Motorcycle Honda VTR 1000: review, specifications, reviews. Motorcycles "Honda"

In the mid-1990s, people began to do strange things. They again began to like big and heavy motorcycles with a V-shaped two-cylinder engine. Previously, all sports bikes, except Ducati, were 4-cylinder, and the only models with a V-shaped engine were the cruisers. But then, thanks to the success of the Ducati 916, there was an explosive increase in demand for this strange phenomenon. But then it disappeared almost as suddenly as it appeared.

By 1997, Japanese manufacturers were finally convinced of the success of the Ducati 916 in showrooms around the world and decided that they should take part in it. In the same year, Suzuki released a wayward and powerful TL1000S, and Honda made a bet on Firestorm.

Honda VTR 1000: model overview

Despite the similarity in the name with the four-cylinder FireBlade, the designation F undoubtedly indicated least of all of the impressive size of the 900 cm ³ sportster, and more - the universal CBR600. Nevertheless, he had a sufficient capacity of 100 liters. With., Produced by a V-shaped engine with liquid cooling capacity of 996 cm ³ . In the motor, side radiators were used, allowing small dimensions of the front profile to be kept as small as possible. The chassis is quite standard and is an aluminum frame with a slight aesthetic appearance in the style of the steel grille of the Italian car. The only thing that was new was the combination of a pendulum, an engine and a frame, thanks to which the motor became a loaded structural element. The suspension was "normal". If the Suzuki TL1000S used a separate spring and a rotary damper, Honda had a checked suspension on shock absorbers with increasing Showa resistance and a Showa fork in the front.

During the first tests it became obvious that the technical characteristics of the Honda VTR 1000, like the Suzuki TL1000S, will not be able to surpass Ducati. These models represent a barely acceptable compromise for a very decent amount. The price of the motorcycle "Honda VTR1000" until 2000 was 8 thousand pounds, and after - 7100.

Underestimated model

The fashion for V-shaped 2-cylinder engines soon passed. This could not even prevent the PR-nightmare suffered by the TL1000S in 1997. The recall of motorcycles to replace the steering shock absorbers affected the confidence of buyers in Suzuki, and in the first year, Honda sold twice as many cars. Then, when the fashion for large-caliber four-cylinder bikes became more and more (like the torque), the Japanese two-cylinder appeared to be far behind. Nevertheless, the quality remains, and despite the fact that the Suzuki models with fuel injection and more powerful TL1000S and R machines have disappeared from the horizon, now more modest VTR motorcycles still find support from the army of fans. In truth, the Honda VTR 1000 is a machine that has been underestimated for too long.

Behavior on the road

The ride is stable, but not as sharp as the Ducati 996, or R1. The tiny dimensions of the motorcycle will most likely upset racers above 1 m 75 cm more than the shake they can get from the suspension. For the driver of the appropriate size and shape, Firestorm offers comfort above the average in its class. The VTR1000 has a rudder higher than rivals such as Aprilia Mille, Duke or Suzy TL1000, so the bike is the best choice for motoring. The model is very close to the sports and tourist area, except that the Honda VFR800 or Ducati ST4 already occupied this niche.

Like many Honda, Firestorm is a universal motorcycle. Riding on the track proves that a car with such a small power reserve can give odds to any other rival. Its stable supply of energy allows sometimes to make liberties and avoid consequences. Only the front forks of the Firestorm dive too much when braking abruptly, but this problem is easily solved for 200 pounds.

Not everything is so rosy

While the assembly of the motorcycle is good and sturdy, chain tensioners often fail as water pumps and rusting primary tubes.

The regulator or rectifier Honda VTR 1000, according to the owners, can also break down. When this happens, other parts are sometimes affected, which can lead to very expensive repairs. For example, in most cases the battery becomes useless. Available are used rectifiers (the same problem is associated with the VFR800), which are said to be more reliable than Honda's. Therefore, users recommend to go this way.

