A buddy of mine bought one of these in 2004. I laughed and asked him if the other two cylinders were an option. He threw me the key and I started it up, sounded as I expected. Took it for a spin and rolled into the throttle in 2nd gear, I literally thought my arms were being pulled out of their sockets.
Sadly does when it's your daily commuter and you're filling up every single day. I've had mine for 15 years as a weekender and occasional commuter but now she's full time the filling up is getting old quick!
@@ilaser4064 indeed. My best was 80 miles. I was riding like a dick though. :). I bought some loud pipes for rmine and took them off as it was quite obnoxious. Cracking bike. Not sure why Honda can't mak a Cam hina tensioner in the 21st century though. I had a fork tune by revolution and it was a revelation, the standard suspension is crap,.
I've owned one for a couple years now, its the most stable bike i've ridden and i've owned 7 previous super sport bikes, i'm confident that on real roads it out performs them
I got 97 Firestorm and I love that bike... I couldnt ever sell it :D I found one with 17k km with service history in Honda. There is only one word that could describe this bike....CHARACTER
I have had my Storm for 8 years and I watch as my friends bikes are slowly crumbling while the Storm going strong like a king. Bulletproof headturner ageing like a queen great fun to ride it anytime. I will never sell it.
Have had mine since October 2019,and it is amongst the best 1000cc bikes that I have ridden.The power is available right through the rev range and the acceleration is phenomenal.one vital modification is to fit manual cam chain tensioners as the factory fitted automatic ones are prone to failure. My storm has the belly pan fairing and is painted in the HRC Repsol colours,the belly pan dramatically improves the looks as well as protecting the front downpipe from road debris,it's also been stage 2 dynojetted that is worth doing there is a noticable difference in acceleration.
Owned my 98 for 15 years. No intention to ever sell it. Couple of mods to make it better that I’d suggest.... replace the front calipers and master cylinder with 2002 vintage GSXR1000 stuff which bolts right up with no issues. Put and Ohlins/Penske on the rear and GP Suspension internals in the front. The stock front is way to soft as are most Hondas of this era. Drop the triples down the forks just a tad to decrease rake/trail. Set the sag for your weight. GMD did my bike years ago. She’ll really come alive with this stuff, trust me.
Love,Love, Love my Firestorm! She has great torque and she’s light and nimble. Her exhaust song is voluptuous and Watch that throttle as she’ll lift the front wheel easily!!
Had one 13 yrs, still miss that bike. Superhawk 996 here in the states. Had a red 02 and only thing that wore out were the tires lol loved that bike. Get it out of town and stretch it out.
I got one in ‘97 and loved it. Put 40K km on it before selling it to a friend. The front suspension wasn’t great, and it got worse over time with all the wheelies. It wants to headshake if you get off the power too quickly at high rpm, but a steering damper fixes that.
Fit linear springs, change the fork oil and redrill the transfer hole, cheap and east mod, screw the preload to the max and they re fine, also fit a steering damper. If you want a lot more pickup from the engine get the flywheels skimmed, they are far too heavy, the difference is amazing for very little money.
Just done a manual cam tensioner upgrade and she still be there after 150k km... Bullet proof engine... Dont be stupid change your tensioners or your vtr is like a timed bomb ..(original tensioners dont have an oil lines for cooling spring, causing chain slip and valve bend)
Small tank and very high fuel consumption kept me away as I like to go places on my bikes. I live in the western US. You'd have to plan your moves carefully in some places, or you'd run out of fuel. Honda's answer to Ducati's Super Sport of that era. The Honda made quite a bit more power and was an absolute blast to ride. 20mpg killed it for me.
I love my BEAST:) This machine will never be made again, sir I sold my cbr600fy for this machine and truly love it mate:) I am used to power but this beast is something else if revved lol:)
iv'e had my vtr for 6 years now, done the cam adjuster mod, and regulator , i used the yamaha r1 regulator . recently bought a zx9r, no way will i sell my vtr, EVER
hey, I'm a complete honda V 2 or 4 nutter. I've had 2 of these - first model (smaller tank) + 2nd. also back at uni - a humble vf750f and now.... a Vfr1200f which is my favourite.
I’ve owned a VTR since 2000 so 22 years. The brakes are terrible!! I actually warped the rotors at Pocono Race Way. I installed a pair of Braketech ductile iron full floating rotors and RC51 calipers + master cylinder with Ferodo HH pads and now have one finger stopping. Many other upgrades to make it track ready. It’s a beast no doubt but not an RC51!! The 51 will pull your arms out of the socket if you don’t back out of the throttle. Best of luck.
