Just got a Honda Superhawk... god this thing rocks

bigshooter

Platinum Member
Oct 12, 1999
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Just got a 2002 Honda Superhawk, brand new. It's red so i didn't have to settle for the pansy candy blue that the 2003 bikes are. Put 40 miles on it last night. It's a 1 Liter (well 996cc) V-twin, so it sounds cooler than most of the little crotch rockets. It sits a little more upgright too so my messed up back isn't hurting. Haven't had it above 5-6k rpms yet, redlines at 11, so I have a lot of power to explore soon.
 

flxnimprtmscl

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2003
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Not trying to be rude but please tell me this isn't your first bike. Anyway, if it isn't congrats. If it is... bad idea.
 

RedRooster

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2000
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Congrats. Those things go pretty good, and at least you don't see a whole lot of them around.
 
Oct 9, 1999
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Originally posted by: flxnimprtmscl
Not trying to be rude but please tell me this isn't your first bike. Anyway, if it isn't congrats. If it is... bad idea.

yeah...

The superhawk is an advanced rider bike.. not a newbie's.. I know carolyn's bf rides one. Once when she went from her SVS650 to his bike a superhawk she ended up doing over 100+. Her bike is at 6000 rpm at 6th gear at 70 mph, but her bf's at 6000 rpm at 6th gear was quite a lot more..

Be safe.
 

Tom

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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I was browsing google for a pic of a 2002 superhawk and cam across an ad for a used one..

with 63000 miles !!
:Q

link
 

bigshooter

Platinum Member
Oct 12, 1999
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Originally posted by: flxnimprtmscl
Not trying to be rude but please tell me this isn't your first bike. Anyway, if it isn't congrats. If it is... bad idea.

One of the threads that I just read had a guy saying he doesn't drink because he saw some drunken asshole picking a fight with a bouncer. Just because you get a 1L bike as your first one doesn't mean it's a bad idea. You don't have to be an idiot on it. In fact, I haven't been, but I still found a way to lay it down today.. hehe. Got two small scuffs on the fairing, and popped my left turn signal apart. I was turning on a green turn arrow from a complete stop and as i was turning the back wheel just slid. I'm assuming it's because the tires are pretty new, 60 miles on them, but it scared me sh!tless. I've dumped a dirt bike before, but never had this happen in traffic. Not really any damage to the bike that I can't repair with some good rubbing compound, but i feel dumb.

BTW, this is MY first bike, but I've been riding for a while. I'm an ok rider, not that I don't make mistakes (like this one), but all i can do is learn from them. Fortunately I planned on replacing the fairing and exhaust in the spring anyways. Guess I'll have to get new turn signals sooner though :p.


This thing sounds AWESOME too. Can't wait for the yosh's i want to put on. Anyone used anythign else?

here's a pic
Imagine this with a couple scuffs on the front and a popped apart turn signal.
 

Tom

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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More likely your tire was on some sand or gravel or oil. New tires have more grip, not less.

One thing I always do is not ride in the middle of the lane, because of oil, instead I ride in the part of the lane where cars tires roll.
 
Oct 9, 1999
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tires take 100-250 miles to get rid of the manufacturing oils but even so the edges will slip after that, use slow slalom to warm up tires and get rid of most of teh oils..

I am sure the dealer woudl have given you that tip before leaving.. most dealers give that.

All I got to say is keep the rubber side up. Since your too stuckup to listen to experienced riders.
 

bigshooter

Platinum Member
Oct 12, 1999
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Newer tires should have more grip, but NEW tires have oils and crap that are supposed to make them slip, not sure if that's the case here, just what i've been told.

As I was posting this, i noticed goodguy's post, so he's confirming what i was told.


I wasn't trying to sound stuck up, and I love advice from experienced riders, I went out with a group of them last night to get pointers, I just didn't agree with the first comment. I think I would have done the same thing in this situation with a smaller cc bandit, or a sv650. I was doing maybe 10 miles an hour, and not accelerating much. I think it would be better phrased saying this is a MATURE rider's bike. As long as you don't try to act dumb and think you can use all that power right away you should be fine. I

Goodguy, other than just riding on them, is there any way to rough up the tires? Fine grit sand paper or anything? I don't want this to happen again.

BTW: I like your bike.. I was looking at an SV1000 or a Honda 919 for a while. I still liek the naked look, and I'll probably get something liek that the next time I get one. I got the superhawk because I got a GREAT deal on it, and figured for the first bike I actually own, I should get something sportier. I liked the liter twin because I'm a bigger guy, 6'2" 205-210. Not that a smaller bike wouldn't work for me, it just didn't feel as good.
 

geckojohn

Diamond Member
Nov 28, 2000
4,679
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So, how much do Yosh pipes cost? I really like the sound of them, but have never looked into the price.
 
Oct 9, 1999
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some ppl say washing the tyres in hot water (with a bit of dawn dish washing soap).. I have never done it. My friends and I take it up teh canyons and we have a route of what we call a new tyre break-in route. Starts with gentle curves and by the time you reach 80+ miles it gets tighter and better.. However we still take it easy with new tyres.

Just be safe.. wear a full face helmet, boots, jacket, gloves and riding pants..