£1500 (£1700 and knock down maybe) budget... What you got ?

Anything you like about motorbikes
User avatar
weeksy
Site Admin
Posts: 23432
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 12:08 pm
Has thanked: 5453 times
Been thanked: 13102 times

Re: £1500 (£1700 and knock down maybe) budget... What you got ?

Post by weeksy »

Druid wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 10:00 am
weeksy wrote: Fri Mar 10, 2023 7:18 pm Well it ain't that one.

I bid £1300 on the Silver Firestorm. But he's not replied either way yet
I thoiught you didn't want sporty?

I had a Firestorm about 20 years ago, it replsced a VFR750 and a CBR600. It was much less comfortable than either of those despite fitting higher bars and an aftermarket (Corbin) seat.

I know some people love them, but I couldn't get on with mine and sold it at a loss after 18 months - and I used to keep my bikes for 4 or 5 years
I didn't think a Firestorm was a sporty riding position. However I have only ridden one once.
I don't fit the zx6 for example, my knee struggles and I hate the forward riding position so that's what I'm trying to keep away from.
It's not so much comfort as in arse position, but in terms of bendy position that's important. Foot to arse giving less bend in the knees.
User avatar
ChrisW
Posts: 2725
Joined: Thu Feb 10, 2022 8:46 pm
Has thanked: 2919 times
Been thanked: 2061 times

Re: £1500 (£1700 and knock down maybe) budget... What you got ?

Post by ChrisW »

What about a cheap Thundercat - is that a relaxed enough riding position?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325502751379
Attachments
s-l1600-1.jpg
s-l1600-1.jpg (419.37 KiB) Viewed 840 times
Supermofo
Posts: 5003
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:39 pm
Has thanked: 4364 times
Been thanked: 2853 times

Re: £1500 (£1700 and knock down maybe) budget... What you got ?

Post by Supermofo »

Having owned both I much preferred my Z750 to my Firestorm. The Firestorm was decent and better built but it was a bit mehh. The Z750 made me ride like a twat everywhere and encouraged me to rag it, it just seemed part of the bikes dna. So on that basis I'd have that £1k Z. They are a budget bike though, brakes are poop (as are the Firestorm's), finish was iffy and mine was written off at about 1.5 years, suspension was bouncy new but I rode round that to be fair the Firestorm is a similar there too. The Firestorm was decent handling but felt long and slow to turn so better at sweepers, the Z750 was much better at scratching.

If you get a storm I have a set of OE cans you can have if you wanted them plus a set of OE front brakes, I changed my front brakes to ones off a later CBR600/Blade
Supermofo
Posts: 5003
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:39 pm
Has thanked: 4364 times
Been thanked: 2853 times

Re: £1500 (£1700 and knock down maybe) budget... What you got ?

Post by Supermofo »

weeksy wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 10:04 am
Druid wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 10:00 am
weeksy wrote: Fri Mar 10, 2023 7:18 pm Well it ain't that one.

I bid £1300 on the Silver Firestorm. But he's not replied either way yet
I thoiught you didn't want sporty?

I had a Firestorm about 20 years ago, it replsced a VFR750 and a CBR600. It was much less comfortable than either of those despite fitting higher bars and an aftermarket (Corbin) seat.

I know some people love them, but I couldn't get on with mine and sold it at a loss after 18 months - and I used to keep my bikes for 4 or 5 years
I didn't think a Firestorm was a sporty riding position. However I have only ridden one once.
I don't fit the zx6 for example, my knee struggles and I hate the forward riding position so that's what I'm trying to keep away from.
It's not so much comfort as in arse position, but in terms of bendy position that's important. Foot to arse giving less bend in the knees.
I didn't find the Firestorm overly sporty. Felt like a slightly more sporty VFR. Bars weren't too slow and don't recall legs being uncomfortable.

If you are leaving yours for a while my fuel tap diaphragm dried out and split over winter causing rough running and cutting out on the fast lane of the A1 :shifty:
Mr. Dazzle
Posts: 13965
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 7:57 pm
Location: Milton Keynes
Has thanked: 2552 times
Been thanked: 6260 times

Re: £1500 (£1700 and knock down maybe) budget... What you got ?

Post by Mr. Dazzle »

Supermofo wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 10:28 am I changed my front brakes to ones off a later CBR600/Blade
Whereas my (Druid's) old VFR had Firestorm brakes as an upgrade over stock :lol:
User avatar
mangocrazy
Posts: 6923
Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2020 9:58 pm
Has thanked: 2407 times
Been thanked: 3637 times

Re: £1500 (£1700 and knock down maybe) budget... What you got ?

