A Kawasaki ZX9r, would be great to see your thoughts as I just love my Y2k 9r, amazing underrated beast. I've done a few things cosmetically and mechanically to mine, but a stock bike will still keep up with most modern sport bikes. Check my latest video to see me having as good play with two MT10's, both tuned, and it still keeps with them very well.
Bought mine brand new for £8640 reduced from £10500 which Honda sold for a loss.. Definitely a very special bike. She's just celebrated her 18th birthday 🎉
I went into my local Honda dealer for a pair of boots, and ended up.buying my SP1. A fantastic bike, great handling and typical Honda quality. A modern classic.
Great memories of Joey Dunlop winning at the 2000 TT on one of these. I think Honda had supplied him with a spare engine from Aaron Slights WSB version.
I raced one back in the day. Ported the heads, Kent cams, full titanium akrapovic system, carbon Air box giving an extra 5 litres of air capacity, lightened fly wheel, removed the cam quietening gears, power commander. Made 149bhp atw.. The big girl could go and gave manys an R1 a hiding. I still have her tucked away in the garage somewhere.. When your bike has HRC stamped on it you know its special....
So Chris has done the 998R, now the SP-1, what’s next in the litre V-twin race bikes…? TL1000R and the Mille-R? Don’t think anybody else did one in that era?
I’ve got 50k miles on my SP2 and I know a few people that have over 150k miles on theirs. Never have had to rebuild the motors and only valve adjustment came at almost 100k miles.
In '98 I bought a TL1000R, new. I sorted it as much as I could and loved every minute on it. Then, in 2003, I rode an SP2. I was gobsmacked at how good it was, and how crap the TL-R felt. I carried on for another 3 years and made the mistake of riding a new '06 GSX-R750. I wondered why I'd been working so hard all those years.
Ha ha! I had a '97 TL1000S and took some instruction on a track day. The instructor said he had an S with full Ohlins - said it never handled. When I finally got sick of the TL's unpredictability AND unreliability I took a test ride on a tidy used 03 aprilia RSV and was also stunned by the handling and brakes. The Italian was also more reliable than my Suzuki.
I owned that exact same bike, from new, and: 1- You just had to think about leaning into a turn and it would do it by itself 2- Low-end torque was epic 3- Downshift all the way into first versus braking was with utter confidence
Loved this video. Stupidly sold a 2004 Nicky Hayden replica with 5500 miles 10 years back. Tracked it occasionally, but was always afraid to bin it. Sold it to a dealer who put in on display so I had to look at it every time i went into the shop!
Owned an SP1 in canary yellow, with Two Brothers pipes, back in the 00s. I used to go visit my mother in sleepy Surrey and always had to leave very early the next morning and her neighbours complained about the racket every time! Wonderful bike!
About 15 years ago I owned what I called a "Mad Max" RC51. It had been poorly cared for but it was the cheapest RC51 I could find, and was my commuter bike for a while. The mid-range of the V-twin was great on mountain roads, and it was happiest in that 4-6k RPM range. I agree with your comments - the engine is there, good fueling to me. More interesting and inspiring than a 4-cylinder, but there are more interesting engines out there. Still, it was a very enjoyable bike and always worked.
I have bought a VTR Firestorm 97 with 16500km and service history(time capsule, looks like new from factory). If you ever try this bike you will never have enough of it... Pull like train roar like a lion. Only issues are factory ACCT and regulator, change it for manual cam chain tensioners and MOSFET regulator and you will have a bike for entire life, that bulletproof this engine is. More useable for roads and it got more torque in lower RPM than SPs these are just propper race bikes for circuits.
Bought mine brand new in 2000, moved home and then wasn't riding enough to keep so sold her after a few years. Should have kept her - only bike I've sold and wished I still owned, 20 years on.
Never a fan of twins, but the SP1/2’s where always an exception to the rule… Cracking looking bike, ultra reliable unlike some we could mention🤔… Brilliant little vid Chris👌🏽
It's interesting how we (folk) feel differently. I'm a (90 degree) twin addict and am not inspired by inline fours. The only four I've had was a VFR750 and I liked that but found it a bit anodyne. I own an RC51 and it is superb to both look at and ride.
I loved this SP1000 ...but quite disapointed honda discontinued this epic model...hoping honda should review to develop to a new SP in near future..let hope..comment from Malaysia..👍👍👍
I had an SP-2 Nicky Hayden model. I decided to sell it to a friend because I couldn’t deal with the neck pain I had after each ride. Mine had a Yoshimura exhaust and sounded great. While it may not be the most powerful engine around , it revs so freely and sounds so good, I don’t care about the power. I’ve had several more powerful bikes, but none made me feel like the RC 51. I may try to buy it back someday when I’ve forgotten about the pain.
