Re: What should my next bike be?
 

Yep, as most have said, if you don't like the colour you'll never really be happy.

Kawasaki make some great bikes, but I really hate green, I think that's why I've never had one...

The VTR is a bit like an SV1000, but a designed in the days of old.... It's showing it's age a bit now. Is it a new 'Blade, or one of the earlier ones (they were 919, 929 and 954cc).

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Re: What should my next bike be?
 

OK folks I will go look at the colour agian and see if the overall experience justifies the less than perfect colour (I think I may want a yellow one).

Any idea of the going rate for a decent (not custom graphics) respray?

Jelster, it's a 2001 on a Y. with a huge 2k miles on it. Can someone assure me it'll sound great with a decent can on it?

Re: What should my next bike be?
 

I reckon you'd be looking at around £500 ish for a decent respray depends if you want metallic or anything like that really?

Well it wont sound like a v-twin with a race can but it would make it sound better than standard

Re: What should my next bike be?
 

Don't forget the original stickers will need to be purchased again if want them and they are always expensive depending on how many you have.

Re: What should my next bike be?
 

That's the 929 (I think, K will correct me if I'm wrong) which I understand is the easiest to ride. The earlier ones (like K's) were 919 and were a bit of a handful, and the last or the true "'Blades", was mine, the RR2/3 which were a bit more focused.

Stick a decent can on it and it'll sound great, especially if you make it a stubby one :D

Warning: Don't try it unless you have the cash to buy it, because you'll want to take it home with you :smt107

Re: What should my next bike be?
 

I think there may be some confusion creeping in. I was talking about the Honda VTR Firestorm. 1000cc Vtwin.

Took it out today and it seems pretty much everything I'm looking for.

Anyone got any experience based views on the bike before I join the ex-SV owners section of the forum?

Re: What should my next bike be?
 

How about an SP-2? :D :cool:

Nope never ridden one

Re: What should my next bike be?
 

Check it out Mark, some good info:

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bi...05/?&R=EPI-302

Re: What should my next bike be?
 

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Re: What should my next bike be?
 

Ok now I am really in a dilemma. (or should that be have a dilemma)

Spoken to a few folk now. Basically Firestorm is a great bike. Let down by poor tank range and slightly too low bars. Both improved a bit on post 2001 versions. However it's a stonking V-twin and I can get one for not very much money.

Insurance is over twice my SV (£345 v £145) but it's a lot quicker with a lot more plastic so it's fair enough.

I also took out a speed tripple which was a hoot but did not tick the v-twin box as it had no engine braking at all to speak of. It was however very very nice to ride.

Problem is each time I get back on the SV to ride home, it feels comfy, predictable and does not encourage you to ride around like your hair's on fire at 120 unlike the Firestorm.

Rode home this evening down some wonderful twisties, knocked a good 5mm off my chicken strips (z6 elephants now half scrubbed), and felt changing this for something a lot less forgiving with a less comfy riding position and more chance of ending up in a hedge at 90mph was not a good idea.

Then I got stuck behind some traffic and did not have sufficient grunt to take the overtakes which I know I was taking the other day on the Firestorm with no worries at all.

I have also failed to find anyone with a SV1000 demonstrator as this could very well be my salvation. Same riding position as the 650 but with more grunt.

Test ride results so-far. (Note, Honda dealers love giving test rides)

Hornet - too much like hard work but can see why folk like 'em.
VFR 800 - Wrong shape for me everything in the wrong place and the Vtech stuff made it harsh
CBR600RR - Nutter bike. Need to borrow one every couple of years to remind yourself what really really quick feels like.
CB1300 - Lovelly old school muscle bike, but not engaging and no engine braking at all.
Speed Tripple - Great handling and power, but 1050 (c£6k) too expensive and lacked twin braking. On wait list for a used 955 to try out (c£4k)
VTR Firestorm - Great performance and handling. Poor tank range and think I'll get wrist ache even before it runs out of fuel.
Tuono - Bit harsh, had trouble with the gearbox and too high up for me.

