New, to me anyway!
03-04-2009 | 08:02 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Owner
Squid
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7
From: SE Minnesota
New, to me anyway!
Hey guys! Names Matt. I am purchasing my first Superhawk this weekend! I'm pretty excited, as its a relief to finally stop stressing about the decision I needed to make. I spent the last 3 weeks tossing around the sportbike/cruiser dilemma and it looks like the Hawk wins. This is my 2nd bike, first was an 02 CBR600F4. This one is... well.... "fresh." 1998 3600mi... STOCK. Looking for a set of cans already. :-) Any quick "tips" that I may need to know going out the gate??
P.S. How do I post an image?? "Enter the URL"??
P.S. How do I post an image?? "Enter the URL"??
03-04-2009 | 08:21 PM
#2
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 119
Welcome!
First thing is the cam chain tensioners (CCT's) there is a guy here that is selling them cheap.
Second, as for the cans search for "bafflectomy" you can hack/mod the stock cans to make them sound like aftermarket.
Third if you decide to stick with the stock cans, you can have them porcelain coated along with the head pipes. (looks VERY good, I am looking to have this done myself - Porcelain only NOT powder coat)
Fourth, the mirrors suck a lot of guys will put mirror extenders, or Yamaha FZ1 mirrors on.
For posting am image, I have only posted images from my hard drive I am not sure about hotlinking - I would probably save the image and post it from there
First thing is the cam chain tensioners (CCT's) there is a guy here that is selling them cheap.
Second, as for the cans search for "bafflectomy" you can hack/mod the stock cans to make them sound like aftermarket.
Third if you decide to stick with the stock cans, you can have them porcelain coated along with the head pipes. (looks VERY good, I am looking to have this done myself - Porcelain only NOT powder coat)
Fourth, the mirrors suck a lot of guys will put mirror extenders, or Yamaha FZ1 mirrors on.
For posting am image, I have only posted images from my hard drive I am not sure about hotlinking - I would probably save the image and post it from there
03-04-2009 | 08:45 PM
#3
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 714
From: Fredericksburg, VA
Congratulations on buying the best motorcycle you will ever own in your life! Photobucket.com is an easy to use image hosting site. Copy and paste the IMG code in your post and you get the big picture. They also let you edit pics so you can crop out fat chicks and people you don't like.
3600 miles? Was it entombed somewhere? Wrapped like a mummy? Be interesting to know what you paid for it. Less than $4k? Make sure the tires are fresh, newer than 2 years old, even if they have lots of tread left, they dry out, you WILL crash if they are old.
3600 miles? Was it entombed somewhere? Wrapped like a mummy? Be interesting to know what you paid for it. Less than $4k? Make sure the tires are fresh, newer than 2 years old, even if they have lots of tread left, they dry out, you WILL crash if they are old.
03-04-2009 | 08:53 PM
#4
Thread Starter
Junior Owner
Squid
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7
From: SE Minnesota
I have been wondering what CCT meant. I have seen it on here a couple of times and wasn't sure. Ill look him up...
Yes 3600 miles, under $4K. The bike kind of fell in my lap as I posted a wanted ad on CL for an 02-04 R6 or CBR, and this gentlemen contacted me about his Hawk. It came from West Virginia (to Minnesota) last May and hasn't been rode much since its been here. I drove about an hour and a half to go look at it, cash in hand, but couldn't pull the trigger without giving the cruiser a chance. Turns out, I didn't need to.
Yes 3600 miles, under $4K. The bike kind of fell in my lap as I posted a wanted ad on CL for an 02-04 R6 or CBR, and this gentlemen contacted me about his Hawk. It came from West Virginia (to Minnesota) last May and hasn't been rode much since its been here. I drove about an hour and a half to go look at it, cash in hand, but couldn't pull the trigger without giving the cruiser a chance. Turns out, I didn't need to.
03-04-2009 | 09:03 PM
#5
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 714
From: Fredericksburg, VA
Awesome deal! Make sure the tires are fresh. There are many mods you can do. CCT's are a piece of mind(mind at peace) mod, and the stockers usually last at least 20k miles I think. Just know what to listen for and you'll be fine. Stiffer springs up front if you are more than 180lbs are a good idea. Otherwise ride the **** out of it. Do some trackdays, learn to ride properly and you will appreciate every mile.
03-04-2009 | 09:24 PM
#9
Thread Starter
Junior Owner
Squid
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7
From: SE Minnesota
03-04-2009 | 09:41 PM
#10
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 987
From: San Diego, CA
Regulator/Rectifier.
It controls voltage to the battery. WHEN it fails it can overcharge and destroy the battery, or drain the battery and slowly destroy it or leave you stranded.
The Honda units are very unreliable, they overheat and burn the wire connector.
I put on a finned unit from a '00 Yamaha R1/R6. Had to change the wire connectors. I haven't seen the newer Honda unit, but it's not cheap.
It controls voltage to the battery. WHEN it fails it can overcharge and destroy the battery, or drain the battery and slowly destroy it or leave you stranded.
The Honda units are very unreliable, they overheat and burn the wire connector.
