Hi
I`ve been thinking about the Vtr,really like it, Vee-twin appeals-good torque and fair top speed. (BMW F650GS current bike)
I have sat on a couple of 2000/2001 VTR`s but havn`t ridden one,YET!
I`m just over 6ft - fairly long legged...will it be comfortable at slow speeds and in traffic ? any neck/back/wrist aches and pains ?
is it comfortable at speed and long distance ?
what are average dealer servicing costs ? , what are servicing intervals ? minor and major ?
does it handle well enough with standard set up ?...as i won`t be wanting to upgrade suspension etc for a good few months at least (current bike handling to consider and compare with)
do i buy new or used ?...F650gs possible trade in
any other useful info on buying a VTR appreciated
cheers
paddy
Convince me ! (please help me decide)
IMHO
Well, all below is IMO, you can only decide after trying it. But.
I can't tell you about comfort in relation to how tall you are - I am just 5 ft. 7 " but I feel very comfortable on VTR as of the moment I changed clipons to CBR1000F clipons. However, my bike is 97, and after 2001 all Storms got different clip-ons that much easier on wrists. I think Storm has fair distance to pegs but mst importantly as all Hondas distance from seat to handlebars isn't too big (Yamaha is typical for opposite) and if you are tall you can seat quite upright which makes it easier in traffic.
I like Storm in traffic because it is very narrow (narrower than most inline-4) and because it's sound with race cans scares hell out of car drivers (here) and they always let me go.
Comparing with F650 you will not probably feel problems with handling, thou I think new springs and oil in forks almost mandatory for big rider. It is cheap as chips so not a big deal of upgrade. 80 Euros would do the trick.
Long runs - I find Storm comfortable, but then I got iron butt
(my friends-riders say) , I heard that seat is uncomfortable in long rides. Here is example - last year 3700 km in 6 days and I had no single hiccup or no sore wrists or elbow. And it was 3700 km NOT on motorways, all backroads.
Basically 800 km a day is no probs, except fuel range - but I think you know about it already. Also, I heard people say pillions complaining in long rides - well, my wife just 46 kilos and small so she is quite happy with pillion seat on Storm (I been riding Hornet 600 before).
Regarding buying one - I do not think Storm is a good buy new. They do not cost much second-hand comparing let say to Blades etc., so if you are keen on long-ish rides get 2001-onwards model with 19 l tank and "updated" clipons, change Cam Chain Tensioners moment you buy it (39 GBP per one I think? and 1 hour easy work) - and you;ll be fine.
I had no problems with service so far - I changing oil and filters myself, and always managed to buy air filter for like 15 euros off eBay new. Had one valves adjustment so far (as per book) and paid just 100 Euros for all service (valves, carbs sync etc.) - I do not know prices in UK....
It does eat chains and sprockets fairly fast, but I do not find it any faster than let say GSXR or Blade. It eats rear tyre more than Blade, but then it is payoff for torque band...Well - at the end of the day it's a Honda
I can't tell you about comfort in relation to how tall you are - I am just 5 ft. 7 " but I feel very comfortable on VTR as of the moment I changed clipons to CBR1000F clipons. However, my bike is 97, and after 2001 all Storms got different clip-ons that much easier on wrists. I think Storm has fair distance to pegs but mst importantly as all Hondas distance from seat to handlebars isn't too big (Yamaha is typical for opposite) and if you are tall you can seat quite upright which makes it easier in traffic.
I like Storm in traffic because it is very narrow (narrower than most inline-4) and because it's sound with race cans scares hell out of car drivers (here) and they always let me go.
Comparing with F650 you will not probably feel problems with handling, thou I think new springs and oil in forks almost mandatory for big rider. It is cheap as chips so not a big deal of upgrade. 80 Euros would do the trick.
Long runs - I find Storm comfortable, but then I got iron butt
(my friends-riders say) , I heard that seat is uncomfortable in long rides. Here is example - last year 3700 km in 6 days and I had no single hiccup or no sore wrists or elbow. And it was 3700 km NOT on motorways, all backroads.Basically 800 km a day is no probs, except fuel range - but I think you know about it already. Also, I heard people say pillions complaining in long rides - well, my wife just 46 kilos and small so she is quite happy with pillion seat on Storm (I been riding Hornet 600 before).
Regarding buying one - I do not think Storm is a good buy new. They do not cost much second-hand comparing let say to Blades etc., so if you are keen on long-ish rides get 2001-onwards model with 19 l tank and "updated" clipons, change Cam Chain Tensioners moment you buy it (39 GBP per one I think? and 1 hour easy work) - and you;ll be fine.
