinely a nice bike, but it isn’t what I will be parting with my money for… Glad I rode one though, as I had always thought it was a possibility as my next bike, but now I can totally discount it….
It was a 53 plate with 7,000 miles on the clock up for £4295…
Incidentally after I had explained all this to the sales guy I hopped back on the SV and did the same route, maybe its just because its my own bike, but I enjoyed it so much more - SV RULES! :D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v607/skip665/firestorm/FirestormMedium.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v607/skip665/firestorm/Firestorm1Medium.jpg
boring honda's eh :wink: :lol:
I had the same feeling when i rode a Firestorm
Hmm a guy at work got one of these after his ZX6 got totalled by a SMIDSY.
He reckons its brilliant, he said its as quick as an SS600 but with more low down grunt and is great for wheelies.
I had my doubts as they aren't as powerful as an SV1000?
Yet again I am shocked by the silly asking price of used bikes. Even if I wanted that type of bike I wouldn't pay more than £3500 for it. I'd probably have to think twice even at that price.
Peter Henry
01-04-06, 04:52 PM
I must say I am very surprised at the small praise that you give the Firestorm.IMHO it is a way better bike than the SV650! :shock:
However if all you did was give it a blat down a dual carriageway then you have not given it a thorough enough test. Loads of low down grunt,wheelies at the flick of the wrist and err interesting as stock if you want to get a little brisk in the curvey stuff.
You had at least 30ponies more to play with there and you didn't detect any discernable difference from your SV650? Come on!? You really did not ride it properly then! :wink:
I personally think that people should engage in a thorough test ride before maybe being so judgemental. If apart from your little frisky blat,you just pottered along on it then not a great deal of difference would be noticed no matter what you were on.
*Please feel free to contradict and disagree with any of the nonsesne that I just wrote above.* :wink:
Disclaimer..I have no reason to defend the firestorm and am unlikely to ever buy one.
Peter Henry said:
I must say I am very surprised at the small praise that you give the Firestorm.IMHO it is a way better bike than the SV650! :shock:
I didnt say it wasnt a better bike, its faster and more comfortable - it just didnt "do it" for me... :?
However if all you did was give it a blat down a dual carriageway then you have not given it a thorough enough test. Loads of low down grunt,wheelies at the flick of the wrist and err interesting as stock if you want to get a little brisk in the curvey stuff.
Test ride was 30 miles of A and B roads with no dual carriageways - yes it had grunt, but I found to get that grunt you needed to keep it above 6000/6500rpm which surprised me - yes I know thats the same as the SV but it is a 1000cc bike!
You had at least 30ponies more to play with there and you didn't detect any discernable difference from your SV650? Come on!? You really did not ride it properly then! :wink:
Of course I noticed a difference! It was quicker (and being faired it was easier to go faster on) but having only ridden one other 1000cc bike (ThunderAce) I must say I was expecting more...
I personally think that people should engage in a thorough test ride before maybe being so judgemental. If apart from your little frisky blat,you just pottered along on it then not a great deal of difference would be noticed no matter what you were on.
I personally thought it was a fair "test ride" without taking it out for a much longer ride, it took in fast A roads with sweeping bends and twisty B roads with some bends that I have known all my life - it was "good" dont get me wrong - I was just expecting more...
Have I justified my comments now?! :oops: :lol:
kwak zzr
01-04-06, 05:08 PM
i like the firestorm and would have probably owned one if it wasnt for the poor tank range.
Peter Henry
01-04-06, 05:09 PM
Skip...he,he...I knew that was a little provocative of me! :wink: No I am not surprised that the Firestorm only starts to get cooking around 5 or 6k revs. That is a pretty par for the course level with the slightly more tuned V motors. However I would have expected you to really notice the difference once you got to that figure and beyond?
I mean the SV goes like a little rocket when it hits that engine speed and I was impressed with it, but when I stepped up to just a 750 V twin I noticed a big difference from the SV. Mine does have pretty much the same bhp as a Firestorm so I think my comparison is reasonably fair? :?
Jelster
01-04-06, 08:09 PM
The Firestorm is a cracking bike, but you have to realise it was designed a few years ago. I'm surprised you didn't notice that much of a difference, but Honda's have this way of giving you performance in a "friendly" way, a waythat sometimes you don't notice.
For sure it has a crap tank range (but all big twins are thirsty) and it is a little past it's sell by date. Next time, try an SP2, I think you'll notice the difference then :lol:
.
GSXR Carlos
01-04-06, 08:34 PM
I must say I am very surprised at the small praise that you give the Firestorm.IMHO it is a way better bike than the SV650! :shock:
so why have the fuds come back to SVs?
