Took a test ride today...

[cheesemethod]

Decided to go and test ride a few bikes today, make some more notes, plan what I wanted next. Was at Holseshot and they had an '05 VTR1000, bright red and freshly polished. Rob (the guy with the awesome wizard beard) was there and offered a ride on it. At this stage I was just endulging in a bit of a hoon on a fun bike, hadn't really made my mind up yet. I had test rided a Hyo 650, Suzuki SV650 and a Bandit 1200 lately, all nice bikes, but didn't really put a grin on my face. The Honda sounded fantastic, has Scorpion pipes on it so makes a thunderous sound in the little alley way beside the bike shop. I took it around the block, then out onto the motorway. With nobody behind me at the on ramp, slowed down to about 30 in second, then gave it a good twist of throttle. The sensation was epic, a rush of noise and speed and excitment. The speed was epic too, had to test out the brakes just incase Mr Plod was about. Took the next exit, looped back round then blasted down the onramp again. Once I had decided that yes, this bike was fast enough, I got off the motorway and hit the streets around Takapuna. Despite being a big and heavy bike compared to my usual ride, I found it very easy to nip around the back streets on. I went around the block several times just to see how fast it can go around roundabouts. I was just that comfortable on the thing that I pulled a couple of u turns and did some slow crawl just to see if I could find any flaws in the handling at lower speed, but couldn't. I took it back to the shop and parked up. I didn't really want to get off it as I didn't want some other grubby biker fondling my new girl.

Yes, I decided to buy it. I know very little about the VTR1000 other than that they are thirsty but that didn't bother me. I hadn't riden a SV1000 or a CB900 or any other number of bikes yet to compare, but I just didn't care. I didn't care that I hadn't weighed up all the pros and cons of buying this bike. I just had to have it.

Bikes are funny things. I had no desire to buy a bike today. I've never bought anything without reading lots of reviews and comparing all the options and taking time to consider my purchase. But today I did. Because this bike did something special for me, and it had taken less than half an hour to completely fall in love with it. :love: Money and work and debt and stress - for that half hour they just disappeared. Only the bike mattered.

[crystalball]

good on ya mate. vtr has good personality that allways leaves you with a grin.

[240]

Awesome man i came very close to buying a vtr1000 bloody awesome bike!:Punk:

[shafty]

Photo's please...................

[frogfeaturesFZR]

Know the feeling, I was the same with my Aprilia, you just know when it's the 'one':yes:

[trailblazer]

when i am test riding bikes when i upgrade i will only be buying the bike that puts the biggest grtin on my face and leaves me wanting more and it doesn't matter what brand it is. (It better be a suzuki though). awesome on getting a new bike have fun and enjoy.

[blackdog]

when i am test riding bikes when i upgrade i will only be buying the bike that puts the biggest grtin on my face and leaves me wanting more and it doesn't matter what brand it is. (It better be a suzuki though). awesome on getting a new bike have fun and enjoy.

buy my bandit....i'm looking for a vtr:)

[slofox]

Yep. Zackerly the same when I first rode "the vixen"

[98tls]

Nice read,enjoy.

[AllanB]

Good for you mate. Nice bikes and clean ones are holding their value well.

Give it heaps!

[trailblazer]

buy my bandit....i'm looking for a vtr:)
the wife has asked me to wait another 6 months before i upgrade my bike.

[cheesemethod]

Here's the beast. Should be a bit of fun.

[shafty]

That is one grouse looking Bike Dude - Congratulations

[davebullet]

Very tidy!

[banditrider]

Congrats from another red VTR owner! A lot of fun alright. Take good care of her!

[Houseman]

Here here, great story mate. Was love at first twist with my Firestorm as well.

[Mudfart]

i best remove it from my watchlist then. was this the low kms 2008 one?. i have read a lot about these hondas, hell i know a guy who has one and the only bad i can figure is thristy, and tyre wear but feck me its a 1ltr anyway. nice purchase.

