Honda VTR1000, SP1 SP2 etc

[HenryDorsetCase]

What is the difference between a VTR1000F a VTR1000R and an SP1 and SP2.

I seem to be asking the wrong question of google....

[vifferman]

What is the difference between a VTR1000F a VTR1000R and an SP1 and SP2.

I seem to be asking the wrong question of google....

Never heard of a VTR1000R.
The "F" is just your run-of-the-mill, ornery Firestorm.
The SP1 and 2 (RC51) are "racing versions" , sometimes called the RVT1000, brought out by Honda when the the RC45 (RVF750) could no longer beat the Ducati 996, and they needed to make squillions of them for homologation for World Superbike racing. (Strangely, Ducati got an exemption as a "low volume manufacturer" and didn't have to make as many).
The VTR1000 is ~100hp, ~200kg, has a bikini fairing and bellypan, and is fairly soft, being aimed at competing with the Ducati 900SS rather than the 996. The engine can only be hotted up by spending a bazillion shekel-dollars on it, and then the cases will blow up over 125hp. (Incidentally, so did the earlier Ducatis, but the factory teams replaced the cases every race meeting).
The RC51 (SP1, 2 or "3") are not any lighter, but the extra weight is in making them stronger. The engines have gear-driven overhead cams, EFI, USD forks, the swingarm is very stiff, it has a full fairing. It has better springs, shocks etc. and is around 135 hp standard, I think, with more on tap if you throw all the HRC goodies at it.

The SP1 and SP2 are not much different - slight model upgrade for the SP2. The latest RC51 model was an SP3, I think.

[HenryDorsetCase]

thanks for that....

[gixermike]

don't know much about the VTR1000's, they're the more sensible version, but softer, less focused and an apparently not very related engine to the SP1 despite the name / chassis etc.

think the VTR1000R is just the rest of the name for the SP1 etc (it's a VTR1000R SP1)

SP1 and 2 differences
some cosmetic stuff
swingarm upgraded on SP2 (either got stiffer of softer...can't remember...better though apparently)
low throttle glitches in fuel injection on SP1...apparently cured on SP2, but then I've never noticed any problem on the SP1. Doesn't like being lugged real low in the revs, and pulls strong high in revs...unlike a twin really.
both have looooong gearing, which can be a PITA, but both awsome to ride..but then I'm biased...

Called an RC51 RVT1000R in the US of A, has black frame and different paint.

http://www.fireblades.org/forums/honda-rc51/

is probably the best place to ask any questions about them..
if you get one and want pdf manuals I have links etc for them.

oh, and an SP3 is just a later model SP2 with different paint.

Mike

[Fatjim]

VTR1000F's are riden by real men.

SP!'s are riden by wanabe's.

You might mean the vt1000 shadow.

[vifferman]

both have looooong gearing, which can be a PITA, but both awsome to ride..but then I'm biased...

Biased, or just educated?
I miss my VTR1000, but the VFR's so much better. I'd love an SP as well.
The looooooong gearing's easily fixed with some other sprockets, and REALLY changes the character of the beast.

[xwhatsit]

SP1 and SP2 were service packs, or collections of patches brought out by Honda largely due to a number of security issues within the bikes. In the original model, integer overflow exploits were laughably trivial, so SP1 (and later SP2) were brought out to counter rootkits.

[Marmoot]

Contrary to the nerd above me, SP1 and SP2 (and SP3, SP4, SP5, they're the same as SP2) are RC51 which are totally different bike from VTR1000F (different frame, different engine, different suspension, go figure).

SP1 is known for better flickability and handling as its good point. The bad points would be (very) jerky fuel injection and throttle, harsh suspension and bad body posture that provokes back ache on even short distanced rides.

SP2 (and later versions) had the fuel injection problem sorted out by utilizing better injectors (duh). This also adds power and better throttle response by the way. Handling is softened a bit and is not as sharp as the predecessor, but it's still a WSB winner.

VTR1000F is a great bike albeit too soft for me. Good for everyday use and it's cheap. Easy to wheelie.

Get a CBR1000RR. They go at reasonable price for 04-05 model and it's awesome. It's better than my SP1 for sure.

[Sanx]

Never ridden an SP but I did own a Firestorm (VTR1000F) for a while.

The front suspension is terrible. Undersprung and overdamped on the high-speed circuit, with a tendency to lock solid under heavy braking. Robert Taylor or one of his agents (Spectrum Motorcycles in Auckland) can sort that out for $800ish. Apparently the slightly ponderous steering can be adjusted by either dropping the triple clamps about 5mm or fitting a 5mm spacer between the top of the rear shock and the mount.

The engine's actually one of the good points. Although down on power compared to every other 1000cc twin out there, it has massive torque low down. Good for commuting, and excellent for off-the-throttle wheelies. 3000rpm, 1st gear - handful of gas and up she goes. The top end's not that great. Redline's at 9500 (I think), but it will rev through to 10500. Not that there's any point. Short shift at 8000 to get the best acceleration. I went down a tooth on the front sprocket, which made the bike feel a lot more perky.

Honda's stock brake pads are surprisingly poor too. Replacement with a set of sintered metal jobs, plus maybe a braided lines upgrade, will do wonders.

The seat's uncomfortable for anything over a couple of hours. I actually find myself hurting less after long rides on the Blade than on the VTR. Despite Honda having sold squllions of them, hot up and cosmetic parts aren't that easy to find.

[pritch]

In my "Lotto" garage there'd be an SP.
Uncomfortable as Hell and silly short tank range, but a brilliant track day/ back road blast bike.

And it'll waaaay outlast the more exotic competition....

[Coyote]

The original 'SP-3' was the same paint as the SP-2 of the time but a dealer up North (Haldanes I think) put a custom SP-3 sticker on the tail to make their bike seem better than the rest of the market. The rest of the dealers followed suit, and then continued labelling up to SP-5. Langlands have an SP-1 (made obvious by it's red/black paint and it's rego'd as a 2000 model) but they've labelled it an SP-2 on the dealers sheet to make it more appealing

One of my dream bikes no less, maybe in the future when they depreciate further from $15000 for an old bike with high k's

[Paulus]

The original 'SP-3' was the same paint as the SP-2 of the time but a dealer up North (Haldanes I think) put a custom SP-3 sticker on the tail to make their bike seem better than the rest of the market. The rest of the dealers followed suit, and then continued labelling up to SP-5. Langlands have an SP-1 (made obvious by it's red/black paint and it's rego'd as a 2000 model) but they've labelled it an SP-2 on the dealers sheet to make it more appealing

One of my dream bikes no less, maybe in the future when they depreciate further from $15000 for an old bike with high k's

They couldn't give the damned things away a few years back!