Honda VTR 1000 Firestorm (1997-2005) review and used buying guide

Version: F

Year: 2000

Annual servicing cost: £250

Mine has been totally reliable, and build quality is excellent. Even after nearly 25 years, the various rubber components, paintwork etc are excellent and no rattles from anywhere.

Buying experience: Dealer- new in 2002 (2000 model)...$13200 AUS dollars.

Year: 1998

Annual servicing cost: £200

Great engine, great sound and a lot of fun. The best bit of all is that tiny fuel tank, 'cos after 100 miles in that saddle you'll be so glad to get off.

Year: 1997

Annual servicing cost: £100

Great engine - torque and sound. Poor range and fuel economy.

Buying experience: I bought from a garage who was selling on behalf of a customer via ebay. I took a punt on one based on its history as couldn't easily view due to 'lockdown', but it was as promised and at just over £1200 it didn't feel that much of a risk.

Year: 2000

Great bike

Year: 1997

Annual servicing cost: £250

This was the best bike I have ever owned. The noise with a set of cans, the engine, position, everything just fitted. I moved up from a CBR6, and found the VTR great in every way.Over the years I owned it I fitted a Scorpion exhaust system, Dynojet and K&N, dropped the yokes down the forks 10 mm and changed the springs and oil in the front suspension. I also had a repsol type paint job done when I managed to drop it and scratch the bodywork.I toured, commuted, track days and just general fun for many miles.When I sold it I bought an R1, which was faster, but I never quite got the mile after mile smiles the VTR gave me.I am sitting here thinking it is maybe time I found myself another one.

Buying experience: Bought from Fowlers in Bristol, one of the first they had sold when it was new out. Enjoyed the experience, they looked after me well.

Year: 2000

Annual servicing cost: £50

incredible value, highly underrated bike. i constantly tell people to buy one. i have two and would not hesitate to buy more. i have ducatis and the vtr is right there with them. it is such a great bike.

Buying experience: bought mine used and they were a bargain.

Year: 1999

Annual servicing cost: £20

Been ride motorcycles for 45 years since I was 16. I have 2 on the road at this time, a VFR800 VTEC, which I have modified (28lb weight loss), and love it. The VTR I have had now for 4 years, and she is just so much fun to ride. It has only 15,000 on it. I think the the front forks have been modded as I find them almost perfect, if a tad on the stiff side. Other mod's, manual CCT, MOFFET rectifier, Pyramid belly pan, and as the it was the 1st modal, I put VFR800 handle bars on it, so much more comfortable to ride. The standard exhaust cans made the foot pegs buss a bit at around 5,000 rev. I have made my own can's and no buss and not to loud, and pulls now into the red. It did have straight through stubby MTC's on it, which was offensively loud. Would I sell it, no, not until I can't ride any more (62 now).

Buying experience: Private and had only 12,500 on it

Year: 2003

I love the engine on this bike. That V-twin pull and exhaust note (not sure my neighbours agree!). It’s easy to work on even as a very novice home mechanic. On the flip side mine can be unpredictable with starting if not correctly set up right. I’m working on it though.

Buying experience: I paid £2000 4 years ago. Easy buy and swapped my sv650 for it.

Year: 2003

Just the character and feel just perfect

Year: 2000

Annual servicing cost: £100

My second Firestorm...I've owned this one for four years...each time I ride it I can't believe how much I like this bike! Can't imagine another that would give you that glorious V twin sound and overall comforrt for the same money. Just great.

Buying experience: I bought this bike when I lived in Canada and loved it so much I shipped it back to the UK with me! Paid equivalent of around £2,500. Worth every penny. Bike is mint.

Year: 2000

Annual servicing cost: £68

Plenty of low down torque but too easily stalled in low gear slow speeds around town.

Buying experience: I bought privately for £2000 for my VTR with less than 16000 miles and a full service history, very good value bike and definitely under rated and overlooked.

Year: 1999

Annual servicing cost: £100

A qualifier for the 5th star - the suspension on both ends has to be re-valved, with stiffer front springs added to get the most out of this bike. Once that is done, this thing really rides and handles well.

Year: 1998

Best feature: engine! Lot of torque Worst feature: front suspension is too soft and it also affects the braking

Year: 2002

Great bike to ride. Mine is in excellent condition with only 5k on the clock. Love the v-twin power delivery. Plenty of torque. Handles well. Overall a great bike - just a shame about the tank range.

