Honda VTR1000 Firestorm, what are they like?

Originally Posted by J2UK

Same as me, although i know i have to keep the SV for a while i am always thinking about my next bike.

In an ideal world i probably wouldnt sell the SV, and keep that as well as another.

What do you reckon on the mod front, i have been thinkin about the forks but it seems expensive for what it is, i doubt i could do it myself.

Find a org person who has done it that lives near that will help oversee it mate. IMO having rode one with GSXR forks, I wish I still had them. So much feel, more feedback, comfortable ride. Its not expensive if you sell your original parts back on

Originally Posted by plowsie

Have you rode a restricted bike?

Yeah i've had a go. I was a bit harsh there really. They just don't have the top end whack of a full power one. It'll still feel like a new bike though once de restricted.

[Mej]

Mine manages 105 but takes a while to get there, and its only good in the revs up until about 8000, and generally unless im going for 105 (on the runway) 5th gear is better than 6th.

Originally Posted by Jackie_Black

Yeah i've had a go. I was a bit harsh there really. They just don't have the top end whack of a full power one. It'll still feel like a new bike though once de restricted.

For sure it will feel like a new bike

The gutless wheezy bit is only on top end. Still gets a job jobbed and ****es over a few cars.

Well they pull all the way to the limiter when de-restricted. I always thought mine was fast enough for the roads. The first time i opened my ZXr up properly i realised I was right. THats too fast to be fair, all of its having fun noises and speeds are illegal in this country!!

[steveg]

Originally Posted by plowsie

Steve - Comparison towards SV mate? Handling brakes etc. I assume much better on all counts?

here's a linky to old thread http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=100500

Usefull VTR site http://www.vtr1000.co.uk/

I recon the Falco would be a better performance bike , however for day to day transport apart from MPG the firestorm was really comfy and I value this ..

Never been able to get a test ride on Falco , don't seem many about in dealers

Cheers Steve

Originally Posted by steveg

I recon the Falco would be a better performance bike

I can feel the Greeks head pumping up in size from here

Thanks mate.

Stu

[Viney]

I rode one a few years back. To be honest, it didnt blow my socks off! It was just a thirstyer SV. But that said, i didnt like the SV thou either.

I've been thinking about a litre V-Twin- either Falco, SV or VTR.

As far as I can see, the SV1000 would be great, but for the weedy tank size- 1 litre bigger than the 650 for a bike that's 350cc bigger? What was the logic behind that.

So I was considering a Falco- maybe looks a bit more sport than tourer, so that leaves a VTR- one of the later ones with a bigger tank. And the price seems right too.

If dyno'ed right, can the VTR's thirst be improved (without too much loss in performance). As I'd be progressing from the 650, I still want something that's reasonably forgiving.

I'd like something I could do distances on too quite happily and comfortably.

People who have VTR's are generally happy with them I find. Big and soft. Probably less sporty than the SV from what I understand.

The falco is without a doubt more sporty than tourer... but its not bad at touring at all, I think 800 miles would be fine! Its got about 20BHP more out of the box at the rear wheel than the VTR and isn't as thirsty, lowest I get is ~42mpg even after spirited riding. Its pretty sporty but is comfortable and has amazing wind protection, makes the SV feel like a naked! lol

Only real issue with the falco is the crappy standard shock, but fix is easy, get 01-03 RSV linkage and shock off of Ebay (can be less than £50 if your lucky!) and its sorted! Reliability is on par with any Jap bike.

People who have falco's generally keep them a LONG time, that is part of the reason there arnt many about. Not met anyone yet who had a falco and didnt regret getting rid!

Oh and they are cheap!!! 03 Under 10K miles for under £3000!

If you want any info then this might be interesting. Nice forums too so feel free to join if you are serious about one.

Cheers.