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pepin
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Posted: Mon May 12th, 2008 12:39 pm |
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Okay, I'm new here so forgive me for any newbie questions. I've only been riding for a few years now and really have the taste for it. I got my first 'big bike' not too long ago, which I've put 2,500 miles on pretty much straight away  I got a Honda Hornet 600-S (black, 2000 model) with a monokey Givi top box for a real bargain.
Now, I love this bike it's taken me from Warrington to Bedford, and to Newcastle with no problems at all. In fact my only gripe is the fuel tank (though it's not a major thing). However, I went to Thudersprint in Northwich this weekend and it got me in the mood for buying a new bike...I went for a search and found a bike dealership selling a 2000 Honda VTR Firestorm in orange and I fell in love. But it's a v-twin and I've only really had experience on a I4, though my flatmate has an SV650S and swears by V-twins. I've been seriously considering trading mine in for the swap, it'd cost me £1000 to do and my Hornet needs new tyres and calipers. Looking at the stats they don't seem to perform any different, in fact for a 1000cc bike I think the VTR looks quite slow.
Has anyone got any experience with this bike? I haven't seen many around (not sure if that's a good thing or not, though I see a lot of VFRs)
Thanks
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mph999
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Posted: Mon May 12th, 2008 12:59 pm |
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hello. on the maths, I assume that it will cost you £1k to change (your Hornet as is) and that if you keep your Hornet, you'll need tyres and calipers??
not sure why calipers- yes they stick but you can usually strip them/clean them and then they're ok.
on the performance, you could look at it another way, the Hornet is quite quick for a mildly tuned 600. I owned one for 5 years and it's a superb bike.
£1000 seems a lot of tyres/running cost, not sure that the VTR will be so much better for you. The fuel tank issue will be no better on a VTR in fact it's likely to be worse. The 2001 model had a small increase to 21? litres I believe.
I guess much of this depends on the condition, I've seen many VTR's which have been really cared for- money spent on the suspension (the front forks are notoriously soft as standard) nice pipes, etc, etc.
Your Hornet is likely to run for miles with only standard servicing.
If the VTR is anything like the bike that Khal of this mag has to deal with then I'd run a mile
HTH
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i never sleep
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Posted: Mon May 12th, 2008 01:07 pm |
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Hi mate.
I think a big factor is what kind of riding you are wanting to do. Firestorms are good bikes but I would see it as more of a sideways step from a hornet. Rather than a step-up.
By far the most important thing is to be faster than your mates. Have you considered a Busa, with nitrous?
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pepin
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Posted: Mon May 12th, 2008 01:22 pm |
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I can see where you're coming from on the maths side of things. The VTR has a notorious fuel tank and it's the pre-2001 model with the smaller tank so it would cost more. The VTR I saw has has the standard cans, but brand new tyres and a fairly large belly pan. It also has an alarm and immobilizer with it and double bubble shield (all of which I need to buy for my Hornet). As much as I try and talk myself into it I can't deny that I really really enjoy my Hornet. I just see other bikes and see mine as quite...bland? Maybe it's just because it's plain black and not blue or yellow or something eye catching.
As for riding style, I really want to get into a sports style, maybe sports tourer, something I can get down on the tank with and don't get blasted by wind all the time. Having said that, I really can;t afford the big guns at the moment, either the bikes or the insurance  Things like GSX-R, ZX-R, Daytona, CBR, all too far of a push for me I'm afraid
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mph999
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Posted: Mon May 12th, 2008 01:27 pm |
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pepin wrote: I can see where you're coming from on the maths side of things. The VTR has a notorious fuel tank and it's the pre-2001 model with the smaller tank so it would cost more. The VTR I saw has has the standard cans, but brand new tyres and a fairly large belly pan. It also has an alarm and immobilizer with it and double bubble shield (all of which I need to buy for my Hornet). As much as I try and talk myself into it I can't deny that I really really enjoy my Hornet. I just see other bikes and see mine as quite...bland? Maybe it's just because it's plain black and not blue or yellow or something eye catching.
As for riding style, I really want to get into a sports style, maybe sports tourer, something I can get down on the tank with and don't get blasted by wind all the time. Having said that, I really can;t afford the big guns at the moment, either the bikes or the insurance Things like GSX-R, ZX-R, Daytona, CBR, all too far of a push for me I'm afraid
A common mis-conception with the Hornet, because it doesn't look like a bad-ass most people think it's a bland option. Truth is that it's an absolute gas to ride and will do anything- tour, commute, track, shopping.
A faired one will cruise at 3 figure speeds pretty easily.......how fast do you need to go?? if you enjoy it and have not had it long, then why change it.
