Likes and Dislikes of your Superhawk

Hams51 · 11-05-2005, 06:43 PM

Hey there folks. I just want to know your feelings on the Superhawk that you own or have owned. My RC51 was stolen about three weeks back and have been thinking of buying a decently priced Superhawk. I can't get away from the V-twin motor ever since the Five-One.

I don't want anything too flashy, but still want the girls to break their necks when they check me out. I had an FZ6 prior to the Five-One so I know a little about street bikes and what their limits are. Thanks.

rooster · 11-05-2005, 06:45 PM

Go with the new zx10r.

john

Hams51 · 11-05-2005, 06:52 PM

I wish I could, but I'll save another sportbike for later. The Superhawk I'm planning to buy is very nicely priced.

TRaGiK · 11-05-2005, 08:27 PM

First I will say this: I have never owned a Superhawk and have only about 30 miles of seat time on them. I'm also partial to "other than Honda".

I like the SV1k MUCH better. The Superchicken costs around a grand more, and should be about 2 grand less.

Pro's of the SV:

It's Cheaper
It's Fuel Injected
Bigger fuel tank
Better mpg's
Looks newer (better)
More HP
In the 3 years of production, it's already had more updates than the Superhawk.

Cons:
Probably not as comfortable, due to the double seat, as opposed to the bannana seat of the superhawk.
FI is more expensive to tune initially - $300 Power Command vs. $20 - 30 worth of jets.

Again - I'm not a huge fan of Honda's to begin with, and AM a fan of the SV series bikes.

Hams51 · 11-05-2005, 09:25 PM

The SV was what I was looking at when I bought the FZ6. The FZ6 was a bad-ass bike. An exhilirating top end performer, for a street bike that is. The whole TPS issue turned me off though. So I got rid of it. I do like the SV1000s, but it is a bit out of my price range.

My first bike was brand new (FZ6), I bought the RC51 used, but after getting something as precious as the Five-One stolen, I feel it useless to spend a lot of money and aftermarket accessories on a bike when the insurance company won't even cover all of it. I guess I'm just trying to find my way back to simplicity and still own a motorcycle at the same time.

After owning a Honda though, I'm very pleased with their build quality and I think I'll try to stick with them.

I'm looking at about 3 grand to spend.

TRaGiK · 11-05-2005, 09:46 PM

Well damn...if you've found a Superchicken for $3k, by all means, BUY IT!

Hams51 · 11-05-2005, 09:57 PM

Werd!

jim schmidt · 11-06-2005, 10:19 AM

Great bike. It's big weaknesses are mileage (about 100 miles to low fuel light) and undersprung front (easily fixed for 100 dollars.) The rear shock could be better but is not bad enough to require replacement.

I'm able to keep up with most everybody in every situation. It's a fun bike and it gets a lot of attention from my MSF students. Painless to own except for on voltage regulator.

It's the bargain of the century right now.

Hams51 · 11-06-2005, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim schmidt

It's the bargain of the century right now.

I'm thinking the same way. It seems this bike is way overlooked. I'm just a little apprehesive about the carb maintenance intervals, but I don't mind mechanical stuff working in place of electronic stuff.

jim schmidt · 11-07-2005, 08:43 AM

There are no carb maintenance intervals or issues, unless you let them get gummed up by improper long-term storage. They need to be balanced occasionally, a five minute job also common to FI systems. The carbs shouldn't affect your decision at all.

AZZKIKER · 11-07-2005, 08:52 AM

I couldn't be happier with mine. I rode all kinda bike and sure there are a lot of bikes with more power. A few have the character the vtwin have and it sounds amazing with a nice set of slip ons. I just put gixxer 1000 6 piston calipers on mine and I am ready to put racetech springs on the front end. Check www.superhawkforums.com.

Hams51 · 11-07-2005, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZZKIKER

I couldn't be happier with mine. I rode all kinda bike and sure there are a lot of bikes with more power. A few have the character the vtwin have and it sounds amazing with a nice set of slip ons. I just put gixxer 1000 6 piston calipers on mine and I am ready to put racetech springs on the front end. Check www.superhawkforums.com.

And you were thinking of selling it...I remember. hahaha..

I know what you mean though. Unless I can own both a Twin and an Inline, I'll opt for the Twin baby!

Man, those 6-pots must bite pretty hard. Nice mods. I'll probably do the Racetech thing also if, I mean, when I get it.

Thanks for the feedback fellas. I'm getting pumped up!

Str8away Hater · 11-12-2005, 05:27 PM

The VTR is a very fun bike. It is easy to ride fast in the twisties. It has light very nuetral steering, good stability, and decent enough suspension (fork is soft). I really like the narrowness between the knees, and its response to slight shifts in body position.

Don't let poeple scare you away with the mileage issue. I consistently get 40-44 mpg on mine. Lately I have had little trouble making 145+ miles before the "light of death". There is a lot more fuel there than most poeple think.

The VTR is comfortable enough for 10 hour days with occasional breaks. I find the legs to be a little cramped, but all around comfort isn't bad, and I'm using the stock seat. I'm 6'2" if that makes a difference.

They still look pretty good, I prefere taking the tiny belly fairing off, and sound amazing. They have plenty of character, and you don't see tons of them around. Yes, I agree they have been way over looked on the market. The Superhawk is an excelent street bike.

dug · 11-12-2005, 06:52 PM

Bought a 98 used as my 2nd bike after a 93 F2. Love the torque! I added braided brake lines front and rear and clutch line. Went to EBC HH pads and swapped a 929 master cylinder. Bought Galfer Waves, but I think I glazed the pads, as I had a nasty chatter as I came to a stop. Added Jardine RT-One hi-mount Ti slipons and diddled the carbs with a DynoJet kit. Filter is stock. Racetech'ed the front - night and day, baby! Later tossed the shock for a Fox TC, not as big an improvement as the front. Sargent seat improved the comfort, as I couldn't stand the stocker for much more than an hour(6'2", 190#). Mileage was consistently in the mid to high 30's. The sound and feeling from this bike were always a high. The weight bothered me, so I went to a GSXR750, and as I'm getting a Duc soon, the 'Hawk has got to go. But every time I fire it up for a warmup ride, I have second thoughts about selling it.

Hams51 · 11-12-2005, 10:07 PM

Nice nice...thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it.

Well, I picked up a yellow 2000 SH earlier today. I really dig it! The ride home was slow and nice. I haven't really got a chance to get a real feel for her, but I'll give an update and comparison againt the RC Five-One when I get the chance.

So far, I like the narrowness of the bike, lightness compared to the 51, slightly better ergos, great rider feedback, and the SOUND! The Sound is the ultimate for me. You just can't beat the sound and rumble of a v-twin.