Year: 2000

Annual servicing cost: £140

This is my first V-Twin having owned most other variants over my twenty nine years of biking it was a box I had to tick. After much deliberation with my myself and my bank manager (no Ducati) I opted for the Firestorm. Unlike the typical Japanese sewing machine like fuel injected in-line four, this engine has character and a bit of soul! The grumble from the Scorpion system at idle is impressive, roll off the the throttle at low revs and it gurgles farts and pops, lovely! I`m not sure what they run like on the standard carb exhaust set up and how the fuelling is but my experience is all good. You can plod along in first gear at tick over in heavy traffic. If you give it a big handful the front will lift and 2nd gear tops out at 85 just under the redline. There is no point in redlining this bike in any gear as it runs out of grunt above 7500rpm. Overtaking is effortless and stress free in any gear just twist and go! Its not a quick turning bike but the handling to me feels neutral and stable and lighter than my FZ6 at lower speeds. Its never going to lead the fast group on the twisties but you can keep up with R1`s and the like as long as the road ahead has a long straight! Easy to service and I`ve had no issues after 4000 miles. Paint is still gleaming at 15 years old. Comfort is good for me especially as I`m a short arse with long arms. I've got a double bubble screen and I`ve done a couple of 500 mile plus trips with no complaints except the numb bum every 150 miles or thereabouts. Easy big bike for someone coming up from a 600 no nasty surprises pulls the same in every gear with no need to chase the surge! Honda quality good all round road bike with character. Great value for money in my humble :)

Year: 2000

Annual servicing cost: £85

I would undoubtedly recommend the VTR to any of my friends seeking a high powered sports ride comfortable enough for the older rider

Year: 1997

Annual servicing cost: £100

After 10 years off 2 wheels (GSXR 750 slingshot was the last bike) I decided I wanted something cheap and cheerful that would not spit me off due to lack of practice. A 17 year old bike... Cheap, Yes.. £1250. Cheerful, smiles all round. The engine is brilliant, I short shift a lot and it just keeps going. 2 up with a 100KG mate over the mountain during the TT was a joy. By myself it was a blast, I was by no means the fastest and certainly no where near the slowest. Diablo cans make it sound wonderful, a blip of the throttle and everyone looks to see what made the BOOM..

Buying experience: Cost £1250. Bought privately, History check came back clear. Its a very clean example with 22k on the clock. It looks almost new after being stripped and various components replaced, Painted or polished.

Version: '99 V reg Smaller tank Carbed

Year: 1999

Hmm, maybe just me,but although it's a great day to day bike and i'd been lead to believe it was brilliant, it just wasn't the bike for me. Good mid-range grunt,handling ok,brakes ok, but it didn't endear itself to me,or blow me away. That said,it was functional and did the job with reasonable standard brakes. Mine was immaculate and i mean immaculate...but standard! For me, it needs all the extras to get the best out of it: New pipe,power tweaks,braided lines,but especially decent shock and i'd suggest linear springs! If you're buying,get one with the bits already on.

Buying experience: Paid a fair price...it was a low-mileage minter. They can be had pretty cheap,so bargains about.

I guess I liked it when I first saw but fell in love when it heared it running(with Leo Vince Exhausts!).Looks awesome for 1998 year bike, good handling for newbie biker like me. Fairing and windshield(bulk or double bulk) protect you from wind/elements. Riding at rain or heavy wind is no problem also, side radiators keep your legs nice and warm. Powerful but a bit thirsty V-twin with only 16L tank is the only minus I would add.

I bought one of these Honda V-twins five years ago on a bit of a whim, it was yellow with full fairings, and impressed me with the savage low down grunt. All of these years later, it still brings a smile to my face. I put it up for sale two days ago due to the recent acquisition of a twin axle caravan for family holidays, and the small detail of owing the radiant Mrs. Sherry a not insignificant few pounds she lent me towards the cost of same purchase. I jumped it two days hence, as the battery was flattened by the HISS since I last took it out six months ago, and drove it back to town where we live from my farm buildings where it is permanently garaged. Boy, does the VTR1000 bring a smile to your face. It has enormous low down grunt, coupled with fantastic engine braking, and is hugely responsive to all minimal inputs by the rider. I'm sorry to see it go, but wifey is secretly thrilled, because she knows it could be a serious 'widow maker' given the speed it is capable of, and because of course it doesn't have airbags like her Vauxhall Insignia SRI which has greater than 50% more horsepower. :) Some posters have commented on the front end 'diving' under hard braking, but my experience is that intelligent reading of the road ahead nullifies this, in the same sense that a pilot will never fly through airspace his brain hasn't visited previously. The feedback this twin gives is hugely rewarding, in large part due to its responsiveness, and also the soundtrack it gives under both acceleration, and perhaps even more under fuel starvation when slowing down for a bend. The Firestorm is pure 'grunt', and prefers country, to city or town.