[ynot slow]

Funny how test riding works,I thought in no order,GSX650F,SV1000,GSF1250 mostly from summer fest promo in summer 08,took the 650 out and impressed me,then went to try the bandit and sv,but the shop had no demos,I was offered the VTR1000 as a comparison to the SV,but to me the riding position was slightly different,plus the pillion seat was also slightly different,so found a nearly new bandit with pipe and 10500km and was hooked.

[banditrider]

Funny how test riding works,I thought in no order,GSX650F,SV1000,GSF1250 mostly from summer fest promo in summer 08,took the 650 out and impressed me,then went to try the bandit and sv,but the shop had no demos,I was offered the VTR1000 as a comparison to the SV,but to me the riding position was slightly different,plus the pillion seat was also slightly different,so found a nearly new bandit with pipe and 10500km and was hooked.

Your Bandit probably has a more comfortable and user friendly riding position (although the seats tend to be pretty uncomfortable - esp after 20hrs lol), but I did over 500km on the VTR last Sunday and was surprised at how comfortable it was. No sore butt and everything else felt good too. Most surprised...

[vifferman]

I had a VTR1000, and really miss it. I know what you mean about having no intention to buying a bike, but the test ride changes your mind - that's why I no longer have a VTR and have the VFR instead (and also possibly the reason I haven't ridden anything else in the last five and a half years...)

A couple of tips with the VTR: make sure the carbs are balanced every 6 months and the idle set correctly, and if you start to have any camchain clatter, replace the camchain tensioner (usually the front one) straight away. Better still, get some APE manual tensioners.

[cheesemethod]

Thanks for all the feedback folks. Hopefully will be picking up on Wednesday. Looking at getting crash knobs and a pack rack as the first couple of essentials. Then perhaps some heated grips before next winter.

Vifferman... any more info on the manual tensioners and where to get them? After doing a bit of research the last few days it looks like looking after the cam chain is a good idea on these bikes. At the moment it sounds like it's in good nick, no clatters or strange noises, sounded mint like a belt drive.

Also can anybody link me to any good threads on bike cleaning? I want to keep the paint and finishes mint on this thing cause right now it looks like brand new and I'd like to keep it that way. The GN mainly needed chrome care, and the paint on the Impulse is already shot so I don't have a whole lot of practice keeping a modern bike clean.

[crynsie]

Soory about the texts...thought you were sam who also bought a new bike this weekend...hopefully this will make sense now.

Can't wait to see it parked next to the viffer at work :)

You deserve it!!!!

Si

[cheesemethod]

Thanks Si. Suddenly that text makes sense. We'll have to get together with Sam and go for a ride sometime. I wonder if he wants to buy another bike now too? (the impulse)

[Insanity_rules]

And another rider falls for the charms of a big v twin! Good work, nice bike! Now go open those pipes up and really let her sing.

[R-Soul]

Yup I also fell in love with Red Sonja that way - actually fell in love with her looks before that first ride. The first ride was just the cherry on top.

You will prolly take a few months before having the balls to fully open the throttle in first gear - man its scary. Check out acceleration and VTR100F on you tube. They have exhaust tuned Firestorms doing 1-100kph in 2.5 seconds. Comparable to Hyabusas (although not after the 100kph mark).

And it has great handling (and for a liter bike, it has relatively low weight at 190kg, and is quite skinny and nimble through traffic).

You will love it. Awesome bike. Good for hooning and touring and track.

[Hiflyer]

Awesome bike! can't wait to upgrade myself, prooobably wont go for a 1000 if I don't think I can trust myself.

I've heard it's about150kms between stops ay? You'll be best friends with the petroleum transfer technicians all over the country!

[Dooly]

I brought a VTR1000 as my first bike back into my mid life crisis thingy after many years away from them.
I found it very user friendly, plenty of power, easy to ride and fun. Sounded good too with Neptune mufflers.
Godd call.

