VTR1000.ORG

Hello all,

Ive been awake since 5.45 this morning in the knowledge that I'm picking up my first sportsbike in a few hours; a bright yellow 01 Firestorm with ducati style underseat renegade exhausts, tidy!

Been riding for 10 years and slowly progressed my way up the cc's, last bike was a TDM 850 which I sold last night when I 'sealed the deal' I felt my heart sink and wondered why the hell I was selling such a versatile comfy bike, but I'm pretty sure I've made a good move - especially after reading many posts on here!

I'll be using the bike for commuting a 30 mile round trip into London (hence the previous TDM), more weekend riding now the summer is finally here and hopefully a couple of trackdays - Ive yet to get my knee down and consider this to be a necessity in order to live a happy sustained life

I went for the 01 model as I understand the bike has a more upright riding position and a larger fuel tank of 19 litres (for the commuting etc) I was tempted by a '99 firebalde (classic!) but was convinced by my old man that a Vtr may be a more suitable option - he is old enough to receive a free bus pass so I appreciate his wealth of bike knowledge. The fact that my premium has only gone up a tenner is quite a result which im sure wouldnt have been the case with the blade! Is the mpg really as bad as people say? I would say im quite a reserved rider although always find myself making the most out of the acceleration from the lights, but I'd like to think I could achieve 40mpg at least - doesn't the Dyno Jet stage 1 kit improve this? im sure the engine braking wouldn't bother me as the TDM seems to have similar characteristics. Looks like the rear tyre needs replacing soon (the front is new and is a michelin pilot road - would these be ok for trackdays?)

There will no doubt be more thoughts and posts on here after I am in possesion of the bike to gain some more expreienced opinions from you guys.

Right - bacon sarnie is in order followed by dragging the mrs out of bed on our trip to the Storm! im getting emotional just thinking about it!

I noticed a remark about a meet on Sunday, not sure where it is yet as Ive not seen the actual post but I may catch some of you then.

Cheers

Craig

welcome to the forum matey, dont forget to post some piccys when you get her home

welcome!
you picked a miserable day for picking it up!
once you get a feel for it you won't want to get off - good fun to ride
the fuel economy isn't much worse than other bikes tbh, just the smaller 16L tank is a pain.
if yours has a honda wing on the tank it's the bigger one.

re dynojet... i wouldn't believe too much of what you hear about them improving economy - they just make you want to ride harder, plus to get it right you will need a few dyno runs before you're 100% happy with the fuelling.

have a look at the sunay runs / events bit - some of us are meeting up at the queen vic near leicester at weekend, should be a laff

how come you've bought a yellow one and yet you have a mrs????

Are you implying that the yellow ones are designed for the sailors? Word on the grapvine is that lady boys are attracted to riding the white ones ...

well ive managed to ride it through london to work and fortunately missed the showers, phew. Im amazed at how easy it is to handle at slow speeds! Ive noticed the steering lock is not great (to weave between slow/stationary traffic) but to be expected I guess...

Mine is a Y-reg yet it doesnt have the Honda wing on the tank...I thought they moved to the larger tank on 01 models? Well I have to fill her up on the way home and the reserve light has just come on so if it takes over 16 litres I imagine it to be the larger capacity one - what is the reserve , 2.5 litres?

The sound of the cans is awsome by the way! Is it just me or do car drivers give more respect to sports bike riders .....

Cant wait to use her over the weekend for some recreational riding think im getting used to the riding position ...dont know what I was worried about!

Hi craig, Im a newbie too ! Picked up my 01 yreg storm last week.

The 01 model could be either the old or new type I believe. The new model has a LCD display to the right of the rev counter with a fuel guage and engine temp indicator, this and the larger tank is the only difference I think.

Ive just done 105 miles to the last bar on the guage but I don't really care, if I wanted economy I would have bought a scooter !

I have scorpion cans and on entering a 30 limit from a 60 people turn round as they can hear the popping !!

Have fun you, I hope you will enjoy it as much as I am mine.

oooh he looks nice. i love a man in uniform.
well a benny hedges is a type of fag

craig you mis heard the grapevine bud...
Ladyboys ride white bikes.

only trouble is im a bit past the boy stage. i'm a man. a real mayn, throbbing with manly manlyness.
which is why i didn't buy a yellow storm. or a pink one. (er, sorry, red i mean)

anyway, there's a question for you.... if it was dark, and you'd had a few, and there was no-one else around, and there was a stunning ladyboy making suggestive bj gestures....
would yer?

benny boy, ive travelled round thailand a couple of years back and that place was full of lady boys and wasn't tempted, not one bit....but did you say no-one was looking? jokes

yea you guys are right - it is the older model, have the red light for fuel gauge etc felt a bit mugged off as the bloke was selling it as the newer model...either way Ive recently come back from a buzz round the country lanes and, ...wow . i love it! the pull from 3-7000 rpm is addictive! and the noise the pipes make when you shut the throttle off is tasty - probably similar to the noise your scorpion cans are makin vtwin. think ill be using a tank of petrol a weekend at this rate!

glad you agree with the colour bikerbabe I am based in romford essex. Unfortunately all my mates are car drivers (losers!) so I tend to either go out on my todd or with my old man. Would be good to get involved in a rideout this summer...ill give the sunday rideout section a look now.

Welcome Craig - I'm newish on here too, but you've probably already noticed how friendly people are. I've not been on an 'away day' yet, but I've already linked up with Kent's Tony Mon, he's a bit of VTR expert.

Nice one craig good choice ! im new to the site too and you'll find a friendly bunch of enthusiasts .

PaulG wrote: already linked up with Kent's Tony Mon, he's a bit of VTR expert.

But which bit?

(best not ask, actually)

Welcome aboard Craig It sounds like you're enjoying your bike

Chris.

I've recently put my bike up for sale now on the for sale section but have had it removed as I've not made enough posts....maybe it's a sign to keep it?!?

So do I keep the storm and the 125 pantheon, or sell both for an all rounder. And what allrou der would be sufficient enough to return decent Mpgs, comfort and give me a grin factor for the wkends???!

benny hedges wrote:
only trouble is im a bit past the boy stage. i'm a man. a real mayn, throbbing with manly manlyness.
which is why i didn't buy a yellow storm. or a pink one. (er, sorry, red i mean)

Your SP1 looks red to me

Chris.