I can see your point Skip.
I took one out a couple of summers ago, back roads with a nice long straight in the mix. An 03 with 700m on the clock, some repaired damage, £4000
It felt very stable compared to the SV, and speed was deceiving rather than blinding. But that's a V-twin trait that it shares with the SV, just the terminal figure is shifted up 30mph.
I wouldn't consider it to replace what we have, not quite a big enough gain in performance for the money. You'd need to spend a bit on it, and there's other bikes out there more sorted for the same cash.
instigator
01-04-06, 09:57 PM
Loved my storm. Sure it had a crap tank range but the pulling power made up for it's shortfalls. I could squeeze 120 miles out of a tank or I could get 85 miles out of a tank on a throttle happy ride.
The good thing is, it's not the MPG as such, it's the small tank so squids in, it's not really that much worse than the sv. Handling is very good, surprisingly. Am reassured it would pop wheelies very very easily but I never managed to do it as I'm a bit chicken.
Got a 00 model with 16k on the clock and tasteful mods in december for £1900 so plenty of bragains to be had. ;)
STRAMASHER
02-04-06, 07:23 PM
Got to say I was a little surprised to see a Firestorm did'nt float yer boat. Had a black 1998 one for 30.000miles. Loved it. I see from your pic it had the std. zorsts on it. Maybe thats how it felt "characterless". Mine sounded like it was made by Singer sowing machines! :) . Totally strangled and fluffy response.Loud cans light up any twin!
Taught me, a hamfisted ****, how to wheelie on the power......effortlessly. Did 165mph. Went everywhere at 130mph. Effortlessly. High sided me into a tree,into a barby fence and landed on top of me........................effortlessly. :cry: :lol:
What about a Aprilia Falco/Tuono. If you can get over the looks its a lot more "direct"? old mille was comfier tho'!?! You'll get fit with one of them too......running to bump it. :?
Naked SV1000?................... discontinued!!! :evil:
Me?
03 Tuono Racing..................no running for me,I stay at the top of a big hill! :lol:
Good luck fella!
Got a brand new black one,xmas week 1999.Traded in for TL1000R 5 weeks later :!: "nice"bike but I know why It also was called "FireYAWN".Used to stall at tickover alot aswell and find false neutrals on down changes :evil: terrifying when you were expecting V twin engine braking :!: :!:
Peter Henry
02-04-06, 10:00 PM
Whitty...That is somethging I have done on occasion on my 749! Great exercise for the sphincter isn't it? :? :P Those Fastbikes boys could really make a Firestorm wheelie also! Superb off the gas wheelies! All good fun until one of them binned it on a left hander! :?
:D Its wierd,it actually feels like you are accellerating cos your brain is expecting the braking.By the time you realise its happened you are on the wrong side of the frigging road :!: It was happening 2-3 times per rideout :evil:Did you see what they did wheelying that storm in France?crashed while wheelying and snapped headstock,walked away from it though :lol:
Oh if I had only known that my comments would be so controversial! :lol:
Agreed that maybe cans would have helped....
Naked SV1000?................... discontinued!!! :evil:
I wasnt really seriously looking anyway, but it has made me sit up and take notice that I need to test ride machines before parting with money...
Still - if I had to make a shortlist it would be in this order...
1. Speed Triple
2. Z1000
3. SV1000N
Yes I prefer naked bikes... :D
tinpants
03-04-06, 08:53 AM
Got my 'Storm in November last year. Do I like it? Yoobetchafrickinass I do!!! Top end of 158 mph and shed loads of torque. Repsol paint job to boot.
I love it to bits. Beats an SV any day. Roughly the same mpg as the SV as well BTW.
And here she is:-
http://upload4.postimage.org/120815/vtr1000.jpg (http://upload4.postimage.org/120815/photo_hosting.html)
Dynojet stage 4, K&N, and twin scorpions. Awesome!!!!!
Yeah I know those are standard cans but they've been changed since the pic was taken :D
Cloggsy
03-04-06, 09:08 AM
They are supposed to be 'bland' :roll:
Peter Henry
03-04-06, 09:22 AM
Nick that is the sexiest Firestorm I have seen That looks great! :shock: :P
Cloggsy this "bland" thing is a really contentious issue. For me this all depends on how you want to ride,(if u know wot I mean? :wink: )
mudge32
03-04-06, 09:33 AM
They are supposed to be 'bland' :roll:
Lumpy as hell maybe, but bland, not really :wink:
The main issue I had, with the test bike I rode, was not being able to see the speedo properly, out of the bottom of my visual range! :evil: It was a current model. The older one might have the smaller tank, but the speedo's in a better place :roll:
rictus01
03-04-06, 09:33 AM
To my mind, it much a case of doing the job well, just not as involving as other metal out there.
