Is the Firestorm too much bike for me
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Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 6
Is the Firestorm too much bike for me
Hi, new to the forum and I'm thinking of getting a firestorm. I have been riding a Yamaha 600 diversion for nearly 2 years and have done about 16000 miles most of which is commuting. I've ridden my friends VFR800 and found it was a friendly bike and not intimidating at all. The power/torque of the Firestorm looks to be about the same even though it's a litre bike! I have this worry that if I sneeze while I’m riding it it's going to send me wheeling up the road!
Moderator
MotoGP
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,553
From: South Texas
+1
The VTR has approx 10 ft/lbs more torque and lighter weight than viffers plus the power comes on sooner so it has more real world power. It will be a huge step up from the diversion. Although a good bike for what it's intended for, that 600 is very old technology.
The VTR has approx 10 ft/lbs more torque and lighter weight than viffers plus the power comes on sooner so it has more real world power. It will be a huge step up from the diversion. Although a good bike for what it's intended for, that 600 is very old technology.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,689
From: South Lake Tahoe, CA, USA
It doesn't have that kind of explosive power. But when you open the throttle, something happens. I think you'll find it a fun, refreshing step up. It's kind of a sleeper, really. It doesn't feel super fast, but you can't help but have a blast riding it.
Babe, a Super Hawk is a Firestorm, is a Super Hawk. Runs best on cod liver oil.
pragmatic anarchist
Superstock
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 380
From: Philadelphia, PA
'Bring it...'
Back Marker
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 107
From: Colorado
Guess that is why they fit in with my heard!
(And dang.. I really have to change my oil!)
Senior Member
SuperSport
SuperSport
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 809
From: North Wales, PA
my last bike was a seca II, ehem, diversion. you use less countersteering and steer more with your butt. the power difference is considerable, but like many here have said, you get what you ask for.top speed goes up by about 40mph. I crashed my hawk 3 days after I bought it. lesson being, respect respect respect. it can be done. just take it easy for a while. even while riding it, the hawk doesn't advertise its power like a liter I4. so be carefull. its still there.
Iron Rocket
Squid
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 78
From: Hanover,PA
I went from a Katana 600 to not riding for 4 years to jumping right on a SuperHawk. And i luv it. Its all in how you use your right hand. It can be gentle and then it can try and throw your *** off the back of the bike!!!! You will have no problems.
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 758
the firestorm is the european version.
i dont think this bike is too much for you. my superhawk is the first street ive ever ridden/owned. ive been riding dirt bikes my entire life, so i guess that gave me enough experience to adapt to street riding very quickly. the bike doesnt just wheelie when you gas it unless your in first gear. second gear, you have to use the clutch unless you have different sized sprockets or different gearing. not much to worry about in that case. ive never been surprised by the power of the superhawk, ive always been in control in every situation. i actually wish it had a little more power, but it definitely has enough for what i need. i really cant wait until the ktm rc8 is released in the states. 1190cc 155bph twin engine. such an amazing bike. that, and ktm just makes an awesome motorcycle.
i dont think this bike is too much for you. my superhawk is the first street ive ever ridden/owned. ive been riding dirt bikes my entire life, so i guess that gave me enough experience to adapt to street riding very quickly. the bike doesnt just wheelie when you gas it unless your in first gear. second gear, you have to use the clutch unless you have different sized sprockets or different gearing. not much to worry about in that case. ive never been surprised by the power of the superhawk, ive always been in control in every situation. i actually wish it had a little more power, but it definitely has enough for what i need. i really cant wait until the ktm rc8 is released in the states. 1190cc 155bph twin engine. such an amazing bike. that, and ktm just makes an awesome motorcycle.
