Honda VTR1000 SP-1 (2000 - 2003) review

Honda's focused World Superbike contender
Meaty midrange, precise handling
Poor tank range, rubbish steering lock

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. So said Honda at the end of 1999 when it unveiled the VTR1000 SP-1.

Back in the day, World Superbikes was a race series between 750cc fours (made by the Japs) and the 1000cc V-twins favoured by the Italians. With only four titles from 1988 to 1999, it was clear the inline and V-fours were struggling.Thus, Honda made this: the SP-1, a 999cc, liquid-cooled four-valve per head 'Japcati' that looked great, oozed class, was finished superbly and about as practical as a 996. It was cheaper though, being under £10K. It won WSB first time out with Colin Edwards, but on the road this thing had more snatch than a porn library and was almost as hairy if you gave it a handful. Thankfully new injector bodies on the SP-2 gave the roadbike a major leg-up on the ease of use scale, and helped Colin to a second title. Still officially on sale, the SP-2 is now an over-priced, under-powered V-twin alternative to the raft of 1000cc fours (oh, the irony) but as a used bike, it's a much better bet.

Read more: http://www.visordown.com/road-tests-used/used-review-honda-vtr1000-sp-1---sp-2/4366.html#ixzz0rmOfdxWn

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. So said Honda at the end of 1999 when it unveiled the VTR1000 SP-1.

Back in the day, World Superbikes was a race series between 750cc fours (made by the Japs) and the 1000cc V-twins favoured by the Italians. With only four titles from 1988 to 1999, it was clear the inline and V-fours were struggling.Thus, Honda made this: the SP-1, a 999cc, liquid-cooled four-valve per head 'Japcati' that looked great, oozed class, was finished superbly and about as practical as a 996. It was cheaper though, being under £10K. It won WSB first time out with Colin Edwards, but on the road this thing had more snatch than a porn library and was almost as hairy if you gave it a handful. Thankfully new injector bodies on the SP-2 gave the roadbike a major leg-up on the ease of use scale, and helped Colin to a second title. Still officially on sale, the SP-2 is now an over-priced, under-powered V-twin alternative to the raft of 1000cc fours (oh, the irony) but as a used bike, it's a much better bet.

Read more: http://www.visordown.com/road-tests-used/used-review-honda-vtr1000-sp-1---sp-2/4366.html#ixzz0rmOfdxWn