Loved the video mate and concur the power delivery is consistent but BRUTAL! LOL I grew up with the 2 strokes in the 80s but this bike is taking the piss lol
People sleeping on this hidden gem....... them Biker Boyzzzz crowd are too concern with looking 'cool' with super sports and superbikes and missing out on this. I like it that way. This bike is like a dirty little secret that only true enthusiasts know, so stay away and don't ruin this bike all you squids out there! Stick to your ugly Suzuki GSX-R's and leave this hidden gem ALONE! OK, kinda got off on a rant there but.... you know wassup! :)
You're wrong about it not being sportbike it's a full-blown race bike that's why it only gets 100 miles to the tank it was built to destroy the Ducati 996 which it did
I had one of these. A track bike. Or sighting bike. Street legal but with all the goodies to go racing, including very sticky Metzlers. Jetted, pipes, intake, brakes, rotors, custom graphics with lots of carbon fiber bits. Way too fast for a 63 year old former racer. Close to VTR1000 SP1 performance.
I've got a question for you Superhawkers. I have a '98, and I absolutely love everything about the bike, however, the handlebars absolutely kill my hands. It puts so much of my upper body weight on the heels of my hands, its actually painful. There are lots of options for installing different bars, risers, etc, but in order to change the position enough to make them comfortable, the fairing either has to be removed or cut. I really don't want to cut it, as the Honda plastics are no longer made. The other option would be to remove the fairing, but this bike is funky looking as hell without the fairing. Though about polishing everything under the fairing, but I would still have to install another headlight assembly. There really is no easy solution. Do any of you have any thought on this subject?
I love this bike one of my dream bike.. But in Indonesia this bike very rare item... I have found it but not in good condition...in the end i bought cbr150r 😂.. Yeah enoght for just dailyuse...
You'd learn faster on a 4cyl, has lot's of power and is a lot less scary because also a lot smoother. When you're used to the power you can get to the torque. I've been riding my 86hp katana pretty hard for 9 months now.. but I shit myself every time i take my friend's 76hp sv650.
@@Thomas-yv5yw yeah my mate who's convinced me to do it recommends a 600 il4. I'm just drawn to twins, think it's the noise they make and like the idea of surfing the torque rather than ringing it's neck. My current plan is to hopefully pass my test eventually, ride a 4 cylinder 600 for couple of years by which time I'll have saved up enough money to buy my dream bike - a Honda VTR SP2.
Yeah you're lugging the hell out of it ain't nothing going to feel Snappy when you're lugging it get those RPMs up a little bit and you'll feel the you'll start shiting your pants
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Pure machine to ride. No abs, traction control, lean angle abs and other shit. Just you and your bike.
like all bikes from the '90
Something beautiful about that. You really have to learn and study your bike.
A buddy of mine bought one of these in 2004. I laughed and asked him if the other two cylinders were an option. He threw me the key and I started it up, sounded as I expected. Took it for a spin and rolled into the throttle in 2nd gear, I literally thought my arms were being pulled out of their sockets.
Nice bike 😊
Ive got vtr for only few months now and i can ensure you fuel consumption doesn't matter when you get on it. Sounds amazing. Pulls like a train:)
Sadly does when it's your daily commuter and you're filling up every single day. I've had mine for 15 years as a weekender and occasional commuter but now she's full time the filling up is getting old quick!
@@ilaser4064 indeed. My best was 80 miles. I was riding like a dick though. :). I bought some loud pipes for rmine and took them off as it was quite obnoxious. Cracking bike. Not sure why Honda can't mak a Cam hina tensioner in the 21st century though.
I had a fork tune by revolution and it was a revelation, the standard suspension is crap,.
I have had my firestorm for about 10 years now, and love the thing
@@jerryx2000 there is quite a bit of engine braking, but you get used to it very quickly
@@jerryx2000 learn to rev count... Really usefull for all bikes
I've owned one for a couple years now, its the most stable bike i've ridden and i've owned 7 previous super sport bikes, i'm confident that on real roads it out performs them
I have a 2001 Storm since 2013 I love it everytime I take it out and I will never ever sell it.
I got 97 Firestorm and I love that bike... I couldnt ever sell it :D I found one with 17k km with service history in Honda. There is only one word that could describe this bike....CHARACTER
I got one when they first came out. Still my favorite bike I’ve owned. Beautiful motorcycle.
I have had my Storm for 8 years and I watch as my friends bikes are slowly crumbling while the Storm going strong like a king. Bulletproof headturner ageing like a queen great fun to ride it anytime. I will never sell it.
What are your mods? Currently I have an aftermarket exhaust, regulator and manual cam chain. Any other essentials? Anything to look out for?
Have had mine since October 2019,and it is amongst the best 1000cc bikes that I have ridden.The power is available right through the rev range and the acceleration is phenomenal.one vital modification is to fit manual cam chain tensioners as the factory fitted automatic ones are prone to failure.
