VTR1000.ORG

Hi guys,
well I picked up my new Storm yesterday all serviced with new rubber front and back ( BT 016's if anyones got experience of them to feed back) filled up with petrol and headed out around Lincolnshires finest Wolds roads to scrub in the tyres and learn how to ride a V twin after many years on howling fours. Got to say I havn't smiled so much for ages during a ride,I'm definately converted now that I've got used to not screaming up and down the gearbox and braking like my life depended on it (which I suppose it did really) My Fazer thou was good but riding the Storm has made me realise how hard I was working on the thing. Well if the weathers good tomorrow I'll be out again to soak up some more of the character of these lovely machines,hope my wallet can stand the strain,time to look into shares at BP I think.

Thats the thing with the big V twins. You'll either get them or you wont. If you dont then you'll hate the things. If you do then you'll be like the rest of us lunatics. Absolutely love the things. I'll never forget my first ride on the VTR.

Picked it up at Bexhill, a good 70 miles away after spending 6 months since test pass on an old GSXR750. Weather was crappy so I took it easy on the new bike but about half way home the sun had came out and the roads were drying so I thought I would have a play. That moment when you plod along at 40 and twist the wrist and a second later you're doing 80 is one I'll never forget. Crusing along the carriage way in top gear at 80 with the engine bearly making a noise is another moment that will never bore me.

So what the storm may not be the fastest twin out there and certianly nowhere near as quick as the IL4's but theres no doubting that the beastie has a character all of her own. You'll soon get used to the weird pops and farts she does and the airbox burps but you'll never get used to the thrill when you upen her up and whirring of the engine gets replaced by the growl from the rear end.

Just be careful because they rev much lower than an IL4 and as a result dont sounds as fast when you're doing in excess of the speed limit.

We should get the government to ban the selling of firestorms to the north of the country, we need some more storm riders down this neck of the woods.

welcome smiffy, get some pictures up and enjoy the bike and the Forum

Welcome man, enjoy the forum

Thanks lads,I put the suspension settings back to standard today,seems the previous owner was either a big lad or a two up rider,went for a 140 mile ride and felt like a different bike again,even better than before,planted at the front end and predictable at the back,a lovely ride. And not bad on fuel either,reserve light flashed at 125 miles but only took 12.5 litres to fill so seems like no need to panick about fuel stops,wasn't hanging around either at speeds between 80 and ton ten. I think I'm gonna like this bike....... a lot. Will sort some pics out and post when I get the chance, in the meantime happy riding everyone.

Even the standard settings are a bit duff. The rear is over sprung and would need to be on the lowest preload for solo work, and the front is too soft and needs a stiffer spring, so you want it's preload fully in till you sort the spring.

Also adding a 3 to 6mm spacer under the top mount of the back shock will steepen the steering angle and help the turn in.