Possible new edition to the fleet

Well, I find myself drawn to older bikes that I wanted but couldn't afford as opposed to buying a new one... So I'm on my way to check out a really clean one in a few... Any experience on here with one? If I get it I can tell ya that the future will hold a fork swap and a new rear shock...

Just wish it wasn't RED....

It's aa 98 and it has a Corbin seat, Yosh slip ons, and 16k

I've ridden a SuperHawk and liked it. It's got noticeably more torque than the VFR. Most (if not all) of the reviews I've read have been favorable. That I recall, the only gripe was its limited range. It's got a 4.2 gallon gas tank (one full gallon less than the VFR). Compounding the problem is the SuperHawk's 48mm carburetors (the largest Honda ever put on a motorcycle.) If you're riding at a spirited pace, I've heard the low fuel light comes on after 100 or so miles.

Here's a stock and customized SuperHawk. What a huge difference. If you're on a budget, just get the lower cowl and a fender eliminator kit.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg262/redrider826/2005-Honda-Superhawk-small.jpg

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg262/redrider826/CTSMotoVTR1000.jpg

The European version got a larger gas tank ~ you may be able to find one of those on eBay.uk or something like that if the fuel capacity is an issue.

Later versions ('01+ ?) in North America got an updated instrument cluster and clipons with a more comfortable bend. The clocks are just personal taste, but the flatter bars are waaaay better than the '98's.

Rumor was that recalibrating the TPR sensor on the Superhawk improves fuel efficiency ~ search the Superhawk forums.

If you're going to change forks, check out different wheels while you're at it. With an inverted front end, I would look for a set of OEM RC51 SP-2 wheels. You might also try and find a set of aftermarket wheels ~ rims for the CBR600F4/F4i/929/954 and RC51 will all work.

I had a black '99 that I put almost 30k miles on. I loved that bike and hated to see it go, but went through a divorce and could only keep it or the VFR. The VFR was a better all around bike and I could do 2-up touring on it, where the Superhawk was pretty much a solo machine. Made me smile every time I rode it. :biggrin:

[image: View Post]wera803, on 13 November 2010 - 02:45 PM, said:

I had a black '99 that I put almost 30k miles on. I loved that bike and hated to see it go, but went through a divorce and could only keep it or the VFR. The VFR was a better all around bike and I could do 2-up touring on it, where the Superhawk was pretty much a solo machine. Made me smile every time I rode it. :biggrin:


The man got a divorce and STILL kept the 2-up bike... that says a lot! VFR's are the best! :cheerleader:

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on 13 November 2010 - 03:27 PM, said:

[image: View Post]wera803, on 13 November 2010 - 02:45 PM, said:

I had a black '99 that I put almost 30k miles on. I loved that bike and hated to see it go, but went through a divorce and could only keep it or the VFR. The VFR was a better all around bike and I could do 2-up touring on it, where the Superhawk was pretty much a solo machine. Made me smile every time I rode it. :biggrin:


The man got a divorce and STILL kept the 2-up bike... that says a lot! VFR's are the best! :cheerleader:

Maybe he was riding two-up with the wrong lady, hence the divorce. Just speculating.

I've always been curious about them too. I almost went to go get one but a 900S Monster caught my eye and I liked the look of the Monster better (I should have gotten the Superhawk). I'm sure that at some point I'll probably end up with one of these things especially if I find one without those ugly 3 spoke wheels.

I think an injected VTR engine in a Vtec chassis would be a killer bike! :cool:

So I checked it out. It ran great but...

You can tell it has been outside most of its life. the Corbin needs a new cover and it has been down on both sides. But... they have both new side covers...

OH, tires have been shredded and the forks look like shit: meaning they have a lot of weather damage to the finish....


so they want 2600, im offering 1700 and I have my hands on a 07 GSXR complete front end as we speak...

So, I guess there will be a new project if they bite.

Funny thing is that the dude was a younger guy, his dad was with him, and he said that he is going to get a 'Busa after this because he like the "true sport bike style"....Honestly it was the first time in a while that I felt mature....

