The Mam Journals-Why is the Honda VTR1000SP, SO iconic?
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- Опубликовано: 13 окт 2024
- The Honda VTR1000 is, by modern standards , fairly heavy , not particularly powerful , uncomfortable, uncompromising and likes to drink. Yet it is revered by motorcyclists across the world ! Why?
In this video I attempt to understand and to help me do so I explore the specifications of the SP2 , the key differences to the SP1, and why they were introduced.
What it is like to ride as an "average road rider"?
I naturally needed to cover the sporting heritage of the bike and I was lucky enough to catch up with a professional development engineer, who worked with Honda on the bikes. I share some of his fascinating insights!
Finally I come to my conclusion as to why the Honda SP is such an iconic bike . It would be great to hear your views!
Fantastic ! I ordered an RC51 sight unseen in late 1999 after reading of a new design super sport Honda twin coming. Unfortunately my local Honda dealer was unable to obtain one due to limited availability in Canada. As it turned out, one became available at another dealer when the buyers financing fell through. I had a friend call me to say there's one here do I want it ? I told him I'll be there in 30 minutes. I finally had my RC51 ! It was my 5th motorcycle and my first twin cylinder.
First impressions were : it doesn't pull like my 3 Kawasakis did and that ergonomically it fit me very well. I have happily owned it for 22 years now and have ridden 94,000 km on it. It has required very little maintenance other than the usual consumables and sounds great with slip - on mufflers.
I plan to keep it many more years but I'm almost 60 so the rides will likely be shorter in distance but still very entertaining.
Nice video, from a VTR1000F owner.
Why am I not signed up to this brilliant channel? MM has amazing knowledgable of his subject and presents it clearly and concisely. Others should watch and learn….I’m in👍
Fantastic journalism. This video truly reinforces why I've held onto my 02 (RC51-USA) since new. As a street rider, the bike is on a completely different level of joy in terms of riding pleasure. It's feedback, engine characteristics, and heritage is on a level other sportbikes don't compare to. Saying all that, the bike still puts a smile on my face from ear to ear.
I have the SP2 now for 12 years. I race with him at the racetrack for the last 8 years Dutch competition at Assen. Best Honda i ever had !
Fabulous video. People ask why I have mine for so long, i could mention the heritage, the unwavering build quality topped off with unparred reliability, but I just smile and say, theres just something about them.😎
“Not particularly good at handling?” Eh? The faster you go the better it handles. At low speeds it’s a pain but get it over 90 mph and wow the bike transforms itself Ok top end is irrelevant if you want to keep your licence but riding 90 to 120 mph on a clear road with great sweeping bends is motorcycling heaven, you are so at one with the machine. Dream bikes for sure. 😁
You are absolutly right !
yup
I ordered a Mvagusta750s f4 and waited over 6 months for delivery. I ended up cancelling the order and bought an Sp1. Brilliant bike, not the fastest bike at that time but it certainly put a smile on your face. I traded it in after 2 years and bought a Zx10r which was fast, but I always regretted selling the Sp1.
I have recently taken the SP1 and 2 out for their pre winter storage runs . Not particularly fast , comfortable or best suited to current UK roads , they do have a fantastic sense of occasion and unique sound and feel . I think many , who have ridden one , miss them. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment ..
Excellent Video!
Glad you liked it! Thank you
Thank you for the video. Currently have a 1996 CBR900RR and looking to get either an SP1 or 2 in the near future
Had my sp2 for ten years now, love it, it’s what a bike should do… make you feel good and make you smile. Got it in spades 😍💪
Lovley! The style of reporting is fantastic!
Great summary of the SP Michael.
I keep my SP at my workplace where many customers of all age groups come through every day.
Everyone is drawn to the bike and can’t believe it’s 20 years old!
Even people that know nothing of its racing heritage can’t take their eyes off the bike! There is just something about them.
Thanks Tony . I hope you are well and have managed to get a few rides in !
The SP’s are special and have something that defies logic . I have tried to capture some of it ..👍
@@michaelmam just a fyi.. Nikasil.. IS'NT a coating.. its a "process".. whereby silicon carbide crystals & nickel are electro infused.. sintered.. into the surface of the aluminium after the ali is etched to create a hard wearing surface layer in the alloy
When I heard you say ‘The Golden Years’, you were so right… And have an SP2, same colour also…
My trophy, to hand down..
