Honda VTR1000 Firestorm 998 Review

Overall Rating

What can I say! I passed my test May 08 on an Honda CBF500, went out and without really riding it, bought a Suzuki GSX! DOH, rode hard and uncomfortable and never got to grips with that lying forward position being almost 6'tall.I never got on with my Suzuki so it has sat in the garage for a year whilst I thought about selling it.

Which brings me to the here and now! I sold my Honda08 plate to a guy who shipped it to Malta and whilst I knew this was going ahead,I got to scouring the net for my new machine. I fell upon the Ad for my Firestorm, pure luck it went on the same time mine was sold. I went along to see it as I was a bit dubious about the handlebar set up as I didn't want anything as forward leaning as my suzuki.I had a good look at it, sat on it, rolled it out by foot whilst sitting on it to make sure it was comfortable, took it for a test spin and was over the moon as perfect for a female like me!

Arranged to take it home and thought I'd let my boyfriend ride it home as it was 100 miles away just incase anything were 'slightly off' then he'd know etc.Got it home and it was fine. The only thing needed was to up the tickover, it was far too low and bike actually cut out on me and coasted round a junction,so said boyfriend sorted this for me and hey presto! Next day, I took it to work to see how it faired through town riding. It was good but it does tend to get a little bit warm when in much slower traffic but nothing to really write home about. It doesn't force you to lean too far forward and is really comfortable on the wrists.All the pegs are set nicely too and not too far back, so you don't feel as if you are practically lying over the tank!

Took it out yesterday and rode it for 80 miles or so round about the doors, mostly 40mph/60mph/and DC's to see how it faired. I live in Dumfries & Galloway so biking roads aplenty for us.I gave her a good run out yesterday and totally love my new machine.It takes the bends quite well as I live on a B road of 5 miles to my home from the main road so a good chance to get to grips with it. I used to have to plan an overtake etc on my 500, not so on this lovely machine,just slightly twist and away she blows. I have carbon cans on it so it sounds amazing! I only got it up to higher speed no problem in a blink on a long stretch of the A76 but it felt like I was taking it for the ride and not the other way around, where the Suzuki would try to have you off! I amazed myself at riding a 1000cc bike and feel totally comfortable doing so. The bike is sound, and yes, it does have a short range tank,my boyfriend was chatting to a guy at a local garage who has 03 Firestorm and said he only gets around 130miles per tank where I get around 100. I am ok with this as just have to make sure I top up on fuel before going home and will make sure I top up the fuel when out and about. Be sure to reset the trip before heading out so you can keep an eye on fuel consumption.

I have some nice little extras on my bike and it also looks better with the bellypan on it. It is a stunning looking bike and mine is yellow.It gets a lot of attention and knowing that you can accelerate with such power by applying so little twist is a bonus against cars when out riding. I would encourage any female rider to go for it if because if I can ride it, then you can too! I am a progressive rider/driver and I don't lack confidence. If this is you, I urge you to buy one! Like another guy says, you know when a storm is coming!
Tracy.