[image: View Post]wera803, on 13 November 2010 - 02:45 PM, said:

I had a black '99 that I put almost 30k miles on. I loved that bike and hated to see it go, but went through a divorce and could only keep it or the VFR. The VFR was a better all around bike and I could do 2-up touring on it, where the Superhawk was pretty much a solo machine. Made me smile every time I rode it. :biggrin:


I bought this SH from wera803 and have put about 50% additional mis on it. I have not done anything to it save Heli bars, which make only a minor difference on this bike. I bought it from Ken four yrs ago. Other than needing some brake pads and a new battery I think, it performs as good as it always has. It has never needed any work other than routine maintainence and still has never had a valve adjustment or fouled up carbs. $2,600 for a SH is a fair price these days, for a clean one, w/ some mis & $1,700 is a steal.

Here's my SH write-up.
-------------------------------
My only complaints are:

1) That my SH, at times has stalled at traffic lts, so I blip the throttle a bit like a Harley rider, from time to time.

2) The riding position aggrevates my neck strain on 200mi stints, after about a gas tank, (the tank lasts from 120-160mis but I have coasted into gas stations after sputtering beyond 140 mis,) but on the bright side, the more fwd leaning position gets you off your butt, which hurts less than on my VFR btw.

3) The bike needs a strong charge on the battery to turn the 500cc cylinders over and start, so if you don't ride for say 2wks in the winter or maybe a mo in warm weather, you may benefit from a trickle charger.

Beides that, at 185lbs & 5'10" the bike's suspension works well enough\ for me. It is substantially lighter and maybe 1" lower than the VFR, and it has a bit more hp and quite a bit more tq, (113hp/75tq as a guess.) That is with the basic mods of pipes, filters and jeting. Some of the coolest things about the SH are easy, snapped throttle wheelies; decent roll on accel at most rpm and in essentially all gears; and if you hit the kill switch while riding it, give some throttle w/ the switch off and start it back up, it will ignite the fule in the pipes w/ a loud bang and will shoot fire out the pipes.

My VFR is still my all around bike of choice for sure, (like just about everyone who rides one will agree,) and if I had only one bike, you can't beat a VFR: But I still say the SH "will put a smile on your face on a bad day" and "is a pocket full of kryptonite." The bike is more fun than a Tuono, (which was once my dream bike,) and has some things on even the S100RR as far as the fun factor goes.

I rode many bikes over the years and as a street stomper, canyon carver and pretty well in as far as full throttle acceleration thrills go, I have not found a more exciting street bike than my SH. When I switch from my 438whp/422tq Subi STI to my SH, I always have a good time, and that is saying a lot.


There you have it,

The SH in review. :biggrin:

ps it is up for sale in theory, but times they are a changin', and like wera803, I'd hate to ever sell it and hope that I never have to!

I had a Firestorm (they're only called a Superhawk in the States) for a couple of years, and enjoyed it a lot. (Still miss having a v-twin, and may buy another VTR1000 or a Ducati...)
Mine was the very first model, so it had the lower bars, small tank, etc. It had also had the front CCT go, so it had new camchains, two new valves, and new tensioners. The CCTs are a weak point on the bike, and the front one commonly fails, so I replaced my new tensioners with APE ones. I dunno if it had been regeared, but it was turning over at only 2600rpm in 6th at 100km/h (60mph), so I stuck a smaller front sprocket on it, which moved the revs up into the torque hump, which is around 3000rpm.
When my wife made me buy the VFR, I really missed the torque of the VTR - it felt like there was a big hole between 3k and 6k rpm.
The VTR can be uncomfortable on long trips, has a prodigious thirst (I used to get ~28mpg around town), and has the same R/R vulnerability as earlier VFRs. My R/R gave out so I replaced it with a bigger one, which I mounted in a slightly different place so it got more cooling air around it.

The low gas mileage coupled with the small tank are deal breakers for me, but sure it a fun bike.