Enjoy your reviews.. Cheers 🍻
Three things make that bike iconic Joey Dunlop ,Colin Edward's ,Nicky Hayden need I say more
I know what you mean but Joey , Colin and Nicky also won on bikes that most would struggle to remember . For me it was a combination of things … 👍
Had mine a year and a half now. Such a special bike. 😎
Great bikes . So distinctive 👍
Fantastic!
My SP1 agrees completely.
RC51 SP2 is one of the most comfortable bikes to ride. The key is squeezing the tank with your knees. You can ride for hours and hours with no weight on your wrists. This is the key such a phenomenally pleasurable motorcycle to ride.
Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment . Don’t think I have heard them described as comfortable before but you are right that the knee grip approach does reduce the strain on your arms . They do of course , get much easier to ride , the faster you go 👍 Have fun !
Yes not as uncomfortable as some say. At 5'9" it fits me like a glove. With a Baglux tank bag and a Seargent seat I toured the South of France with no discomfort. Minimum luggage in a tail pack. & tank bag. Also got 45 - 48 mpg at motorway speeds.
Mike,
An absolute pleasure to have played a "minor" part in this review of an iconic bike/s. When you told me over breakfast at the Super Sausage Cafe, that you weren't happy with the initial review, I was gobsmacked. However, this version is simply brilliant, well researched and brilliant to watch. A very, very informative video. Indeed, the best yet. The photography and video content is of the highest order. Well done. Great video, great machines and a big "well done" to SH for the filming and taking photos of my Z900RS too. Thank you. 👍😀🇬🇧
Thank you Taff . I am glad you enjoyed the filming day and thank you for your help ! Stuart does a brilliant job on the filming and photography. We do
Re -film a few but normally we film about an hour of footage in 3 to 4 hours and edit a video of 15-25 minutes out of it . A bit more labour intensive than some realise but I enjoy it ! Never entirely happy with them 😂 A lot of interesting stuff gets cut to keep flow and try and make them to the length . Still learning !
Had an 04 Nicky Hayden with Sato exhaust. Yes it was uncomfortable, torque throughout the rpm range, was a bit hard on fuel and handled well enough. But the sound of that bike was pure joy to my ears, body and soul.
Another fine video blog thanks 😊 Roger is a super bloke, very helpful. I'm looking forward to your next one.
Thank you ! Roger was incredibly helpful and a privilege to talk to 👍
Still looks so sick ❤️
I own #259 of the first year 2000. Not for sale, ever. It's been 9 years and still love it. I'll die with it, or on it.
Currently stocking up service parts so I can keep it alive for many, many years to come.
I, too, have an '02 RC51 -US
From new
It is an icon
Beautiful
Reliable
Well made
And yes, your commentary is spot on I believe ..... In spite of the compromises ..... When you're riding it ..... It is an occasion and is very special!
I have a 98 VTR 1000. When I bought it I had a choice between it or the RC51 Nicky Hayden Edition. I bough the VTR purely for the difference in comfort. Always wished I had bought the Hayden Edition but the VTR is still a joy to ride. It's not the fastest, lightest or best handling Super bike but it is a Super bike in its on right . The big Vtwin just puts a smile on your face while riding. To bad they don't make bikes like this anymore !
Yes . They are very different from bikes before it and most bikes build after it . Still enjoy riding mine today but don’t do many miles on it . Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment Barry . 👍
Thanks for the excellent overview, history, and commentary. Fantastic channel. Subscribed!
Thank you . I make 25 videos a year and try to cover a few iconic bikes amongst the new bike reviews . Hoping to cover the RC 30 in the early summer . A friend has one that he is happy for me to ride but , understandably wants the weather to improve first 🤷🏼♂️😂
My Honda is at the opposite end of the scale. I have my dad's 1968 S&K "Suitcase Cycle", a Honda 90 step-through that S&K converted into a bike that could be carried in a small aircraft. It has a sleeve with a compression ring around the front downtube (splined) that allowed it to be taken apart into two pieces; I rode it around grand island Bahamas as a teenager and did demos for fellow general aviation pilots who were curious. Still have the brochures that we sent to prospective customers on the Honda and the Centaur scooter of the same era. (Virginia, USA)
Good to hear from you ! Well .. Honda certainly sold a lot more C90’s than VTRs 😀
An „old“ bike,that scares todays supersportbikes,driven by the right Hand..
A timeless beauty,as well!
Still find the SP-1 to be the better looking machine in the red/BLK. Great video. Had 2 SP-1s back in the day.
