BatmanX

Looking to buy a SH.

One in my sights: 2002 with 6200 miles at a dealership. But it is red . I figure offer them 4,000 for it (asking 4500) ride it until winter, then have someone refinish the parts and tank.
Tires look decent, very clean.
Has Yosh pipes on it.
Tires look ok - probably need new ones next Spring.

Thoughts?

Look forward to hanging around!
Lots of great info here.

drew_c14

Welcome!

I've bought many cars and bikes that had a color other than what I was looking for. I've found that in the end they always grow on you.

The price sounds fair, 4000 I mean, I wouldn't go much above that. Offer them maybe 4250 out the door. (tax, tag, title)

Hope it works out for you and you can decide to join us here, lots of smart people who are always wiling to help.

Steve30v

Welcome to the SH world. I just got mine in may (Red) and I LOVE it. I'd ride it everyday if I could. $4000 is decent price, but if you feel comfortable buying from private parties, I see quite a few SHs on auction sites and in classifieds that are priced well too. As for the color, do a few searches and you'll see that red is the fastest color.

RickB

Welcome aboard.... Red is a nice color

Chitownson

Red will grow on you - I commute with a tank bag that covers the Honda tank logos and when people hear the rumble they often ask what kind of bike it is. I ride with alot of Ducati owners and when I mention painting it they freak since red is their flagship color.

nuhawk

Red is the default color of the bike but not what is "current." I think the black fad (especially flat black) is not only ugly it's dangerous. Hi-gloss black looks good on the Superhawk because of the red decals and the accent of the frame but on other bikes it's not nearly as visible.

BatmanX

Woohoo! Found one more to my liking locally.
A BLACK 04 with 8,000 miles.

Asking 6500. I will offer 6,000.
This is the one I was looking for.

Red is not my color - if there was a yellow one, I would take that (had a 00 CBR 600 F4 Black/Yellow).

You know, I have been thinking about it - so many motos with so few miles....what is wrong with people?

I averaged 9,000/yr on my CBR. Why spend all of that money and let it sit? Posers? sheesh.

nuhawk

We looked at an 04 with 5500 miles, black and priced at $5300. It had been sitting and when the owner started it it stuttered while cold but never ran smooth. He advertised it as perfect but someone had used an eraser wheel to take the wings off the gas tank and completely messed up the finish. The high-mounts were also corroded telling me the bike was outside for some time. I offered him $4300 because I was going to gut the bike for parts anyway. Turns out he had a loan on the bike and was already upside down and I think I hurt his feelings.

Look the bike over very carefully. Bring a blanket or old rug that you can throw down to look at the bike from the bottom side. Bring a flashlight. Make sure he's got the title and isn't ashamed to show it to you. Look for missing fasteners - at $3-4 each at the dealership these can mount up. After everything looks good - start it. Run it until the temp shows up into the low temp zone (150) - regardless of how it started it should be clean by now and idling smoothly. The fan should come on about 190 (I think). The fan (usually always reliable) is not a required test - may make the owner uncomfortable as well because it does get hot.

Good luck and I hope you find your dream machine! If not, buy one that you can build into "that" bike.

Hawkrider

Fan should come on at 210 IIRC.

BatmanX

Awesome replies - thanks everyone.

I will use this info as well as the other threads titled similar to "what to look for".

After having the CBR - I am having a hard time leaving the Honda team, they just ride better and the sound is second to none with the right pipe. (I had a CF Two Brothers Oval)

Igmortis

Welcome.....My Red one gets plentyolooks.....had a chick in Austin at the ROT Rally stop and take a pic of my scooter and it was surrounded by a lot of really nice hogs!! On top of that red just goes faster!!

Hammer7205

Welcome to the forum - i just bought a used SH this year ('99 w/ 4ooo miles..) - but I purchased it through a dealer w/ a warranty. The bike (so far) is dependable as hell, runs good and has no problems. If you get into mods, defenitely listen to these guys, they know their sh_t and can be helpful. Don't listen to them on the colour though, we all know the black ones are a heap of alot faster......

swordfish

the only down side to red is it attracts more attention. wanted and unwanted. but when you're a bad *** motorcycle hero, you're not afraid of drawing attention. you dare your enemies to challenge you! perfect example: Manfred Von Richtoffen. I'm out. (drops the microphone and walks away)

nineighthawk