new guy looking at a '98 - got ?s
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 499
From: Kansas City
new guy looking at a '98 - got ?s
I've found a guy selling a 98 VTR1000 superhawk w/ 50,000 on the odometer...I'm not new to bikes (ride a VTX1800 now), but new to sport bikes and wondering what I should be looking at on this bike for issues/problems before buying.
Motor? suspension? typical problems I should ask about for the '98s?
Any help is greatly appreciated. From snooping around on here a bit, it doesn't look like 50k is a big turn off, but i still want to know what i'm getting into besides a possible CCT or R/R problem.
THanks.
Motor? suspension? typical problems I should ask about for the '98s?
Any help is greatly appreciated. From snooping around on here a bit, it doesn't look like 50k is a big turn off, but i still want to know what i'm getting into besides a possible CCT or R/R problem.
THanks.
Last edited by sassage; Jan 6, 2008 at 09:53 PM. Reason: add info
)
Banned
MotoGP
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,942
From: Lake View Terrace, CA
Well I have a '98, which I bought new in 9\97 and the only part that ever failed is the Regulator\Rectifier and that was towards the end of last year.
I've also had to replace the battery. Besides that it has only been normal wear items. The bike os getting close to 70K miles now and I have better luck with it than some have, but there are no real problems. Some will say the cam chain tensioner are prone to fail but IMHO it's a bit over blown. I finally changed mine this year and would say that if you run the auto tensioners you should probably replace them evey 30K mikes or so. The suspension will be way to soft for your size. You can either get the forks resprung and revalved for youe weight and riding style and the rar shock can also be rebuilt the same way or you can replace it with an aftermarket unit, which ever will make you happiest.
Cheers,
Mike
I've also had to replace the battery. Besides that it has only been normal wear items. The bike os getting close to 70K miles now and I have better luck with it than some have, but there are no real problems. Some will say the cam chain tensioner are prone to fail but IMHO it's a bit over blown. I finally changed mine this year and would say that if you run the auto tensioners you should probably replace them evey 30K mikes or so. The suspension will be way to soft for your size. You can either get the forks resprung and revalved for youe weight and riding style and the rar shock can also be rebuilt the same way or you can replace it with an aftermarket unit, which ever will make you happiest.
Cheers,
Mike
Banned
MotoGP
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,942
From: Lake View Terrace, CA
Hmm?
SuperBike
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,069
From: San Gabriel Valley
Canvass some of the local riders or club racers in your area. They can give you good feedback about who to try and who to avoid to set up your suspension.
Another thing you may want to upgrade to are Heli Bars. They move the position of the clip-ons a little bit outward, which helps alleviate stress on the outside of your wrists (for me it did). The stock clip-ons are a bit narrow.
Another thing you may want to upgrade to are Heli Bars. They move the position of the clip-ons a little bit outward, which helps alleviate stress on the outside of your wrists (for me it did). The stock clip-ons are a bit narrow.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 499
From: Kansas City
Canvass some of the local riders or club racers in your area. They can give you good feedback about who to try and who to avoid to set up your suspension.
Another thing you may want to upgrade to are Heli Bars. They move the position of the clip-ons a little bit outward, which helps alleviate stress on the outside of your wrists (for me it did). The stock clip-ons are a bit narrow.
Another thing you may want to upgrade to are Heli Bars. They move the position of the clip-ons a little bit outward, which helps alleviate stress on the outside of your wrists (for me it did). The stock clip-ons are a bit narrow.
If the deal goes through I figured I would put some miles on before i start spending bucks on bars (although i figure i will need to) and other add-ons.
Unfortunately, there's one guy in front of me who put a couple bucks down to hold the bike...so I'm waiting
Hmm?
SuperBike
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,069
From: San Gabriel Valley
Will see what I can find for local guys...
If the deal goes through I figured I would put some miles on before i start spending bucks on bars (although i figure i will need to) and other add-ons.
Unfortunately, there's one guy in front of me who put a couple bucks down to hold the bike...so I'm waiting
If the deal goes through I figured I would put some miles on before i start spending bucks on bars (although i figure i will need to) and other add-ons.
Unfortunately, there's one guy in front of me who put a couple bucks down to hold the bike...so I'm waiting
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,015
Personally i would pass on the 50K VTR and look for a rarely ridden one. That is of course you are getting a steal on this one for say $2,000. You should be able to find a less ridden bike with-in a days driving distance from your location for $4k.
50K on a bike by someone other than you in my opinion is a risk i would not take unless i knew the owner personally and new how he rode and maintained the bike.
Just my two cents worth..
50K on a bike by someone other than you in my opinion is a risk i would not take unless i knew the owner personally and new how he rode and maintained the bike.
Just my two cents worth..
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,138
From: Austin, Tx
For a bike with 50K on the clock some of this aftermarket stuff may have already been done. Lucky you! I would think the CCT's have been dealt with as well as the R/R. Depending on where you live the steering heads bearings have likely been serviced. Exhausts done? What weight is the rider that currently owns the bike?
Our site admin does some front end work. He did the front end on mine twice last year - but that's another story. $325 from stock - really nice improvement. Rear shock gonna be about a grand. Front brakes need to be dealt with but again, this might have already been done. Many of these modifications - if done right - are as clean as the stock installation just better performing parts.