So recon it's try and find a SV100 to have a blast on then decide to keep my trusty SV650 and investigate the GSX-R front end upgrade instead.

Thoughts?

Re: What should my next bike be?
 

Dam - that insurance is more than mine! How about a GS Mark - low enough seating, twin and comfy...?

Re: What should my next bike be?
 

What about a Kawasaki Z750 or Z1000, the thou especially should have plenty of grunt, but being naked might not be what you're after.

Also have you looked Fazer 1000's, Upright riding position, fairing, good alround bike from the reviews I've read...

Re: What should my next bike be?
 

Too many cylinders. Looking for a v-twin now. Or may compromise on a tripple.

Re: What should my next bike be?
 

A compromise? nah triples are fantastic!! definitely give one a try

Re: What should my next bike be?
 

Speed Triple all the way! I prefer them than my RR. Sooooo much fun and u'll have no probs keeping up with the other bikes! Unless your doing over a ton. They make overtaking tooo easy aswell.:cool:

Re: What should my next bike be?
 

That's a strange comment. SV's have no trouble keeping up with the other bikes, unless your doing over a ton.

Re: What should my next bike be?
 

I have no problem keeping up on most roads and certainly have no real trouble keeping up when the going gets twisty. However overtakes are another matter. Following a blade/R1 I have trouble taking the same overtakes. It's the spontaneous explosive power I'm missing rather than the ability to go along at 150mph on a straight road.

Still trying to get a ride on an SV1000 and looking for a post 2002 Firestorm as I rode an earlier one and loved it.

Street Triple may be a laugh when they start coming through as used bikes in a couple of years.

A reasonable chance I'll just stick with my trusty SV until the right firestorm comes along at the right price. In the mean-time if anyone wants a very nice 2001 firestorm in a dodgy blue/green colour with 5k miles on it let me know.

Re: What should my next bike be?
 

Its not a comment that the bike wont. you wont. (wind blast). pmsl :smt046

Great bike for observing though. :thumbsup:

Re: What should my next bike be?
 

Hey? ure on an SV! i had no problems overtaking on mine when i used to go on A runs etc. I kept up with gixxer's R1's etc! Overtaking wise the Sv is one of the perfect bikes unless youre overtaking someone going more than 90. With the Sprint/Speed triple you will have no problems wat so ever keeping up with anything, especially overtaking. You dont even have to think about wat gear youre in. Have a test ride on one. I bet you wont wanna give it bk! Anyways thats just my suggestion. :smt110

And most people on sportsbikes underate them anyway! So they'll think ure better than you actually are! Thats a good thing! ;-)

Re: What should my next bike be?
 

I'm going to get flamed, I can feel it in my bones,

But you want a bit more power for overtakes, and possibly better handling, and brakes as well.

Do you use your bike as a tool commuting etc, or is it a play thing for weekends...

Have you even remotly considered a 749, its still a twin, if you get an S they are not far off the power output of an SV1000, but perhaps not as much torque and the dont cost as much to maintain as you might think, and also the last batch of 749's have a pretty good reliability reputation.

Just a thought...

Re: What should my next bike be?
 

And tell us Si, what happened to your SV.....................? :smt068 :D

Re: What should my next bike be?
 

:oops: :^o Nothing...:^o

I knew someone one come up with that u b*stard. :lol:!

So what, i blew it up :oops:. Big ends went but that was mainly down 2 me being a foolish teenager and not checking the oil aswell!

Re: What should my next bike be?
 

An early Mille :D or actually a falco, now thats a good bike from all reports

Re: What should my next bike be?
 

yeah, falcos are probably youre best bet if you want a twin. loads of grunt compared to an sv thou.

Re: What should my next bike be?
 

Hehe! I never forget stuff like that. I just forget boring stuff like wedding anniversary dates............:(

It takes skill to destroy an SV engine mate so well done. :cheers:

Re: What should my next bike be?
 

i seized the crank shaft on my first SV does that make me skillful?

Re: What should my next bike be?
 

from wat ive heard it doesnt. so far ive heard of 2 pointys and 4 curvies!

Re: What should my next bike be?
 

bump