Dashboard

Owners love her version, which was issued before 2001, and later - hate. And vice versa. Early users of the Firestorm idea of LCD-fuel level indicator and watch fell in love, and owners of modified motorcycles claim that their speedometers are worthless. They are designed only for 2/3 of a full circular speedometer, so no figure is not there where it can be expected by habit. And the instrument panel as a whole became more cluttered.

Service

Inspection, cleaning, replacement or adjustment of the Honda VTR 1000 valves should be carried out every 24 thousand km. Oil, the oil filter needs to be changed every 12 thousand km of run. Brake fluid, clutch fluid and air filter - every 18 thousand km. Replacing the antifreeze Honda VTR 1000 must be made every 2 years or every 36 thousand km, depending on which event will occur faster.

Power point

Compared to a 4-cylinder engine, the engine is put into full power before the torque decreases at 5000 rpm. Then it again takes off to a maximum at 7000 rpm and attains maximum power in the region of 9000. The speed at 110 km / h is reached at only 3750 rpm, 190 km / h at 6250 rpm and the limit is 9500 rpm . In general, the Honda VTR 1000 engine is quite powerful.

Standard exhaust pipes (too quiet and very heavy, but desirable for inspection) are often removed. Dynojet kits and filters are widely used, and some owners drill the throttle to more quickly and accurately react. We should expect about 110 liters. from. On the rear wheel in the modifications of SP-1.

Fork

It is too soft and has no compression stroke. In this case, the installation of other fork springs (WP, Hyperpro, etc.) and the use of heavier oil, like air gap adjustment, will help. This operation can be entrusted to an expert or to go for finished second-hand from FireBlade. Set of plugs 1996-97 years. Release or even 1998 is well combined with the rest of the motorcycle.

Starter

Bolts on the starter motors can rust and break if not checked. Despite the fact that some dealers will say, you do not need to buy a whole starter, which will cost as much as 450-480 pounds. It is enough to replace the bolts and cover them with petroleum jelly.

Rear shock absorbers

With them, the situation is the same as with the forks. The purchase of new shock absorbers should be the next solution after the replacement of tires. A simple replacement will cost £ 300, and the racing version will cost 2 times more expensive. Many users replace the shock absorbers on the model Hagon or Maxton. Heavier drivers can simply change the spring. And sometimes enough to put a few washers (3-5 mm).

Tires

From them, you should always start improving the "performance" of the motorcycle. With the ubiquitous combination of 180 / 55-17 and 120 / 70-17, users have a wide choice. Do not dwell on the first sporting or cheapest option. You need to be honest with yourself about your style and driving time and choose a tire that can satisfy them all. Modern sports and tourist tires are much better than those that were produced during the VTR.

Some motorcycle owners adhere to the "more - better" principle and install the 190th section behind, but this is not necessary. The old Bridgestone BT56s were favorites, and the new BT010s are still good (the expected mileage is 4800-6400 km). Dunlop Sportmaxes offers even more durability, although less rigid. Users believe that the Avon Azaros tires provide excellent grip in dry conditions and do not wear off for ages, although their confidence on the wet road is not as high as that of Bridgestone.

Brakes

The brakes are double 296 mm discs with four-piston Nissin calipers in front and a 220 mm hydraulic disc with a single-piston caliper at the rear. The system of braking a motorcycle is not its best part, and in the responses of owners, the word "adequate" often skips. In the world of sportbikes, it replaces the word "lousy". It seems that after a while their effectiveness decreases. A popular solution is to install six-piston calipers from the GSX-R1000 in 2002, which are said to be perfect (many forums are devoted to these things, but the information gathered in them should be carefully checked). Also advise Carbone Lorraine SBK3s and Bendix SS. Some try the front main piston SP-1. A simpler solution is proper and frequent cleaning, the selection of braided tubes and the use of other pads.

Seat

Seating of the passenger seat is good, but there is no standard handle, which is another obvious omission. It is unclear why the creators of the motorcycle, aimed at the sports part of the sports-tourist category, thought that one strap would be enough. The good news is that on the Internet you can buy used Renntec handrails, which cost about $ 120.