[slofox]

Decided to go and test ride a few bikes today, make some more notes, plan what I wanted next. Was at Holseshot and they had an '05 VTR1000, bright red and freshly polished. Rob (the guy with the awesome wizard beard) was there and offered a ride on it. At this stage I was just endulging in a bit of a hoon on a fun bike, hadn't really made my mind up yet. I had test rided a Hyo 650, Suzuki SV650 and a Bandit 1200 lately, all nice bikes, but didn't really put a grin on my face. The Honda sounded fantastic, has Scorpion pipes on it so makes a thunderous sound in the little alley way beside the bike shop. I took it around the block, then out onto the motorway. With nobody behind me at the on ramp, slowed down to about 30 in second, then gave it a good twist of throttle. The sensation was epic, a rush of noise and speed and excitment. The speed was epic too, had to test out the brakes just incase Mr Plod was about. Took the next exit, looped back round then blasted down the onramp again. Once I had decided that yes, this bike was fast enough, I got off the motorway and hit the streets around Takapuna. Despite being a big and heavy bike compared to my usual ride, I found it very easy to nip around the back streets on. I went around the block several times just to see how fast it can go around roundabouts. I was just that comfortable on the thing that I pulled a couple of u turns and did some slow crawl just to see if I could find any flaws in the handling at lower speed, but couldn't. I took it back to the shop and parked up. I didn't really want to get off it as I didn't want some other grubby biker fondling my new girl.

Yes, I decided to buy it. I know very little about the VTR1000 other than that they are thirsty but that didn't bother me. I hadn't riden a SV1000 or a CB900 or any other number of bikes yet to compare, but I just didn't care. I didn't care that I hadn't weighed up all the pros and cons of buying this bike. I just had to have it.

Bikes are funny things. I had no desire to buy a bike today. I've never bought anything without reading lots of reviews and comparing all the options and taking time to consider my purchase. But today I did. Because this bike did something special for me, and it had taken less than half an hour to completely fall in love with it. :love: Money and work and debt and stress - for that half hour they just disappeared. Only the bike mattered.

So you bought it straight away huh...Disgraceful! :angry:

At least I had the decency to pretend I was "thinking about it" for a couple of weeks...:rofl:

Truth of the matter is that I decided straight away too. I rode the SV home, took it out once more and then parked it up in the garage and prepared it for sale...I just knew I had to have the new bike...:love:

Actually I was interested in the VTR's as well but the gas guzzling put me off a bit. Not that the GSXR does a lot better in reality...220km range seems pathetic after the SV's 350km...

Have a ball on your new ride! :sunny:

[Houseman]

OK this is now getting seriously wierd.. I too never used to worry too much about my GN's personal hygiene. Now I have a brand new looking shiny red VTR1000 I want to keep it that way also, so spent Sat morning trolling KB to find some good info on the same. Others may have a better idea but this one was my favourite:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/123454-How-to-best-clean-your-bike

I copied and pasted the 2nd post from Marmoot into word and saved it as it had all I needed to hear. Went and bout some Meguirs next generation something or other (the one in the fancy purple box) and a few trick piece of cloth. $80 all up but 60 min later and my bike looks awesome! Had to take it for a ride straight away so went for a quiet pint with a mate who was at a pub down the road (yes just one...) and counted about 5 people stop to stare at the beast as they walked down the street.

Anyway, I guess the point of this brag-fest is that I also own a shiny red Firestorm, and the post above worked out great for me. So if your reading this Marmoot (or is that Vegiemoot) thanks a bunch!!

[vifferman]

Vifferman... any more info on the manual tensioners and where to get them?
Here's a link for them (http://cbrzone.com/sprockets.html).
When I bought mine, the only NZ agent was doubling the price for the huge amount of work involved in placing an order. You may find someone in the US or elsewhere you can get them from instead. I got mine plus a Throttle Position Sensor I... um... err... broke....:shutup: from some bloke in the UK on the VTR forum there. Got them in a week, and it cost me less than the CCTs or TPS would've cost on their own.
Here's the US forum (I was a member there too): www.superhawkforum.com/
The UK one seems to have disappeared, but here's another one (http://www.vtr1000.org/).

