Thinking about joining the SH club
09-08-2008 | 07:16 AM
#1
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hardened stihl
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From: VT
Thinking about joining the SH club
Hey,
I just sold my 00' ZX6R on friday. It had been an amazing machine, taking me all over the northeast, dragging pegs through twisties and never letting me down. It had 36000 miles and I felt it was time for change.
I'm seriously thinking about purchasing a superhawk. My only qualm is that, on paper, these bikes appear to lack the nut that comes with most full-faired packages.
I'd love the torque I expect I'd get and the honda reliabillity I know I'll get. I'd really just hate to get a bike that was appriciably slower than my kawi.
Any thoughts?
I just sold my 00' ZX6R on friday. It had been an amazing machine, taking me all over the northeast, dragging pegs through twisties and never letting me down. It had 36000 miles and I felt it was time for change.
I'm seriously thinking about purchasing a superhawk. My only qualm is that, on paper, these bikes appear to lack the nut that comes with most full-faired packages.
I'd love the torque I expect I'd get and the honda reliabillity I know I'll get. I'd really just hate to get a bike that was appriciably slower than my kawi.
Any thoughts?
09-08-2008 | 07:43 AM
#2
Moderate-whore
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From: Leander TX!!
Are you in a building higher than 4 floors right now? If so, immediately go to the roof and fling yourself off!! You are not worthy of a machine that is the Superhawk! It has a dedicated following, an unprecedented group of men and women that would not think twice about owning one, or questioning it's Nuts!
You sir lack the personality of a SuperHawk owner, you may one day own a SuperHawk, but you will never be a Superhawk owner!! The Super in the Superhawk is a character that is only defined by it's lust for life, it's element of danger, is pure raw power, it's hunger for and ability to endure life and excite the passion within!!!
Boy, I am really talking out of my *** now!! LOL...
It's a cool bike, go pick one up, best bang for the buck! Kind of like a KLR!! LMAO!!1
Carry on...
You sir lack the personality of a SuperHawk owner, you may one day own a SuperHawk, but you will never be a Superhawk owner!! The Super in the Superhawk is a character that is only defined by it's lust for life, it's element of danger, is pure raw power, it's hunger for and ability to endure life and excite the passion within!!!
Boy, I am really talking out of my *** now!! LOL...
It's a cool bike, go pick one up, best bang for the buck! Kind of like a KLR!! LMAO!!1
Carry on...
Last edited by Randman; 09-08-2008 at 07:58 AM.
09-08-2008 | 07:47 AM
#3
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hardened stihl
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From: VT
Wow.... Maybe I'll rephrase the question.
Can anyone offer a comparison between a 600cc i4 supersport and a hawk? Can you get a knee down on these beasts? Can you go out on one of these things and still scare yourself?
Can anyone offer a comparison between a 600cc i4 supersport and a hawk? Can you get a knee down on these beasts? Can you go out on one of these things and still scare yourself?
09-08-2008 | 07:56 AM
#4
Out of my mind, back in 5
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From: Skurup, Sweden
Well... Randman said most of it... but in a bit more abrasive way than I would have chosen... although tongue in check...
As for speed... Yes, on a long straight road your ZX6R would go to the lead... But belive me it won't blow past the superhawk... It'll eek out a lead and and slowly build it as long as the rider has the nuts to hold the throttle... Altough in the corners I'm almost certain a good setup superhawk would be more than capable to embarass the kawi... (I chased one down a few days ago...
)
The thing to remember about torque is that isn't only fun... it's also useful, and a large twin engine with torque also has a wider powerband with a different peak than an IL4... And with the nimble dimensions of the superhawk it's a entirely different beast in a corner...
Altough stock brakes and front suspension is crap if you are above featherweight, once that is fixed it's a whole lot of fun...
As for speed... Yes, on a long straight road your ZX6R would go to the lead... But belive me it won't blow past the superhawk... It'll eek out a lead and and slowly build it as long as the rider has the nuts to hold the throttle... Altough in the corners I'm almost certain a good setup superhawk would be more than capable to embarass the kawi... (I chased one down a few days ago...
)The thing to remember about torque is that isn't only fun... it's also useful, and a large twin engine with torque also has a wider powerband with a different peak than an IL4... And with the nimble dimensions of the superhawk it's a entirely different beast in a corner...