Over the years I’ve owned around 15 bikes, mainly sports type but none have even begun to compare to the sp2. Not the easiest to ride at low speed but once you get it going it’s simply unbelievable.
Excellent video Chris, I sold my 996 for an sp1 just put nitron rear shock and changed gearing as to to high . Absolutely love it and don't have to worry about cambelts and desmo service.
Still got mine. 02 plate. Owned for 16 years. Only ridden it 12K. Now its done 24K Tracked it once Caldwell Park. Wet day. Isle of man TT trip. Too old for it now really, but can't face selling it.
I wanted one since I first saw one at the 1999 NEC show, and I've owned a lot of bikes over the years, and the SP1 is one of my all-time favorite bikes, I owned one of the last SP1's a 2002 registered bike, (AF51 EOD) between 2009-2011, I should never have sold it, what a brilliant, brilliant, brilliant bike, the guy that bought it, said "you know you'll regret selling this" as I heard it going down the road, I already did.... only bettered for corner speed and firing out of the bend, (corner exit speed) down my favorite piece of twisty road, by the bike I had next a GSX-R 1000K5, another bike I wish I'd never sold.... oh well 🥲
I got my big boy license, the year after they ended production of the SP2, so there were plenty around. I had been riding small capacity bikes since 1999, so I had seen a fair few SP's about. I remember the first time I saw one, I thought my god, that looks good and it sounds better than a Ducati, too. As I got used to occasionally seeing one on the road, my opinion never changed. Fast forward to the current day, I have a big garage, with not much in it. I have a BMW R1200R (my do it all, dependable bike), I want to add a recent, used Rocket III, a new Fantic Caballero 700, and a low miles SP2. The only issue is that I live in France, where the used market is a bit crap. Used cars and bikes are expensive, further to this, a low miles SP2 will set me back, the same money as a two year old Rocket. Best keep saving, and put the Fantic in last place...
I've lusted after these bikes for at least 10 years. I remember when you could find them for a few thousand on craigslist. Down where I live, no one wanted 'em. Can't find one for a deal right now if you tried. I hate I never picked one up. There was a Super Clean SP2 in black I went back and forth on, but the owner was a knob.
What enhances classics like these now are modern tires and upgraded pads to brings things up-to-snuff. The fact that it's "down" on power means it's not scary, doesn't require electronics, and use all of what's on offer.
Miss my Firestorm bought for 150 euros from another student both broke lads having a laugh. Put on new fairings and changed the tires and went off to France. Mind you i only had driven my Honda xl600r. So for me the power was momentous and the grip insane. Just trying to ride the living shit out of that engine and frame. And exactly it was not the fastest bike or most nimble but it was fast enough to scare me from time to time especially in the wet in the winter … But the bike just worked together with you :) no fuss just a lovely machine. Sadly the engine died when I was in my last year of uni and I had no money to fix it so it got scrapped. I still have a mirror on my desk (because I crashed a few times on it hahaha) but damm what a machine. My little old red and blue and white and whatever cheap part I could find to replace old parts with bike. Straight pipes because I could not afford new cans haha ow the sound was intoxicating just a deep guttural lion ready to rip to the gears.That bike is my benchmark when I ride modern super sports in the smiles /miles department.
@bikeworld great review. I've always fancied one, but saw the Aprilia Mille as the budget alternative. Maybe you could follow this series up with budget alternatives to these homologation specials?
Honestly, I've owned one for six years, went to the Isle of Man with it and never got to grips with it in terms of riding in a sporty manner. It's unbelievably stable, but its handling honestly isn't that great. The Mille I've owned as well, is way better handling, and generally much nicer to ride. Although I have to confess, the Honda is so nice to look at...
Great video, I have an SP-1 now and have had two SP-2 in the past. Also owned Ducati, KTMs, R1, triumph 675 and will take an RC51 all day long. Not the fastest bike but the one that puts biggest smile on my face.
Another great piece of content chaps. I’m adding one to the collection. My 4th v twin. It’s an itch that must be scratched. The power or lack of sounds perfect for me.
