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Review of the 2002 Honda VTR 1000 F Firestorm - Super Hawk:The underdog,often ignored best real world bike around. |
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Author: Luiggi, 2005-08-24, viewed 219 times. | ||||
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This model has been ignored by the buying public so bad,that you might be able to cut a good deal on one of this.. | ||||
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For starters,lets say this bike is a real looker in the metal.It is not a race-replica of anything,but a shape of its own,and very much into the naked-semi-naked new trend.The engine is an absolute blast,as most of its claimed 106 rear wheel HP come very sudden into a thick midrange grunt,making it a real fun bike,specially if you replace the rear sprocket with a 43 tooth,this should come stock on all bikes,as this puts the power of the bike even more at your disposal,and still has respectable top end.Actually,the bike seems to overrev better with the shorter gearing.Speedometer is way optimistic,and will be much more after regearing.It will go through the revs decently fast,hitting the soft limiter at around 10,000RPM or so,but since it quits making power at around 9,000RPM, its better to shift right there and fall back into the thick of the meat,down at 7,000RPM where it beguins to pull again.It can lug as low as a couple thousand RPM´s and it will cruise at 70MPH around 3,700RPM.It This kind of power delivery is very appropiate for technical riding,canyon carving,stop and go stuff.I really like it after the regearing,as now it makes for quick jumps,and its a wheelie monster.The ergos are not so radical,giving a good compromise,IMHO,between confort and agresiveness.Suspension is rather basic,with the rear shock barely doing its job,but it can be somehow tuned,it has rebound and preload and thats about it.The front isnt´ much better,it has rebound,preload and it has to be quite closed for the bike to rebound propperly.It will give bad feedback if not adjusted propperly,but again,its tunable.It will go into hydraulic lockout when landing from wheelies or taking sharp blows,its very anoying.Fuel consumption is it worst malady.It will do 100 miles,barely,if you exercise caution...open up the throttle and it will swallow petrol like there´s no tomorrow. I have done a lot of track time on it,it handles pretty decent,it is very stable at all the speed you can get out of it,stock maybe 140-145 MPH at best,but it will leave other bikes in the corners,if ridden propperly;the engine braking is very hard and usable,IMHO.I replaced the brake lines by stainless steel braided lines,and put HH copper synthered pads,and now it brakes pretty sharp,but the stock front brake was mushy.My silencers were de-baffled,wich gives the bike a nice deep sound,very adictive. Its a shame this bike has been forgotten by all but a horde of loyal enthusiasts,that love this bike.The peppy character is so fun,and it is one heck of a streetfighter. Hope Honda continues to sell it. |
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