Hi all, I am new to riding, started in July 2005, bought wife a Kaw ninja 500 (she rides too). I have been riding that til now, Best friend growing up is moving out of the country, and is giving me a great deal on a 99 Superhawk 5K miles, some mods....Will post pics next week sometime. Looking forward to riding something with more power. Also looking for people to ride with, I live in North TX just above Dallas....Any suggestions on mods that don't cost an arm and a leg would be appreciated....Look forward to the wealth of knowledge and wisdom I will hopefully find on this board...."Ride, Grin, stay safe and we all win!!!"

 

OMG...a '99 with only 5k miles?! That's really low mileage.

Was the bike sitting for awhile?

Congrats on the purchase. SuperHawks rawk!!

 

I know, crazy right...His wife road it, she used to race.....They only put 1500 miles in the last year and a half....changed oil every 6 months...He/They babied this thing....As will I....I am so freaking excited I can't wait to get on and go..... she has better curves than my wife...just kidding dear....The family won't see me til Thanksgiving, as I will be out riding every day, all day, and then some....Little over the top?? You bet!!
"Safe" is not just another four letter word, use it generiously!!!

 

Now there's a question right up my alley! The first two are concerned with driveablity issues in the 2.5-3k area with pipes installed.

1)TPS mod: no cost (do a search)
2)shim the needles: $1.98 radio shack washer package or free if you have 'em
3)15t front sprocket: $15-20 big ratio jump, rear sprockets have smaller increases but cost more and require longer chain
4)yamaha r1,r6, FZ1 mirrors: cheap used on ebay, FZ's are by far the widest
5)VFR bars: typically $75-100 used, bolt right up for more relaxed upper body

That's enough to get you started. There's PLENTY more but we're talkin' cheeeeep mods here. Do a search as most of these have been discussed quite frequently.

TIP: Since you are new to riding and thus probably bike forums, PLEASE don't ask about pipes, oil or tires!!!! :wink:

 

You're near Dallas????
YIPPIE !!!

I'm in Dallas near LBJ & Plano Road.

Lets ride sometime !
One of the guys at High Five Cycles told me about some roads east of McKinney that were good. Also some east of Sherman near Old Ida Rd.
Then of course there is the northern portion of the Texas Hill Country south of Clebure but that takes about 2 hours to get to :-(

Let me know if I can be any help with your bike.
My suggestions are SS brake lines, EBC HH pads, exhaust, & jet kit.
Made a world of difference on mine!

Hmmmm. it was his wife's & she used to race?? Maybe they already did some of those mods...

BTW download the workshop manual here:
http://www.gofastvideo.com/gallery/i...ce-manual.html

 

Come on bling what's wrong with asking about loud pipes!

Oh yeah be careful your first time out, this is not a parallel twin 500. If you whack the throttle open you will have a nice view of the texas sky from the asphalt! Oh and welcome aboard, My first mod cost nothing it was cutting that ugly *** rear fender if yours still has it. Just cut it right under the rear signals and then trash the rest leaving just enough to mount the plate. I turned the plate light upside down and mounted it over the plate,( I think that was a long time ago). Sorry I'm not that dumb I don't remember because I put an undertail on a couple of years back.

 

Get to know the young lady a lttle first. Then buy her the jewelry. Then ride her like the pig she is!

 

LMAO at you guys, wow who new it would be this much fun....ok

CNA Dawg, I am just a hop, skip and a jump from you...I live near 121 and Custer, so I kind of know the area you speak of...Lots of nice pavement out there....My friend that live behind me just bought a Ninja 636 and we have ridden a few times together....We want to trek up to the Casino one Sat and loose some cash... I don't think she raced this bike, this one more just to ride.... as far as mods on it... I know it has Two Brothers pipes, Corbin seat, Smoke screen, Honda VFR bars, Gold valves replace the stock valves up front, and heavier weight oil used.. something was done to the rear suspension as well...(don't know what it is still greek to me) he says it won't dive like a stock suspension while braking.... As for the others you suggest, I will ask him about those when I pick it up, it is poss some other things have been done....I agree that I will ride it for a bit the way it is, and then start tinkering with her...

So, superbling, how bout that OIL??? I have heard that I should run right out and buy the stuff from Dollar General, you know it's all the same right? <----OK I am nuts, but not gone, I do know not to do that....I was poking fun....seems like it takes away from the joke if you have to explain it....I just had too....

Thanks guys/gals

 

I'm gonna reitterate what was said before. when comparing a ninja 500 with the hawk, "more power" is a vast understatement. plus, due to the monster torque, it feels even more powerfull than it is. and watch out for trying wheelies on cold pavement. the back wheel will just spin. just learned that last weekend. even with warm tires.

 

WOW, that is all I have to say about that!!! ok maybe not...lol...
This thing is Amazing....I still haven't been able to wipe the smile off my face....I won't have pics til I get it back to Texas...but here are the mods....Two Brothers pipes, rejetted, Corbin seat, Smoke screen, Honda VFR bars, Gold valves replace the stock valves up front, and heavier weight oil used, Cut off the back fender, raised plate, SS brake lines, flat turn signals, smaller in the rear, sticky girps. That is what I have found so far...Man what a difference over the ninja, I can't wait to get her out in the country so I can really open her up and make her purrrrr.....

 

Glad your happy and it sounds like you've got some good mods already. Now don't get over zelist and FU#! it up before you really get to enjoy it. There's been a rash of messed up superhawks lately on this forum and I'd hate for it to happen before you get to know her. Have fun and get to know her I know I sound like your mother but like I said it's been happening too much lately. Oh yeah and don't forget to zip your jacket it's getting cold out.