Thank you for commenting 👍
True. The red and black with OZ gold wheels is a killer combo. My Castrol though will give it a run for it's money. 😉😎
Great video as always Michael 👍 I've been through the ringer with my SP1
Hi Alex , yes , I thought the insurance / parts issues with your claim would be fairly testing . Hopefully you are through it now ?
@@michaelmam They've paid out, Cat N unfortunately. It will undergo a respray during the winter.
True, riding the SP is something special. I own multiple motorcycles, and if I had to sell them all, the SP would be the last one...
Thanks for the great history lesson.
What a cracking production!
I still miss my SP-1 and haven't really understood the comments that a lot of people say about the comfort. I used to commute on mine about 120 miles per day. I loved it. I've never ridden an SP-2 but aim to own one, one day, but I just bought a 748, and *that* is uncomfortable 😂 but I think I love it too...
BTW - when you were talking dimensions, you used Roman Catholic units for rake and trail, then switched to Church of England units when discussing Wheelbase! 😂
(for anyone who didn't get it, I was referring to metric and imperial )
Glad you enjoyed it . I regularly swop between measurements 🤦😂 Must try harder ..
If you have to explain a joke it's not funny. Remember that.
@@eric62backstrom Wind your neck in.
Great video, subscribed! I hope to have a collection like you one day Michael, getting back on the saddle with a 2022 panigale v4s, hoping to collect some classics before prices get too high
Have fun ! 👍
refreshing to see a video on these bikes that's actually accurate. well researched and everything you've said is spot on. there are so many misconceptions and i do believe you nailed down the "je ne sais quois" about them as well. great stuff.
Thank you Will . Glad you enjoyed it . 👍
Great video. So well explained! Please do a video on the Kawasaki ZX-7R!!!
If I get the chance , I will 👍
Great thorough breakdown
Thank you Joe 👍
Great video, we have one thing in common, our passion of Honda Sports bikes, IMO the best motorcycle brand
Thank you David . Hope you are well !
Mine is a 04 SP2. I miss my 01 SP1. But love the bike
Both great bikes👍
Excellent video and great knowledge. Enjoyed every second of it. well done
I bought a used SP-1 3 years ago and drove about 20,000 km.
The current problem is that the chain slider is a discontinued part and cannot be replaced.
Other parts that have deteriorated have been replaced with SP-2 parts and are in good condition.
I would like to continue to cherish it.
I had both SP1 & SP2, both of which I enjoyed owning however I found that they had a couple of negatives. They are quite heavy, as pointed out. I fitted my SP2 with Ohlins R&T forks, Ohlins rear shock and BST cf wheels and carbon fibre bodywork, which transformed the handling.
They are quite hard on gas, probably only in the low 30s/Imp gallon.
Difficult to improve hp, the HRC cams were prone to snapping, with disastrous effect. Cams are carried in the head, not separately, so not able to increase compression by milling the heads. Barrels are in the cases, so the pistons are the last things to be removed from the engine, which is best removed by taking the frame off of it.
I finally saw the light and bought a Ducati 999R, 150 hp stock with the full exhaust and 50mpg. Not Honda reliable but a lot more fun.
Just look at the gloriously enormous chassis and bodyworks. Just like how a thousand-cc bike should be. Manufactureres really should snap out of the slim & compact bullshit and start to create majestic masterpieces like this again.
Wouldn’t give up my 02 Rc51 for anything. Would luv another to split riding time to keep miles down on them.
I agree with your three reasons as for why the SP1 / 2 are still so popular
They hold a very special place in my heart because both of my riding heroes, Joey and Vale, have won on them.
I've owned two Sp1 in my time and would one day love to own an Sp2, especially in that stunning scheme that you own, which, sadly, is very difficult to get a hold of here in N. America.
In a pure sporting sense I don't find the Sp1 to be as satisfying as my 996, but on the other hand the Sp1 makes a far better every day superbike. It's a doddle to ride in the urban environment whereas the Italian version would always rather be anywhere else!
Another enjoyable video, thank you for posting
I wouldn't want to sell my sp2 either! Can't blame them for being hard to find. I did just find a steal of a deal for an sp1 tho, New England. Looking at it tomorrow. Very excited!
@@eric62backstrom Did you finally get the SP1?
@@cabezamiami yes I did but it ended up being an Sp2 so that's even better! Check out my RUclips videos. Ended up having a cracked stator housing because somebody use the wrong bolts and overtorque them so I'm rebuilding it from the ground up
Love mine ever since i bought it in 2000, there is an art to riding an sp1 you should be come one with it,apart from riding in the rain.on the track it just digs in top speed on my as standard 175,say no more !!!