[image: View Post]toddvfr, on 13 November 2010 - 08:53 PM, said:

if you hit the kill switch while riding it, give some throttle w/ the switch off and start it back up, it will ignite the fule in the pipes w/ a loud bang and will shoot fire out the pipes.





That alone seems like a reason to get one! Take that tailgater!!!

[image: View Post]AvalonRacing, on 14 November 2010 - 09:20 AM, said:

[image: View Post]toddvfr, on 13 November 2010 - 08:53 PM, said:

if you hit the kill switch while riding it, give some throttle w/ the switch off and start it back up, it will ignite the fule in the pipes w/ a loud bang and will shoot fire out the pipes.





That alone seems like a reason to get one! Take that tailgater!!!


^ HHAHAHAHAHAHAHA F'N HA!^

I had a bright yellow 2000 SH and absolutely loved it. Basically bone stock with the exception of gutted stock pipes and a few cosmetic updates. It has a lot of the same issues as the VFR as far as suspension and the PAIR system is just as annoying with the pops on decel. I can attest to the exploding fire shooting tail pipes...was one of my favorite things to do to the cagers that acted retarded...especially in summer when their windows were down.

Tons of fun to ride...and I mean TONS.
Horrid gas mileage and range - 130 miles was absolutely pushing it to the limit (I personally ran out of gas like 3 times before I zeroed in on that fact)
Smooshy suspension, mediocre brakes.
I had some issues with shifting action, don't know if this was just my bike or if they're all that way, but it had some issues engaging second cleanly under full power.

The best part about the bikes - like the VFR - the engines are pretty much bullet proof. Besides the occassional CCT failure, just change the oil, gas it up and go.

If you do get one, you won't be dissapointed with the riding experience...the other items are just a nuisance...nothing that a few tid bits and some planning (gas!) can't overcome.

so the seller and I are going back and forth...

but I can tell ya the plans are to get it, clean it, replace the rear wheel and the tires, fluids, brake pads, plugs etc....

I have a line on a 08 GSXR 1000 complete front end, and a cbr 1000 rear shock.... so maybe I have two frankenbikes...


with this addition, the vfr will get the risers, drop the pegs, givi bags and heated grips and be strictly long distance duty....although it is still for sale hint hint;)

[image: View Post]Knife, on 13 November 2010 - 04:24 PM, said:

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on 13 November 2010 - 03:27 PM, said:

[image: View Post]wera803, on 13 November 2010 - 02:45 PM, said:

I had a black '99 that I put almost 30k miles on. I loved that bike and hated to see it go, but went through a divorce and could only keep it or the VFR. The VFR was a better all around bike and I could do 2-up touring on it, where the Superhawk was pretty much a solo machine. Made me smile every time I rode it. :biggrin:


The man got a divorce and STILL kept the 2-up bike... that says a lot! VFR's are the best! :cheerleader:

Maybe he was riding two-up with the wrong lady, hence the divorce. Just speculating.


Nope, never cheated. I just knew that if there was another woman in my life, she would have to be with me on a bike. I probably would have sold the VFR and kept the Superhawk if I stayed married since she didn't like riding all that much. :goofy:

[image: View Post]wera803, on 16 November 2010 - 08:31 AM, said:

[image: View Post]Knife, on 13 November 2010 - 04:24 PM, said:

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on 13 November 2010 - 03:27 PM, said:

[image: View Post]wera803, on 13 November 2010 - 02:45 PM, said:

I had a black '99 that I put almost 30k miles on. I loved that bike and hated to see it go, but went through a divorce and could only keep it or the VFR. The VFR was a better all around bike and I could do 2-up touring on it, where the Superhawk was pretty much a solo machine. Made me smile every time I rode it. :biggrin:


The man got a divorce and STILL kept the 2-up bike... that says a lot! VFR's are the best! :cheerleader:

Maybe he was riding two-up with the wrong lady, hence the divorce. Just speculating.


Nope, never cheated. I just knew that if there was another woman in my life, she would have to be with me on a bike. I probably would have sold the VFR and kept the Superhawk if I stayed married since she didn't like riding all that much. :goofy:

You're a good man!