[gunichan]

I think I saw a new VTR1000 Firestorm (SuperHawk) today when riding on my usual Sunday haunt west of Tokyo. The bike had full fairing (not bits and pieces), firestorm stickers on it, looked brand new and what I couldn't figure was a single exhaust. The exhaust can looked the same as the 954 (titanium) with a huge hole at the end. Looked very nice.

A couple of other guys were checking it out, so it wasn't just me. The Firestorm isn't sold in Japan direct (only as a reverse import, that is, bikes made for non-Japanese markets that don't make it to the wharf) so maybe this guy got hold of one real early. Anyway, I can't seem to find the bike I saw on the net or news of a new 2005 model. If anyone knows any better, please tell me.

[CBRVFR]

I've seen a few VTR's with aftermarket fairing lowers, maybe that's what you saw.

OK - for the record, what exactly are the rules for Japanese home market bikes? I've heard that they're restricted to 250cc, 650cc, and other urban myths, but you're riding a 954, so what's up with all that?

[gunichan]

Once upon a time it was near impossible to ride a big bike, ie. anything over 750cc. Apparenty too many people zoomed around killing themselves, or at least the politicians thought they would.

There are 3 levels of licence, 750 and above being the ultimate. The exam for the big bikes, at least I still think so, includes a part where the rider must physically pick the bike up from a fallen position or fail the test. Me, I get around on an international licence.

Because of these levels there are numerous 250s and 400s to match licences. The 600s were kind of in no-mans land and didn't really take off until recently. 400's are sweet, there were some great bikes in the 90's - all mini versions of the 750s. I had an FZR400RR, had the Exup exhaust, the whole works. The better 400's were able to give most 250 strokers a run for their money. Even Ducati makes some 400 models for this market which are popular.

There has, however, always been a 'reverse import' market where foreign destined models were kept in the country. They seem to be cool with registration, no changes to ignition or exhaust for compliance, just make sure your headlight points to the correct side of the road. Up until 2002 there were no domestic CBR900's, the 2002 model was the first domestic one and even then it was hobbled with 2/3's the power. Most buyers immediately went out and got it modded and bolted on an aftermarket exhaust. I was told at the time with doing that it would 'almost' be the same as a foreign model, so I just paid a bit extra and got a UK spec model.

[CBRVFR]

Thanks! I take it that you're not a Japanese citizen? My son is going to teach english in Okayama for a year - wonders if there's such a thing as rental bikes, and if there are good places to ride in the vacinity?

[maxib]

My thanks to Dave for asking, and gunichan for answering a question I've also wanted the answer.

gunichan Any ideas how we can get a 50cc Solo to Minnesota legally???

(from your other thread post. Actually, I like the Benly too)

[CBR929RE]

got this site on another thread I read yesterday about the new black RC51.
www.hondanews.com, the 05 VTR1000 comes in Titanium color only

[Haywood]

Originally Posted by CBR929RE

.... the 05 VTR1000 comes in Titanium color only

Looks good in the Titanium, and it appears they blacked out the radiators, very nice touch.

[gunichan]

CBRVFR, no, I'm not Japanese, just have a silly nickname. Okayama is a beautiful place, small and quiet. I'd expect there are good roads around there, should not be busy, most roads in Japan are made of hotmix. I haven't seen much by way of bike rentals or know if they even exist. Your son would be better off just buying something, doesn't have to be big bore to have some fun. Less popular models are dirt cheap second hand.

maxib, maybe this guy can help you out mick lay, he knows all about and can arrange exports, decent guy. I have no idea what import duties you may be facing in the US. I've got a Lead 100, very different to the Solo, but goes great, gets through the traffic.

CBR929RE/Haywood, the pictures on hondanews.com aren't the same. The bike I saw had full fairing, completely down the front behind the front wheel. It all looked standard, I could have been fooled. But the exhaust as well looked standard, one big can with a bloody huge hole at the end.

Would you believe I left my Ukawa replica helmet sitting on my scooter all day today when I went to work? Totally forgot it, it was still there when I finished work - gotta love this place sometimes.

[TGZ13]

Originally Posted by Haywood

Looks good in the Titanium, and it appears they blacked out the radiators, very nice touch.

I like the titanium color on that bike... looks cool to me

[EDDIE110171]

Are sportbikes liked better over there than here?