read these reviews and they all seem pretty spot on. What a superb bike for getting from corner to corner. It goes round corners pretty well but boy does it pull out of them so well and the engine braking and general brakes (same as a fireblade but thicker discs) means entering corners ain't to bad either. The comments re range are very true anything much over 100 miles and I am looking out for a petrol station. The cam chain tensioners are a weak point as is the rectifier (see other reviews) but the grunt of the engine means acceleration and overtaking are world class and comparable with even the latest superbikes. Getting a bit older now but for a true performance bike you would get a awful lot for your money from a firestorm. ps. the hard acceleration can be a bit wearing on rear tyres but modern sports/touring compounds mean that milages are reasonable.

ive always loved big v twins ive had my tl 1000s for 14 years now and at the moment its going through a café racer build. thing is its taking ages to do and I needed another twin. luckily a lad at work had 1998 vtr for sale it was a snap at £1325 I took it for a blatt around the moores and was very happy with its performance. this baby is staying with me. theres more than enough power for road use and it delivers it quickly. for an old bike its still mountains of fun.you can keep your R1s and the like i'm sticking with v twins. :o)

I have been on the lookout for a decent budget priced V Twin for a while and was most impressed with the Firestorm out of all the bikes I tried. The one I settled on is a 2003 model and has a very smooth delivery and I was very taken at how well it handled in traffic and when cornering. I have been previously riding CBR600's and I must say the Firestorm just feels and handles better. I am only a short ass but the bike does not feel large at all, in fact it feels easier than my last CBR600. The only hang ups I can find is that it can be a little thirsty and also it is not fuel injected but the carbs are enormous anyway so these are only minor issues as far as I am concerned. Excellent value for money, would highly recommend.

I swapped my first Storm for a cruiser as I am quite a shorty, but found myself wanting another, so once I had a Harley sitting in my garage it was time for a second bike for work, I bought a Speed 4 but found that Triumph yet again wanted £600 to service the bike, so I swapped it for my storm, and I'm glad to have another. The Storm isn't perfect, you need to change the Cam chain tensioners ASAP, sometimes the original last years, sometimes not, but when they do go, the pistons meet valves and its an expensive fix, the cure is manual cam chain tensioners, which take a couple of hours and with the instructions from Vtr1000.org you can permnantley fix this potential engine in bin experience. Also the regulator should be changed if it isnt a finned version as Smooth Honda version burn out and leave you stranded by the road. What can i say about this bike, well it handles good, the engine is really nice, and unlike other Honda motorcycles has character, I love the look of the bike and for the money its a lot of bike. My only moan is the storm can be heavy around town in low speed. So if you on a budget and want a big bike then the storms a good contender, just get those cam chain tensioners done or find one already done.

Ive had 3 pre Vtec VFRs, 2 800s and a 750. I bought a 2005 VTR1000 a few months ago and I'm so glad I didn't go another VFR. As great as the VFRs are this VTR is so much more nimble and fun to ride. The noticeably lighter weight, stiffer frame and more grunt make it a much better sport tourer as apposed to the VFR tourer sport. It's comfortable and that V2 engine is a grunt factory. It's a little thirsty around town but it's sounds so good with the staintune pipes on it I don't care. Keep the air filter standard or tuned to suit or suffer a rough engine. Overall a fantastic, fun and capable sport tourer, highly recommended.

just got my firestorm from ebay ,sold my bmw r80 rt for £880 a 1986. 56k on the clock and got the storm for £900 , it has a few cracks on the fairing with 25k on the clock a 1997. only been over hart side the motor just keeps pulling , engin breaking is so good you hardley need to use the breaks hard. well worth a trip to ebay.

Ive only had mine a week so its a very early on review but here goes...ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!! I picked up a '97 plate in the best colour (Red)and have enjoyed every second on it so far. Coming from an Gixxer 750 the engine is phenomenal, it has so much grunt from idle and sounds lovely even on the original exhausts. Brakes are top notch (although mine has braided hoses fitted) and it doesnt feel anywhere near as heavy as it feels. Girlfriend absolutely loves riding pillion and with the grabrail fitted Ive got loads of room even with her on the back. Its got the lower fairing fitted which makes it a lot more sporty looking. Fuel economy is dire but then maybe I should slow down a touch. In all, great bike for very little money!