[Tink]

when i am test riding bikes when i upgrade i will only be buying the bike that puts the biggest grtin on my face and leaves me wanting more and it doesn't matter what brand it is. (It better be a suzuki though). awesome on getting a new bike have fun and enjoy.

I await that grin... (but why a suz).. mind you don't blame ya.. thous are pretty sweet.. being a wee 5ft 2 I would love a sports bike.. but prob stuck with a cruizer!

[banditrider]

Here's a link for them (http://cbrzone.com/sprockets.html).
When I bought mine, the only NZ agent was doubling the price for the huge amount of work involved in placing an order. You may find someone in the US or elsewhere you can get them from instead. I got mine plus a Throttle Position Sensor I... um... err... broke....:shutup: from some bloke in the UK on the VTR forum there. Got them in a week, and it cost me less than the CCTs or TPS would've cost on their own.
Here's the US forum (I was a member there too): www.superhawkforum.com/
The UK one seems to have disappeared, but here's another one (http://www.vtr1000.org/).

Thanks for the links. My VTR has about 27k on it now (previous owners must never have rode it), any idea on when I might need to start worrying about stuff like this? Also, how hard are they to fit and how often do they need adjustment?

[Jacko2]

ONYA Mate!

[vifferman]

Thanks for the links. My VTR has about 27k on it now (previous owners must never have rode it), any idea on when I might need to start worrying about stuff like this? Also, how hard are they to fit and how often do they need adjustment?
From what I know, how quickly the camchain tensioners wear out depends on how much hard acceleration/engine braking you do, and how much time the bike spends idling on the sidestand. Too much of either/both of these can reputedly give the spring in the tensioners a hard time, especially the front one (usually the first to go). The rear tensioner slopes down from the barrel, so gets plenty of oil, whereas the front slopes up away from the barrel. The springs get pounded, snap, and the stupid tensioner pin backs out, allowing the chain to hop some teeth on the cam.

Despite the myths that abound about the coloured dots on various OEM CCTs, they're all the same (apart from the pretty coloured dots).

There are basically three cures: replace the tensioner(s) with OEM ones as soon as the engine gets rattly; modify the OEM tensioners by replacing the innards with a bolt and locknut (before they get rattly); replace them with APE ones, which are merely an alloy body with a bolt and locknut.

Replacing them isn't hard, and you can do it two ways: either take the engine apart so you can see where the cams, chain, etc are at, or do it by making sure the timing marks are in the right spot for the right cylinder (don't ask me the details, as I did this over 6 years ago). With replacement OEM CCTs, there's a peg you pull out that lets the spring loose to find its own tension. With modified or manual CCTs, you have to either measure the amount of slack in the longest run, with the engine in the right position (which means you have to take it apart), or do it by sound/feel. I'm lazy, so I used the latter method, but my engine was so rattly I couldn't do it by sound. I figured (rightly or wrongly) that the springs in the OEM tensioners wouldn't have any more 'oomph' than the amount of tension I could apply by screwing the tensioner bolt in with my fingers. In any case, whether it was too loose/tight, I figured there was no way the camchain could misbehave, so it didn't matter much.
How often do manual ones need adjusting? The camchains stretch most (well... the pins get looser) early on in the piece, and then not a huge amount. The wear on the sliders probably contributes more to the need for adjustment. It's reasonably safe to just wait until they get a wee bit noisier, because unlike the auto OEM ones they can't back out. so it's pretty much impossible for the camchain to flap around enough to jump off the sprockets.

[banditrider]

From what I know, how quickly the camchain tensioners wear out depends on how much hard acceleration/engine braking you do, and how much time the bike spends idling on the sidestand. Too much of either/both of these can reputedly give the spring in the tensioners a hard time, especially the front one (usually the first to go). The rear tensioner slopes down from the barrel, so gets plenty of oil, whereas the front slopes up away from the barrel. The springs get pounded, snap, and the stupid tensioner pin backs out, allowing the chain to hop some teeth on the cam.