I had a SP1 and now a SP2. And the driving is completeley diferent from each other. Great bike, since my 26 years that I have one. simply love it.
I find that the 2 does turn in better . Both bikes are better ridden briskly - I do not consider myself fast ..
Is this your experience too ?
@@michaelmam the SP1 I think it needs a good suspension setup for fast riding. The sp2 is more “friendly” 😁
they were made 2000, even if you got it in 99, how the hell have you owned one for 26 years?
I bought my '02 trading for my '01 ..... For the throttle response issue and the suspension
'02 improved both
great video thanks
You are welcome! Apologies for the delay . Forgot to respond 🤦
If anyone is interested this is the link to my very first RUclips video on my SP1. Filming and sound has improved a bit over time😂 Still learning .ruclips.net/video/mTBvHjWOCW4/видео.html.
Great in-depth review. Interesting thing about ergonomics... I genuinely feel my SP1 is way more comfortable than my 996, early fireblade & GSXR. It definitely isn't a VFR but (to me at least) it has the same weathered-glove feel. It just fits me perfectly at 5'8". Safe to say I'll never part with mine, although the way the markets are heading I sincerely hope I don't eat those words.
I guess we will all part with them at some point ? I made the decision a few years ago that , whilst I could ride them , I would keep them . I don’t do many miles on them every year but I do take them out but pretty gently . If I “feel the need” I have a wobble round a track on an R6 . Feels slightly more disposable😂
@@michaelmam True, as long as dementia sets in before I sell… I’ll take it as a win.
@@counter-steer 😂
I agree, the SPYs are more comfy than the 748/916/996/998 bikes which isn't saying a lot! (I am 172cm also!).
BTW - anyone who hasn't seen @countersteer 's videos on RC-51 (and Fireblade) restoration ought to go watch them.
@@Smeeheeee Thank you sir!
Great video and I agree with all three reasons you gave us.
I hope that you're correct in your conclusions regarding your Sp2 Michael, because your analysis has been instrumental in my decision to go out and do what I have been intending to do for some time, and go out and buy one which I have now done. However I won't be looking to move my MV F4 on anytime soon, I guess I must be lucky from a physical standpoint, as 160 miles on the F4 results in neither a visit to the chiropractor nor the dentist, not too bad for a 69 year old I reckon, I just hope that the Sp2 will treat me as well. Many thanks for the content, keep it coming, and if you want to try an F4, unless you already have of course, in which case another subject for you?? get in touch.
Regards Roger Brewin.
Great video Michael
Brilliant as always
Шикарный байк,шикарный звук ! Легенда! Привет из России !
Top Video once again Michael
Thank you ! It was fun making it . Took a few goes to capture what I was trying to say but relatively happy with the outcome . About 2/3 of what we film never appears 😂
awesome bike!
Fantastic video
Thank you !
So as someone who's very much road focused and into cheap bikes...how are these different from just a VTR1000 Firestorm?
They are very different bikes both to ride and how they were built . Very Few shared components and although HRC used a firestorm as a development mule they quickly realised they would have to start again, to develop the SP . Firestorms are fun , cheap and a good road bike , if a little thirsty 👍
@@michaelmam interesting, so even with the VTR label there's not much in common beyond the engine displacement and configuration? The Firestorms really are stunning value used since you can nab one for £1500 all day, you just see the SP1 or SP2 come up at many times the price when you're searching!
There is nothing on common. A completely different bike
I think Honda stated on the original launch material (for the SP1) that over 90% of the engine parts were different between it and the Firestorm (including the switch to cam gear drive and fuel injection). When you consider that the frame and virtually all the other parts are different, it’s really only the VTR designation (and the fact that they are both V twins) that they share.
@@paulcavacuiti4176 even the bore x stroke are different despite the matching 996cc displacement. Looking through the specs sheet though I suspect they share a Nissin single pot rear brake caliper! (which basically every Honda bike used at the time)
I’m on my third rc51.
Beautiful bikes.
The sp2 also had dual fuel injectors for each cylinder.. i was was totally bummed when they quit making the rc51 and i was devastated when Ducati quit making because they were the last bike maker still putting racing V-Twins in super bikes. I really wish KTM would stick the 1280 super Duke engine in a new KTM superbike because I was also pissed when they quit making the V-Twin superbike that KTM was making
Yes. Interesting times in the bike world , and not to everyone's taste. . Ducati , Aprilia and KTM seem to be maximising their opportunity in the V4 space, which they race in , whilst BMW continue to develop increasingly powerful straight 4's, chasing that elusive WSB title. Most of the Japanese companies appear to be putting their energy/money into road parallel twins rather than racing? Suzuki gone and Yamaha and Honda at the back of Moto GP and struggling against Ducati in WSB...
