I have an 02 and an 03, Sp2's and I'd recommend to anyone contemplating low speed riding in towns etc is to go up on the rear sprocket 4 teeth because you have to slip the clutch at anything below 30mph. Don't reduce the front below stock because it makes the chain run a less than happy angular change around the teeth leading to increased vibration and wear. I'm 100 kilos with gear and needed a slightly stronger front spring rate, 1.0kgs/mm, std is about 0.7. Rear shock is just solid so an imported Ohlins from the states was fitted to the 02. I'm still tinkering with the 03. Non std cans on the 02 and when my son in law follows on my 2010 'blade he has to have earplugs, but we love the boom.If you can get it, go for the SP2 for the upgrades, I paid 3750 for the '03 with 30k on it.
Good review thanks, just sold a Velo thinking of something with a bit more umphh. I loved my old VTR(x2) always lusted after an SP1. This helps. All the best.
Amazing Bike....I have two!!! An 01 and an 06. Both have the high Swept Jardines and it sounds amazing!!! Highly recommend this bike...True race heritage and tons of torque right off of idle. We operate in the torque zone all the time but typical in-line fours have to revved to the upper range to make power. Don't listen to the reviews....Ride one and you'll be hooked!!!!
Try riding an old fuel injected Ducati then you know bad fueling 😂 the 748 is the more fun bike to ride & for me better looking but the SP1 is still a stunner & as you mention they have rocketed in value so safe investment
Try riding an old fuel injected Ducati then you know bad fueling 😂 the 748 is the more fun bike to ride & for me better looking but the SP1 is still a stunner & as you mention they have rocketed in value so safe investment
@@stoneautomotive No,I'm in Aberdeen.I bought my SP-2 last October having owned a Firestorm for a few years,I tested both the SP-1 and the SP-2,honestly,you couldn't tell that the SP-2 was of the same family as the SP-1,such was the difference,although the SP-2 that I bought had non standard ohlins forks and showa rear suspension,which makes it corner like it's on rails.
Sir, Knock on my door and I will gladly race you on my FIRESTORM LOL Ps, I am glad an educated rider LIKE YOURSELF is doing a review of this machine, BUT really you don`t like a V twin I think you are confused or telling porkies lol:) I have a 1997 VTR 1000F FIRESTORM and I must admit the revs/odometer mean nothing to me as long as my ride makes my nose and eyes run I DON`T KNOW WHAT SPEED I AM DOING:)
@@stoneautomotive I'll spice it up a bit it was a stag do and I'm 59 years old. To be honest I don't get out on it as much as I used to . But still like looking at it😁
It’s more than enough for the road sure but for a Honda “HRC built bike” the first generation R1 from the late 90’s was pushing 150bhp & Honda’s first generation Fireblade that was a 100cc less made the same power in the mid 90’s on carbs😅