In the USA, these would sit for a while at the dealers in my area because they were expensive! A brand new 600 was around $8K, a 1000 around $11K and an RC was around $13K That was a crazy amount of $ for someone in their 20's around the early 2000's. The stock exhaust really kills the experience... put a good set of pipes and a tune and it will turn into an animal. Also, ride a 916 and then an RC back to back and you'll realize how comfy it is.
I'm glad you approve! Otherwise I would have had to chuck my Nicky Hayden in the bin and start looking for a different investment bike 🏍! Keep em coming. Love the channel ❤.
I’ve got an 02 sp2. It’s actually a completely different bike from the SP1. If you like the sp1 you’ll LOVE the SP2. Lower center of gravity, longer wheelbase, finer spray from the injectors, completely different fuel mapping, different rear shock and forks, different swing arm. Esthetically they look the same but that’s where it all stops. Go ahead and treat yourself. Ride the SP1 first then come in and take the SP2.
I’ve been lucky enough to have an SP-1 in about 2000 and more recently an SP-2 that I found a great deal on. I don’t have either of them anymore but I sure wish I did. Everything said was accurate and they were just very satisfying bikes to ride. Did some long days on the first bike and they were some of the most memorable riding I’ve done. Side note: the gear driven cams are still one of my favorite engine sounds.
Love the SP-1, I own one since new. It has quite a different engine compared to the Firestorm. E.g., different casings with lovely HRC markings (which I polish every winter to a mirror finish :-) ) , gear driven cams, different bore and stroke , only 1 spark plug, etc.) The ride is only getting better as tyres are improving every year. I've had the rear stepping out on me quite some times in the rain but that only makes you a better rider. And indeed, it's still a very reliable fun to ride twin, without all the drama that comes with the 4 valve Ducati's of that era.
my Son had the SP1, I had a factory Aprilia... both good fun the Aprilia in my opinion was the better ride.. Replaced by my son getting a fireblade and I purchased a R1. we both never returned to a twin...
I have an SP1: The suspension is hard and first gear is very tall. So mine has a Nitron and a small rear sprocket. It also has a Power Commander and Speedo Healer. I do feel the odd wobble in downshifting, but what a bike tho - always a momentous ride that holds such a steady line. Funnily enough, the indicator flasher failed on mine recently, but replacement was cheap and easy. Not so for things like fairings and such!
My friend had one. Loved it ! Had it sprayed in the Castrol racing colours, beautiful ! t had a cutting out, then nonstarting problem. Honda eventually took the bike but the problrm was never solved, not by Honda......they eventually bought the bike back and.............never heard anything more ?????
It always tickles me when people complain how these bikes handle in towns city's, Just like they did in 2000 when first lunched, my sp is now 22 years old ,so i do know how these bikes handle,so why would you want to be riding around towns and cities. They where launched as race from the crate, that's the clue here Honda did not say they are a commuter bike . I would never be parted from my sp that i have loved and cherished from new now covered 27000 miles. will out preform any bike on the twisty bits,top speed as standard 178 mph at Snetterton race track on back straight. Fantastic bike.
Great to see another brilliant review of what is at present a still affordable future classic,, goes the way the RC 30,,,45 went be to late for ride and enjoy witch be a shame,,, ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️from Northern Ireland greatly appreciated thank you,,,
Never have rode a rc51 but I own a Super hawk and it is fun fairly conformable bike to ride. One day I'll get a Nicky Hayden addition 51 but until then I will enjoy what I have !
Guys I love this show its got me through some very tuff times 👍 I have a bike id love to sell to you at a silly price but only if you do a bike shed rebuild program on it its to good for ebay and it would be a joy watching you guys work your magic 🤞
Where are those big bulbous bikes with big twin exhausts? That was the golden era, now everything feels so shrunk and insectoid! How much is an sp nowadays? One that doesn't have that many miles? Anyone?
They’re getting expensive in the USA! I paid $5500 for my 2003 back in 2015. You’re going to pay over $7k easily for on with low ish miles….having OEM fairings is a big selling feature on these as is with most older bikes.
I had one from new, wish I had never sold it.. Best bike I ever owned.. My last bike was a Repsol Blade loved that too, but the SP1 was a better ride..
Awesome review mate , I really have place in my heart for the sp1 and sp2 , hope to own one in the future , I just found your channel and so far love it .
I've owned one in the past and also ridden one recently. My biggest setback was that it just is so easy and underwhelming to ride. I love these, love the looks, love the sound especially with open exhausts but it's just a bit too ..... Honda?
An SP-1 has just come up for sale in a dealership O regularly visit. I'm not keen on sports bikes, but damn I would love trying a torque monster like it just once.
