Is there a "best year" for the VTR?
12-21-2009 | 06:35 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5
Is there a "best year" for the VTR?
Hi,
New member here. I am about to buy a VTR and am looking at a 2000, a 2003 and a 2005.
I know there were some changes in 2001 (tank and instruments, etc) and I don't think there is a lot of difference between the 2003 and the 2005.
Is there a preferred year among the three I am considering and, if so, why?
Thanks!
New member here. I am about to buy a VTR and am looking at a 2000, a 2003 and a 2005.
I know there were some changes in 2001 (tank and instruments, etc) and I don't think there is a lot of difference between the 2003 and the 2005.
Is there a preferred year among the three I am considering and, if so, why?
Thanks!
12-21-2009 | 06:59 PM
#4
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,138
From: Austin, Tx
Micky gets delusional during the long winters in Canada. But he is quite helpful.
The fastest color was Italian Red as manufactured in 1998. There are more fast red Superhawks from this year than any other.
However, this is not the preferred model. At the moment I can't remember but in either 2001 or 2003 the instrument panel went digital. You get a clock and a gas gauge. And the sending units to make this possible.
My '97 Interceptor has a gas gauge and a clock WTF happened to the Superhawk at Honda?
If I had it to do all over again - and I won't - period - build out another stock Superhawk. If I did, I would start with an 03-05.
The fastest color was Italian Red as manufactured in 1998. There are more fast red Superhawks from this year than any other.
However, this is not the preferred model. At the moment I can't remember but in either 2001 or 2003 the instrument panel went digital. You get a clock and a gas gauge. And the sending units to make this possible.
My '97 Interceptor has a gas gauge and a clock WTF happened to the Superhawk at Honda?
If I had it to do all over again - and I won't - period - build out another stock Superhawk. If I did, I would start with an 03-05.
12-21-2009 | 08:33 PM
#7
evil man of nothing
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From: Boynton Beach, FL
12-21-2009 | 09:24 PM
#8
Moderator
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You really can't go wrong with any year... I would just choose the cleanest/best maintained of the three.
Here is a write up the difference through the years...
https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...ad.php?t=13982
Here is a write up the difference through the years...
https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...ad.php?t=13982
12-21-2009 | 09:47 PM
#9
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,451
From: San Clemente, CA
+1 on what indie said.
The '05 in Titanium, or Stealth Gray as I like to call it, sometimes flies under the radar as far as cops are concerned. But my favorite color is the Tahitian Blue, as I think it's called, from '03. They were available new when I bought my '05, but my wife had a Metallic Blue Kawi, so I went with the '05 which hadn't been sitting at the dealer for 2 years.
Just watch out for earlier than '03 or '02 models that haven't had the regulator/rectifier or cam chain tensioners replaced.
Bottom line is just buy one, because you'll love it.
The '05 in Titanium, or Stealth Gray as I like to call it, sometimes flies under the radar as far as cops are concerned. But my favorite color is the Tahitian Blue, as I think it's called, from '03. They were available new when I bought my '05, but my wife had a Metallic Blue Kawi, so I went with the '05 which hadn't been sitting at the dealer for 2 years.
Just watch out for earlier than '03 or '02 models that haven't had the regulator/rectifier or cam chain tensioners replaced.
Bottom line is just buy one, because you'll love it.
12-21-2009 | 09:48 PM
#10
2nd mouse gets the cheese
SuperBike
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,697
From: Beaverton, OR
If I remember right somewhere on here I read that 97 to 98 they were the fastest years do to the fact that honda tyically hand pic and assemble the bikes for optimimum power during its debute year. Supposedly that is why reviews of the hawk when it first came out show 1 to 2 hp better then a year or two later. At least that is what I have heard.
12-21-2009 | 09:58 PM
#11
OCMD honorary member
Superstock
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 252
From: Olympia, WA
Tell us more about the 03' and 05' in question.
Are they bone stock, if not what do they have?
Miles?
Need more info.
Egg nog in your camel pack? Tried it, don't recommend it.
Just get a cupholder, heated if you are inclined.
Are they bone stock, if not what do they have?
Miles?
Need more info.
Egg nog in your camel pack? Tried it, don't recommend it.
Just get a cupholder, heated if you are inclined.
12-22-2009 | 07:53 AM
#14
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 363
From: Shreveport / Bossier City
12-22-2009 | 08:15 AM
#15
Wrench Bender
Squid
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 96
From: Auburn, CA
From what I could tell when buying my 99 last month, the only real differance is the guage cluster. Pick the one that has been best cared for and has most of the common "required" mods done. You can get used to any color. You will spend money on these mods if they are not already done.
Just one opinion.
Just one opinion.
12-22-2009 | 08:58 AM
#16
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SuperSport
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 805
From: Delmar NY
12-22-2009 | 09:31 AM
#17
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5
Thanks for the posts thus far.
