1000cc twins

[xxblackbirdxx]

If Two Up is the way you will be riding most weekends (like i do)( not by choice)you might want to think again cause i used to hate riding the VTr two up, not to mention the missus who felt quite unsafe sitting at the back. I made the jump to a blackbird and am quite happy with it.
Loads of power, comfortable riding position and a nice seat for the pillion.

[vifferman]

If Two Up is the way you will be riding most weekends (like i do)( not by choice)you might want to think again cause i used to hate riding the VTr two up, not to mention the missus who felt quite unsafe sitting at the back.

We did the twow-up thing quite happily on the VTR, but having said that, the reason we got the VFR is it was just so much better two-up than the VTR, and better all round, in fact. Except maybe for easy wheelies off the throttle. Despite that, I still miss it, and if there's ever room in the gargre for more than one bike, I'd like another v-twin.

[madandy]

Well I have a test ride on a VTR1000 and SV1000 lined up this weekend to see how I like the twins and then crash harry's more powerful () ZX9 to think about...

[Coyote]

How much fuel do the SPs burn? I don't want to be paying one off and not have enough fuel money to get anywhere on it

And what are they like for the pillion?

[98tls]

How much fuel do the SPs burn? I don't want to be paying one off and not have enough fuel money to get anywhere on it

And what are they like for the pillion?

i know a bloke that had an SP........he did a few track days with it as well as road riding......he reckoned as a track bike it was average to good as a road bike on a day to day basis it was horrible....very focused bike as he put it..which i can understand.....remember having a chuckle a few years ago at the winchester rally with the ex as we watched a 2 up SP go buy.....she said "and i thought the TL was uncomfortable"

[Forest]

Its a nickname for the TL in the UK, I think it was the early ones without steering dampers that got it the rep. And its a way sharper machine than the VTR, I still like my VTR enough for me on NZ roads.

I don't know about the steering damper, but I remember the english bike mags savaging the rotary rear damper.

I have never ridden one, but I suspect the criticism was overblown.

[Coyote]

i know a bloke that had an SP........he did a few track days with it as well as road riding......he reckoned as a track bike it was average to good as a road bike on a day to day basis it was horrible....very focused bike as he put it..which i can understand.....remember having a chuckle a few years ago at the winchester rally with the ex as we watched a 2 up SP go buy.....she said "and i thought the TL was uncomfortable"

Damn. But they look so cool!

Guess I'll have to look elsewhere

[98tls]

Damn. But they look so cool!

Guess I'll have to look elsewhere

Agreed......hey dont let me put you off...great bike...just make her walk...

[slowpoke]

How much fuel do the SPs burn? I don't want to be paying one off and not have enough fuel money to get anywhere on it

And what are they like for the pillion?

Lets just say they were the basis for a competitive superbike, so pillions and fuel consumption weren't high on the list of priorities at HRC.

Salesman: "I believe you are in the wrong aisle sir, CBR 600F's and Deauville's are in aisle C"

[Coyote]

Agreed......hey dont let me put you off...great bike...just make her walk...

Sadly 'her' doesn't exist yet. But I'm working on it

Hell, if I can afford it I'll get it. I'm not planning on long trips anyway

[slowpoke]

Yep, it's all personal taste and what YOU have planned for the bike. I had a VTR a few years back and loved it....not that it was really a representative example as it was fitted with HRC cams, HRC carb kit, HRC close ratio box, Two Bro's system etc.
Then I got into track days which was fine for a while until I started wanting a bit more in the handling department.
I ended up getting a 954 Fireblade which was great, but kind of soulless in comparison. I then figured I'd go straight to the source and get what I was trying to turn the VTR into: a Ducati 916.
Then we moved back to NZ and one of the bikes had to go, so in a decision of head over heart we hung onto my missus R1 and sold the Duke. There is nothing the Duke does that the R1 can't do better but I still miss the pretty old girl. I reckoned if Ducati ever made a 150hp twin it would be the perfect combination: enter the 1098....exit my relationship if I ever spend that sort of money on a bike. Aaah, the course of true love is fraught with difficulties (up to you whether I'm talking about the 1098 or my relationship...).

The VTR was good enough to win Two Wheels magazine bike of the year in '97and represents good buying so long as you don't expect too much from it. It's a good allrounder that does everything adequately but nothing brilliantly. Obviously if you want a bike that does one particular thing very well then you're better off looking at a more focussed alternative.

You are the one with the dosh mate, test ride a couple of each and drive a bargain for which ever pushes your button. I'd definitely throw the ZX9 into the mix, as the bloke says, they are a very underated bike with a more sporting inclination.

Christ what a load of waffle.......

[jonbuoy]

I don't know about the steering damper, but I remember the english bike mags savaging the rotary rear damper.

I have never ridden one, but I suspect the criticism was overblown.

Maybe but they did do a factory recall and retrofit steering dampers. Some of the bike testers do go overboard with their "widow maker" comments, made it an instant cult bike though. Suzuki even used its bad boy rep as a selling point for the SV - anyone see the adverts?

Edit see below - 5500 RPMS plus looks like a happy place to be....

[geoffc]

Hi,
I've had my VTR for 2 years and love it still. Hard to fault. Sure it can be a bit clunky between 1st and 2nd gear but so what. Mine has Brother pipes which probably adds to the sound and performance a bit.
One critisism is that I think the frame is a bit light to make it a good two up bike if that is was you plan to use it for. Otherwise sweet.
Nothing wrong with the SV1000 either in my view, just I prefer the look of the TL. The choice is yours, they are all worth a look. Have fun with the test rides.
Cheers.

[98tls]

Yep, it's all personal taste and what YOU have planned for the bike. I had a VTR a few years back and loved it....not that it was really a representative example as it was fitted with HRC cams, HRC carb kit, HRC close ratio box, Two Bro's system etc.
Then I got into track days which was fine for a while until I started wanting a bit more in the handling department.
I ended up getting a 954 Fireblade which was great, but kind of soulless in comparison. I then figured I'd go straight to the source and get what I was trying to turn the VTR into: a Ducati 916.
Then we moved back to NZ and one of the bikes had to go, so in a decision of head over heart we hung onto my missus R1 and sold the Duke. There is nothing the Duke does that the R1 can't do better but I still miss the pretty old girl. I reckoned if Ducati ever made a 150hp twin it would be the perfect combination: enter the 1098....exit my relationship if I ever spend that sort of money on a bike. Aaah, the course of true love is fraught with difficulties (up to you whether I'm talking about the 1098 or my relationship...).

The VTR was good enough to win Two Wheels magazine bike of the year in '97and represents good buying so long as you don't expect too much from it. It's a good allrounder that does everything adequately but nothing brilliantly. Obviously if you want a bike that does one particular thing very well then you're better off looking at a more focussed alternative.

You are the one with the dosh mate, test ride a couple of each and drive a bargain for which ever pushes your button. I'd definitely throw the ZX9 into the mix, as the bloke says, they are a very underated bike with a more sporting inclination.

Christ what a load of waffle.......

Speaking of Waffle......Two Wheels magazines bike of the year in 97 was........A.....yamaha TRX 850............IBOTY in 98 was..........TL1000S...........

[wilber]

Not sure if a recall or advice to install steering damper in 98 ,surposely due to tank slappers ,mine had suzuki one on it took it off got into more trouble with it on , as for rotary damper I find its ok,might be due to me being a larger guy . Its the front end where i cannot get right ,bloody hard every bump feels worse than what it is .