I would advise getting leg protection as well. I was hit last year by a 84yr old woman who never saw me and they only major injuries were to my knee because I wasn't wearing my riding pants that day. Had I been wearing them I'd have gotten off with just some bruises.

As it was my gloves, jacket and boots saved me lots of pain.

 

Superhawk 1000 was my first bike as well! You will love it!

Just remember, let the tires warm up before taking any turns too steep. I ended up wiping out on a patch of gravel right out of my subdivision, going 5mph...

Evines advice is really good. Get some practice in a parking lot, or closed area. Set up some cones if you can, and practice. Remember, wear a helmet even if the law says you dont have to in your state. Gloves also help a lot! Jacket should also be a priority.

 

yes i deffinatly will practice my slow maneuvers as I still have to take the skills test to get my motorcycle endorsement.. I don't know about that cone weave... it looks like I could barley walk the bike through it lol

 

I actually talked to a motorcycle rider a few days ago, who said an older guy taught him a trick.

He used to use his body weight to turn the motorcycle, or lean the motorcycle.

The trick that I have used since riding, and the trick the old guy told him was to physically steer the bike in the opposite direction that you want to go, either by pushing the handlebar of the direction you want to go, or pulling the opposite side, or both!

This will cause you to lean in really really quickly :-)

Just repeat in the opposite direction to get vertical again!

You can use this to slalom around cones, potholes, road hazards really quickly and efficiently!

 

This is called countersteering, and according to physics everyone does it, just not necessarily as consciously as others (at speeds above 10-15mph, anyway).

If you haven't taken classes or anything you could also look into getting a book like this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/193...ef=oss_product

This one helped me a lot and explained a lot of what was going on with the motorcycle and the streets as well as dealing with things you may not have considered before.

And those little boxes are manageable in the right hands, haha!
https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...ad.php?t=23174

 

yeah I got the counter steering down.. that was one of those things I didn't really understand until I actually got on and started riding. I don't think it will be a problem though I'm sure ill do fine with just a little practice.

give me a few months.

 

Right on, yet another AZ Hawker!

 

Great! how many of you all are here?
because I have never seen a superhawk before I got mine.

...btw I'm already ordering goods off ebay for it! ahh I love it.

 

There are presently 5194 members on the "Unofficial" Superhawk Forum.

I bought mine new in August, 2005, and I've seen no more than 20 other SuperHawks on the road here in Southern California. The later model VTR's didn't sell too well at the dealers. Most sportbike riders want racer replica I4's like they see at the races...don't let them in on the secret.

To show you how few were sold around here, my VIN is 00028, and I bought it at the end of the model year. The dealer wouldn't even get one in for me to look at until I put $500 down.

 

I think he meant SHF members in AZ, and there are a decent number of us.. 8 others I have met in person so far.

 

welcome to the forum and to the world of street riding. You said left side drop, but what happened to the tank and engine case on the right?

The thing that concerns me mostly is that the first year or two of riding is the most dangerous period since you're unfamiliar with operating a bike in traffic and all the elementary mistakes that can ruin your day. When i find a person like yourself, I try to get them to follow me as much as possible so he can learn by watching, and stop often for questions and discussion to explain all the possible scenarios and reasons for where to position the bike and how to make yourself most visible which gives you the best chance for accident avoidance.

There's so much to learn and it helps to have an experienced rider to guide you into the right habits before you develop bad ones that will bite you or set you up for getting bitten. If you don't have a riding mentor, start reading fast and furious, analyze everything, and stay focused and aware of everything and everybody around you.

The other recommendation is to stay away from traffic turmoil as much as possible until you are totally familiar with all operations of the bike. "Break a leg" captain, and let's just forget the "crunch" part.haha

 

Same same............Congrats!

 

Nice bike. My Superhawk was my first bike 6 years ago and I've never looked back. MSF course was my only bike experience. Just take it one step at a time and you should be fine especially with your dirt experience. I had never even ridden a dirt bike. Hang out on the back streets and roads to get comfortable.

Like others have said, if you can find an experienced friend who is NOT a jackass to show you the ropes of street riding, you'll be much better for it.