Honda VTR1000 SP-1

Some of the promises were delivered. Honda seriously wounded Duke in world supers - meanwhile we all got a new range of tasty four-stroke road twins (previously the exclusive selling territory of non-Japanese marques).

The 'everyman' VTR1000 has been through a couple of gens and remains one of the stalwarts of the class. Very good performance, with some useful refinements in the second model (2001). Along the way we also copped the race-replica version, aka the SP-1.

Harder & faster
For a significant price premium (about 30% from 2000), you scored a hi-po engine, altered gearing, serious suspension kit (the stock VTR's weak point), along with more aggrsssive riding stance and a completely-revised solo body kit.

I won't even pretend to be an expert on the SP series, but will report on a brief ride. The SP did everything you might hope for, and a little more. The set-up on my example was a little too hard up front for my tastes, but that was the only bitch.

Power delivery was a little less whelming than a stock VTR at low revs, but better everywhere else. Up top, it was muscle-bound and delivered a noise which every horsepower freak should hear once in their lives. Sexy.

Though more tail-up and head-down than a VTR, the ride position was right for the motorcycle and, if anything, the set-up was a little conservative. Steering and suspension were both good - though the former was slower than I expected. Braking was sharp and powerful.

Something I liked was the SP-1 really 'talked' to the rider. You knew exactly what was going on. I wasn't in love with the test bike's set-up, but it told me exactly what might need changing from ride one. And, whatever it was, it was in range of adjustment of the stock gear. I suspect it would be a sensational track day weapon - and I'd choose it over the FireBlade any day.

Nice one. And on the highly-recommended list.

Story: Guy Allen