So I picked up a 2003 Hawk for stupid cheap to play with along side my current 2003 Kawi Z1000. The hawk has 36k miles but runs great. Pretty rough around the edges but I like getting them that way.

Needs new radiators and fan. Going with the eBay aluminum set. Also need a new plastics. Still thinking on what color to go with. Someone also thought it would be a good idea to weld the left side exhaust shut and runs 2-1 system using the stock can. That is going bye bye and some dual danmoto cans are going on. Then I'll tear the carbs apart and jet them for the altitude and exhaust/filter.

Still need to do the mcct's.

Getting the rads/fan and new rear rotor with pads this week. Can't wait to make this thing gnarly. I plan to do a 1000rr front end and maybe even a vfr sssa. I just love the way the hawk makes power. Just crack the throttle at3k and boom you're off. My Z is no slouchwhat so ever but just doesn't have the basement power that the hawk does.

Any way glad to be here and gonna try to document all of the mods and whatnot I get myself into.

 

Keep us posted mate, once the V-Twin power gets a hold of you it's hard to resist!

 

You started right where I did. I had a 2003 Z1000 (Orange). Great bike but I was panting for a Superhawk for a couple of years and finally bought my 1999 in 2009 with 5K miles on it. Since then I sold the Z because it was just sitting there devalueing while I paid more insurance, registrations and inspection. Like I said, great bike and I put 26K miles on it while I owned it. I do miss it sometimes but I made the right decision for me. Enjoy the Superhawk!

 

welcome and enjoy!

 

I rode w/ a guy that had a Z. He remembers (vividly) how much I'd pull away from him exiting corners. He didn't keep it very long, moving on to a twin (M109). Gotta love the torque monsters!

Welcome 03!

 

Best do a search for my "pillow mod" its by far the most popular upgrade you can do. Mcct's can wait

 

I'm actually keeping my Z. Its nice having two completely different bikes. Plus ibhave a bad back and the Z is a wee bit more comfy than the Hawk.

 

Well as of right now the Z is A LOT faster than my Hawk. My Z is also no where near stock cause well stock sucks haha. Main thing that makes the Z so much quicker is mine has -1/+3 hearing so it pulls like a freight train, normally with the front tire well above the road.

 

The only reason I got rid of the Z was I wasn't riding it and the value was dropping while it sat there plus every year I had to sink some money into it to keep it around. Registration, insurance. Money going out for something not being used. I loved the bike. I love the Hawk more! It was great to have a "spare" bike sitting around should the Superhawk be in the shop. Being an older wiser guy I realized I could only ride one bike at a time so it had to go.

 

On the positive side I decided to sell the Z while I was having a new water heater put in my house. I also had central AC put in at the same time while they were there doing the water heater. I told the wife I'd sell the Z to pay for the AC. One of the guys who came to work on the house liked the Z and when I told him it was for sale he bought it right then and there. No advertising required. This time of year with the heat and humidity here in New Hampshire is when I like my central AC. Thank you Z1000!