New Bike - Honda SP-2

Discussion in 'Bike Pictures & Videos' started by Furyous, Jun 12, 2011.

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  1. Furyous

    Furyous Alex

    Disgraceful isn't it?!

    Cruising at low speeds? At anything less than 35 or so, the SP-1 was awful. It's highly geared and the throttle is extremely snatchy down low, so you have to slip the clutch pretty much constantly to keep a steady speed through town, or to take roundabouts or slow corners. A Power Commander helps but doesn't eliminate the issue. The SP-2 is smooth enough on the throttle to plod along at 20-30mph. Having said that, both have a riding position that puts a fair bit of weight on your wrists which can become a chore at low speeds.

    Fuel consumption depends on how much you're pushing it. On saturday I got 70 miles out of 9.8 litres with some fairly enthusiastic riding (32mpg). The SP-1 I had averaged about 35mpg with a power commander, or 32ish without (about 90-110 to reserve). Best I got was about 40mpg for a steady motorway run. Pretty normal for a big water cooled twin. Slightly better than the Tuono, but Tom managed the same distance at the same pace on his RC8R using only 8 litres of fuel (40mpg).

    Nope. Didn't even go back to look - could have been anywhere between Belmont and Grane Road, almost certainly lost in the bushes or smashed up on the road. Have the inconvenience of waiting for a replacement SIM, but fortunately it was a pretty cheap phone so it's no big deal.

    Looks very tidy that Tom (Compared to most). Too nice to track! I had a damper on the SP-1, but having ridden the SP2 without, I'm personally not convinced it's all that necessary as the front end is very planted. Probably helps for the track and if you're prone to popping a wheelie or two :p

    Look forward to seeing it in action. :D
     
    Furyous, Jun 13, 2011
    #21
  2. cbr1_mike

    cbr1_mike New Member

    i also require a video of it running because im almost certain them arata cans sound the bizz :thumbsup:
     
    cbr1_mike, Jun 13, 2011
    #22
  3. Furyous

    Furyous Alex

    Afraid the microphone on my camera is too sensitive and easily gets overloaded so all you can hear is distortion.
     
    Furyous, Jun 13, 2011
    #23
  4. CRM

    CRM Administrator Staff Member

    Lovely SP2 and in the best colours too. like you say look after that, keep it standard (ish) and it will hold a high price when you come to sell it.
    I never enjoyed any ride i had on any SP1's but never had the chance to try a SP2. the fueling was so bad on the SP1 but again it varies bike to bike.
    Incidentally have you ever tried a Ducati ? the stretta engined bikes are very smooth - a bit too smooth, and base 749 model aside, they are good solid reliable bikes and great road bikes.
     
    CRM, Jun 13, 2011
    #24
  5. Furyous

    Furyous Alex

    Thanks CRM. Did you try an SP-1 with a properly mapped Power Commander? My SP-1 lasted less than 100 miles before I gave in and had one fitted and custom mapped at the earliest opportunity. It does transform the fuelling from unbearable on the road to, well, bearable. The SP-2 is a whole lot better still in that regard and (latest Ducatis aside) really pretty well sorted for a big twin with FI. It runs perfectly smoothly without any need for the clutch right down to a steady 2.5k RPM. As you suggest, however, it may well vary bike to bike and I can't say that earlier SP-2s are similarly well sorted. Maybe you'd like a ride whilst I 'keep an eye on' your RC30 for 20 minutes ;)

    I've tried a few fairly late model Ducatis: Monster 696, Hypermotard, 848, 1198 & Streetfighter S, as well as a 748 a couple of years back. They've all been test rides, so I can't claim to be an expert by any stretch of the imagination. Of the sports bikes, I found the 1198 just a ridiculous proposition on the road (it didn't help that I got caught in a very heavy downpour 5 minutes into the test ride). The 748 was a little gutless but still good fun to throw around. The 848 is a superb road bike and very quick in its own right. I'd have one of those, but the engine lacked a little too much grunt after getting off the SP-1. The Streetfighter is absolutely brilliant, but a little too expensive for what it is. I was actually seriously considering a 999S before spotting this SP-2. I must admit the expensive maintenance and reliability issues (rightly or wrongly) have always made me a little reluctant to go a step further and actually buy one. That and the fact that I'd probably put thousands of miles on it and be unable to sell it again! There are so many about with next to no miles on the clock.

    I've got to say though that the RC8R has left a much bigger impression than any of the Ducatis I've tried (or anything else for that matter). The handling and power delivery makes it absolutely effortless (and extremely enjoyable) to ride very quickly indeed.
     
