Honda VTR1000 Firestorm

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Took my bike for its MOT at Lings Triumph yesterday (it passed with flying colours ) 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 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!

boring honda's eh

[Viney]

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.

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!

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!

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.*

Disclaimer..I have no reason to defend the firestorm and am unlikely to ever buy one.

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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!

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!

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?!

i like the firestorm and would have probably owned one if it wasnt for the poor tank range.

Skip...he,he...I knew that was a little provocative of me! 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?

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

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Originally Posted by Peter Henry

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!

so why have the fuds come back to SVs?