Altough stock brakes and front suspension is crap if you are above featherweight, once that is fixed it's a whole lot of fun...
09-08-2008 | 07:58 AM
#5
Out of my mind, back in 5
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From: Skurup, Sweden
It's not a two wheel vehicle... It's a monocycle...
09-08-2008 | 08:13 AM
#7
Out of my mind, back in 5
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From: Skurup, Sweden
Ok... I'll stop bantering... altough if you consider the forum standard, you got a very nice welcome...
(Yeah we are a bit nuts... it comes with the bike...)Basicly if you compare the Superhawk to other bikes it sits somewhere in between a 600 IL4 and a 1000 IL4...
It has a narrow chassi with lots of good qualities making it nible in corners like a 600... And the engine has loads more grunt than the average 600... A newer 600 will beat it in a straight line, but it will be a working victory, not a slam dunk... A lot of the older 600's will be beaten... (remember the superhawk is basicly unchanged since it was introduced in Europe in 97)
At the same time it's not as fast in a straight line as a newer 1000... And the newest 150hp+ monster 1000's have almost as much torque in a corner as a superhawk, but in my experience they also need a very good rider to use even half of that performance... On track or off... If you miss a gear on a IL4 you are out of the race... on a twin you loose some momentum, but it keeps up...
As for the stock fork and brakes... Do the work and you will be happy with the results...
09-08-2008 | 08:19 AM
#8
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hardened stihl
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thanks for the info. i think i'd be happy with one. i do a lot of 2 up touring and was really getting sick of the 38ft-lbs or whatever the kawi made with my girlfriend and 120lbs of gear.
does a full exhaust system add some ponies? what are the typical shock and brake mods?
does a full exhaust system add some ponies? what are the typical shock and brake mods?
09-08-2008 | 08:40 AM
#9
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The most an exhaust, K&N and jet kit will get you is a few ponies. Yes you can get some out of it, but the bigger difference is weight.. The stock pipes are HEAVY.
For 2 up, the SH has the power to be nice to drive, but the pillion seat is not comfortable.. Most my passengers are begging for the end of the day after ~200 miles. I did ~400 with a one gal in one day once, but that girl was also into bondage... I don't know if the corbin Gunfigher & Lady fixes this or if the Sargent is better for passenger or not but neither of those are free.
For 2 up, the SH has the power to be nice to drive, but the pillion seat is not comfortable.. Most my passengers are begging for the end of the day after ~200 miles. I did ~400 with a one gal in one day once, but that girl was also into bondage... I don't know if the corbin Gunfigher & Lady fixes this or if the Sargent is better for passenger or not but neither of those are free.
09-08-2008 | 08:41 AM
#10
Out of my mind, back in 5
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From: Skurup, Sweden
thanks for the info. i think i'd be happy with one. i do a lot of 2 up touring and was really getting sick of the 38ft-lbs or whatever the kawi made with my girlfriend and 120lbs of gear.
does a full exhaust system add some ponies? what are the typical shock and brake mods?
does a full exhaust system add some ponies? what are the typical shock and brake mods?
A ZX6R doesn't even come close...A typical mod would be to swap out the forksprings to heavier and change the valving... Racetech's webpage is a good starting point... Then swap out the calipers for larger ones (there is a list somewhere around here of what fits...) mainly from various Honda CBR's...
Mu solution was to swap the fork altogether to an CBR1000RR... that solves all the problems in one go... harder springs, with lots of fiddly ***** and radial brakes that will put you over the bars...
09-08-2008 | 08:50 AM
#11
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From: Brooklyn, CT
Mostly imaginary ponies... but it opens up the world of thunder that lives in those pipes... A ZX6R doesn't even come close...
A typical mod would be to swap out the forksprings to heavier and change the valving... Racetech's webpage is a good starting point... Then swap out the calipers for larger ones (there is a list somewhere around here of what fits...) mainly from various Honda CBR's...
Mu solution was to swap the fork altogether to an CBR1000RR... that solves all the problems in one go... harder springs, with lots of fiddly ***** and radial brakes that will put you over the bars...
A ZX6R doesn't even come close...A typical mod would be to swap out the forksprings to heavier and change the valving... Racetech's webpage is a good starting point... Then swap out the calipers for larger ones (there is a list somewhere around here of what fits...) mainly from various Honda CBR's...
