hello new to sportbikes just bought a 99 superhawk
Thread Starter
99 superhawk
Superstock
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 256
From: jasper Ga.
hello new to sportbikes just bought a 99 superhawk
just wanted to say hello, an somewhat older rider here @ 49. had many bikes (mostly dirt and some road), but just fell in love with the sound and looks of this superhawk. Paid 2500. for it and yeah it has its problems. seems the previous owner dropped it and scuffed it up a little ( not bad cept for the tank is dented pretty good) looks like I am gonna have to find a yellow replacement tank for the ol girl, also the rear brake lever is cracked. whats the average price or even availablity for these (what would you do ) I guess is what I am asking.
As I just perchased the bike and it was raining I loaded it up and have yet to actually ride it (maybe tomorrow weather permitting) and see how it feels on one of these lol. Anticipation !!!!
As I just perchased the bike and it was raining I loaded it up and have yet to actually ride it (maybe tomorrow weather permitting) and see how it feels on one of these lol. Anticipation !!!!
Member
Squid
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 50
From: MI
just ride it
I'd leave the tank alone as long as it doesn't leak.
Ride it a while before investing in cosmetics.
comfort and sound are more important and urgent than curb appeal
As dirt biker you may enjoy it more with supebike bars.
Ride it a while before investing in cosmetics.
comfort and sound are more important and urgent than curb appeal
As dirt biker you may enjoy it more with supebike bars.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,090
From: Big Lick
tough to find good used tanks in a particular color. Consider finding any that works and have it painted.
Keep an eye on ebay. often there are parts that pop up from those parting out bikes.
Do yourself a HUGE favor and plan a trip to Road Atlanta with a company such as STT. Getting these bikes on the track for a fun day will help you understand what sport bikes are meant for. It did for me and I'm addicted!
Keep an eye on ebay. often there are parts that pop up from those parting out bikes.
Do yourself a HUGE favor and plan a trip to Road Atlanta with a company such as STT. Getting these bikes on the track for a fun day will help you understand what sport bikes are meant for. It did for me and I'm addicted!
Thread Starter
99 superhawk
Superstock
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 256
From: jasper Ga.
thanks I will keep that in mind . First just getting used to it in the little runs around home and town, venturing out a little farther each time lol. probably a liitle of a worrywart as yet (due to mostly unfamilliar operational sounds of this bike IE rattles, etc. not sure about a lot of it yet. Still trying to get more money saved up to get it serviced as I know little about working on it yet (i do read the tech forums here and a lot of it is cool, however actually digging into the bike is a whole nother story that I am skiddish about lol). does need a full service and tune-up as well as new tires. Last owner did absolutely notta in this respect ( however on his behalf I will add he only had put 2000 miles on it and didn't own it long ) a college guy 21yo. same age as my son (whom wouldn't know to check oil lol). I am still looking in the forums to gleem tidbits here and there on things like tires/ oil/ noises/ rpm ranges etc. wishing there as someone closer to check it out who has one of these. However seems around here these are rare and a lot of guys ask me about it or come up to me and say "man I love your bike" lol
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,452
From: San Clemente, CA
Welcome!
Oh to be only 49 again... but then I wouldn't be retired and able to ride the twisties whenever I want., like the last 2 days.
These bikes sound like a sewing machine with stock exhaust, a lot of whining and high pitched screeching... that's normal. However some noises are not, such as rhythmic ticking which could be loose valves.
As for their rarity, I've seen no more than 20 other Superhawks since I bought mine 6 years ago. And I've seen about 2000 Ducati's in that same time period.
Stay safe and enjoy the torque!
Oh to be only 49 again... but then I wouldn't be retired and able to ride the twisties whenever I want., like the last 2 days.
These bikes sound like a sewing machine with stock exhaust, a lot of whining and high pitched screeching... that's normal. However some noises are not, such as rhythmic ticking which could be loose valves.
As for their rarity, I've seen no more than 20 other Superhawks since I bought mine 6 years ago. And I've seen about 2000 Ducati's in that same time period.
Stay safe and enjoy the torque!
Last edited by VTRsurfer; Jun 28, 2011 at 07:35 PM.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,066
From: NYC
A very smart purchase. After years of riding CBRs I jumped on one of these as soon as I could. BEST BIKE EVER.
