... The usual Honda high build quality shines through as always.
With that said, it does have it's quirks. As other owners have mentioned, fuel consumption is abysmal. 100 miles/tank if you are lucky.
The new model does have a bigger tank now, well...2 litres bigger anyway.
It also has a ... Read review
...any means. The usual Honda high build quality shines through as always.
With that said, it does have it's quirks. As other owners have mentioned, fuel consumption is abysmal. 100 miles/tank if you are lucky.
The new model does have a bigger tank now, well...2 litres bigger anyway.
It also has a tendancy to 'Pop' every now and then as well, but this a normal feature of long stroke bore engines. Engine cut-outs can happen too. ...is a black mark. Honda could have done a better job with the standard Showa mono-shock it has to be said. You certainly feel every bump that the road throws up at you.
Apart from that, make sure you fit a rear hugger to keep things nice and clean and you're away.
Don't let the down points put you off....every bike has some.
It really is a great twin for the money conscious rider.
I still want a 916....but this will keep ... more
I purchased one of these second hand in March this year and have been delighted with my choice of this super all-rounder ever since. It's comfy to ride, it sounds great (although aftermarket cans make it sound better), handling is good, and can pull away well in higher gears. I spent most of the last few years blasting around on a Fireblade. And short blasts they were too. Anytime longer than an hour on a Blade is painful for your backside. The Firestorm is perfect for me. It's an excellent compromise for anyone into bikes that doesn't quite have the necessary funds to splash out on a Ducati but still craves for the throb of a twin....and throb it does! Don't get me wrong; it's not a poor man's bike by any means. The usual Honda high build quality shines through as always. With that said, it does have it's quirks. As other owners have mentioned, fuel consumption is abysmal. 100 miles/tank if you are lucky. The new model does have a bigger tank now, well...2 litres bigger anyway. It also has a tendancy to 'Pop' every now and then as well, but this a normal feature of long stroke bore engines. Engine cut-outs can happen too. Handling as said earlier is good, but can be improved by raising the rear suspension slightly. Whilst on the subject of suspension, it's hands up at this point. This is one feature of the bike that for me is a black mark. Honda could have done a better job with the standard Showa mono-shock it has to be said. You certainly feel every bump that the road throws up at you. Apart from that, make sure you fit a rear hugger to keep things nice and clean and you're away. Don't let the down points put you off....every bike has some. It really is a great twin for the money conscious rider. I still want a 916....but this will keep me happy till such times come along.
Advantages: I still can't stop grinning Disadvantages: Fear overcomes you
I used to own a Honda VTR1000. It was a great bike. People with ducatis sneared at it and say that it is too soft and forgiving. But I have ridden a lot of bikes and none have beaten this one for fear inducing acceleration. Too be honest, I got a little scared to ride it, because as soon as I pulled away I change from the mild mannered Internet bore into a public annoyance. I sold it recently, as the engine revved into the distance I could almost ... ...a great machine. Also it was extremely reliable, never a single problem the entire time I had it! Anyway, I would love to hear from any like minded VTR fans out there. There are some pics on my site and some interesting stats which shut up the duke owners. I recommend this bike. ...
kitt 30.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Honda VTR1000
Advantages: Acceleration, reliability, all-round capability, V-twin character Disadvantages: Limited range, paint quality, rear suspension not brilliant
My black Honda VTR-1000 Firestorm is my second motorcycle. My first was a (relatively) mild-mannered Kawasaki ER-5, in the opinion of many, a perfect "beginner's" machine.
I was about to buy a Suzuki SV650S, but Motorcycle City Greenford were doing a fantastic deal on pre-registered VTRs. I picked up mine for £5500 - a truly amazing price at the time, considering my bike, as it turned out, wasn't even pre-registered!
At first, I thought I'd made ... ...factory has done its usual Honda best on the paintwork. It scuffs too easily.
But you know what? I can forgive the Firestorm all that. Ferocious acceleration, forgiving handling, cross-continental comfort and the legendary day-to-day-get-on-with-it Honda reliability put the smile on my face whenever I approach my machine.
This bike pulls like Don Juan on pheromones. The acceleration is looney. You know those mad surfers who fight 30 foot waves? ...
montana 08.08.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Honda VTR1000
Advantages: Low end torque, smooth power, wheelies! Disadvantages: Top speed.
My GT650S dropped a valve so my employer kindly lend me a second hand VTR off the floor. I rode it for about two weeks.
What a pleasant bike. Pleasant in every category. Power delivery was very smooth... almost to smooth, I tend crave a bit of top end rush.
Acceleration was pretty good and due to the smooth power delivery I felt no need to take the revs far beyond 9000rpm. Low end torque made this bike tops for long controllable wheelies and finding ... ...nothing to complain about here although front forks would have respond better if they were serviced and I experience some off center back wheel bouncing when braking extremely hard.
Test on speed gave me a max off 257km/h on the clock which are usually a bit optimistic.
This is also one of the more if not most reliable performance V-twin motors out there... GREAT BIKE!! ...
iger78 19.06.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Honda VTR1000
Advantages: Stonking motor! Disadvantages: Fuel tank range
Owned one for three years, bought it new in '97 when they first hit the dealers. Superb motor, really easy to ride but deceptively fast. Often found myself doing at least 20-30mph more than I thought I was doing. A few niggles: forks need some serious attention although new springs (I used WP) can help tremendously, problem is that they suffer from hydraulic lock if you hit a bump under hard braking, this has the front tyre skipping about all over ... ...now for the minor ones: badly needs a clock so simple solution, fit a Sigma bicycle speedo. Two benefits, first you get a clock, second you now have an accurate speedo. Mirrors are pretty vibration free but can only really see your elbow! Fuel tank range is dire, 110 miles at best before the RLOD (red led of death) comes on. Consumption averaged about 38mpg over the three years and 18k miles. ...
timp 28.04.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Honda VTR1000
Advantages: EASY TO RIDE Disadvantages: SMALL FUEL TANK
I've had one of these bikes for 2 years now, I love it. It is light and perfectly balanced, it is easy to ride and comfortable. Yeah ok it will not keep up with some of the other sports bikes, but unles you take it on the track how are you tell. The Vee Twin makes it very forgiving. It feels like a much smaller lighter bike, but still has a throbbing lump to get the juices flowing. And talking of flowing juices, the tank has a pathetic range, which ...
shak_y2k 24.12.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Honda VTR1000
Comfort
Handling
Looks
Features
Fuel consumption
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Advantages: Range of compounds available, good grip in a straight line, cheap Disadvantages: Poor durability and poor cornering grip
I've had D208s on two bikes, a HondaVTR1000F Firestorm and a Triumph T595 Daytona. Both had the standard D208, not the RR or the SP versions of the tyre.
The Honda came with the Dunlop as standard fitment from new in a 180 section, the Triumph had a 190 section put on briefly as an aftermarket supplied item. The Honda got through three and a half pairs, the Triumph just the one. Before anyone asks why I kept the standard ones there were two reasons, firstly the tyre shop recommended them for the VTR, secondly they never wore out as a pair, the front lasting about 1/3 longer than the rear. I only change brand as a pair and the front was always too good to just bin.
For me there are three categories of factors when judging a bike tyre:
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Cost
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The Dunlop has a bit of a split ...