Post by mangocrazy »

Mr. Dazzle wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 10:37 am Whereas my (Druid's) old VFR had Firestorm brakes as an upgrade over stock :lol:
Pretty much anything's an upgrade over stock for those early VFR calipers <shudder>
There is no cloud, just somebody else's computer.
User avatar
Taipan
Posts: 13965
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:48 pm
Location: Essex Riviera!
Has thanked: 15979 times
Been thanked: 10258 times

Re: £1500 (£1700 and knock down maybe) budget... What you got ?

Post by Taipan »

weeksy wrote: Fri Mar 10, 2023 7:18 pm Well it ain't that one.

I bid £1300 on the Silver Firestorm. But he's not replied either way yet
That really pisses me off. So many people do that, dealers included??
User avatar
Mr Moofo
Posts: 4620
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:41 pm
Location: Brightonish
Has thanked: 1829 times
Been thanked: 1469 times

Re: £1500 (£1700 and knock down maybe) budget... What you got ?

Post by Mr Moofo »

FB marketplace is even worse
User avatar
weeksy
Site Admin
Posts: 23432
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 12:08 pm
Has thanked: 5453 times
Been thanked: 13102 times

Re: £1500 (£1700 and knock down maybe) budget... What you got ?

Post by weeksy »

Taipan wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 10:51 am
weeksy wrote: Fri Mar 10, 2023 7:18 pm Well it ain't that one.

I bid £1300 on the Silver Firestorm. But he's not replied either way yet
That really pisses me off. So many people do that, dealers included??
I assume he's waiting to see if he gets any bids as it ends soon
User avatar
Skub
Posts: 12176
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 5:32 pm
Location: Norn Iron
Has thanked: 9836 times
Been thanked: 10149 times

Re: £1500 (£1700 and knock down maybe) budget... What you got ?

Post by Skub »

mangocrazy wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 10:45 am
Mr. Dazzle wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 10:37 am Whereas my (Druid's) old VFR had Firestorm brakes as an upgrade over stock :lol:
Pretty much anything's an upgrade over stock for those early VFR calipers <shudder>
I remember being sat behind a chap on an early VFR,we crested a steep hill at a pace and the road immediately turned uphill right. The VFR was the only bike,which after a pitiful attempt at slowing,went straight instead,down a handy farm track with an even handier open gate. :lol:
"Be kind to past versions of yourself that didn't know what you know now."
Walt Whitman
https://soundcloud.com/skub1955
User avatar
mangocrazy
Posts: 6923
Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2020 9:58 pm
Has thanked: 2407 times
Been thanked: 3637 times

Re: £1500 (£1700 and knock down maybe) budget... What you got ?

Post by mangocrazy »

Skub wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 2:05 pm
mangocrazy wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 10:45 am
Mr. Dazzle wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 10:37 am Whereas my (Druid's) old VFR had Firestorm brakes as an upgrade over stock :lol:
Pretty much anything's an upgrade over stock for those early VFR calipers <shudder>
I remember being sat behind a chap on an early VFR,we crested a steep hill at a pace and the road immediately turned uphill right. The VFR was the only bike,which after a pitiful attempt at slowing,went straight instead,down a handy farm track with an even handier open gate. :lol:
:D
Even when brand new and in 80s road conditions they were only just adequate - horrible sliding caliper things that stopped working with not much provocation meaning only one brake pad was actually gripping the disc. On today's roads they'd be verging on dangerous. That's why my old 1988 VFR has Brembo 4-pots up front...
There is no cloud, just somebody else's computer.
Le_Fromage_Grande
Posts: 11236
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:40 pm
Location: The road of many manky motorcycles
Has thanked: 607 times
Been thanked: 4124 times

Re: £1500 (£1700 and knock down maybe) budget... What you got ?

Post by Le_Fromage_Grande »

mangocrazy wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 4:31 pm
Skub wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 2:05 pm
mangocrazy wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 10:45 am

Pretty much anything's an upgrade over stock for those early VFR calipers <shudder>
I remember being sat behind a chap on an early VFR,we crested a steep hill at a pace and the road immediately turned uphill right. The VFR was the only bike,which after a pitiful attempt at slowing,went straight instead,down a handy farm track with an even handier open gate. :lol:
:D
Even when brand new and in 80s road conditions they were only just adequate - horrible sliding caliper things that stopped working with not much provocation meaning only one brake pad was actually gripping the disc. On today's roads they'd be verging on dangerous. That's why my old 1988 VFR has Brembo 4-pots up front...
You should try an early FZ750, scary bikes to stop from high speed, it's not the calipers on the FZ, it's the master cylinder, it's too big.
Honda Owner
Bustaspoke
Posts: 1808
Joined: Wed Mar 18, 2020 5:55 pm
Has thanked: 3262 times
Been thanked: 1737 times

Re: £1500 (£1700 and knock down maybe) budget... What you got ?