I had no problems with service so far - I changing oil and filters myself, and always managed to buy air filter for like 15 euros off eBay new. Had one valves adjustment so far (as per book) and paid just 100 Euros for all service (valves, carbs sync etc.) - I do not know prices in UK....
It does eat chains and sprockets fairly fast, but I do not find it any faster than let say GSXR or Blade. It eats rear tyre more than Blade, but then it is payoff for torque band...Well - at the end of the day it's a Honda
4 wheels moving body, 2 wheels moving soul
Hi, Im 5ft 10ish in old speak, I once rode 1000 ks in just over 12 hrs, down our state highway 1, with a few fuel stops, break for lunch etc, boy did I need those stops, however ive had a back op a few years ago which I think caused most of the discomfort, however the VTR seat is more comfortable than my 91 VFR seat was. I have no prob with a 200 - 400k ride.
Craig from the land of the long white cloud. Teal VTR 2001.
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eddvtr1000
- Posts: 177
- Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2005 9:07 am
- Location: staffs
welcome on board ompaddy imho i reakon the vtr is a comfy bike that handles well in traffic at slow speeds (well better than a tl1000r for instance)
high speeds are good too allthough breaking hard will make the front forks dive quiker than a stuka.
the only times ive found it uncomfy were riding in traffic (when i first got it) but that goes after a while you get used to it, and straight line motorway work tends to make my back hurt a bit (not crippling just nigly)
i get mine serviced every 3000 miles £90 odd minor and about £150 major if i remember right (dont quote me).15000 mile major.
im sure a few other will be in to give advice good luck.
high speeds are good too allthough breaking hard will make the front forks dive quiker than a stuka.
the only times ive found it uncomfy were riding in traffic (when i first got it) but that goes after a while you get used to it, and straight line motorway work tends to make my back hurt a bit (not crippling just nigly)
i get mine serviced every 3000 miles £90 odd minor and about £150 major if i remember right (dont quote me).15000 mile major.
im sure a few other will be in to give advice good luck.
4 cyl = 2ltr , 2 cyl = 1ltr it's all relative.
im 6ft 4 and the storm is THE most comfortable sports type bike ive ever ridden. no excessive weight on the wrists .. never had back-ache . sore neck
or any of the other sports bike rider afflictions....try one mine fits like the proverbial glove...
or any of the other sports bike rider afflictions....try one mine fits like the proverbial glove...
I AM THE STRANGE MAN YOUR MOTHER WARNED YOU ABOUT......
Have a sweetie and stop crying........
[Werthers Original...they never get rid of the taste]
Have a sweetie and stop crying........
[Werthers Original...they never get rid of the taste]
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tractorbiker
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Sat Apr 23, 2005 10:34 pm
- Location: Maldon, Essex
I'm also 6'4" and find the storm very comfortable. Also echo the point about being good in traffic - not sure the bike is really that much narrower than a straight-4, but it feels much narrower and inspires confidence in tight spaces. Can't imagine coming from a F650 you'll find the handling as standard a limiting factor, but thicker oil and stiffer springs in the forks at some point will keep your chin off the tarmac in heavy braking.
And as for long-distances, no worries...you'll be stopping to refuel every hour anyway!
And as for long-distances, no worries...you'll be stopping to refuel every hour anyway!
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VTRgirl
- Posts: 2281
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2005 3:22 pm
- Location: Sunny Queensland, Great Southern Land
I'm a fairly average build & height for a chick, but comfortably ride 1000kms in a day. Have been known on occasion, to do this in under 10 hours ride time 
... Comfortable as anything. I do this trip once or twice a year & have no problems. Last time, an aunty I was staying with was looking at her watch as I rode in her driveway... I pulled up, got off, got changed & went out to a party for the next six hours, no trouble.
You have my personal guarantee that if you buy a VTR, new or used (may as well go new if you can afford it), you will not regret it.
... Comfortable as anything. I do this trip once or twice a year & have no problems. Last time, an aunty I was staying with was looking at her watch as I rode in her driveway... I pulled up, got off, got changed & went out to a party for the next six hours, no trouble.You have my personal guarantee that if you buy a VTR, new or used (may as well go new if you can afford it), you will not regret it.
If you ate yourself would you become twice as big or simply disappear?
Go for it m8 you wont regret it , dont let the cct problems everyone goes on about put you off it seems the bike is so reliable that the ccts going and the rectifier problem is the only thing there is to moan about so they seem blown out of propotion rather than being swamped with all the other faults.
I also think the storm is great in traffic with its smooth carburation at low revs making tootling along no probs.
Theres also some very very nice people on this forum that will help you anyway they can and that
is invaluable
I also think the storm is great in traffic with its smooth carburation at low revs making tootling along no probs.
Theres also some very very nice people on this forum that will help you anyway they can and that
is invaluableThere was a time i used to care