    Furyous, Jun 13, 2011
    #25
  6. Falcon

    Falcon New Member

    Nice to see the RC8R left that kind of impression ;) it is effortless and goes like a scalded dog
     
    Falcon, Jun 14, 2011
    #26
  7. Furyous

    Furyous Alex

    It's bloody comfortable too.
     
    Furyous, Jun 14, 2011
    #27
  8. Mozzersaints

    Mozzersaints MOZ VIP Member

    Looks bang tidy that Alex :thumbsup:
     
    Mozzersaints, Jun 14, 2011
    #28
  9. GixxerD

    GixxerD New Member

    Nice looking bike there bud. :thumbsup:
     
    GixxerD, Jun 14, 2011
    #29
  10. Village-Idiot

    Village-Idiot Big Ignorant Fucker From Oldham VIP Member

    Lovely example that mate....Good choice......It's a Honda :thumbsup:
     
    Village-Idiot, Jun 14, 2011
    #30
  11. CRM

    CRM Administrator Staff Member

    great minds, we need to meet up i think.
    3 SP1's were standard and pretty dire, the 4th was fitted with a PC3 and downloaded map which was better but as you know needs a custom map setup correctly.
    as for the dukes, well well well, totally agree, 748's are utter shite, i just dont get them, never enjoyed one not even the 748R (and you think the SP1 is snatchy on the road ? try a 748R) very revvy and gutless yet fragile too coupled with the fact most owners seem to be jap 600 owners trying their first ducati and riding (and often maintaining) them like a jap 600 = ticking time bomb.
    996 with a sorted FI system and map works very nicely on the road, as does the stretta powered classic shape 998S (imo the best for the road)
    749 entry level engines are quite shocking, quality is awful, performance is actually very good and makes a good road engine, but quality is the issue here. the 2006 999S is a very nice road bike too, however just for pure quality and wow factor the 749R (04 carbon fairing model) is by far to date IMO the most special and trickest road ducati (desmo aside) and seriously quick too.
    i confess i have only ridden the 1098S which was nice, and a 1098R (first edition R with the 1198 stretta engine) which frankly was just a joke on the road. way way too much power to me used in any sort of anger and a violent delivery too. the 848 as you rightly say makes a fantastic useable road bike and is the best choice for the smart buyer.
    Monsters - well not really my thing, however out of curiosity i did take a S4RS out for a long spin, and it was so much fun. thing just went skyward at every chance it could and was hard to muscle around corners with too much throttle. great fun and handling bike.

    I have a very old early first example 916, started life as a strada, bought in 02 by me, converted to bp so the then GF could go on the back. since done 30k on it till it shat itself in late 09 to the tune of 3k. fully rebuild and a bit of a hybrid (will start a post of my own with some specs and details) now, it pulls stonger than it ever did, fuels lovely and is a joy to ride but still wouldn't come even close to a SP1. the old 916 is not a fast bike, grunty yes but not fast. the RC will blow it away with ease up top, i would go as far to say its not than much quicker than the 400's up top. You should try that once day too.
     
    CRM, Jun 14, 2011
    #31
  12. FazerUK

    FazerUK New Member

    WOW Alex that bike looks mint, and in all black makes it stand right out, you only have the one bike now then?
     
    FazerUK, Jul 13, 2011
    #32
  13. jaffa1963

    jaffa1963 Southern Twat VIP Member

    Very tasty bike.
     
    jaffa1963, Jul 13, 2011
    #33
  14. Furyous

    Furyous Alex

    Thanks chaps.

    Just the one bike now Ian.
     
    Furyous, Jul 13, 2011
    #34
  15. Chickenstrips

    Chickenstrips New Member

    Yuk horrible not as nice as mine :thumbdown:
     
    Chickenstrips, Jul 13, 2011
    #35
  16. FazerUK

    FazerUK New Member

    Not seen many with the black frame too, very nice :thumbsup:
     
    FazerUK, Jul 13, 2011
    #36
  17. seb421

    seb421 Like a tramp on chips

    There is nothing i wouldn't do to own an SP2, id even attend a pool party at Barrymores house

    I keep saving but something always crops up that keeps chipping away at any funds i gather.

    one day one day!
     
    seb421, Sep 7, 2011
    #37
  18. MarkG

    MarkG New Member

    I have a bit of a thing for the SP-2's. Love the sound they make :thumbsup:
     
    MarkG, Nov 18, 2011
    #38
  19. Furyous

    Furyous Alex

    Furyous, Nov 19, 2011
    #39
  20. bikenutter

    bikenutter VIP Member VIP Member

    Screw the sp 2 I'm having sexual thoughts about the vfr 750 :D
     
    bikenutter, Nov 19, 2011
    #40
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