Post by Bustaspoke »

Le_Fromage_Grande wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 9:25 pm
You should try an early FZ750, scary bikes to stop from high speed, it's not the calipers on the FZ, it's the master cylinder, it's too big.
Not just my old FZ then!That one of mine is the worst bike I've had to stop from high speeds,it got me out of my comfort zone more than once :shock:
User avatar
mangocrazy
Posts: 6923
Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2020 9:58 pm
Has thanked: 2407 times
Been thanked: 3637 times

Re: £1500 (£1700 and knock down maybe) budget... What you got ?

Post by mangocrazy »

Le_Fromage_Grande wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 9:25 pm
mangocrazy wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 4:31 pm Even when brand new and in 80s road conditions they were only just adequate - horrible sliding caliper things that stopped working with not much provocation meaning only one brake pad was actually gripping the disc. On today's roads they'd be verging on dangerous. That's why my old 1988 VFR has Brembo 4-pots up front...
You should try an early FZ750, scary bikes to stop from high speed, it's not the calipers on the FZ, it's the master cylinder, it's too big.
I've never had the pleasure... :shock:

Early VFR brakes were just inadequate in all situations. High speed and with a pillion probably the most butt-clenching. The poor performance of the brakes was further compromised by the crap anti-dive system on the forks that Honda persisted with through all the 1980s models. Hit a decent sized bump on the brakes and the forks would let out a large 'bang' and the whole front end would jolt. I disabled mine as soon as I found out how to. Honda dropped the idea altogether with the 1990 RC36 VFR750.

Did Yamaha dabble with anti-dive in the 80s?
There is no cloud, just somebody else's computer.
Bustaspoke
Posts: 1808
Joined: Wed Mar 18, 2020 5:55 pm
Has thanked: 3262 times
Been thanked: 1737 times

Re: £1500 (£1700 and knock down maybe) budget... What you got ?

Post by Bustaspoke »

mangocrazy wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 10:21 pm
Did Yamaha dabble with anti-dive in the 80s?
I don't think UK spec bikes had anti dive but the Japanese spec bikes were fitted with Anti Dive & 16' front wheels.

Here's mine

Image
User avatar
mangocrazy
Posts: 6923
Joined: Tue Dec 22, 2020 9:58 pm
Has thanked: 2407 times
Been thanked: 3637 times

Re: £1500 (£1700 and knock down maybe) budget... What you got ?

Post by mangocrazy »

Yes 16" front wheels were in fashion then, the first 2 years of VFR750 bikes had 16" fronts. I've never ridden a bike with a 16" front, by the time of my first VFR they'd moved to 17" F/R. I'm told they were an 'acquired taste'... :)
There is no cloud, just somebody else's computer.
Bustaspoke
Posts: 1808
Joined: Wed Mar 18, 2020 5:55 pm
Has thanked: 3262 times
Been thanked: 1737 times

Re: £1500 (£1700 and knock down maybe) budget... What you got ?

Post by Bustaspoke »

mangocrazy wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 10:52 pm I've never ridden a bike with a 16" front, by the time of my first VFR they'd moved to 17" F/R. I'm told they were an 'acquired taste'... :)
Not one of Japans better ideas :wtf:
Le_Fromage_Grande
Posts: 11236
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:40 pm
Location: The road of many manky motorcycles
Has thanked: 607 times
Been thanked: 4124 times

Re: £1500 (£1700 and knock down maybe) budget... What you got ?

Post by Le_Fromage_Grande »

Bustaspoke wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 10:42 pm
mangocrazy wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 10:21 pm
Did Yamaha dabble with anti-dive in the 80s?
I don't think UK spec bikes had anti dive but the Japanese spec bikes were fitted with Anti Dive & 16' front wheels.

Here's mine

Image
A friend has a JDM FZ, riding it the forks feel exactly the same as a UK FZ, the vented discs used to crack.
Honda Owner
User avatar
Druid
Posts: 1015
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 7:45 pm
Has thanked: 276 times
Been thanked: 900 times

Re: £1500 (£1700 and knock down maybe) budget... What you got ?

Post by Druid »

mangocrazy wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 10:21 pm
Did Yamaha dabble with anti-dive in the 80s?
Everybody did I think, it was touted as the best thing since sliced bread. I had an 83? XJ900 which had anti dive until I disabled it
Gregor
Posts: 603
Joined: Wed Mar 18, 2020 10:20 am
Location: Kent
Has thanked: 1295 times
Been thanked: 872 times

Re: £1500 (£1700 and knock down maybe) budget... What you got ?

Post by Gregor »

Druid wrote: Sun Mar 12, 2023 9:55 am
mangocrazy wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 10:21 pm
Did Yamaha dabble with anti-dive in the 80s?
Everybody did I think, it was touted as the best thing since sliced bread. I had an 83? XJ900 which had anti dive until I disabled it
Early FJ1200s had anti dive but dropped them after a couple of years, that was another yamaha that took some stopping from speed, had a few will I won’t I moments on mine.

Image