looking at my first superhawk
 

I'm looking into getting an 03 superhawk that is for sale in my area right now, I have looked through the forum but there is an overwhelming amount of info. I have not yet seen it in person, but it has 43k miles and from pictures it looks to be in great condition. what should I make sure to look at when I go see it. Any warnings, advice, etc would be greatly appreciated. Ive read that the cct's often go bad, can i hear them when they are bad? is it likely that there is already a new one put in at 43k or is mileage irrelevent? also its for 3400 bucks, is that a reasonable price I have no clue. Again, anything helps! thank you

If its not far away, the best thing to do is take good photos and post them here. Or post a link to an ad. Is that possible ?
Forum members will provide good info on the bike just by looking at good photos I believe .
At $3,400 , I wouldn't think you need to be in a big hurry.
Otherwise, do research here. Yes its lots of reading , but it will likely save you from grief.
What is your budget to bring a bike like this up to good riding condition?
I found a nice one a year ago. Even so tires, suspension service, CCTs, carb work, brakes and bearings, fluids all take some time and money even before any mods.
Now if you are certain all this has been done recently and done with great care, then that is a different story.
BTW, you will get no warning when a CCT fails. A bike with 43k may or may not have them refitted.

thanks! so is 3400 expensive or cheap, assuming the bike is in good working order? here is the photos on the add
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.sup...cbcc3bb535.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.sup...f634e2dd37.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.sup...8227d57881.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.sup...df16c69326.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.sup...c0383ddd52.jpg

Its so hard to say. Without knowing more information about service done , It could be either .
My observations from non hi resolution photos:
It has been generally well cared for and kept out of the elements.
Tail has been modified.
Grips and windscreen replaced.
Stock exhaust.
Tires look good .
The panels and tank looks to have the original paint with no obvious damage .
I can't tell from photos if CCT has been changed to manual, but you can do that later.
Talk to seller and try to see what he will share about work done .

Price is hard to judge from a few pics as there are many factors. How many others are for sale close to you and what's their ask? There's definitely lower priced ones around me but condition varies. Is this your first motorcycle? I always tell "new" people to look at the chains condition. If the owner takes meticulous care of that, good chance he cares for the rest of the bike. It its bone dry and loose, he may not be the type to do routine maintenance. Looks to me the clutch fluid reservoir shows pretty brown fluid. Routine changing of that is kind of important. If not done, it can gum up the master cylinder and more importantly, the slave cylinder. It's a common issue on these older bike and can show signs of a slipping clutch or poor lever feel.

This is just a sample of some of the things I consider when looking at a used bike. I could go on and on.

As mentioned, those cct's can just go boom any time. IMO, that will need addressed straight away. How mechanically inclined are you?

Something is slightly amiss. The bike has first gen clocks and handlebars. An '03 should be different.
With a flashlight, give a good look inside the gas tank.
How long has it sat without being run? Wolverine is right about the chain and fluid. My guess is that you will have a fair amount of maintenance in front of you.
$3400 is, in my opinion, a bit high.

Yeah, don't think that is an '03. 2000 at best. Pretty sure Yellow wasn't an '03 color, that and with the first gen guages as xeris pointed out, I think this is a '99 or '00. Look at the steering head for the year.

thank you all, I will make sure to check the things you guys have advised and to do the same with the questions. but, regarding the cockpit, does it look normal for a '99 or '00 ? or is it pieced together? also, what tail modification has been done, as hang fly mentioned? side note, it is OBO, so I'm sure I can talk him down

Looks like a standard 2000. I had a yellow one in that vintage, looks proper for it.
More than likely the huge plastic rear fender was hack sawed off. I did the same to mine shortly after getting it.

Yes, cockpit is normal for a '98-'00. I'm pretty sure yellow was only a '99 & '00 color. The front turns are aftermarket. Can't see any rear turns, definitely not stock rear turns. Tail looks normal other than a trimmed rear fender like Wolverine said. I think I see a stock auto CCT on the rear cylinder, but hard to tell in the low res pics. The year will be on the steering head. Look for cracked or broken mounting tabs/around mounting holes in the plastics.