Honda VTR1000 Firestorm 998 Review

“Bought my F1 Honda VTR 1000 Firestorm 998 in May 2000...”

Written on: 20/08/2004 by billybob69 (2 reviews written)

Good Points
Build quality, insurability, fruity motor, decent handling, looks and usability. Clocks better from '02, fuel gauge, 2 trips etc..

Bad Points
Early F1 16 Litre tank models can see the warning light on as early as 90 miles, with 20 before it stops completely, if you give it the berries. Front forks too soft and brakes could be better.

General Comments
Bought my F1 Honda VTR 1000 Firestorm 998 in May 2000 as a first proper motorcycle. Recently sold it for a gixer thou, but the firestorm never really gets the credit it deserves. For the road its an ace bike, more than enough of everything (apart from early tank range, corrected later to 19L) for the road. Its an ace alternative to litre 4's if you are under 30 with no/minimal NCD. I took mine to Spain in '02 with no problems at all, and it ran past 150 mph on the autoroute a number of times. BT-020's are the best tyre fitment, dial the fork preload 1 out from all the way in and fit HH pads. Cheap to do and makes a difference.