Mk1& Mk2 comparison

[RPVTR]

Thanks for the replies to my last post; I've a few more questions.

Apart from the bigger tank and new instruments and ignoring colours/ graphics, what are the differences
between the first and second versions of the Firestorm? What was the suspension upgrade? How much higher/ closer are the bars? Are there any other upgrades?

There are plenty of mk1s but very few mk2s for sale - how much difference would I notice on the road?

thanks for any info/ advice.

[E.Marquez]

Never really marketed as a "MK2" just a year group change.
2001 and up got the digital gauge
You know about the larger tank, though that was only on your side of the pond, US market never got it.
the location of a few items changed, like the Igniter and such
Brake Master cylinder and clutch master cylinder went from plastic Res to integrated one in 2005 for the US market, not sure when the change was done for other markets
Color and BNG (Bold New Graphics) were really the other changes for the most part.

Bottom line, its all things you can see in pics for the various years...and then you can confirm those observed difference by using one of the online parts sources.

[popkat]

Later version has slightly firmer fork springs, still a bit soft but much improved.
Handle bars are in the same position but the downward angle is less so the bars are far more comfy.
air recirculation system fitted for emissions, this can be removed easily and blanked which you might want to do if you have race cans fitted due to the extra popping you'll get on the overrun.
Indicators are different.

Mostly the rest is the same apart from what you already mentioned.


How much difference.. I've had 2 early ones and one late version, I prefer the early version, hard to explain but it feels better, they seem a little fitter everywhere.. I do have the later bars fitted to my current early one though.


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[fabiostar]

did later ones loose a few bhp?. or is that old wives tales?

they moved the fuel petcock from the tank to the frame aswell...really they are the same bike..

[popkat]

did later ones loose a few bhp?. or is that old wives tales?

they moved the fuel petcock from the tank to the frame aswell...really they are the same bike..

I've heard people say they make less power, I thought they were all between 100-105 at the wheel (see edit added last bit of my post above)


Oh yeah the petcock moved and it's a bit more fiddly to remove the bigger tank, having an extra pair of hands helps.


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[fabiostar]

what you said in your previous post. the early ones do seem a tad more frisky..or so it feels any iv ridden.

[agentpineapple]

the later model has marginally less power due to emissions restrictions, but it's not difficult to remove, and hey presto full power again. but you'd be hard pushed to tell the difference in the real world.

[VTRDark]

See the following link which includes the Honda sales brochure.

http://www.burniemorgan.com/firestorm/vtr2001.html

[E.Marquez]

Later version has slightly firmer fork springs, still a bit soft but much improved.

All year VTR1000F used the same fork spring. There was no change. PN 51401-MBB-003
There was change to fork valving and the shock in 2001 got rebound adjustment

Handle bars are in the same position but the downward angle is less so the bars are far more comfy.

Ahh, yes, the flatter bars forgot about that good catch.

vtr01_bars[1].jpg (10.81 KiB) Viewed 1898 times

[MacV2]

As noted above re the changes...Tank, clocks, bars ect...

I'll add to that with...

The loom is different, due to clocks & the position of the ecu & igniter boxes. As they now reside on the side of the subframe not under the seat, also the addition of the H.I.S.S.

The std under tray & the subframe are also very slightly different again just the moving of the ecu means there are extra tangs on the sub frame & no tangs on the under tray to accomodate this. Also as the indicators have different conectors, they are a single block not bullet type.

The fairing brackets are steel & not the ally ones as per the early bikes.

Re the pairs gubins...the cam covers & the air box are different due to the plumbing required...valves in the cam covers & extra hoses into the air box.

[E.Marquez]

The fairing brackets are steel & not the ally ones as per the early bikes.

Can you expand on that please?
I have a 1998 built June 1997 and 2001 built Dec same year.
both have the same steel front faring support, and the same aluminum front upper fairing side mounts to the frame.

What mounts specifically are you referring to and what year did it change if you know?

Front Cowl stay
1998 & 2004 same part#
STAY, COWL (UPPER) 64501-MBB-000

Right front mount
1998 & 2004 same part#
STAY B, L. COWL (UPPER) 64218-MBB-D40

Left Cowl stay
1998 & 2004 same part#
STAY B, L. COWL (UPPER)64218-MBB-000

The lower cowl mounts to the engine are steel and the same part on both my bikes

[Kev L]

On the Brit spec bike the lower fairing supports are alloy on the early small tank bike and pressed steel on the later bike, post 2001 (F2/F3)

[MacV2]

The fairing brackets are steel & not the ally ones as per the early bikes.

Can you expand on that please?
I have a 1998 built June 1997 and 2001 built Dec same year.
both have the same steel front faring support, and the same aluminum front upper fairing side mounts to the frame.

What mounts specifically are you referring to and what year did it change if you know?

Front Cowl stay
1998 & 2004 same part#
STAY, COWL (UPPER) 64501-MBB-000

Right front mount
1998 & 2004 same part#
STAY B, L. COWL (UPPER) 64218-MBB-D40

Left Cowl stay
1998 & 2004 same part#
STAY B, L. COWL (UPPER)64218-MBB-000

The lower cowl mounts to the engine are steel and the same part on both my bikes

As Kev said the, the small brackets that the fairing bolts to on the frame. Two on each side...Not the fairing stay/clock mount...Front sub frame thing...

[VTRDark]

Old


New

[popkat]

Later version has slightly firmer fork springs, still a bit soft but much improved.

All year VTR1000F used the same fork spring. There was no change. PN 51401-MBB-003
There was change to fork valving and the shock in 2001 got rebound adjustment

Looked it up and yes they did all use the same springs, the complete inner damper is different, still the later forks are better as standard but all models benefit a firmer spring.

All model years had rebound damping adjustment on the rear shock. although different part numbers between early and late models so they did something to the shock but not the rebound adjustment, maybe valving or spring rate.


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