Much like (and this should get Pete going) the old 748 was an awesome bike to ride (when it worked) and as an overall package the 749 (apart from style of course) is probably better for most, I'd still stick to the older model 8)
the VTR is a good road bike and enough for most, but even Honda make a (more charectorful) better riding bike in the SP 1/2.
Cheers Mark.
The Basket
03-04-06, 09:35 AM
Might keep a copy of this chat.
I am going to change the SV in about March 2009.
The VTR could be it. If anyone knows any available bikes around that time, giz a buzz :wink:
To my mind, it much a case of doing the job well, just not as involving as other metal out there.
Thanks Mark - I think that was what I was trying to get at - a good bike yes, but not a great one...
Peter Henry
03-04-06, 10:08 AM
Mark...Not at all mate. :wink: I understand fully what you are saying regarding your comparison of the 748 with the 749. 8)
Footnote: Nice though that my 749 has as much bhp as the 916 did when it was launched! :shock: Progress hey? :P
tinpants
03-04-06, 10:11 AM
Nick that is the sexiest Firestorm I have seen That looks great! :shock: :P
Cloggsy this "bland" thing is a really contentious issue. For me this all depends on how you want to ride,(if u know wot I mean? :wink: )
Thanks Pete, when I saw it sat in the shop I knew I just had to test ride it. Smitten from then on and had to buy it. Got a good deal as well. :D
Steve H
10-04-06, 04:03 PM
No way is the Firestorm a better bike than the SV Peter Henry!
I have ridden many a mile with my best mate on his Firestorm, swapping bikes sometimes. The SV is far more exciting, handles better and is not much slower than the Honda. He even agrees with me and owns the Firestorm!!
Peter Henry
10-04-06, 04:36 PM
Steve...I note your comments,though personally I found them amusing! Don't pick me out as there are several others that have sung the praises of the Firestorm. Some of your comments though,to my mind border on the ridiculous. :P
Please feel free to disagree in part or entirely*
Jelster
10-04-06, 06:39 PM
No way is the Firestorm a better bike than the SV Peter Henry!
I have ridden many a mile with my best mate on his Firestorm, swapping bikes sometimes. The SV is far more exciting, handles better and is not much slower than the Honda. He even agrees with me and owns the Firestorm!!
Why do people slate Honda just because they produce bikes that do what they're supposed to ??
It's not what you ride, it's the way that you ride it - FACT.
Just ride it a bit harder and you'll find you get so much more out for putting just a little more in...
.
Interesting thread this as I'm picking up a Firestorm tomorrow, It's identical to the one in the picture at the start of this thread but with only 3800 miles on it. I'm upgrading from a curvy 650s and I did try the SV1000s first but to be honest I have always prefered the look of the curvy (ducks for cover). Although the SV1000 was nice I found it more sporty than my curvy and as I use it for commuting everday I prefer a more relaxed ride. The VTR did feel more sanitised but as I said I commute 5 days a week on it and only have time for the odd scratch at the weekends this was preferable to me. I'm also interested to see if the build quality is as good as everyone says as it was a constant battle keeping the SV looking respectable.
With everything I've said above I will be really sad to see the SV go tomorrow, if I had a garage to store it and could afford it I would not be parting with it as they are lots of fun. I've had a good 2 1/2 years with it even with all the known problems and if anyone ever asked my if I could recommend one it would be a hearty yes.
As for the Firestorm, time will tell. :D
The Basket
10-04-06, 07:08 PM
I think the guy was critting the Firestorm and not Hondas in particular.
I would be shocked if the VTR was a little faster than the SV...it should be a lot faster :D Excitement of course is what floats your boat.Handling depends on rider skill and the set-up of that particular VTR.
VTR's are cheap speed and that is one good reason to buy one.
Peter Henry
10-04-06, 08:13 PM
Basket...Precisely mate! :wink: FFS what the hell was he on about? :?
kwak zzr
10-04-06, 08:22 PM
chap i knew some years ago love'd his storm so much he did'nt change the bike the changed the paintwork and had dream machine do a castrol job on it £700
he must have liked it.
instigator
10-04-06, 10:02 PM
My firestorm was ace and indeed was a lot quicker than the sv (more pull and top end naturally, there's only so quick you can get to 60). Although it was an 'awesome' bike, I'm more enjoying the 33bhp sv at the moment as I get more enjoyment from pushing the little engine. :lol:
Have learnt from experience than mucho mph doesn't necessarily mean 'fun' to me now.
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