Good buy and reliable, but uncomfortable
My starter is going bad and will need to be replaced.
This motorcycle is quick and handles well.
However the seat and stance are very uncomfortable.
Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 3rd December, 2006
A road version of the XR400, reliable and a workhorse
Nothing has gone wrong with this bike since I have owned it.
New tyre at 5,500km, new tyre looks fine.
The one thing I would change on this bike is to extend the mirrors further out, as I get sick of seeing my arms and elbows.
I agree that the petrol consumption appears excessive, but my model is fitted with the bigger tank than the earlier models, so it isn't such a big issue. I think some of the consumption problems are to do with the right hand, as I love to hear the thumping noise coming out the after market pipes.
I have been on a few long rides on this bike (600kms plus), and I have no problems with it in regard to the riding position. I am 187cm tall and I can touch the ground and controls OK.
Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 18th March, 2006
Incredible all arounder
Zero problems. Common problems I took care of before they happened. I have manual cam chain tensioners, which will save a lot of money, because the VTR auto tensioner fails without warning.
The regulator/rectifier will be replaced if it shows problems.
Amazing all around bike. Perfect for almost anything you will ask of it. It is not as fast as some of the other bikes out there, but it will definately hold its own in the curves, and it would be a better mount for 99% of the riders in the world. Good, but not great for touring, due to the fuel range and seat.
The best thing about the bike, is the sound with an aftermarket exhaust. Yummy.
Overall, I would give it a 9/10.
Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 2nd March, 2006
Quick, comfy, cheap, but guzzles petrol
I've had the bike for over a year now, the only money I've had to spend has been on tyres and brakes.
A very reliable bike, but then that's what you get when you buy from Honda.
Being 20, I'm a bit of a speed freak and I like to give my bikes a fair bit of stick. The Honda has been fine throughout, the engine is still perfect and the bodywork hasn't aged at all.
Although it's no Ducati or SP-1, the Firestorm (or Superhawk over the pond) is still a very quick bike. Personally I prefer big V-Twins to inline 4s because of the grunt you get in any gear at any revs, so this bike suits me well!
The looks are starting to look a bit dated compared to the jagged edges of todays bikes, but it still looks good, the half fairing adds to it's aggressive stance. I love the radiators mounted on the sides, they are practical and look racy.
My faults with this bike are:
1) The nature of the big V Twin means it eats tyres and chains (had as little as 2000 miles out of a rear BT010!)
2) It gets through fuel quicker than a jumbo jet. I fill up at a cost of just under a tenner, and the petrol light is on again after 80 miles!!
I know this is partly my fault for riding it hard, but the bikes are renowned for poor fuel consumption. I knew about this problem before I bought the bike, it didn't put me off though as I think this is a small price to pay for owning such a great bike.
Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 16th February, 2005
I just got a VTR about a month ago, put on 3000 km, and got 200 to 225 km per tank. Seems about the same as my Gixxer 750 and my Ninja 750.
I've found the problem isn't the fuel consumption (40mpg from 1000cc is fair), it's that the fuel tank is too small which limits the range.
I bought my VTR 1000 knowing about the high fuel consumption, however as mentioned here it has been around around 40mpg most of the time, dropping to 30mpg when flogged? Happy with that.
My 03 gets 44 MPG Highway / 35 MPG Back road / 30 MPG Flogging it. Great bike with a lot of power. Gobs and gobs of torque!
Worth putting a +1 tooth front sprocket on to stretch out its legs a little.
Comfortable and powerful in ways that make you wonder why you ever rode an in-line 4.
Deliriously cheap due to a lack of interest in the open market.
Add some pyramid or shark skin accessories to go for the full fairing look. You'll have all the wanna-be bike guru's wondering if there was another version of the RC51.
I get about 160kms on the smaller tank of the 1997 model.
I ride it like a drag race, looking for any opportunity to blast the throttle as open as I dare. Because it's just SO MUCH FUN! I commute on it daily - no problems, no fuss. The huge torque has saved me by allowing me blast out of danger in a couple of situations where lesser bikes would have had to slip a gear first.
The styling is sex on wheels. If this bike was a woman, it would be Red Sonja.
Cheap V-Twin character, well worth a look
Has been difficult to turn over on occasion, but a new battery sorted that.
No other mechanical problems whatsoever.
Decided I wanted a v-twin as I have always had in-line 4's in the past. What can I say, you can't buy so much character and performance for so little.
It is superbly reliable and I have ridden it in all conditions, only tyres and servicing required so far.
I know it's no Duke, but with a performance exhaust it makes the hairs on my neck stand up, I never tire of cracking open that throttle.
Bad Points:
110 miles tank range at most, no gauge only a light (rectified with a larger tank on later models).
42mpg only when on cruise, low 30mpg otherwise.
Brakes are rubbish, fit braided lines.
Suspension is a bit soft as standard, if you go 2 up often you will need to sort out that rear ride height.
Good Points:
Fit a Blueflame/ART/Devil cans and you will have a permanent smile.
Cheap as chips used.
Very well made, lasts well if looked after.
Fit a 15T front sprocket for better pull.
Comfy and does 2 up well.
Confidence inspiring handling.
Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 29th December, 2004
I would love to have a Honda Superhawk (VTR 1000). It's cool to hear from someone across the pond (I live in Mississippi, USA). Gotta lotta rough roads 'round here, and the bike seems to handle them well. Only thing is y'all seem to get ALL the cool dual sport bikes... no market for them here. Much to my chagrin. Guess I'll just have to go gray market to partake.
1st May 2006, 00:31
Re; VTR1000f fuel mileage. My '03 gives 44 miles per gallon highway at a steady 70 mph, low 30's when I'm tearing around.
I think folks complain about the VTR fuel consumption because there's nothing else to complain about. Mine gets the same mileage as any other sport bike I've owned.