Despite the myths that abound about the coloured dots on various OEM CCTs, they're all the same (apart from the pretty coloured dots).

There are basically three cures: replace the tensioner(s) with OEM ones as soon as the engine gets rattly; modify the OEM tensioners by replacing the innards with a bolt and locknut (before they get rattly); replace them with APE ones, which are merely an alloy body with a bolt and locknut.

Replacing them isn't hard, and you can do it two ways: either take the engine apart so you can see where the cams, chain, etc are at, or do it by making sure the timing marks are in the right spot for the right cylinder (don't ask me the details, as I did this over 6 years ago). With replacement OEM CCTs, there's a peg you pull out that lets the spring loose to find its own tension. With modified or manual CCTs, you have to either measure the amount of slack in the longest run, with the engine in the right position (which means you have to take it apart), or do it by sound/feel. I'm lazy, so I used the latter method, but my engine was so rattly I couldn't do it by sound. I figured (rightly or wrongly) that the springs in the OEM tensioners wouldn't have any more 'oomph' than the amount of tension I could apply by screwing the tensioner bolt in with my fingers. In any case, whether it was too loose/tight, I figured there was no way the camchain could misbehave, so it didn't matter much.
How often do manual ones need adjusting? The camchains stretch most (well... the pins get looser) early on in the piece, and then not a huge amount. The wear on the sliders probably contributes more to the need for adjustment. It's reasonably safe to just wait until they get a wee bit noisier, because unlike the auto OEM ones they can't back out. so it's pretty much impossible for the camchain to flap around enough to jump off the sprockets.

Thanks for the info, I'll certainly be keeping an ear on things...

[cheesemethod]

Has anybody got a picture of what the stock cam chain tensioner is supposed to look like? My one has a hex head on it... perhaps somebody has already put manual ones on it?

[PeteJ]

There's an Australian VTR1000 forum: ozfirestorm.proboards.com. One of its major advantages is that it consistently has the funniest funnies board of any forum (and I belong to....oooohhhh...about 15 bike-related ones, as well as fishing and work forums).

Now: cleaning.

I bought my VTR1000 new in 2006. I clean it with water only on the plastics, tank, and instruments etc, no cleaning product at all; tar and grease remover is used only on metalwork below axle height, and the wheels and the engine. I use a car brush only on wheels and exposed metalwork; everything else gets done with a cotton rag.

It gets polished with Pledge only, nothing else. No detergent, no wax, no polish. It's been through mud and flood and gravel roads and farm tracks, but right now in the shed looks as it did the day I bought it, apart from a couple of very minor stone chips. The paint and plastics are like brand new. The Pledge sheds dirt - waxes etc collect it, and make it scratch paint and plastics (not just a theory this - lotsa people have proved it for themselves, as I have).

CCTs: as mine is used instructing at ART days, I replace the CCTs with stock ones at 18,000km intervals.

[cheesemethod]

I took delivery of the bike today, and put some Ks on it despite the weather. I'm over the moon with it, it rides great, it sounds great and it looks great. PeteJ how much do the stock CCTs cost? And which dealer do you use? Experience with car parts tells me that some dealers have a lot higher margins than others so I don't want to get taken for a ride. My CCTs are fine at the moment, just planning ahead.

[PeteJ]

Can't remember offhand. I have an idea the APEs may be cheaper than OEM, especially if you buy from an online US discounter. See discussions on the Superhawk site. I'd never entirely subscribed to the VTR tensioner problem view until one of the other ART instructors had a failure on his one at 40,000km.

I use Honda dealers at The Mount - GP Honda - and Kerikeri - Waipapa Honda.

[BuzzardNZ]

I've ridden the VTR1000, and used to own a GSX400x Impulse. Personally, I'd have stuck with the 400.

[PeteJ]

I've ridden the VTR1000, and used to own a GSX400x Impulse. Personally, I'd have stuck with the 400.

Oh, yes, no-one says you have to follow my inclinations.

I prefer women, myself.