Sorry, I should have given more detail.
2000: Turquoise, Yosh Pipes, Helibars, new x-ring chain, new sprockets, rusty gas tank (big surprise as rest of bike seems good and the owner {albeit a second owner who has owned for 1 season} seems very mechanically inclined), needs tires, 18k miles $3,800
2003: Blue, stock except for pipes, brand new tires, 4k miles The only downside is it is the farthest away and will be a big hassle to pick up $5,200
2005: This is the most sketchy. No mods, 6k miles, re-painted blue (owner claims he did not like Titanium), 1 allegedly minor accident I exhaust can painted black, some fairing damage (claimed to be cracks caused by moving the bike from one location to another) new tires $3,800
Lay your wisdom on me!
Sorry, I should have given more detail.
2000: Turquoise, Yosh Pipes, Helibars, new x-ring chain, new sprockets, rusty gas tank (big surprise as rest of bike seems good and the owner {albeit a second owner who has owned for 1 season} seems very mechanically inclined), needs tires, 18k miles $3,800
2003: Blue, stock except for pipes, brand new tires, 4k miles The only downside is it is the farthest away and will be a big hassle to pick up $5,200
2005: This is the most sketchy. No mods, 6k miles, re-painted blue (owner claims he did not like Titanium), 1 allegedly minor accident I exhaust can painted black, some fairing damage (claimed to be cracks caused by moving the bike from one location to another) new tires $3,800
Lay your wisdom on me!
Last edited by masonjarz; 12-22-2009 at 09:45 AM.
12-22-2009 | 10:05 AM
#20
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 805
From: Delmar NY
Welcome to the forum!
The pricing is high across the board. Of the three the 2000 seems ok, but for what you described it is $1000 too much.
The 03 sounds good, but the market would put this at $4K, and i agree the 05 sounds fishy.
Good luck!
The pricing is high across the board. Of the three the 2000 seems ok, but for what you described it is $1000 too much.
The 03 sounds good, but the market would put this at $4K, and i agree the 05 sounds fishy.
Good luck!
12-22-2009 | 10:13 AM
#21
Captain Chaos
Squid
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 32
From: Central Pennsylvania
I gave 2300 for my 98 with two brothers pipes, new tires, chain, sprockets, but it has 35,000miles and was a little beat up...but maybe that will help give you an Idea on the prices they are going for...
12-22-2009 | 11:26 AM
#22
Moderator
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Posts: 2,708
The 2000 sounds like the best one condition-wise, but you could do better price wise. The 03 is over-priced... the 05 sounds beat. Whats your location? Judging by the color of that 2000 I'm guessing you are in Canada...? But then again, the '05 was Titanium... 
Last edited by inderocker; 12-22-2009 at 03:53 PM.
12-22-2009 | 11:47 AM
#23
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,132
From: Phoenix, AZ
A quick search finds lots on CL across the country for less:
http://craiglook.com/all.html?s=1&q=vtr1000&p=2
http://craiglook.com/all.html?s=1&q=vtr1000&p=2
12-22-2009 | 12:49 PM
#24
Bytes
Back Marker
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 105
From: This side of hell
How long have you been looking? I kept checking our local classifieds since September and finally bought mine (98 Red... the best and fastest color) a few weeks ago. You are hardly ever hurt by taking a few months of seeing the bikes asking prices and checking their condition. I would highly recommend reading as much about the bike on this forum as you possibly can. You will find out a lot about things to look for. I don't know what the weather is like where you're at but if its cold as hell there really isn't any hurry. Good luck!
12-22-2009 | 02:58 PM
#26
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,269
From: moncton nb canada
confucius say "patients bring better deal"
those three sound high.
check this site:
http://www2.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/mash.cgi
cycle trader.com has lots of bikes too.
those three sound high.
check this site:
http://www2.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/mash.cgi
cycle trader.com has lots of bikes too.
12-22-2009 | 03:02 PM
#27
Senior Member
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 224
From: Hills of Kentucky
Another +1 on passing the '05. As already stated above, the prices seem a bit high for this time of year and look around a bit more. Keep a check on the classifieds here. I bought my 01 last Jan/Feb. Luckily we had a warm enough day (upper 30s) for me to take it down the street and back. Got a good price on it then, too. Welcome and good luck to ya findin' yer hawk.
12-22-2009 | 05:04 PM
#29
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,132
From: Phoenix, AZ
Some POR15 should take care of it if needed and applied properly, as to if it is worth the effort of cleaning that tank is up to you.
12-22-2009 | 05:12 PM
#30
Moderator
MotoGP
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,708
We're just saying that seems to be the best choice of the three... not a sure fire winner. Rusty tanks are mendable... have it throughly cleaned by a radiator shop first before using a cream liner, this will make all of the difference in the world.