Those were expensive to manufacture and at the peak of Honda quality, like the Rune Honda did not make much profit off those magnificent machines.later models were best with our Rc51
Had both sp1 and 2, it was the lack of comfort that forced me to sell them. Have a 1998 R1 now and it's like an armchair in comparison
Are they really that uncomfortable?
@@JustForRita for me it was yes unfortunately, had the sp1 6 yrs and sp2 for 2 yrs. After 30mins riding I couldn't feel my hands, couldn't rev match very well after a long ride.
@@wiffer22222 Please - when talking about ergo's I wish people would say '... and I am xxx tall' because this is the main thing that determines a bike's comfort for a person.
I am 5'8" (172cm) and I found the RC-51 quite good (I used to commute on a brand new one back in the day).
@@Smeeheeee I'm 5'11"
Anyone want to comment on which is better 2002 VTR 1000 OR 2002 954RR
There great bikes and fun to ride, just put straight bars on them.
1/ The looks 2/The engine 3/ As you say, gear driven cams
Such a pretty bike but ultimately pretty disappointing to ride. The factory SP-W was awesome but had almost nothing in common with the road bikes.
👍The 700 996r were much closer to track spec than the standard Honda’s ever were . Still love them 😂
They are popular now but nobody wanted one when new.
They where way off the pace of the superbikes of the day including hondas own fireblade.
It's a special looking thing (hrc after all) but pretty dull to ride
Why is this bike so iconic? Simple, both models sp1 and sp2 are unique, engineered and built by HRC for joe public to enjoy on the road the biking experience of a lifetime. Would I own anything else? No way!
I think the RC30 and 45 were built by HRC but the SP’s were build on a standard line ? Great bikes 👍
@@michaelmam You could well be right there but however they were built the quality is outstanding making standard production bikes feel and look a bit ordinary 😁
PLENTY of power for the roads especially without any advanced nannies riding for you.
Hi. If you ever want to sell your sp2 please get in touch. Thank you
Thank you Mike . No plans yet . Only bought it last year and paid far too much for it but it was the one that I wanted 😂👍
Hi. There is maximum torque and there is awailable torque. And then is the maximum power, or we can speak also awailable power. On most v2 engines there is more available torque at low rpm:s than there would be at moust of the inline four engines. Of course there is exceptions, like inline4 engines with a relatively low horsepower. Just lika a car engines usually, or at bikes: honda cb1300 or yamaha xjr1300 etc. Most of sportbikes with inline4 maximum power is at the 10000rpm, or even way higher. And redline can be somewhere like at 16000rpm. That means there is not very much torque, and all the power is made by rpm:s. And that is the usuable torque. Or I could say usabless torque, because there is not very much torque.. There is only maximun power. You see, power is only mathematic value, count on rpm:s multiple torque or something like that. If you have a 600cc bike with a 100 horsepower, but you can spin the engine at only half way of the maximum revs, you will not get half of the power. You will get something like 1/3, or so if even that much. Because the torque that there is not at the low engine speeds! Well, you know the thing, I dont want to wayst your time any more. Just wanted to say all this...
Cracks me up how the Euros call it…
😂 How do you call it ?
'Riding something special'. Then think how RC30 owners feel when they ride theirs.
Hondas are notoriously over-refined and bland. The RC51 wasn't, hence its iconic status.
WSBK was nothing Compared to Joey He beat the R1s On the works bike.
@@stewart8127 Isle of Man certainly is popular and considered important by most bike manufacturers but I am not sure the viewing figures of the week would exceed the viewing figures of the 2000 WSBK series .
@@michaelmam Edwards didn't R1s racing with him . He was like Foggy coming after Tosslin
Start it up next time
Thanks again .
As I say , my beautiful Wife rides a VTR250 with Scorpion Exhaust , and its 32HP sounds more like a 70HP of a Monster ,,, Oh yes ? the designer from Japan designed the VTR250 trellis frame 12 months before he designed the Ducati Monster trellis frame .
Honda were way ahead of the pack .
I had a white and red one . Early 80’s 😂
@@michaelmam Yep its nice.
But my Italian friends tell me that no Honda has a soul.
Only Italian bikes have souls.
And this engine does not have the Italian unique sound.😆
Take care
@@DennisMerwood-xk8wp 😂