Honda VTR sp1 & sp2 :: thoughts please

[_intense_]

Hi lads & lasses,
Im keen to learn about the vtr sp1, have seen a couple round and im curious to hear peoples opinions on how they run, handle etc, reliability issues? Im looking to buy one, and i want to do the home work to see what i might be letting myself in for. Gotta admit it, im hooked on the sound... :2guns:

// thoughts please:

[Mort]

I've never ridden one but I've tustled with a few on trackdays and I can see they are handy ...... I like 'em.

When Honda put their slippers to one side they can make a dammed fine bike (Example ..VFR, CBR900 and the SP1/2) ....honda made the Sp to beat the duke..which they did. Its a pure sports bike mind.... dont expect creature comforts.

I think its a great bike. A classic. Go for it.

[slowpoke]

I had a short ride on an SP1 and it's a pretty nice bit of gear but obviously not Fireblade fast. It's a fairly agressive riding position, more so than a 'blade, but not as wrist compressing as it's Ducati competitors. The Ducati is a better outright performer but harder to live with on a daily around town basis.
The SP2 is a better option than the SP1 with upgraded swingarm, suspension and fuel injection making for a noticeably improved alround bike, although they look virtually identical.
If you really want to get serious about SP1/2's then check out http://www.honda-rc51.de/, but have your missus hide the cheque book first.....you have been warned.....

[_intense_]

Addition :: also how does it rate compared to an Aprillia rsv performance / running costs etc.

[boomer]

i love 'em.. to look at and to ride. cant tell ya bout owning one as i haven't.. why??

'cos its a honduh and owning such a bike classifies you as GHEY !

just do it ya fag!

[vfxdog]

I have an RSV-R and an SP2- both excellent bikes. The SP2 is more reliable and has none of those maddening faults Aprilia refuse to do anything about. The Honda feels heavier and can be put on a worthwhile weight-reduction programme. Handling on both is excellent- the Ohlins on the Aprilia is way better than the stock Honda stuff. The SP2 runs quite hot and is much more juicy than the Aprilia. A Techlusion unit on the SP2 with a decent set of cans and someone on a dyno who knows what they are doing will transform it. Both motors are close to bullet-proof, and of course sound way better than any I4.

[slowpoke]

I have an RSV-R and an SP2-


choosing what to ride....what a lovely problem to have....

[CookMySock]

'cos its a honduh and owning such a bike classifies you as GHEY !this got old a long time ago. :yawn:

DB

[boomer]

this got old a long time ago. :yawn:

DB

And your point? or did you just raise your head because you felt left out and wanted me to give you stick for riding a hyosung..??

ps.. if it makes me smile and laugh then its worth every penny :2thumbsup

[Marmoot]

Owned SP1 for a year.

SP1 makes great bike to go on smooth road, but might suffer when the road is bumpy and narrow. The suspension is geared towards track use, but is still a fast bike on the road nonetheless.
CBR600RR and CBR1000RR (04 onwards) superseeded it by a mile (if you fancy an inline four).

Reliability is supposedly much better than Aprilia and Ducati bikes from the same age.

From what I know, SP1 has better handling (sharper, quicker turning) while SP2 has better power delivery (slightly more peak power, smoother power delivery).

SP1 suffers from massive jerkiness at low speed due to early version of fuel injection system, so it'll make you cry to commute on it everyday. SP2/3/4/5/6 fixed this by implementing twice the number of injectors.

[vfxdog]

Owned SP1 for a year.

SP1 makes great bike to go on smooth road, but might suffer when the road is bumpy and narrow. The suspension is geared towards track use, but is still a fast bike on the road nonetheless.
CBR600RR and CBR1000RR (04 onwards) superseeded it by a mile (if you fancy an inline four).

Reliability is supposedly much better than Aprilia and Ducati bikes from the same age.

From what I know, SP1 has better handling (sharper, quicker turning) while SP2 has better power delivery (slightly more peak power, smoother power delivery).

SP1 suffers from massive jerkiness at low speed due to early version of fuel injection system, so it'll make you cry to commute on it everyday. SP2/3/4/5/6 fixed this by implementing twice the number of injectors.

Second that re the suspension. Ohlins or something similarly compliant would transform an SP. The Techlusion helps a lot with the low-down jerkiness though the standard SP2 is smoother than the earlier bike. Didn't know they did a SP3/4/5/6. I do know they're not doing the SP2 any more. I've had zero trouble with my Sp, though I have to say the Ape has been great too apart from the composite tank warping and dumping it's load in my garage.

[Patch]

Que the TLR or S

Why - cause you can mod the crap outta them, try doing that to a honda.

www.tlzone.net (http://www.tlzone.net)

I thought about an SP 2 but that is a far as it went

[Zoolander]

These are cool bikes, spent a bit of time on SP-1's never ridden the SP-2 though. Close up the detailing is fantastic, Honda went all out on them. Bit of a porker in stock trim, a nice open exhaust system would be the best place to start to lose a few kg as the standard pipes are heavy stainless steel. I never found them a quick steering bike, very stable and planted like a 996, but not very flickable. Fitting some good modern rubber should help with that. They're not a town bike, VERY snatchy and easy to stall as well. Plus you're perched very high with a good stretch to the bars. In smooth flowing bends they're awesome.

If you can find a good one I would definitely buy it as they don't seem to come up very often. Remember when the SP-1 was new it cost $28,500.00!!:gob:

Plus I'm sure they will be a classic one day!

[Pussy]

I have ridden an SP-1 that was stock apart from the cans, and then the same bike with a custom mapped power commander, Ohlins shock and revalved forks... bloody awesome! Quite an under-rated bike. I found the bike VERY comfortable to ride, apart from the thin seat padding... mind you, I am used to comfy gixxer seats

[Coyote]

Didn't know they did a SP3/4/5/6.
They didn't. That started when a delaer decided to put 'SP-3' stickers to the tail of a stock standard SP-2 to make theirs seem more advanced in hopes it would sell. They continued upgrading the stickers over the years.

VTR1000SP is 3rd on my dream list, looks cool and I like the cam gear sound, only one in my top 5 I haven't ridden though and it could get bumped up/down in the list once I get a chance. The RSV4 hasn't been released yet and that could go straight to No. 1 in the list when I see the road version.

[vfxdog]

I have ridden an SP-1 that was stock apart from the cans, and then the same bike with a custom mapped power commander, Ohlins shock and revalved forks... bloody awesome! Quite an under-rated bike. I found the bike VERY comfortable to ride, apart from the thin seat padding... mind you, I am used to comfy gixxer seats

Put a Sargent seat on my SP2- made a huge difference; not cheap but well worth the money.

[_intense_]

has been great too apart from the composite tank warping and dumping it's load in my garage.


// what the....

[_intense_]

Que the TLR or S

Why - cause you can mod the crap outta them, try doing that to a honda.

www.tlzone.net (http://www.tlzone.net)


// Whish is PRECISELY why i wouldn't buy one. How many sp2s you see around... im not after something common, hence not a $6k firestorm in the garage.

[SPman]

The RSV4 hasn't been released yet and that could go straight to No. 1 in the list when I see the road version.
End of 08 apparently.
Looks good.
http://www.motorcycledaily.com/22february08_aprilia_rsv4.htm

[Fluffy Cat]

Just got back from a ride on my SP-1 up and down the Wongamoas(not spelt right but sounds right) in sunny Nelson, i have owned the bike for a few years now. These bikes are one of the best v-twin super bikes you can buy let me explain.
1-The price is right, i have seen some going for $10,000 or less on trade me with low k's.
2-Set up right they handle great if a bit on the firm side then again firm is good for a race bike and that is what it is(just a little over damped). The SP-1 rear end is to low and many peeps put a 5mm spacer on the rear shock to speed things up a bit the SP-2 addressed this. Me i put the SP-2 shock on the SP-1 and this made things much better. Or get an Ohlins.
3-Motor 125-133 hp at the rear wheel in 2000 was very good for a vee. Things have moved on but still not bad. Had a bad rep for low down fueling and yes it could be a bit snatchy down low but it was not designed for poodling around town much improved by the SP-2 with more holes on the injectors. Easily fixed with a power commander. If you still find it snatchy another easy fix was to trade it in for a 50. The motor is strong all round but really gets going after 8000rpm. The bike is very over geared 6th being like an over drive. I would recommend a sprocket change. The SP-1 will now be much happier and show this by lifting its front end in appreciation...you will now need a steering damper(no joke!!!). Last thing here the motor is bomb proof just change the oil and listen to the gear driven cams whirrr.
4-The brakes are great EBC HH pads work very well on these rotors and there is a lot of feel as well. You will need this as the bike is almost 200kgs.
5-Build quality is great and the HRC sticers are on it because HRC designed most of it and built some of it. You can still get some of the HRC bits if you have very deep pockets, hi comp pistons and race cams seem to have been popular for a few extra ponies(quite a few extra ponies). You dont have to do much to this bike as its so right out of the box.
6-It has shocking mpg i think about 30mpg hmmm, the power commander helps but its still bad as is the riders position. Weight is on the wrists and tight on the knees. With almost zero wind protection from the screen on the SP-1. The SP-2 had a taller screen but not much better.
Thats about the size of it not a bad bike for what it was designed for i.e to beat Ducati 916 superbikes which it did frst time out with Colin Edwards onboard. Its nearest Jap rival was the TL1000R and its a nice bike but do test ride one as they are very different beasties. The SP pretty much outperforms it in all areas apart from not having a nice blue and white paint job.
I wont be selling mine for a very long time, the red ones go faster and keep in mind this is all from a vee twin perspective.(you cant compare them with the fours). I think you should buy one now, this instance.....

[Marmoot]

congratulations. Just in time for annual thread revival. :yes: