VTR1000.ORG

Hello guys,

Greetings from Japan!

I am Rakesh, originally from India, but working and living in Japan. Last December, I bought a 1997 model VTR1000F (Japanese spec). This is my first large motorcycle moving up from a 250cc single. I was worried about the maintenance and control of such a large motorcycle. But surprisingly, the Firestorm is very nice. When i need, there is brute force or super calmness.

I bought the VTR to do both touring and track days. Thanks to the busy schedule, I haven't done any of the two till now. But, I am planning to start doing them both from July.
Since I have no experience with large motorcycles, I have somewhat primitive doubts.

For Touring:

I just have a 10L tank bag and a 60L saddle bag right now. And, I usually tie my back pack on the back seat using bungy ropes. I wanted to add top box but I don't have the racks right now. So, I found some strap-on 75L bags which can be fixed to the back seat. Which do you think is better?

For Track:

Right now, I don't have any frame/axle sliders. And because Firestorm has side radiators, a drop would be very costly. Last time, I enquired at the showroom, they said they will have to drill holes in my fairing and can install the sliders only then. Anyone with experience doing this modification on the VTR? Please clarify!

I'm really happy to be a part of this forum. We have similar forums in Japan but I can't understand Japanese. So, I am here! I hope to learn a lot from you guys!!

Thanks,
Rakesh

Welcome to the forum, regarding the sliders there are versions that don't require drilling the fairing.

If you go for R&G then yes, but I have double hard mushrooms DHM and they come with a bracket to off set the fixing point.

see below


program for screenshots for windows

Welcome aboard buddy

welcome to the club, good that you add 2 extra continents to our membership.

I rate the Vertura luggage system for touring.......as stable as hard luggage and as easy to remove as soft luggage

Welcome Rakesh. I have the Motrax DHM frame sliders which require no cutting of fairings. I know Motrax went out of business a while ago but the sliders are worth looking for.

Welcome and hello

歓迎＆ハロー


Kangei & harō


Hello & welcome.

I suppose you want that in Urdu* now as well...


Wealth of knowledge on here Rakesh but you will have to work out some very strange sense of humour...

The closest most of this lot on here have been to India is is the local ''Taste of Raj'' curryhouse...


* To be confirmed...

Welcome to the forum Rakesh I have to say your English is marvelous.

The type of crash protectors you are talking about where you do have to drill the fairing are what I have on my bike (see photo below), they are made by R & G. You replace the engine mounting bolt with one of theirs. Some are against this type of protector, but I myself prefer this to others which are supported by the cast aluminum frame, as cast alloy is not that strong. The only problem in fitting this type is the engine bolt could be seized in the frame making it very difficult to remove to fit the R & G part. I fitted mine when the bike was still fairly new, so I didn't have that problem.



Chris.

Thank you all for the advice!

I think I will prefer the DHM because my 'Storm is almost 16 years old now. The engine mount bolt may be difficult to remove.

And I have a very basic doubt. Say, if I do a low slide at 100kmph, will these frame sliders protect the fairing and the radiator? The last time when I dropped my bike (at a walking pace), it landed on the indicator (thankfully nothing got damaged except a few scratches). I'm really not sure about the exact contact points of the motorcycle when it falls. Will I need axle sliders too?

@MacV2: In India, "Hindi" is the most popular language. But there are more than 18 major languages (with their own script, culture, etc.)... So, it's difficult to pin point that one language which the whole of India speaks

@Chris: Thank you for the suggestion. I do agree with your material strength point of view. If I can remove my engine bolt easily, I would go for the R&G. And oh yeah, I can speak fairly decent English 'cause I've had all my education from kindergarten till University in English (that's like 18 years!!!)

By the way, a pic of my VTR! http://goo.gl/o0nLQ

Cheers,
Rakesh

welcome to the forum buddy......
there are other brands of frame sliders, just keep at look out on ebay....
i reckon a good idea would be to fit some crash bobbins to the exhaust hanger/strap mounting point, it could save your end cans if you drop the bike. or again r&g do exhaust proctectores, they look ugly tho...
so if i ever want to buy something exotic for my bike from japan, your my go between man.......
have fun with the bike dude.

Welcome everyone on here is very helpful

Hi there & welcome. Best option you have is to get a different bike for the track. Say an SV650. Then you wont have to worry about dropping the Storm. The other issue with using the Storm on the track is that you will probably never get out of 3rd gear before the next corner.

rakeshogi wrote:Thank you all for the advice!

@Chris: Thank you for the suggestion. I do agree with your material strength point of view. If I can remove my engine bolt easily, I would go for the R&G. And oh yeah, I can speak fairly decent English 'cause I've had all my education from kindergarten till University in English (that's like 18 years!!!)

By the way, a pic of my VTR! http://goo.gl/o0nLQ

Cheers,
Rakesh

Rakesh, One thing that may be worth knowing, is that if you drop the bike on it's side anytime, even at a stand still, you will most likely with the standard front indicators fitted break the inner fairing infill panel, that's why I fitted the flush fitting ones in the photo of my bike in my last post.

I can fully appreciate what you mean about the possibility of the engine mounting bolt being seized on your bike and why you would rather avoid having a big problem with that.

Your 18yrs of learning English has certainly paid off

Your bike is looking a clean and tidy bike

Cheers,

Chris.

Hello and welcome

welcome along sir...