Hello. I'm a new forum member and appreciate all of the knowledge and feedback here. I'm considering the purchase of a 98 Superhawk with 86,000 miles. The seller is mc tech and original owner. The bike has an Ohlin's rear shock, race tech springs, Sargent seat, Heli bars, wave rotors, two brothers exhaust, CCT's done, r/r done, spiegler stainless brake lines and appears spotless; I have not yet seen or ridden the bike yet.
Owner is asking $2500 but would let it go for $1,800. I don't know much at this point about suspension tuning, but it's currently set up for a 170 lb rider and I weigh 210 lbs; I imagine to get the full benefits, I will have to get it set up for me.
Please provide any thoughts about the miles and price. I'm also considering a Honda 599 nearby owned by a Honda mechanic for double this price and am not sure what to do. Ive been riding for 4 yrs and have owned a few bikes. Any insight appreciated. Thank you.

 

Well my advice is that it's got all the goodies and if you can pick it up for $1800 you'd be crazy not too, you could part it out and get your money back! From what I can tell mileage on this under stressed motor just isn't an issue but if the seller is a M/C tech ask him if he'll do a leak down test.

Oh and yes you will need new fork springs!

 

The other thing is where are you located at? There might be a member close to you that could look at it for you.....

 

Thanks for your input. I am in NJ. The seller did offer to meet me at his dealer to dyno the bike to demonstrate that the engine is still strong (if that's what a Dyno does and if I understood him correctly)

 

I would say jump on it for 18 bills. Those are some tasty mods (suspension especially)

As long as it starts good (feel the motor to know you are seeing a cold start, some people warm it up before you show up to hide coldstart issues).

These are amazing bikes. I ditched my cbr600 for it and no regrets.

 

I'm strongly considering it. I'm familiar with the 599 as my brother-in-law has one; how does the Superhawk compare to the 599?

 

Its like twice the bike. Even the cbr600 would smoke a 599, but the vtwin grunt on the hawk is just irreplaceable for the street.

Way more personality, the inline fours are like an electric motor by comparison.

 

If you're familiar w/ the 599 then you know you've got to wind it up to make power.

The Superhawk has torque from the get go. Most of the guys here will advise not to whack it open in 1st or 2nd! I find it to be a very friendly power band making general street riding and canyon carving a breeze without having to be on the "Cams" all the time!

 

Sounds like the current owner built it to keep for a long time. Despite the mileage, it has a very good component set. Offering to dyno it is a good indicator too. You could just see the last time that he has and if he has the charts for it.

My buddy had a 599. Easy bike to ride. Had to rev it like a race bike to get into the fun zone though. I could go into details, but in summary: He sold his bike, I kept mine. For all of the reasons that HRCA mentioned. Both of us would buy the Superhawk if given the option again. The big thing that the 599 has going for it is the fuel range.

 

For $1800 BUY IT!! Thats alot of bike and tasty mods for $1800. (Your lucky I'm not in Jersey or it would have been in my garage right now

 

Great input guys. I really appreciate it and I'm taking it all in. Thank you.

 

I've decided to take the day off and go check out this bike. I will follow up with details....

 

I am in love. Firstly, I want to thank everyone for their input. Secondly, wow. The bike was even better than advertised and includes a host of extras. The seller is a mc tech although that is not how he earns his living. He owns 6-8 bikes so the Superhawk hasn't been ridden in awhile. He agreed to take it to his servicing dealer and have it dyno'd and tuned-up. While there, I will also have them tune the suspension for me. Afterwards, he agreed to deliver the bike to my house. I couldn't ask for a better seller.

I test rode the bike. It fit like a glove and I loved the growl of the v-twin and two brothers exhaust. The power felt manageable even for a newer/conservative rider like myself; I didn't want to get off. I have tried multiple times to post a pic, but have not been successful.

I am looking forward to many miles with this bike and interracting with you guys on this forum.

 

That is an awesome deal for that bike, I felt the same way when I test rode mine for the first time, way better than any other bike and so much fun to ride. There is a lot of great info on here just use the search function and you can usually find everything you need.

 

You done good!

 

Very righteous. So, when it goes in for this "tune up", do you get to pay for it? Trying to see the upside other than the guy getting in good with the shop. (yeah I am paranoid)

Sounds like a great deal, what did you pay for it? 1800?

 

He is paying for the tune-up. We agreed on $1,800. The deal also includes (5) different windscreens of various sizes and tints, the stock seat and rear cowl cover, the service manual, owners manual and sets of tools. Also the bike has a carbon fiber chain guard and rear tire hugger.
I appreciate your concerns smokinjoe. I'm
keeping my fingers crossed everything works out as planned. Thanks.

 

Congratulations! I think some of us are just darn jealous reading those components...it is a very good price and even if the mileage is high, those parts are worth it alone!. Enjoy the bike!

 

Keep a file on paper & computer as to every bit of anything you do to the bike. Forget about for resale (I will never sell mine) but so you can look back & see what was done, how much it cost and when.

Oh, and would it kill you to put up some pics?

P I C S !!

 

I tried to attach pics yesterday, but had a problem. I will try again tonight.

 

Well, I have tried multiple times to post pics. I have even tried to crop them and attach. No luck.
Anyway, I got the bike. It's set up for me and I have the Dyno chart printout which reads 109 hp. I rode about 100 miles today and had a blast.
A couple things I noticed; when riding at low rpms and slower in 2nd or 3rd gear, the carbs "skipped" once or twice for a split second. Is this normal? The carbs have been jetted with a dyno stage 1 jet kit and the PO says he also changed the carb "manifold".
Also, I noticed and appreciated the sound/growl of the two brothers exhaust on the highway when decelerating and accelerating from traffic lights- cagers really took notice of me and I felt it increased my conspicuity. However, when riding thru my neighborhood I felt the sound could be construed as somewhat "obnoxious" as most people stopped what they were doing to see me ride by. I found myself up shifting and riding slower than normal. Cant wait until the first time i start the bike for an early morning ride My question is, is this noise level and the attention something you guys have gotten used to?

 

YES and wouldn't trade it for nuthin'!! In fact I've even cut my cans down to make it what some would call near obnoxious. I love it. Just be respectful in your hood. Once or twice give 'em a taste of it loud so they know your being considerate. You are still not as rude as the typical hog w/ open pipes.

And BTW, you don't want to lug this motor. Keep the revs above 3k and see if your hick-up still persists.

 

Am I damaging anything by lugging the motor and keeping the revs below 3k?

 

Yes.

 

Ok. I will no longer do that. Thanks for the insight.