Mu solution was to swap the fork altogether to an CBR1000RR... that solves all the problems in one go... harder springs, with lots of fiddly ***** and radial brakes that will put you over the bars...
09-08-2008 | 08:54 AM
#12
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A $25 15t front sprocket makes more real world difference than a set of pipes/jet kit but you'll want pipes anyway if it has stock ones.
If that kawi really only has 38ft/lbs, the superhawk has nearly DOUBLE that and will feel worlds stronger to the seat of you and your GF pants. Behave gentleman, behave.
Another big difference compared to IL4's is how narrow the bike is and feels since its effectively a single in terms of width.
If that kawi really only has 38ft/lbs, the superhawk has nearly DOUBLE that and will feel worlds stronger to the seat of you and your GF pants. Behave gentleman, behave.
Another big difference compared to IL4's is how narrow the bike is and feels since its effectively a single in terms of width.
Last edited by superbling; 09-09-2008 at 07:05 AM.
09-08-2008 | 09:09 AM
#13
Out of my mind, back in 5
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From: Skurup, Sweden
And I'm even running bafflectomised stock ones... They are louder than stock but not even near the most aftermarket pipes...
09-09-2008 | 02:53 AM
#14
MSF RiderCoach
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You'll love it. When you get it, do the bafflectomy on some aftermarket cans (I've got the high mount TBRs)! Last month I rode with my wife's all-girls sport bike club (coed-ride, so the husbands/boyfriends could come along) and the girls particularly were oohing/aahhing when they heard the SH fire up! As for low-end torque, the SH can rip a stump out of the ground and hit 60 in 2.5 seconds...(probably at the same time; and at least the latter has already been proven)...just make sure your backseater is hanging on!
As for low-end torque, the SH can rip a stump out of the ground and hit 60 in 2.5 seconds...(probably at the same time; and at least the latter has already been proven)...just make sure your backseater is hanging on!
09-09-2008 | 04:26 AM
#15
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As for low-end torque, the SH can rip a stump out of the ground and hit 60 in 2.5 seconds
09-09-2008 | 11:19 AM
#17
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SuperSport
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I haven't read every post in this thread so if I'm reiterating what somebody already said, I'm sorry. I had a friend who left her 636 at my place for about a month with permission to take it for a spin occassionally. now I know what the specs say when comparing it to the hawk, but I gotta tell ya, unless you ring its neck, the thing is a dooooog compared to the hawk. it almost swore me off 600 I-4's for good. just pathetic. and yeah, once you get above 10k its pulling hard, but by then you're making such a racket that everybody within a mile knows you're trying to go fast. and it still didn't pull any harder than the hawk does. just seems like alot of noise and effort to do what the hawk does naturally. and regarding top speed, they've got to be really close. I think my friends 636 topped out around 165, and the hawk will push 160. so anyway, I don't think you have to worry about the hawk disappointing you.
09-09-2008 | 11:46 AM
#18
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From: Central Fl.
And a positive that's also a negative...not so very many of them on the street. Crash parts are few and far between on e-Bay, but when you're rolling, generally you're one of a kind.
I'm lazy, the S'hawk is perfect in that anywhere in the torque curve, 3750 to 6000, any gear, passing is a shiftless exercise.
I'm lazy, the S'hawk is perfect in that anywhere in the torque curve, 3750 to 6000, any gear, passing is a shiftless exercise.
09-09-2008 | 04:46 PM
#19
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hardened stihl
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From: VT
BIG UPDATE
Bought the SH today. Its mint, 12k, 2002 red, willey co. cans (slip on I think), and has a corbin seat.
Here are my initial impressions:
The thing has great low speed handling characteristics- much better than a super sport. It pulls really hard off the line. Its obviously torquey. It is not an RR. It is comfortable. No matter what swordfish says, it is NOT faster than a 636 (I rode one exclusively for 1 month, an 05 in great shape, and it had the edge, even bellow 12k rpms. sorry guys).
I really like my new bike though. Its fun and comfortable and looks and sounds sexy as hell. It often doesn't feel like you are going as fast as indicated. I know speedos can lie but with stock sprockets they shouldn't be too far off. I was surprised to see it in the tripple digits a few times.
You guys are gunna hate me for this: I do wish it was faster. Its power band is great it just needs a little more. What is the consensus on +2 -1 sprockets? Is it significantly less streetable? I also agree with whoever said above that the suspension could be harder. Luckily its adjustable so I'm going to play around with the stock settings.
