When cars had carburetors GM made high altitude models for the Denver/Rocky Mountain area. I don't think Honda did that with their motorcycles. Carbureted vehicles run richer at altitude, and the stock Superhawk runs lean. I know that my VTR which before shimming the needles would sometimes stall at almost every stop light and surge and pop at low speeds while near sea level, but would run GREAT above 2,000 and up to 6,000 feet in the mountains. Not a single burp.

So unless you are well versed in carb work, a trip to a good shop that knows carbs should solve your problems.

Also some members have had problems with TPS adjustment or failure. That could be the problem as well, and relatively easy to fix. You just need an ohmmeter. Do a search under "TPS adjustment".

 

When I bought mine new the dealership jetted it for 6000ish feet (whatever their height was). The thing has run as good as I think it can, I really have to hold on in first gear to NOT get it to wheelie. I'm good keeping both wheels on the ground =)

Up around 13k it backfires like crazy if I downshift, but otherwise it runs great! I'm all stock except for 6x 1/4inch holes drilled in the back of each exhaust pipe (partial bafflectomy?)


Edit: Welcome to what I think is the most fun mountain twisty bike Justin!

 

No engine / exhaust mods really, just a bafflectomy and +2.. thats all.

 

Idles fine but when you blip the throttle in anticipation of the light, it pukes. Mine does the same is rich. Goes away in the winter time.

 

up around 13k it backfires like crazy? This is not an inline four jon. You may be up against the rev limiter or floating the valves. I don't believe you benefit from running high RPMS with the Hawk, but it's your party.

 

13k FEET This may not be an inline 4, but it IS Colorado! And yeah, mine makes all KINDS of racket (exhaust) when engine braking coming down from about 9k RPM's. Backfired a couple times and the guy in front of me on his inline 4 was looking down at his bike! We had a good laugh later =)

 

/\ I was gonna say, if you're running 13k RPMS on your Superhawk, I want to know how.

 

I think to do that you first need a Gixxer sticker, and then several bottles of NOS as bought from a gas station.

 

I think we can do it..........once, moneyshifting down a hill

 

oh, feet. Forgive my lack of intuition. In that case, you might be a prime candidate for an FI bike. Scared the hell out of your riding buddy on the quiet bike. That's funny!

 

Trust me... If you had been in front, he'd be even more scared... Usually if it' dark out, those "pops" are accompanied by a nice little flame...