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there are only three sports in life:
mountaineering, bullfighting and motorsport.
the rest are merely games.
attributed to Ernest Hemingway
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pepin
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Posted: Mon May 12th, 2008 03:44 pm |
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Thanks for the comments. I think I am going to stick to the Hornet for now and sort out my little problems over the next few weeks. As for a move, I think I may end up going for an SV1000S... but not for some time I think. As for tyres, what's a decent tyre for a 600 Hornet? 120/17 and 180 on the rear? I put a lot of long distance miles on them in all conditions, but I don't race or rag it too much (unless it's a clear day and the roads are quiet!)
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"My bike is broken, what should I do oh wise garage?"
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mph999
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Posted: Mon May 12th, 2008 04:17 pm |
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check with these guys:
http://www.hondahornet.co.uk
I had a couple of sets of Bridgestone 010- now they are 014.
I also used Avon Azarro/Storms which had pretty much the same grip as the 010's but lasted longer.
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there are only three sports in life:
mountaineering, bullfighting and motorsport.
the rest are merely games.
attributed to Ernest Hemingway
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TimmyMagic
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Posted: Mon May 12th, 2008 06:43 pm |
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| BT014's will square off really quickly if you're doing lots of straight road miles. You'll be better off looking at something like 021's or Michelin Pilot Road II's
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pepin
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Posted: Tue May 13th, 2008 08:47 am |
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Brilliant, I'll look into them now. Thanks for all the help! 
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Mav
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Posted: Tue May 13th, 2008 10:01 am |
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cough
PR 2's - absolutly farking ace tyre - especially if you ride in the wet and cold (so the UK then)
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bigbadmad
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Posted: Tue May 13th, 2008 10:11 am |
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Avon Storms get my recommendation.
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karTER
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Posted: Tue May 13th, 2008 10:12 am |
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Welcome to the board.
Have you tried getting a test ride? That may help you to decide.
Regards the smaller fuel tank; it won't cost you more as the price of petrol is constant (OK- fuel consumption v performance will be trade off) but the number of times you'll need to refuel will have some bearing.
I ran both Il4s (in fact one was a CBR 600, the engine the Hornet adopted) and a V twin. Both are a blast for differing reasons down to the engine configurations, but if I had to choose just one style I'd have the IL4.
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TimmyMagic
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Posted: Tue May 13th, 2008 10:23 am |
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And I'd have the twin....
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karTER
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Posted: Tue May 13th, 2008 10:27 am |
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That's going to really help him. We just need a fan of triples to pitch in.
And singles...
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TimmyMagic
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Posted: Tue May 13th, 2008 10:33 am |
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Well I prefer a single, but I don't remember a mass produced road going litre bike single being available 
And I honestly think the triple is the best all-round engine for UK road use. It's got a bit of everything.
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karTER
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Posted: Tue May 13th, 2008 11:06 am |
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TimmyMagic wrote: Well I prefer a single, but I don't remember a mass produced road going litre bike single being available
And I honestly think the triple is the best all-round engine for UK road use. It's got a bit of everything.
That's definitely done it!
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vtarse
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Posted: Wed May 14th, 2008 07:07 pm |
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Alright, I may be able to give an opinion here, as I bought a new Hornet when they first came out (16" wheel) and now have a VTR.
I used both for commuting (30,000 in 18 months on the Hornet, 15,000 in 2 years on the VTR, all weathers, including ice and snow, and although i have a car available I won't use it unless I have to carry large amounts of stuff. They were also used for work, as I need to travel between a number of offices, ad obviously for leisure as well.
Ok, top speed- not much in it., really the VTR has an edge, but you can stay there longer due to the fairing.
Handling- not a lot of difference. Not much adjustment, but good enough.
Reliability- Same old same old Honda quality. Both lived outside, didn't rust, started every day.
(by the way, Pilot Road multi compounds do suit the VTR as well- I'm wearing them at the moment, IMO better than 021's).
But to me, the major grin factor winding the grunt on with the big V-twin gets my vote over the smooth whiz of the Hornet. No need to drop a cog, just let the engine drag you along any revs from 3000 up.
With straight-through carbon cans on it sounds better than a Hornet ever could- and I canned that too.
Downsides? Well the tank range was a problem with both, a thrashy ride will have you down to less that 80 between fillups on the VTR, but I could only get about 90 on the Hornet when thrashed anyway.
Just my opinion, you can disagree if you want, but get yourself a test ride and wind open the throttle in second and third- you'll have the deposit money out before you've stopped rolling.
Oh, and see the VTR forum at http://www.vtr1000.org
Good luck any which way (but get a test ride for at least a couple of hours- you can't tell from a trip round the block).
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Breva750
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Posted: Wed May 14th, 2008 08:10 pm |
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