I am really happy with it but am definitely on a quest to make it faster.
Bought the SH today. Its mint, 12k, 2002 red, willey co. cans (slip on I think), and has a corbin seat.
Here are my initial impressions:
The thing has great low speed handling characteristics- much better than a super sport. It pulls really hard off the line. Its obviously torquey. It is not an RR. It is comfortable. No matter what swordfish says, it is NOT faster than a 636 (I rode one exclusively for 1 month, an 05 in great shape, and it had the edge, even bellow 12k rpms. sorry guys).
I really like my new bike though. Its fun and comfortable and looks and sounds sexy as hell. It often doesn't feel like you are going as fast as indicated. I know speedos can lie but with stock sprockets they shouldn't be too far off. I was surprised to see it in the tripple digits a few times.
You guys are gunna hate me for this: I do wish it was faster. Its power band is great it just needs a little more. What is the consensus on +2 -1 sprockets? Is it significantly less streetable? I also agree with whoever said above that the suspension could be harder. Luckily its adjustable so I'm going to play around with the stock settings.
I am really happy with it but am definitely on a quest to make it faster.
09-09-2008 | 05:23 PM
#21
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,804
From: Atlanta, GA
BIG UPDATE
Bought the SH today. Its mint, 12k, 2002 red, willey co. cans (slip on I think), and has a corbin seat.
Here are my initial impressions:
The thing has great low speed handling characteristics- much better than a super sport. It pulls really hard off the line. Its obviously torquey. It is not an RR. It is comfortable. No matter what swordfish says, it is NOT faster than a 636 (I rode one exclusively for 1 month, an 05 in great shape, and it had the edge, even bellow 12k rpms. sorry guys).
I really like my new bike though. Its fun and comfortable and looks and sounds sexy as hell. It often doesn't feel like you are going as fast as indicated. I know speedos can lie but with stock sprockets they shouldn't be too far off. I was surprised to see it in the tripple digits a few times.
You guys are gunna hate me for this: I do wish it was faster. Its power band is great it just needs a little more. What is the consensus on +2 -1 sprockets? Is it significantly less streetable? I also agree with whoever said above that the suspension could be harder. Luckily its adjustable so I'm going to play around with the stock settings.
I am really happy with it but am definitely on a quest to make it faster.
Bought the SH today. Its mint, 12k, 2002 red, willey co. cans (slip on I think), and has a corbin seat.
Here are my initial impressions:
The thing has great low speed handling characteristics- much better than a super sport. It pulls really hard off the line. Its obviously torquey. It is not an RR. It is comfortable. No matter what swordfish says, it is NOT faster than a 636 (I rode one exclusively for 1 month, an 05 in great shape, and it had the edge, even bellow 12k rpms. sorry guys).
I really like my new bike though. Its fun and comfortable and looks and sounds sexy as hell. It often doesn't feel like you are going as fast as indicated. I know speedos can lie but with stock sprockets they shouldn't be too far off. I was surprised to see it in the tripple digits a few times.
You guys are gunna hate me for this: I do wish it was faster. Its power band is great it just needs a little more. What is the consensus on +2 -1 sprockets? Is it significantly less streetable? I also agree with whoever said above that the suspension could be harder. Luckily its adjustable so I'm going to play around with the stock settings.
I am really happy with it but am definitely on a quest to make it faster.
Yes, a 636 is faster, but you do have to wring it's neck for it to be so. I have plenty of seat time on 600's so I know how fast they can be, but they always feel positively anemic after getting off the Hawk until you get used to spinning them to the moon again.
The Hawk is a neat bike that could use more power, no doubt about it. It sounds great and has a wide, satisfying powerband, but it's no longer in production and didn't change much since it came out more than ten years ago. Comparing it to current RR's, even 600's, isn't really fair.
09-09-2008 | 05:30 PM
#23
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Exellent and welcome.Give it time it's a differant kind of fast.And you know .....every hawk is basicly a 98 model..next to an 05 that is 7 years of technology advancement... OH what coulda been
09-09-2008 | 05:45 PM
#24
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hardened stihl
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From: VT
well put killer and dogger. It really isn't fair to compare a hawk to bikes that benefit from millions of dollars of RandD and trickle down race tech.