Finish

The preservation of paintwork usually depends on the intensity of operation, but the forks seem to be covered with stains and become slightly shabby. Perhaps because VTR owners always ride in large groups? In addition, users caution against the purchase of motorcycles with silvery forks. Usually in such a color paint parts of the motorcycle to hide defects. This is done, for example, in used cars. To make the motorcycle cleaner, you will need a lower protective screen and a rear wheel cover, and a tall driver will need a double-bubble windscreen.

Honda VTR 1000 Firestorm stickers are available for all model modifications.

Fuel

This is the Achilles' heel of the motorcycle. Fuel consumption is very high, especially if you open all the dampers of a huge 48-mm carburetor. One small trip can lead to a round sum. The cars to the SP-1 had a tiny 16-liter fuel tank, and after the upgrade its volume was increased to 19 liters. Thus, before using the reserve, you can travel from 130 to 180 km (and 80 on the track). This corresponds to a fuel consumption of 11.3-7.4 liters per 100 km of run. The reserve is also insufficient - only 2.5 liters, which at best will be enough for 26 km. For early models, you can install either a tank from later modifications, or purchase a 24-liter from Harris for £ 600.

If the backup fuel indicator stops working, then it is probably enough to replace the sensor. Do not buy a new tank because of this.

History of the model

When Honda released Firestorm in 1997, the company could not imagine the global popularity of the motorcycle. The Honda VTR 1000 F, designed to capitalize on the success of the Ducati 916 racing in the 1990s, showed a departure from the proven four-cylinder sports offerings of the manufacturer. Probably, this was a step that the company did not want to do.

The motorcycle allowed Honda to take advantage of the rules of the World Superbike sports competitions, which allowed the volume of a V-shaped 2-cylinder engine equal to 1000 cm ³ . Later, in 2000, the model RC51 (SP-1) was launched, running on a 998 cc VTR engine with liquid cooling, in which Colin Edwards of the Castrol team won the Superbike World Championship.

Suzuki tried to enter the game, launching the ill-fated TL1000S. The experiment ended unsuccessfully, and they prefer not to remember it.

Power plant Honda VTR 1000 F was characterized by a completely new design, and for all time several concepts of design were proposed. These include an aluminum diagonal frame, peripheral radiators, a solid engine body, connecting rods with screws and caps instead of nuts, as well as the largest 48 mm Honda carburetors ever mounted on a motorcycle. The instrument panel also underwent changes - new indicators of a smaller size were installed.

The tank capacity in 2001 was increased from 16 to 19 liters. This was to correct the biggest disadvantage of the Honda VTR 1000 - a limited range of driving. Why the motorcycle was designed with a tank of this small size remains a mystery. Apparently, there is no good reason at all. Even when Honda ceased production of the model, VTR gained a reputation for a gluttonous car with a short range of driving, which was not entirely fair. One can only wonder why a motorcycle with such a huge potential was awarded such an unsuccessful design.

Further changes made in 2001 included improvements in the fork, increased driver comfort due to less protruding fasteners and a liquid crystal display for indicating fuel level, engine temperature, 2 mileage meters, odometer and hours. The immobilizer also became standard. Interestingly, a motorcycle in the US was known as Superhawk, perhaps because the name Firestorm resembled the Desert Storm operation in the Persian Gulf, and in this modification the bike retained a 16-liter tank.

Machine for the elderly

Honda VTR 1000 is all the best that the manufacturer could offer, especially if you buy a time-tested motorcycle. Its longevity is proved, but the user wins the greatest gain in management. It is stable, with a fine juicy silky growl of a V-shaped motor. The motorcycle is fast enough and develops a power of 76 kW at 9000 rpm and a torque of 93 Nm at 7000 rpm. It's fun to drive to work, happily crossing the city in the refined manner of Honda, and the seat height, equal to 810 mm, is reasonable even for people of low growth.

If you make the right choice, then for a small price motorcycle Honda can be found. A lot of well-preserved cars are on sale. This is Honda and parts for the VTR 1000 Firestorm will not create problems, but the price for reliability will be the driver's reputation. Undoubtedly, it will not be possible to stand out on such a motorcycle. But if this is not a problem, then the Honda VTR 1000 will really like it.