My storm has the belly pan fairing and is painted in the HRC Repsol colours,the belly pan dramatically improves the looks as well as protecting the front downpipe from road debris,it's also been stage 2 dynojetted that is worth doing there is a noticable difference in acceleration.
My 125cc was a Honda MBX with an after market fairing. I sprayed it red. This camera view is bringing back sweet memories! Thanks bro!
Just picked one up. 2003 with 18,000kms. In great nik too.
Just replace the Cam chain tensioners,they tend to fail
Owned my 98 for 15 years. No intention to ever sell it. Couple of mods to make it better that I’d suggest.... replace the front calipers and master cylinder with 2002 vintage GSXR1000 stuff which bolts right up with no issues. Put and Ohlins/Penske on the rear and GP Suspension internals in the front. The stock front is way to soft as are most Hondas of this era. Drop the triples down the forks just a tad to decrease rake/trail. Set the sag for your weight. GMD did my bike years ago. She’ll really come alive with this stuff, trust me.
Love,Love, Love my Firestorm! She has great torque and she’s light and nimble. Her exhaust song is voluptuous and Watch that throttle as she’ll lift the front wheel easily!!
I had one for 8yrs and remain that it is just about the best street bike engine ever
Got mine a few months ago, and got the model with the undertray, lovely bike, but very different from the Kawasaki I rode before
My partner has the 2001 model in yellow, beautiful ride to have
Had one 13 yrs, still miss that bike. Superhawk 996 here in the states. Had a red 02 and only thing that wore out were the tires lol loved that bike. Get it out of town and stretch it out.
Hahaha točno tako,i sam ju imam i volim je "istegnut" van grada....❤❤❤
I got one in ‘97 and loved it. Put 40K km on it before selling it to a friend. The front suspension wasn’t great, and it got worse over time with all the wheelies. It wants to headshake if you get off the power too quickly at high rpm, but a steering damper fixes that.
Front suspension bearing must be done with too much wheelies...
Fit linear springs, change the fork oil and redrill the transfer hole, cheap and east mod, screw the preload to the max and they re fine, also fit a steering damper. If you want a lot more pickup from the engine get the flywheels skimmed, they are far too heavy, the difference is amazing for very little money.
When i was a kid, i had posters of this bike on my wall that i pulled from magazines. I wanted one so bad.
Just done a manual cam tensioner upgrade and she still be there after 150k km... Bullet proof engine... Dont be stupid change your tensioners or your vtr is like a timed bomb ..(original tensioners dont have an oil lines for cooling spring, causing chain slip and valve bend)
Came for the sound.Didnt let me down👍
Small tank and very high fuel consumption kept me away as I like to go places on my bikes. I live in the western US. You'd have to plan your moves carefully in some places, or you'd run out of fuel.
Honda's answer to Ducati's Super Sport of that era. The Honda made quite a bit more power and was an absolute blast to ride. 20mpg killed it for me.
The sound is mesmerizing,
I looked at a couple of these last year but went with a VFR instead because I thought it was prettier. Honda sure used to make an amazing bike.
Change out the cam chain tensioners and regulator/rectifier, and they are dead reliable.
Very smooth power delivery, very easy to ride.
I love my BEAST:)
This machine will never be made again, sir
I sold my cbr600fy for this machine and truly love it mate:)
I am used to power but this beast is something else if revved lol:)
Motorcycle reviews are 100x better with an Irish accent!!! Love it man!!! This and the RC51 are drool worthy.
Thanks Mark !
iv'e had my vtr for 6 years now, done the cam adjuster mod, and regulator , i used the yamaha r1 regulator . recently bought a zx9r, no way will i sell my vtr, EVER
Have an sv650 now and love the v-twin sound, thinking of moving up to a VTR next
Vtr is nice
hey, I'm a complete honda V 2 or 4 nutter. I've had 2 of these - first model (smaller tank) + 2nd. also back at uni - a humble vf750f and now.... a Vfr1200f which is my favourite.
I’ve owned a VTR since 2000 so 22 years. The brakes are terrible!! I actually warped the rotors at Pocono Race Way. I installed a pair of Braketech ductile iron full floating rotors and RC51 calipers + master cylinder with Ferodo HH pads and now have one finger stopping. Many other upgrades to make it track ready. It’s a beast no doubt but not an RC51!! The 51 will pull your arms out of the socket if you don’t back out of the throttle. Best of luck.
Loved the video mate and concur the power delivery is consistent but BRUTAL! LOL
I grew up with the 2 strokes in the 80s but this bike is taking the piss lol
Love this bike and i will never buy a 600cc again.
Best bike i ever owned !
People sleeping on this hidden gem....... them Biker Boyzzzz crowd are too concern with looking 'cool' with super sports and superbikes and missing out on this. I like it that way. This bike is like a dirty little secret that only true enthusiasts know, so stay away and don't ruin this bike all you squids out there! Stick to your ugly Suzuki GSX-R's and leave this hidden gem ALONE! OK, kinda got off on a rant there but.... you know wassup! :)
I think the fuel consumption on the inverted subcontractobilator is sub par but its got a nice aesthetic
I always throw my brights on if it looks like someone may pull out in front of me!