"What could have been" is right. As well as the SV650 does in the entry level market I'm surprised honda didn't put their 599 and 919 efforts into a vtwin big brother little brother continuation of the vtr.
"What could have been" is right. As well as the SV650 does in the entry level market I'm surprised honda didn't put their 599 and 919 efforts into a vtwin big brother little brother continuation of the vtr.
09-09-2008 | 07:52 PM
#25
ReNoob
Squid
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 94
From: Sonoma County California
So I'm about as ferocious as Mr. Rogers on the road, but my last bike was a '96 CBR600F3- another 600 and similar (kinda) to your last bike. Anyway, I sold it 10 years ago and vowed that when I returned to motorcycling, I'd get a bike with more torque so I didn't have to ride it "angry" to make speed. The Superhawk wasn't even on my list, but a great deal popped up so I jumped on it. Where I used to have to keep the 600 between 8-14K RPM to haul ***, I find I can do 3-7K RPM on the Superhawk to get just as satisfying response. Pulling away from stoplights, from corners, in the twisties- its all about throttle control and not so much about shifting to keep the engine in a certain powerband. Only had my 'Hawk for a month but I love it. Just needs some suspension work and I'm set for years.
09-10-2008 | 06:17 AM
#26
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hardened stihl
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Lets just clarify that 600's need to be ridden hard but its not like you have to give em the onions just to get them to go. You guys are making them sound like toyota pickups (i have one with a 4cyl and 32" tires and you have to kick its *** to get up hills. course it does weigh 3600 lbs and have less hp than most bikes) When a 636 redlines at 15300 rpms flicking it to 9000 really isn't wringing its neck. Thats like flicking a hawk to 5500.
Okay I gotta remember that since I dont have one anymore I can quit sticking up for supersports...
Okay I gotta remember that since I dont have one anymore I can quit sticking up for supersports...
09-10-2008 | 06:17 AM
#27
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hardened stihl
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I've seen a lot of people alude to front suspension swaps and seen some threads on it as well. The stock hawk suspension is fully adjustable, I'm assuming you all have have messed with various changes and still not been content.
I think the suspension feels decent, stiffer than I though. Im 5'11'' 165 given. I just scraped my foot accidentally on the rotary coming home from the gym so it definitely gets low stock. I may stiffen things up a few clicks front and back.
Another first impression I have with the bike is that two-up riding is great. My gf tolerated the kawi really well. She begged to come along on rides and we put thousands of miles on it and she was upset when I sold it. After 10 miles on the hawk she tapped me on the shoulder and said something (couldn't hear here over the roar) so I shut it off at a stoplight and she told me how comfortable she was.
I think the suspension feels decent, stiffer than I though. Im 5'11'' 165 given. I just scraped my foot accidentally on the rotary coming home from the gym so it definitely gets low stock. I may stiffen things up a few clicks front and back.
Another first impression I have with the bike is that two-up riding is great. My gf tolerated the kawi really well. She begged to come along on rides and we put thousands of miles on it and she was upset when I sold it. After 10 miles on the hawk she tapped me on the shoulder and said something (couldn't hear here over the roar) so I shut it off at a stoplight and she told me how comfortable she was.
09-10-2008 | 09:21 AM
#29
ReNoob
Squid
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 94
From: Sonoma County California
Racetech recommends a 0.85 fork spring for your weight, stock is 0.585. If you like stock (or the PO installed a stiffer spring) then there's no problem. I'm 195 pounds and don't dig it at all- initiate a turn- fork dives. Touch the brakes - fork dives. Pretty much any move I make, the fork dives. So I'll be looking for options this winter. Right now I have the preload cranked pretty far down.
09-10-2008 | 11:00 AM
#30
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,804
From: Atlanta, GA
Lets just clarify that 600's need to be ridden hard but its not like you have to give em the onions just to get them to go. You guys are making them sound like toyota pickups (i have one with a 4cyl and 32" tires and you have to kick its *** to get up hills. course it does weigh 3600 lbs and have less hp than most bikes) When a 636 redlines at 15300 rpms flicking it to 9000 really isn't wringing its neck. Thats like flicking a hawk to 5500.
Okay I gotta remember that since I dont have one anymore I can quit sticking up for supersports...
Okay I gotta remember that since I dont have one anymore I can quit sticking up for supersports...
You won't be keeping up with any Superhawks shifting a 636 at 9000.
