Discussion
I had an SP1 & an SP2.
Both very solid bikes, but if left standing (especially with an alarm) it can kill the battery, so make sure it cold starts.
I had the SP2 for 8 years, the SP1 for around 5.
Plastics are very expensive, if it has Akrapovic exhausts keep the link pipes as the end cans can be purchased, the link pipes can't any more.
They are heavy bikes (and underpowered compared to modern counterparts), but they hide the weight well once rolling.
By default they come with 190/50 on the rear, a 190/55 will fit, but will foul a hugger (if one is fitted).
Some people didn't get on with the seating position, personally I didn't have a problem with it.
One of my friends with a 748 had a go on it, the only point he didn't really like was how wide the tank is (compared to his bike). moving it around on full lock might mean pinching your fingers.
Fuelling wise, it can be a bit snatchy at low rpm, but that's easily cured with a power commander.
A lot of people fitted steering dampers, as they can get a bit of a head shake on.
I loved both of mine, they were great fun to ride. The SP2 was my road bike and the 1 a track bike.
Both very solid bikes, but if left standing (especially with an alarm) it can kill the battery, so make sure it cold starts.
I had the SP2 for 8 years, the SP1 for around 5.
Plastics are very expensive, if it has Akrapovic exhausts keep the link pipes as the end cans can be purchased, the link pipes can't any more.
They are heavy bikes (and underpowered compared to modern counterparts), but they hide the weight well once rolling.
By default they come with 190/50 on the rear, a 190/55 will fit, but will foul a hugger (if one is fitted).
Some people didn't get on with the seating position, personally I didn't have a problem with it.
One of my friends with a 748 had a go on it, the only point he didn't really like was how wide the tank is (compared to his bike). moving it around on full lock might mean pinching your fingers.
Fuelling wise, it can be a bit snatchy at low rpm, but that's easily cured with a power commander.
A lot of people fitted steering dampers, as they can get a bit of a head shake on.
I loved both of mine, they were great fun to ride. The SP2 was my road bike and the 1 a track bike.
Yes, the lack of any meaningful tank cut outs make them a bit of a pain manoevering about, at junctions you need to line the bike up with where you want to go a bit, as the lock is compromised by your wrists and fingers.
Lovely smooth motors, don't have quite the top end spinniness of say a TL 1000R, but for it's day, quite decent and a nice thing to own. Seem VERY collectible so be careful of paying a scene tax for it. Make sure you are happy with how nice it is, as others have said, some bits are very difficult to find and VERY pricey.
Lovely smooth motors, don't have quite the top end spinniness of say a TL 1000R, but for it's day, quite decent and a nice thing to own. Seem VERY collectible so be careful of paying a scene tax for it. Make sure you are happy with how nice it is, as others have said, some bits are very difficult to find and VERY pricey.
Gorgeous bikes. Proper hewn from granite HRC quality. Old skool long and low superbike ergos. The SP is more aggressive and less comfy than a 1098R! The big VTR spins with a lovely oil damped feel to it - unlike the vtwin Ducatis that Honda beat at their own game. The OEM rear shock is cheap rubbish - swap it out for a nice Ohlins and you're sorted.
Special twins.
Special twins.
spareparts said:
Gorgeous bikes. Proper hewn from granite HRC quality. Old skool long and low superbike ergos. The SP is more aggressive and less comfy than a 1098R! The big VTR spins with a lovely oil damped feel to it - unlike the vtwin Ducatis that Honda beat at their own game. The OEM rear shock is cheap rubbish - swap it out for a nice Ohlins and you're sorted.
Special twins.
Thanks. SP is yours an OEM Castrol model or did you get those fairings elsewhere?Special twins.
Bob_Defly said:
spareparts said:
Gorgeous bikes. Proper hewn from granite HRC quality. Old skool long and low superbike ergos. The SP is more aggressive and less comfy than a 1098R! The big VTR spins with a lovely oil damped feel to it - unlike the vtwin Ducatis that Honda beat at their own game. The OEM rear shock is cheap rubbish - swap it out for a nice Ohlins and you're sorted.
Special twins.
Thanks. SP is yours an OEM Castrol model or did you get those fairings elsewhere?Special twins.
ks sake, top darts Bob, they certainly fetch more than 2.5k!Always liked these, and so nearly bought one but put off by the tiny tank range which felt huge sitting on the bike, which was ace for me, but only good for ~80 miles everyone said at the time, same reason I sold my 1098s which I thought would go further.
You could tell it was a heavy machine but they're often very stable, the classic F4 is a heavy bike, and it's a dream to be on once settled in to it. I suspect these are quite similar?
I have the engine and running gear, and at least I can get 100 miles plus haha, but wrapped in this which works quite well............don't think I used it last year other than this MOT, unless this was the year before haha,
The SP1 and big bikes like it, I mean physically big, are done now. It's a real shame, all the back ends have fallen off Superbikes for some reason and I hate them. Less fairing and ugly samey castings and exhausts, only a couple have any sense of styling but even they went all pointy, no wonder interest lies in these already historic fantastic monsters if even at very high prices, deservedly so.
It looks like you did well there.
You could tell it was a heavy machine but they're often very stable, the classic F4 is a heavy bike, and it's a dream to be on once settled in to it. I suspect these are quite similar?
I have the engine and running gear, and at least I can get 100 miles plus haha, but wrapped in this which works quite well............don't think I used it last year other than this MOT, unless this was the year before haha,
The SP1 and big bikes like it, I mean physically big, are done now. It's a real shame, all the back ends have fallen off Superbikes for some reason and I hate them. Less fairing and ugly samey castings and exhausts, only a couple have any sense of styling but even they went all pointy, no wonder interest lies in these already historic fantastic monsters if even at very high prices, deservedly so.
It looks like you did well there.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff