Calling all VTR Firestorm Riders

**Stormer** · 26th October 2002, 07:12

Calling all VTR Firestorm riders! Lets get a few threads going about this beast. Like, whats the secret to getting the suspension sorted, or do you have to go for an aftermarket setup such as Ohlins or Race Tech.
I`ve tweeked and adjusted every which way, but it still gives a fairly harsh ride.
Any thoughts on radar/camera detectors?
Ride hard,
Stormer

**Quaker** · 26th October 2002, 15:10

I dont know much about the suspension, but dont bother about radar dectectors instead get a jammer.
Mr. gaget used to do them. costs a little though, about 3 good tickets.

**Blackbird** · 26th October 2002, 16:04

Radar detectors are a real minefield - some are worse than useless. The latest Uniden with a GPS has poor detecting performance, whereas the Uniden LRD 2000, one of their earlier models, is quite good. I've got one of those on my bike just to improve the odds a bit. The acknowledged best detectors are Valentine or Escort brands, but are expensive. Jammers are also expensive, and most don't work. Try this NZ website for a comprehensive run-down.
http://www.radar.co.nz/nz/rr.html

You can also find some info on the Bel LE 850 jammer here. The website administrator has one fitted to his Blackbird.
http://www.ixxra.com/detectors.html

**Stormer** · 26th October 2002, 19:09

Thanx for the replies. After a bit of research the Escort Passport 8500 looks promising. At $1395 it seems to do most things,and has a remote ear jack, which is most handy on a bike. Handheld laser guns could be a problem though.
Have not got into the jammer maze yet. Wondering whether the
overseas ones work on the radar/laser bands used in NZ.
A clean licence forever
Stormer

**Nukles** · 27th October 2002, 03:13

i had a Blinder in my Audi S3 and one on my SpeedTriple and these things are awsome, saveec my more than the price of both units and just seeing the face of a cop when you jam their laser gun and just ride by is PRICELESS...

i have to ge another one now, summer is coming :bigthumb:

**Shafted** · 27th October 2002, 14:41

Hey dudes

Great to see this site up and running

I have had an escort 8500 for about a year now - Have had no tickets in that time - and it has definately saved my butt a number of times

Its easy to use - I run it without the x band live- and has got good range - and seems pretty hardy ...

Makes riding a whole lot more relaxing thats for sure

I bought mine from the US - when postage and duty were included it ended up costing me about $950

took about a week to get here - three days to Auckland - four days down the island!

Anyway - I wouldn't ride without one today

**bungbung** · 27th June 2003, 09:31

Hey Stormer,

have you learnt anything about suspension setup since your post?

**Stormer** · 27th June 2003, 19:35

Nah, I gave up in the end and settled for what I thought were the best settings, which I cannot even remember at the moment.

I just got used to the bucks and jolts, which arn`t to bad unless you`re cranked right over, then things can get interesting!!

Guess the only real cure is an aftermarket system when finances allow.

It`s the only real pissoff I`ve got with the bike.

And hey, did you know it is true?

The Red ones ARE faster!!!!!!!!

**merv** · 27th June 2003, 20:36

All this talk about jammers - are they legal? I presume they work on speed cameras too - though not the fixed ones with road mounted detectors of course.

**wkid_one** · 1st July 2003, 16:55

There are two sorts of jammers - active and passive. Active are illegal as they fire a scrambled signel back that decalibrates the radar....passive only disburse the signal so it can't bounce back - they are legal.

Stormer - Suspension Tech in Ellerslie are the best to talk to re suspension. Typical VTR's are sprung for a 65kg person on the front - and well hard on the rear....Try redoing the front and putting a 5mm spacer in the rear - works extremely well for mine to improve the handling.

**Stormer** · 1st July 2003, 17:16

Wkid,

Cheers for the info.

Question: How does the 5mm spacer improve things?

**wkid_one** · 1st July 2003, 22:36

Similar to dropping forks through yokes - improves steering response - didn't do this as needed clearance in front

**bungbung** · 2nd July 2003, 16:18

Front sprung for 65kg rider? OMG I won't need to drop the forks through the yokes then, I'll let gravity take over...

Seriously, I think my VTR must have been modified as I weigh about 120kg and I quite like the front end. Although my previous bike has been setup for someone who must only weighed 40kg...

**wkid_one** · 4th July 2003, 13:33

BungBung - you at the Avalon bridge on Thursday going north on to the motorway?? I was heading south

**bungbung** · 4th July 2003, 16:51

I don't remember, Thursday was yesterday? maybe wednesday but not as far north as that. I went to lower hutt in the afternoon... who knows

black jacket, black helmet thats me