I have ridden for 18 years and do highish mileages (12k a year) and everyone said I needed a VFR. Bollocks. I went out and brought a 'Storm from e-bay of all places. Even now equivalent VFRs cost twice the price and have double the mileage. For what? Crapy linked brakes and a dangerous VTEC thing. And they're slower. And heavier. Mine goes like stink and does all you could reasonably expect of any bike. Problems in all year riding? It coughs, it needs cunning to start on a cold morning (use less choke..) and the tank range is truly shit. Plus points? Is there any bike with more character and all day / all year usability? I doubt it. And, at 5'8" I can get on it! ART exhausts are stunning, lower fairing a must. Bar risers work well (add about 2cm but well worth it) Last but not least - starter motor connections corrode. Early CBR600 one fits (I think it is the same) and is £25 on fleabay (£125+ for 'Storm ones). Stiffer fork springs are my next project. What next? A newer one of course. I LOVE THIS BIKE.

It's a very nice on the open road, sticks to the road pretty well, and has very easy to use power, even in the wet. It's a gent and at the same time very fast. In town and heavy traffic I found it hard work, the heavier the traffic the harder the task. It's really not nimble enough for central London traffic as it's got a lot of momentum once it gets going and it just doesn't feel right suddenly nipping in and out of traffic (I used to be a dispatch rider, so I realise a lot of other sane people probably don't do this), but outside zone 1 it's a lot easier to manage as the traffic isn't so dense and there's fewer annoying scooter riders. Personally, I found the extreme riding position would give me pins and needles in my hands after about 20 mins of riding without being able to take my hands off the bars (often the case in London where you jump to the front of the traffic and need to be ready to go as soon as the lights go green). If I stopped a lot more and took my hands off the bars it would be fine. This is something I'd suggest checking before you buy as for me it was a deal breaker when I couldn't feel my fingers!

Had my 2000 Firestorm since the start of this summer, clocked up just shy of 1000 social miles. Having had a SV650S for 4 years previously, the Firestorm doesn't disappoint. The low down grunt is phoenominal, with more than enough to catapult you into next year from between 2 and 6k revs. If I was to mark the Firestorm down on anything, it is obviously not a light sportsbike, so can be a bit heavy going into the corners, but makes up for it pulling out again. Also, the tank on the pre 2001 model is too small for a weekend thrasher, generally returning about 110 miles before cowering out and having to stop for fuel. Long range is a bit better, but with no fuel guage other than a little LED, it can be a bit of a guessing game. Generally a great big V-Twin, comfortable and capable, and great value for money.

After riding in line fours for 9 years i have finally changed to a honda firestorm v twin and totally love it. Gone are the days you have to rev the tits off the engine to get the best out of it. Just wind the throttle back and short shift through the gears and you will hit treble figure speeds in an instant. I was a bit concerned about the fuelling after reading up but its not what i first thougt! The tank is small but only costs £12.50 to fill up, 13.5 litres and then 2.5 in reserve totalling 16l, not much but after testing for mpg on several swift ride outs the big twin is hitting between 35 and 40 mpg which is no different to most bikes. The fun factor on this honda is second to none and with a set of booming cans it just makes you want to ride it more. Ihave a set of hand made exhausts on but have had to put baffles in as too loud but still sounds the mutts nuts. Handling is good after the rear had a few tweaks and nothing scrapes now, knee down is a doddle even with high set giles rearsets. You can grab a bargain if you look hard and will get alot of bike for your dosh, most owners look after their storms.GREAT BIKE I cant rate this bike enough

After 15 yrs of riding this is my first Honda, I'm usually a kawasaki girl...but the modern Kawasaki's are too high for my short ass.... I got rid of both my other bikes for this, a Kawasaki GPZ900r & a Ducati m900..... The Vtr's brakes are better than my GPZ's and the bikes aLOT lighter! As for the Monster well anything is an improvement on that, as countless niggles and electrical problems plagued the bike.... Dunno if this review helped you must but thats life....

I bought one as my first big bike and absolutely loved it. It was an impulse purchase - no research, no clue. Total lucky break. Idiot proof to ride. Had 40k miles on it and I had to get cam chain tensioners done but after that little or no maintenance necessary. Narrow and good looking - sleek and and turned heads. Put Remus Revolution cans on it, removed the baffles and it sounded like rolling thunder. Twist and GO in any situation. Made a sportsbike newbie like me look very good indeed. Try one - you won't be disappointed. Got pinched. Shopping for a Falco now.

i got this bike in may-its just great fun,reasonably quick,brakes brill,looks good with full bodykit and high level silencers.the only thing bad about is the way it always takes me to fill it up,it should come with a "danger to wallet" sign on the throttle-still, the fun outways the cost.possibly the most enjoyable bike i have owned-only reliability snag i have had was the reg/rectifier went mental whilst a half hour ride from home.other trhan this its been 100% reliable.

What can i say, i got my Firestorm in the summer, its my first bike and i love it. The cons first: Had a problem in the rain, i think its fixed now but water was getting into some of the wiring! Not Good, engined died when i was overtaking on the single carriageway. Seat isnt the comfiest and when two up its not very comfy at all. Doesnt like third gear in a thirty too much and slow riding is not its strong point. Gears can be a bit clunky but are ok. Ok Pros: Apart from those minor points (which are only my experience) this bike is fun fun fun. First the sound is brilliant, the V-Twin roar sends the hairs on your back a standing and any passer by to the hospital with fright. The low range pull is exceptional, merely overtaking is the best part however, caution it doesnt take long to hit excessive speed without realising, it is very decieving on speed. The handling is typical Honda, easy and fun, forgiving as well. You can crank it open in 2nd and up and the bike wont lift, well possibly will in 2nd but will in first once hits higher revs. Overall this bike is worth the money by far. I am reluctant to trade in for a bigger bike. The petrol is dumped on but realistically sitting staedy i get 40mpg easily and full tank about 120-130 miles. Reserve light is good as well and dials are nice and big. I would really recommend one of these to anyone they are spectacular. God Bless

So many people plump for the Fireblades and other across the frame fours, but I dont think many of them are actually much cop on the road. They're just too extreme. The Firestorm is a great balance of power, torque and handling. Soft enough not to chuck you out of the saddle when you hit a piece of gravel, fast and stable enough for some top grins. Then there's the wheelies... crackin. The tank is too small but with average use the consumption isn't that bad. I've had two and am now onto a Buell Lightning... which I love... but if they made a new VTR with fuel injection and some funky styling, I could be tampeted to grab another. Oh yeah, I marked the reliability down because I did have some issues after 4 years and 40k miles. Overall, very good for the road. If you do a bunch of track days, buy something else, as well.

I have been lucky enough to have owned some of the most extreme bikes to have ever hit the british roads. From an R1 to a Hayabusa, Blackbird, ZX12r, ZX636r and even a single cylinder CCM supermoto, but I would strongly advise any two wheeled petrol head to spend at least a month on a V-Twin. The firestorm may not have the top end power of an R1, but my god they are still fun! This is the 1st bike I can use ALL of the power on normal roads. Just returned from Magny Course and had no problems both with bike and comfort. Sounds the dogs through any tunnel and lifts the front wheel in 3rd. Love-in-it! Strengths: Grunt, Sound, Confidence Inspiring. Weaknesses: People moan about small tank, but I still got 115 miles to a tank...so cannot think of any weaknesses.

Stonking engine. I am in the process of trying to sharpen the handling. At present it is a bit of a raft. Strengths: Grunt. Weaknesses: Tank range.

Be careful ... once you ride a V twin its hard to ride anything else ... and the Firestorm is well worth riding! Comfort, sound and ability are all strengths, just bear in mind you are on a Jap' V Twin not an Italian one ... not quite the street presence but almost all the fun ... buy one as a 1st twin, enjoy it and move onwards and upwards after a couple of seasons ... make sure you buy a 2001 onwards to get a bigger tank though ... Strengths: Sound / Torque / Rideability / Reliability. Weaknesses: General corrosion on various parts ... keeping it clean helps ...

Came from a zx6r to this bike. I only use it at weekends, but what a great toy! Quick, reliable, easy to ride and cheap to insure. What more do you need for the road?! Strengths: Its a Honda , nuff said. Weaknesses: Thirsty engine and small tank, bad combination.

My Ducati900ss made me fall in love with twins. My Honda superhawk996 made me fall in love again. I will never go back to a four again. My first love was tempermental, like an exotic mistress, many valve adjustments, weird electrical problems,and the list grows. I vowed never to go back. But the thought of going back to a four killed me! My superhawk is like as trouble-free as an asian wife. I have 17,000 miles on her and she still serves me humbly. Strengths: The best streetable power, a nice torque curve and 100 horse power. Enough growl to set off car alarms and turn heads. Great durability, my bikes been dumped more than a weight watchers' diet plan, and everything's still o.k. Weaknesses: It has an anorexic gas range. Until it overcomes that it can't be the best sport tourer on the market. Really is a shame Honda couldn't see it.