If you can find one - go look at a bone-stock Superhawk and bring your camera. Take lots of pictures and then compare that equipment with what you're shopping.
Also may be important - most of the modifications use stock parts from other stock bikes - mostly Honda but some have used Suzuki parts and there was one guy on here that did a Yamaha front end transplant - forks, brakes, wheel fender, bars - the whole boat. It looked great when he posted pictures of the project.
Happy Hunting!
Our site admin does some front end work. He did the front end on mine twice last year - but that's another story. $325 from stock - really nice improvement. Rear shock gonna be about a grand. Front brakes need to be dealt with but again, this might have already been done. Many of these modifications - if done right - are as clean as the stock installation just better performing parts.
If you can find one - go look at a bone-stock Superhawk and bring your camera. Take lots of pictures and then compare that equipment with what you're shopping.
Also may be important - most of the modifications use stock parts from other stock bikes - mostly Honda but some have used Suzuki parts and there was one guy on here that did a Yamaha front end transplant - forks, brakes, wheel fender, bars - the whole boat. It looked great when he posted pictures of the project.
Happy Hunting!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 499
From: Kansas City
Personally i would pass on the 50K VTR and look for a rarely ridden one. That is of course you are getting a steal on this one for say $2,000. You should be able to find a less ridden bike with-in a days driving distance from your location for $4k.
50K on a bike by someone other than you in my opinion is a risk i would not take unless i knew the owner personally and new how he rode and maintained the bike.
Just my two cents worth..
50K on a bike by someone other than you in my opinion is a risk i would not take unless i knew the owner personally and new how he rode and maintained the bike.
Just my two cents worth..
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 499
From: Kansas City
For a bike with 50K on the clock some of this aftermarket stuff may have already been done. Lucky you! I would think the CCT's have been dealt with as well as the R/R. Depending on where you live the steering heads bearings have likely been serviced. Exhausts done? What weight is the rider that currently owns the bike?
Our site admin does some front end work. He did the front end on mine twice last year - but that's another story. $325 from stock - really nice improvement. Rear shock gonna be about a grand. Front brakes need to be dealt with but again, this might have already been done. Many of these modifications - if done right - are as clean as the stock installation just better performing parts.
If you can find one - go look at a bone-stock Superhawk and bring your camera. Take lots of pictures and then compare that equipment with what you're shopping.
Also may be important - most of the modifications use stock parts from other stock bikes - mostly Honda but some have used Suzuki parts and there was one guy on here that did a Yamaha front end transplant - forks, brakes, wheel fender, bars - the whole boat. It looked great when he posted pictures of the project.
Happy Hunting!
Our site admin does some front end work. He did the front end on mine twice last year - but that's another story. $325 from stock - really nice improvement. Rear shock gonna be about a grand. Front brakes need to be dealt with but again, this might have already been done. Many of these modifications - if done right - are as clean as the stock installation just better performing parts.
If you can find one - go look at a bone-stock Superhawk and bring your camera. Take lots of pictures and then compare that equipment with what you're shopping.
Also may be important - most of the modifications use stock parts from other stock bikes - mostly Honda but some have used Suzuki parts and there was one guy on here that did a Yamaha front end transplant - forks, brakes, wheel fender, bars - the whole boat. It looked great when he posted pictures of the project.
Happy Hunting!
May try to trade him my '03 Sabre i have for sale
$1k to rework the rear shock or to buy a whole new setup?
I'm not sure how big the current rider is, but he sounds like a scrawny little guy over the phone...so i'm sure i'll have to upgrade the suspension.
for just getting into the sport bike arena, i would like to find one with a few upgrades already done...if the CCT has already been dealt with, a high miles Honda doesn't scare me...they're made to ride for a long time
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 499
From: Kansas City
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,015
This looks like the ride you guys are talking about
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/mcy/530195669.html
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/mcy/530195669.html
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,015
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,138
From: Austin, Tx
congrats, you guys! They're like girls at a ninth grade sock hop. If you want one it will come along. Most times shorter than you think. It's the best hot rod in the business but nobody knows about them. Nobody cares because the cheap Jap bikes have the main road. If I can catch one of them on the open road they back off. The Superhawk owns the road and if I'm on the VFR I can show them what the V-design engine is all about. It's not just about who is doing what on the track - it's about stability and power on the street. I see these Gixxers dancing around like a ballerina on one toe and I say no thanks! The R1's are much better but who wants to ride a blender? The v-twin, v-four design is superior and Honda does it best.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 499
From: Kansas City
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 136
From: Almonte, Ont Canada
Sausage;
I have a clean, well sorted 99 Firestorm for sale.
The listing for it still might be in the classifieds.
Adult rider, original owner, ohlins, racetech, sargent, heli bars and more.....
Ping me at geoffrey dot helmes at sympatico dot ca if you are interested.
Cheers!
G
PS Bike is located near Ottawa, Canada
PPS First come, first served
I have a clean, well sorted 99 Firestorm for sale.
The listing for it still might be in the classifieds.
Adult rider, original owner, ohlins, racetech, sargent, heli bars and more.....
Ping me at geoffrey dot helmes at sympatico dot ca if you are interested.
Cheers!
G
PS Bike is located near Ottawa, Canada
PPS First come, first served
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