I put on a finned unit from a '00 Yamaha R1/R6. Had to change the wire connectors. I haven't seen the newer Honda unit, but it's not cheap.
03-04-2009 | 09:53 PM
#11
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 119
As for cosmetic mods...
#1) Do SOMETHING to the cans (coat, replace w/ aftermarket, whatever)
#2) Stock front turn signals are ugly
#3) Stock rear fender/turnsignals are ugly (the owner before me hacked it off completely - Ill send you some pics)
#4) tank guard is a must for any sport bike
#5) Rear seat cowls are cool (wish I had one)
#6) Sharkskinz aftermarket lower fairing
#7) Carbon fiber front fender and rear tire hugger - can be expensive but the bike looks like pure sex when installed
Disclaimer: the above ideas and comments are my OPINION only
Also in terms of performance I put a 43 tooth sprocket on the rear and a 15 in the front. 15/45 = wheelie machine
happy hunting
#1) Do SOMETHING to the cans (coat, replace w/ aftermarket, whatever)
#2) Stock front turn signals are ugly
#3) Stock rear fender/turnsignals are ugly (the owner before me hacked it off completely - Ill send you some pics)
#4) tank guard is a must for any sport bike
#5) Rear seat cowls are cool (wish I had one)
#6) Sharkskinz aftermarket lower fairing
#7) Carbon fiber front fender and rear tire hugger - can be expensive but the bike looks like pure sex when installed
Disclaimer: the above ideas and comments are my OPINION only
Also in terms of performance I put a 43 tooth sprocket on the rear and a 15 in the front. 15/45 = wheelie machine
happy hunting
03-04-2009 | 10:28 PM
#13
Administrator
World Champion
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 105,287
From: Fulton, MO
Hey Matt! Welcome to the forum. Looks like you've got a winner there! That's low miles for a '98. You're lucky because the 98's are the fastest. 
You'll find the VTR responds very well to most mods related to suspension and weight. Don't expect much more from the motor without serious modification - maybe 10hp from jets, filter, and exhaust. Stock fork springs are soft for even the lightest dude. Consider a straight rate spring for your weight. Looks like stock tires on there - Dunlop 204s? Get rid of them ASAP. That should be #1 priority after insurance and registration. It's '95 tire technology and they'll put you on your *** if you push it, especially considering their age.
Keep reading and learning. There's lots of knowledge here and the archives are full of most any topic you can think of. Don't forget to use the search feature.
Keep the shiny side up!
You'll find the VTR responds very well to most mods related to suspension and weight. Don't expect much more from the motor without serious modification - maybe 10hp from jets, filter, and exhaust. Stock fork springs are soft for even the lightest dude. Consider a straight rate spring for your weight. Looks like stock tires on there - Dunlop 204s? Get rid of them ASAP. That should be #1 priority after insurance and registration. It's '95 tire technology and they'll put you on your *** if you push it, especially considering their age.Keep reading and learning. There's lots of knowledge here and the archives are full of most any topic you can think of. Don't forget to use the search feature.
Keep the shiny side up!
03-05-2009 | 08:27 AM
#20
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10
From: Santa Cruz C.A.
Welcome Matt!
I just purchased my first Hawk a few weeks ago. Still getting used to it but loving it. Going to perform the Baffelctomy today.......I've heard good things about doing that. Welcome from one newbie to another!
-Matt
I just purchased my first Hawk a few weeks ago. Still getting used to it but loving it. Going to perform the Baffelctomy today.......I've heard good things about doing that. Welcome from one newbie to another!
-Matt
03-05-2009 | 01:03 PM
#23
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 320
From: Arlington Heights, IL
Matt,
Congrats on the beautiful unmolested bike. Now its time to go to town on that thing and make it your own. I'd say tires are first as Greg stated. Unbelievable the difference they made. Have fun
Congrats on the beautiful unmolested bike. Now its time to go to town on that thing and make it your own. I'd say tires are first as Greg stated. Unbelievable the difference they made. Have fun
03-05-2009 | 02:24 PM
#24
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,132
From: Phoenix, AZ
Not finned: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/91-Ho...Q5fAccessories
That one is bad, evil and will eat your dog food and sleep w your woman.
The good finned one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-H...Q5fAccessories
That one will not kill your bike.
Edit: oh and it can easily be found by removing the seat and looking on the right side of the subframe.
That one is bad, evil and will eat your dog food and sleep w your woman.
The good finned one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-H...Q5fAccessories
That one will not kill your bike.
Edit: oh and it can easily be found by removing the seat and looking on the right side of the subframe.
03-06-2009 | 03:55 PM
#28
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,451
From: San Clemente, CA
Oh by the way, my wife and I are Ducks fans, she grew up in Canada as a Montreal fan. We watch every game that's televised, and have gone to several games in the last 3 years. Also my dentist is the team dentist, so he talks hockey while cleaning my teeth.
The Wild are right in there with us and several others this year for that final playoff spot, pretty exciting.
Oh, and how do you explain Boogard?
The Wild are right in there with us and several others this year for that final playoff spot, pretty exciting.
Oh, and how do you explain Boogard?