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 987
From: San Diego, CA
Hi, new to the forum and I'm thinking of getting a firestorm. I have been riding a Yamaha 600 diversion for nearly 2 years and have done about 16000 miles most of which is commuting. I've ridden my friends VFR800 and found it was a friendly bike and not intimidating at all. The power/torque of the Firestorm looks to be about the same even though it's a litre bike! I have this worry that if I sneeze while I’m riding it it's going to send me wheeling up the road!
Let's put it this way, I've been riding for about 8 months, and was looking to upgrade to a 600 for commuting. I ended up on the Superhawk by chance and felt very comfortable on it and I chose that over newer injected bikes with better fuel mileage. I was considering a new SV650 as well, but it felt much heavier and twitchier than the Superhawk. Something just feels more grown-up about this bike.
The torque can be a blessing or a curse. You don't have to worry about being in the right gear, power is available at about any rpm.
But you then end up with probably way more than you'll ever need in the bottom of 1st gear (or 2nd, or 3rd...) unless you're doing wheelies.
Plus the V-twin just sounds cool.
One thing that felt uncomfortable on the VFR was the Vtec kicking in at about 6K mid-corner.
For a commuter bike, you may not appreciate the lack of wind protection, poor mirrors, or fuel range, but 2 out of 3 of those are easily fixed.
Last edited by CentralCoaster; Jul 16, 2008 at 05:05 PM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 6
Really useful advise and much appreciated for all those who have replied, I was expecting someone to put me off the whole idea! I'm planing on getting a replacement for my trusty Diversion (Seca II)! next year and originally set my heart on a SV650 because everyone says they are such a good bike, they are popular with 1st time bikers but they are also the type of bike that will grow with your experience and they are revered by experienced riders too. But I can't help thinking that moving on from the XJ600 that I might be a little disappointed with the performance. So keeping with the V twin theme I looked around for what else was out there but also thought about the CBR600F - I have ridden my mate's one and absolutely loved it, although it felt like it wanted me to go faster and faster! By the way if you ever get the chance to do a track day in the UK, Cadwell Park is awesome!
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,138
From: Austin, Tx
An observation or two. . . On the Superhawk you can get there before anyone with normal eyes can see you. It's that quick!
The Superhawk is better in short runs around the city because it has the responsiveness to always make you smile. The Superhawk was not built with great handling in mind nor super brakes. I would never buy another stock Superhawk in my life.
Now that I have a Ducati investment in a Honda product I'm a real happy camper. Some one with true riding skills could prolly trample any one on a Duc with this bike. It might also run with an RC51 or two.
I stripped the passenger pegs off when I did the Jardine high-mounts. They made the ***-end of the bike too wide for my tastes.
I found a new set of passenger pegs. From a '97 VFR - great news is they came with the rest of the bike.
The Superhawk is better in short runs around the city because it has the responsiveness to always make you smile. The Superhawk was not built with great handling in mind nor super brakes. I would never buy another stock Superhawk in my life.
Now that I have a Ducati investment in a Honda product I'm a real happy camper. Some one with true riding skills could prolly trample any one on a Duc with this bike. It might also run with an RC51 or two.
I stripped the passenger pegs off when I did the Jardine high-mounts. They made the ***-end of the bike too wide for my tastes.
I found a new set of passenger pegs. From a '97 VFR - great news is they came with the rest of the bike.
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 987
From: San Diego, CA
I'm not sure why. The steering felt much heavier and took more coaxing to navigate around in city traffic, or in tight turns. I recall the SV seat felt wider also, which put my legs and knees out further.
I rode 2 SVs during my search, although one was a piece of garbage cobbled from other bikes, so I'm not counting that one. I just took quick jaunts around town on the highway with each of them. But I've only been riding for 8 months and don't have much to compare too. I've only ridden a half dozen different types of bikes.
I rode 2 SVs during my search, although one was a piece of garbage cobbled from other bikes, so I'm not counting that one. I just took quick jaunts around town on the highway with each of them. But I've only been riding for 8 months and don't have much to compare too. I've only ridden a half dozen different types of bikes.
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