Tell me about Honda Firestorms

[Kris]

I want the good, the bad and the ugly.

Any known problems? Good used buy?

https://s3.visordown.com/uploads/images/large/6929.jpg
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NSR125RR - ZXR750H1 - ZX9R E1 - GSF600S - GSF600SK3 - VFR400-NC30 - SV1000N - ST1100-R - CBR900RR-R - GSF1200SK5 - GSF600SK1 - VFR1200FA - GSXR1000K2 - ZZR1400 D8F
www.prisonplanet.com

[Bendy]

Tank range is legendarily shit.

[Pie-Roe]

https://s20.postimg.org/syoukwjot/Iphone_pics_011.jpg
I had a 2003 one, that I only rode for a few hundred miles.

Front end is a bit shit, and they are down on power. Downpipes rust. A full system unlocks a fair amount of power straight away as they are restrictive as standard.

My good friend Squiffy_the_wombat has had a few of them and likes them. Wheelies well, handles most aspects of riding.

They seem fairly cheap for what they are, and the firestorm forum is an active community of advice and parts etc.
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Previous: GSF600, FZR600 x2, ZXR750, XT600 Tenere, CB125, CZ125, ETZ 250, ER5, CCM R30, DRZ400, RF600x4, RF900x2, GS500, VTR1000F, 640 SMC, CB250 NIGHTHAWK, GT550x3, GPX750 TE610, CB500, X11x2, SV650, ZING 125, TL1000R,CB250 Superdream, CBR1100XX

[pinkyfloyd]

Just to add on what has been said. They are good fun. Known issues are the CCT and the Reg/Rec which normally get swapped out. The CCT's tend to be fitted with manuals as a matter of "just in case" and the Reg/Rec gets swapped from the old Honda one to a finned one.

Riding, I would say the position is about the same as the older Fireblades. More upright than arse in the air. Makes them pretty comfortable. In the city they are a little bit lumpy. They do not like going slow and you find yourself sitting in second gear for most of the town riding. Out on the open road they are great fun and they sound fantastic. They pull like a train. OK so they are down on power than the likes of the TL1000 or an IL4 but they are still a hoot to ride.

They can be a little wallowy in the corners but they do handle pretty well.

As said above, the Firestorm forum is pretty active, seems these bikes have a fantastic support network for owners. I've been a member of there and remain so even a year after I sold mine. Its full of useful advice and they do hold workshop days sporadically.

Parts are cheap, insurance is cheap but petrol is expensive as they do drink like fish.
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illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[Alex A]

I had a later model in 2009 and just bought an early model. Its a compromise bike, but an excellent compromise IMO. Handles well enough to throw around. Fast enough to keep up with most things, with plenty of grunt. Comfortable enough to tour 1000s of miles, with decent weather protection. Easy to work on with no complicated electronics.

Suspension is a little basic by sports bike standards but apart from that, build and construction is every bit a Honda, and they hold up well.

It's an excellent all rounder, that offers more than a little bit of fun. If you like V twins, don't mind 30-35mpg, and like the somewhat marmite looks, then they're excellent value.

The trick is finding one that hasn't been molested. Most have.

[Kris]

Cheers all for the comments.

Fancied the idea of a cheap v-twin. Would it suit a lanky sod like me or would it be cramped?
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NSR125RR - ZXR750H1 - ZX9R E1 - GSF600S - GSF600SK3 - VFR400-NC30 - SV1000N - ST1100-R - CBR900RR-R - GSF1200SK5 - GSF600SK1 - VFR1200FA - GSXR1000K2 - ZZR1400 D8F
www.prisonplanet.com

[MarJay]

I have a real soft spot for them. I think if I was forced to 'downsize' to a cheaper bike, this would be a candidate. The main issue for me is the front suspension which is reputed to be rubbish, but I'm sure it's not beyond the wit of man to sort.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[pinkyfloyd]

[jjdugen]

The Firestorm was designed by Honda America, probably to get a slice of the Ducati market. Make of that what you will, but I found it to be awkward to maintain, simple carb balancing for instance.
If this has not had the CCT's changed out for manuals, then it WILL wreck valves and guides, piston, even the cylinder head itself. Its what they do once the stock CCT fails.
One other little endearing 'fault' they have, (not all, but certainly the thing I bought), is that the clutch will lock up from take off. You start to feed in the clutch from standstill, next its locked solid and surprise wheelies result, real fun in traffic.
A young lad on a Divvi 600 that came for a ride out got home comfortably in first place, I spent more time in filling stations than riding it.
As noted, not comfortable in town, too thirsty to enjoy a good long run, look odd, to be kind, ugly to be truthful. They are cheap for a reason.
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The CBR900RR has been sold. Aprilia Falco worms its way into my heart.
Try Soi 23 on Amazon for a good read.... Self promotion? Moi?

[stevo as b4]

Sure they are just another compromised V-twin, that has many quirks and weaknesses in riding compared to other Sports tourers or sports bikes.

The TL1000S is not much of a different proposition, just as ugly 10bhp more powerful and a bit more pricey. Has at least as many issues that would annoy you, or want to make you spend money on improvements/changes and get the spanners out.

The Aprilia Falco is similar again to the above, but with it's own little faults and has it's share of niggles.

The VTR is a great base for modifying to be an enjoyable single seater road bike and like the VFR750 has it's own charms. At £1500 for a good'un, yes it's a bit of a bargain IMO for a bike to tweak, improve, and make your own.

I'd prefer one to either a TL1000S or a TRX850, but the Falco always appealed to me, and I considered chopping in my ZX6R for one at one stage.

[Furrybiker]

I have had one for four and a half years, only problem has been the reg/rec which is standard for Honda of the period. Apart from that 100 120 miles to the 16 litre tank is a pain but I am ready to stretch my legs by then anyway. The round town useabliity is helped by altering the sprockets slightly (one tooth more than standard)

They are capable of starship mileages, there used to be a webpage listing the mileages covered by owners worldwide. I think the record was 500,000 miles, but it was a while back so could be wrong.

Front end could be better for a fat lump like me but not too bad, oh and the rear end can be too hard for some. Some complain of the handlebar angle on earlier 16 litre tank ones, but seems fine to me.

Mine was £1700 with 7500 miles and a full dealer history.

If you like V-twins it is best summed up as not being "too" anything I mean not too sporty not too touring, mine is however too loud

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

As mentioned above consider the Aprilia. Looked at both and managed to find a Falco cheap which I was much happier with. More power, better handling, just a better bike.

Most left around now have had all the little mods done that you would need/want to so no extra cost/fettling necessary. Lots of interchangeable parts with the Mille if you so wish though.
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Pictorgraphicalfantastical