New Bike (To Me)
Discussion
So I've been buying any bike I fancy for the last 18 months trying to find what suits me (bought approx 15)
The last one was a FZ1S which was too fast for what I want and too quiet despite the akra
I saw this the day after I bought Faser
VTR1000 Firestorm - had been on my radar for some time but wasn't sure about the clip ons but this had a handle bar conversion, dyno jet kit, cans and a ridiculously fastidious owner
I took it for a test ride and didn't really like it, it seemed clunky and old - not helped by the awful road surfaces and busy traffic in the owner's area - I bought it regardless as I was sure there was a profit in it, if I didn't like it
Got home just before 8pm and thought I'd take it for a quick 10 minute ride around the country roads I know - that turned into 45 - I only came back because I was freezing as I hadn't bothered dressing up properly.
It's exactly what I want - I'm capable of exploiting all it's power, it comes in nicely and likes to rev, the brakes seem worse than my KTM950 but I think partly it's because I'm riding faster - love it !
Not keen on the colour but the bills, condition and extras (a van full, including a complete set of fairings) made it a cracking deal IMO
Hopefully this is a keeper (although I'm selling the panniers as I don't see it as a tourer)
The last one was a FZ1S which was too fast for what I want and too quiet despite the akra
I saw this the day after I bought Faser
VTR1000 Firestorm - had been on my radar for some time but wasn't sure about the clip ons but this had a handle bar conversion, dyno jet kit, cans and a ridiculously fastidious owner
I took it for a test ride and didn't really like it, it seemed clunky and old - not helped by the awful road surfaces and busy traffic in the owner's area - I bought it regardless as I was sure there was a profit in it, if I didn't like it
Got home just before 8pm and thought I'd take it for a quick 10 minute ride around the country roads I know - that turned into 45 - I only came back because I was freezing as I hadn't bothered dressing up properly.
It's exactly what I want - I'm capable of exploiting all it's power, it comes in nicely and likes to rev, the brakes seem worse than my KTM950 but I think partly it's because I'm riding faster - love it !
Not keen on the colour but the bills, condition and extras (a van full, including a complete set of fairings) made it a cracking deal IMO
Hopefully this is a keeper (although I'm selling the panniers as I don't see it as a tourer)
A great choice. Very under rated bikes. I loved mine. It always put a huge smile on my face.
I used mine for everything, from track day to Sunday afternoon blasts to Euro tours. The only issue I had was when it broke a cam chain tensioner (it is a Honda after all!!!)
They can get through the petrol at quite a rate, and it's pretty easy to run it dry in as little as 85 miles. I fitted a 24l Harris tank on mine which helped with range.
I'm sure you'll have many happy miles together.
I used mine for everything, from track day to Sunday afternoon blasts to Euro tours. The only issue I had was when it broke a cam chain tensioner (it is a Honda after all!!!)
They can get through the petrol at quite a rate, and it's pretty easy to run it dry in as little as 85 miles. I fitted a 24l Harris tank on mine which helped with range.
I'm sure you'll have many happy miles together.
Yes, it's not the latest, best thing but nor am I 
The previous owner dropped two teeth on the front and I think he's got that spot on
I did my homework and knew I should buy the later bike with the bigger tank but then I saw this (it's the older one)
He has fitted the latest (supposedly good) tensioners and I have bills for Valve checks and a myriad of other things, he's spent more in the last 2000 miles than I paid for it.
My KTM only does 100 per tank so not much change there.
The previous owner dropped two teeth on the front and I think he's got that spot on
I did my homework and knew I should buy the later bike with the bigger tank but then I saw this (it's the older one)
He has fitted the latest (supposedly good) tensioners and I have bills for Valve checks and a myriad of other things, he's spent more in the last 2000 miles than I paid for it.
My KTM only does 100 per tank so not much change there.
KTMsm said:
Yes, it's not the latest, best thing but nor am I
The previous owner dropped two teeth on the front and I think he's got that spot on
I did my homework and knew I should buy the later bike with the bigger tank but then I saw this (it's the older one)
He has fitted the latest (supposedly good) tensioners and I have bills for Valve checks and a myriad of other things, he's spent more in the last 2000 miles than I paid for it.
My KTM only does 100 per tank so not much change there.
I don't think many on bikes are the youngest, sadly! The previous owner dropped two teeth on the front and I think he's got that spot on
I did my homework and knew I should buy the later bike with the bigger tank but then I saw this (it's the older one)
He has fitted the latest (supposedly good) tensioners and I have bills for Valve checks and a myriad of other things, he's spent more in the last 2000 miles than I paid for it.
My KTM only does 100 per tank so not much change there.
I added an extra tooth to the front on mine. For me that made it a lot less wheelie prone, and improved the tank range slightly. It also made touring just a little more relaxed. She could still pick up her skirts and go for it when asked so I never felt like I was missing out on anything that I actually wanted.
While my aging memory does leave me confused at times, I thought the blue ones were all the newer model with the larger (19l) tank rather than the original 17l tank.
Nice choice.
I had one when pretty much new, Fantastic bikes.
- Cam chain tensioners are a massive weakness on this engine. Glad yours has been done.
- Front forks are awful. I had mine fettled by Revolution racing up North somewhere, night and day difference.
I bought some moody straight through cans for mine, too bloody loud. Made me ride slower. I prefer induction noise to a farty exhaust
I did find myself looking at them as they were pretty cheap.
I had one when pretty much new, Fantastic bikes.
- Cam chain tensioners are a massive weakness on this engine. Glad yours has been done.
- Front forks are awful. I had mine fettled by Revolution racing up North somewhere, night and day difference.
I bought some moody straight through cans for mine, too bloody loud. Made me ride slower. I prefer induction noise to a farty exhaust
I did find myself looking at them as they were pretty cheap.
black-k1 said:
I don't think many on bikes are the youngest, sadly!
I added an extra tooth to the front on mine. For me that made it a lot less wheelie prone, and improved the tank range slightly. It also made touring just a little more relaxed. She could still pick up her skirts and go for it when asked so I never felt like I was missing out on anything that I actually wanted.
While my aging memory does leave me confused at times, I thought the blue ones were all the newer model with the larger (19l) tank rather than the original 17l tank.
Like the PO I have no intention of doing 150mph so I'd rather have the acceleration, he used to tour on it though (I wonder if one pannier contained a petrol can) Lots of the off road guys fit aux tanks so if I decide to go touring that's what I'd do I added an extra tooth to the front on mine. For me that made it a lot less wheelie prone, and improved the tank range slightly. It also made touring just a little more relaxed. She could still pick up her skirts and go for it when asked so I never felt like I was missing out on anything that I actually wanted.
While my aging memory does leave me confused at times, I thought the blue ones were all the newer model with the larger (19l) tank rather than the original 17l tank.
Possibly the darker blue (which is a nicer colour) is the new model this it the older one without the digital display
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