Really enjoy your reviews saw the ALP 650 and this so far
Thanks Steve we have done about 600 total on this channel so plenty more to look at !
@@RetroBikesDublin besides the cam chain anything to look out for on these
Nothing really 👍
Bought it lol a gen 1 but very very clean and the sound is just awesome
Thats a lovely sounding machine there!
Lovely v twin !
You're wrong about it not being sportbike it's a full-blown race bike that's why it only gets 100 miles to the tank it was built to destroy the Ducati 996 which it did
Destroy an old 996 don't know about that.
I had one of these. A track bike. Or sighting bike. Street legal but with all the goodies to go racing, including very sticky Metzlers. Jetted, pipes, intake, brakes, rotors, custom graphics with lots of carbon fiber bits. Way too fast for a 63 year old former racer. Close to VTR1000 SP1 performance.
He keeps talking about not being afraid of the throttle, but he hasn't twisted it yet.
Watch the first minute again on the first main stretch 😉 3/4 throttle there bud remember we are on public roads lots of traffic 😊
25 mpg! Fecking hell, even my Bandit 12 gets around 40.
great review. Thanks... Liked and subscribed
Thanks Chris!!
I've got a question for you Superhawkers. I have a '98, and I absolutely love everything about the bike, however, the handlebars absolutely kill my hands. It puts so much of my upper body weight on the heels of my hands, its actually painful. There are lots of options for installing different bars, risers, etc, but in order to change the position enough to make them comfortable, the fairing either has to be removed or cut. I really don't want to cut it, as the Honda plastics are no longer made. The other option would be to remove the fairing, but this bike is funky looking as hell without the fairing. Though about polishing everything under the fairing, but I would still have to install another headlight assembly. There really is no easy solution. Do any of you have any thought on this subject?
I've had a Honda blackbird so bigger.. a Suzuki bandit 1200. I'm about to go look at one of these are they light feeling or still heavy?
Much lighter than those two bikes
I wish I'd kept mine.
This is my first bike...
What's a name of Exhaust??
I love this bike one of my dream bike.. But in Indonesia this bike very rare item... I have found it but not in good condition...in the end i bought cbr150r 😂.. Yeah enoght for just dailyuse...
Subbed.... lovely bike...
Would it make a good first big bike?
What are you coming from ?
@@RetroBikesDublin I'm just asking would it would be a good bike after passing your unrestricted test? Me personally, I've only done the cbt.
Yes if you're a confident rider and have discipline!
You'd learn faster on a 4cyl, has lot's of power and is a lot less scary because also a lot smoother. When you're used to the power you can get to the torque.
I've been riding my 86hp katana pretty hard for 9 months now.. but I shit myself every time i take my friend's 76hp sv650.
@@Thomas-yv5yw yeah my mate who's convinced me to do it recommends a 600 il4. I'm just drawn to twins, think it's the noise they make and like the idea of surfing the torque rather than ringing it's neck. My current plan is to hopefully pass my test eventually, ride a 4 cylinder 600 for couple of years by which time I'll have saved up enough money to buy my dream bike - a Honda VTR SP2.
Single cylinder?
Twin
Brakes on these are the down fall
Agree. they get the job done though, just have to squeeze harder.
Clunky gearbox and grabby clutch are the other things.
Some sintered pad upgrade and they work damn well
Wayne Pantry
Hahaha iv just bought one you ain’t wrong about that engine breaking that’s something else hahaha 😂
You have to rev It Up you're not even getting it close to 6000 RPMs it'll become a complete different bike shor you know that by now
998 or 996 cc?
One thousand
Technically 996
Mózg mi paruje jak widzę że gościu na rondzie jedzie w lewo xD
Stillorgan/Blackrock/Dun Laoghaire are the worst for getting pulled out on haha full of thicks nobody ever looks
I just seen 1 in Duarte ca right now loud as shit
Loud exhaaust saved you....
I'm 5ft so no chance! 😆
where did u get it
Originally a Japanese bike
@@RetroBikesDublin thanks so much
@@nahte-7270 no worries thanks let us know if interested thanks
ok will do mate 👍
how much was she?
100 RWHP
Yeah you're lugging the hell out of it ain't nothing going to feel Snappy when you're lugging it get those RPMs up a little bit and you'll feel the you'll start shiting your pants
Thowwwwsend
Its a 996 ...
😂😂
@@RetroBikesDublin 😂
Clutchsound so fake
What do you mean ?
@@RetroBikesDublin when you ride a H-D or Duc without bizzzzuuu noise all the time
Huh