Look on ebay for the brake lever, also post a WTB notice on here. Dont ride it with a ? as to whether the rear brake is there, you could die that way.
Ditto on the tank, yellow is more rare so maybe a different color or fix the dent + paint it.
Look on ebay for the brake lever, also post a WTB notice on here. Dont ride it with a ? as to whether the rear brake is there, you could die that way.
Ditto on the tank, yellow is more rare so maybe a different color or fix the dent + paint it.
SportTouring
Superstock
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 274
From: Hawaii
Aloha, And Welcome to the Forum! Lots of Very Knowledgable and Informed Riders here.
I have learned alot and am still learning. Also lots of good deals come up for replacement and spare parts should you need them. Do searches for questions you have
There is a wealth of knowledge here. Ride Well and Enjoy!
I have learned alot and am still learning. Also lots of good deals come up for replacement and spare parts should you need them. Do searches for questions you have
There is a wealth of knowledge here. Ride Well and Enjoy!
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 530
From: Central Fl.
Uh, yeah, welcome. Welcome to the geriatric ward of the sport bike geezer hostel. Forty nine? Why, when I was forty nine I was just figuring out that old age and treachery will overcome youth and talent every time.
I will crank past sixty this year and am still exploring the last quarter turn of my throttle whilst dreading getting noticed by the LEOs. 'Course the last one to pull me over declined to write the citation and instead just told me that I was to old to do that sh*t.
Forty nine with a sport bike. The best is yet to come. Trust me on that.
I will crank past sixty this year and am still exploring the last quarter turn of my throttle whilst dreading getting noticed by the LEOs. 'Course the last one to pull me over declined to write the citation and instead just told me that I was to old to do that sh*t.
Forty nine with a sport bike. The best is yet to come. Trust me on that.
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 231
From: Saint Paul, MN
No more road racing for me, but I sure get a kick out of occasionally rolling on the throttle and feeling the front wheel hover in the air for a couple seconds. I honestly can't recall a bike that's been as fun to ride as my Superhawk -- and I've had a lot of bikes.
Thread Starter
99 superhawk
Superstock
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 256
From: jasper Ga.
thanks guys... makes me feel better, thought I was out of place for a while there as to my age lmao (due to all I see riding the sportsbikes around are 20yo's lol) good to know us ol' coots tool around as well.
turn 50 in july (whew its close). feel lucky tho as I still have full head of dark hair and a wolverine mutton (no grey yet) of course those dern wrinkles are sneaking up on me..figured the sport bike cruising would smooth those out NO???? lmao
been checking e-bay for the tanks to pop up but lordy never thought they would be that expensive when I looked , same goes for front tires @@@@ they want a fortune for these tires and mount them. Oh well guess I will just have to save up for a while. (too many other bills to keep at bay + a vacation cumming up in a month)
oh and for the rear brake lever it is cracked , however is still strong and works just keeping an eye out for 1 to replace it when I can.
Wes
turn 50 in july (whew its close). feel lucky tho as I still have full head of dark hair and a wolverine mutton (no grey yet) of course those dern wrinkles are sneaking up on me..figured the sport bike cruising would smooth those out NO???? lmao
been checking e-bay for the tanks to pop up but lordy never thought they would be that expensive when I looked , same goes for front tires @@@@ they want a fortune for these tires and mount them. Oh well guess I will just have to save up for a while. (too many other bills to keep at bay + a vacation cumming up in a month)
oh and for the rear brake lever it is cracked , however is still strong and works just keeping an eye out for 1 to replace it when I can.
Wes
Last edited by wsharpman; Jun 29, 2011 at 12:56 PM.
Thread Starter
99 superhawk
Superstock
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 256
From: jasper Ga.
find myself lately just searching my brain for reasons to go out on it lol. But not very far yet due to need to get a front tire, getting one here in town $165 mounted and balanced a dunlop.
just got my q2 radials mounted ahh so much better a ride *(happy) first thing I noticed was that it leaned so good and flicked great, second was those annoying cracks running down the roads in the left line of travel on the lanes my new tires weren't following no more v'd tires lol
just got my q2 radials mounted ahh so much better a ride *(happy) first thing I noticed was that it leaned so good and flicked great, second was those annoying cracks running down the roads in the left line of travel on the lanes my new tires weren't following
no more v'd tires lol
Last edited by wsharpman; Jul 13, 2011 at 03:17 PM.
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