cant go back (wistful nostalgia ramble)firestorm

[wristjob]

long version;
years ago when times were good and everything was in black and white.
i had a 125 i passed my test and got a 600 bandit the next day.
i thought it was great it was faster than anything it was comfy,it sounded nice,it was all i could want.
i then had a go on a friends vtr firestorm and it was awesome!
it was faster sounded better was nicer to ride,gearbox was smother, it was infact all i could want.
years passed and a few bikes came and went and i ended up on my current fz1 which for nearly 4 years has done the job for me.
so i was offered a cheap needs work vtr and i had the cash so im now the owner of a firestorm.
so ive done the brakes and put some rubber tyres on it( the ones on it where made of wood)
took it for an mot and its all good.
its on some nice cans so it sounds great.
its just not the bike i remember.

short version: got a firestorm and think its a hateful pile of crap vibration is horrid gearbox is clunky compared to the fz1 its down on power but it also feels slow(its not that slow)with only the noise to sprinkle some glitter on a turd.

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Heavy, bouncy and crap on fuel.

However, I reckon with some decent suspension and rear sets they can be made to go fast.

Fire blade forks must go in somehow!

Think Harris did some rear sets, and I'm sure a shock from an aftermarket company will sure up the back end.

Open airbox kit, and a dyno jet kit to further reduce your fuel economy.

To me, although riding them is like land yachting, if I can deck the pegs on on Dunlop D207s (remember those? Blurgh!) then the chassis can't be that bad. This was About 3 or 4 years ago when I was young(er) and reckless.
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[chickenstrip]

I have a little philosophy: If you've since owned more modern, but good, bikes, don't go back to those of your youth - you're asking for disappointment. Keep those rose-tinted specs!

Could it be that your previous VTR was just in finer fettle? Lower mileage and less wear and tear? Or maybe your tastes have just changed over the years.

Anything you DO still like about it?

[wristjob]

its getting no money other than some paint and the jobs ive already done and its getting sold on ,
not buying any bike ever again without a good test ride!

[wristjob]

[Alex A]

I just made the same mistake. I wanted a hack/tourer to compliment the SP-1. Something a little more comfortable, and cheap, but still fast, reliable and fun. So I bought a tidy but well used VFR800Fi. I've owned a VFR750 before, and expected the 800 to fit the bill nicely. Gave it a full service and checked it over thoroughly. Mechanically it's fine. But it feels slow and heavy and generally uninspiring.

I was thinking of selling it and looking out for a Firestorm instead (had one of those before too!). But after reading this thread, I think it's back to the drawing board.

[jjdugen]

One way or another I get to sample a good cross section. Most 80's stuff is really tired by now, even blessed with loving care, things feel loose. 90's stuff is, surprisingly, still good, as long as suspension has been kept up to par. Yamaha's and Suzuki's tend to be a bit rattly, Kawasaki's engines seem to be really good, bodywork not so good.
Honda had one ace in the hole, the carbed 'blades, they must have put a lot of money into the build and design. The 'sideline V twins...well, not so much into the build...... and soon dropped.
Choose your nostalgia with care and you can still have a blast on pocket money.
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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?

[pinkyfloyd]

I miss my storm but I do not regret buying the XJ6 I have now. That said, I do think at some point in the future I shall be the proud owner of a VTR SP2.
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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.

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

Yeah me too - but only for the noise.

I love noise.
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Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125