New Member...Buying Hawk today 5/23
05-23-2008, 05:11 AM
#1
Junior Member
Squid
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 10
New Member...Buying Hawk today 5/23
Hello everyone,
I am a new member and am going to look/purchase a super hawk today. This will be my third bike - 1st being a 750 nighthawk, 2nd being a VTX1800.
It seems like a great deal I am getting - a 98 w/ 23k miles and two HJC matching helmets for $2600. Blue book says this bike is worth $4300. There is some cosmetic cracks to both upper fairings, but from dropping the bike not due to road rash/accident.
I'm not familiar with this bike at all, so is there anything I should be looking at/for today when I go take it for a test drive?
I am a new member and am going to look/purchase a super hawk today. This will be my third bike - 1st being a 750 nighthawk, 2nd being a VTX1800.
It seems like a great deal I am getting - a 98 w/ 23k miles and two HJC matching helmets for $2600. Blue book says this bike is worth $4300. There is some cosmetic cracks to both upper fairings, but from dropping the bike not due to road rash/accident.
I'm not familiar with this bike at all, so is there anything I should be looking at/for today when I go take it for a test drive?
05-23-2008, 05:24 AM
#2
PB215C
Squid
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Nashua, NH
Posts: 87
check for the hawk studder. if it has aftermarket exhaust and the jets weren't done then it will probrably studder between 3000 and 4000 rpms more so in the lower gears. you can't miss it. Other than that, just look for the same things as any other bike .
05-23-2008, 06:33 AM
#4
Moderator
MotoGP
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: South Texas
Posts: 2,553
Besides the basic overall condition check of things like tires, chain/sprockets, oil, fluids, etc., there are a couple of VTR specific items:
ask about the battery history. Check the regulator rectifier (r/r) which is located under the rear cowl right side (close to your butt when sitting on bike). If it has cooling fins, then it is the upgraded model. If it doesn't, it will need to be replaced.
If the engine makes a loud metallic clanky type sound especially on deceleration, the cam chain tensioners need replacing.
Hope this doesn't sound bad as both of these are easy fixes and overall the VTR is a very, very reliable bike.
ask about the battery history. Check the regulator rectifier (r/r) which is located under the rear cowl right side (close to your butt when sitting on bike). If it has cooling fins, then it is the upgraded model. If it doesn't, it will need to be replaced.
If the engine makes a loud metallic clanky type sound especially on deceleration, the cam chain tensioners need replacing.
Hope this doesn't sound bad as both of these are easy fixes and overall the VTR is a very, very reliable bike.
05-23-2008, 07:33 AM
#9
Senior Member
Superstock
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 499
05-23-2008, 07:46 AM
#10
Junior Member
Squid
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 10
Thanks for the compliments! I see you are well versed in VTX-ology. The "illustrious P-4", boy is that an understatement. As for the chromed switchblades, I never found anyone else having these fiberglass covers chromed either, but I got tons of compliments on them. It took me a while to find a place that was willing to do it. But I like doing things to be unique!
Last edited by xetremex; 05-23-2008 at 08:06 AM.
05-23-2008, 08:10 AM
#11
Senior Member
SuperBike
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 1,572
Welcome aboard! A nice looking VTX indeed! If it still has the stock regulator/rectifier or R/R and is not the later finned replacement you may want to replace it - they have a habit of dying due to overheating... the finned ones, '01 and later, dissipate the heat better and seem to keep on working.
05-23-2008, 08:22 AM
#12
Senior Member
Superstock
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 499
Thanks for the compliments! I see you are well versed in VTX-ology. The "illustrious P-4", boy is that an understatement. As for the chromed switchblades, I never found anyone else having these fiberglass covers chromed either, but I got tons of compliments on them. It took me a while to find a place that was willing to do it. But I like doing things to be unique!
for those out of the loop, startin a P-4 (the intake he had on the VTX) thread on the VTX boards is like starting an oil thread here
so can we expect some custom work when you get your superhawk?
Last edited by sassage; 05-23-2008 at 08:24 AM.
05-23-2008, 08:30 AM
#13
Junior Member
Squid
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 10
Well, I built my VTX through bartering with local/national motorcycle companies by building websites in exchange for parts and the paint job/bodywork. I got the fat tire kit and mono shock setup as well. Yesterday I started calling some contacts to see if anyone is in need of a website so that I can at least get a paint job and body repair for the minor cosmetic issues with the fairings. Time will tell, but I don't plan to sink nearly as much coin into this bike - I learned my lesson last time.
05-23-2008, 08:57 AM
#16
Senior Member
Superstock
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 499
LOL, thanks for the thread comparison on the P-4/Oil.
Well, I built my VTX through bartering with local/national motorcycle companies by building websites in exchange for parts and the paint job/bodywork. I got the fat tire kit and mono shock setup as well. Yesterday I started calling some contacts to see if anyone is in need of a website so that I can at least get a paint job and body repair for the minor cosmetic issues with the fairings. Time will tell, but I don't plan to sink nearly as much coin into this bike - I learned my lesson last time.
Well, I built my VTX through bartering with local/national motorcycle companies by building websites in exchange for parts and the paint job/bodywork. I got the fat tire kit and mono shock setup as well. Yesterday I started calling some contacts to see if anyone is in need of a website so that I can at least get a paint job and body repair for the minor cosmetic issues with the fairings. Time will tell, but I don't plan to sink nearly as much coin into this bike - I learned my lesson last time.
maybe some day
05-23-2008, 07:51 PM
#19
Junior Member
Squid
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 10
Speaking of plastics, has anyone bought anything from this ebay seller? http://motors.search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZelegant4tech
He said he could make me a full set of fairings for the VTR (30 day wait), and based on other sets posted they would be between 300-400 dollars. That to me seems pretty cheap. Please someone let me know because if I can get some skins that cheap then at $2k I find it a very compelling deal.
Last edited by xetremex; 05-23-2008 at 07:56 PM.
05-23-2008, 08:39 PM
#20
Administrator
World Champion
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Fulton, MO
Posts: 105,287
As I knock on wood here, I'll tell you that my '98 still has it's original, non-finned R/R.
Also, let the bike get warm enough that the fan kicks on. When it's hot listen carefully to the motor and if you hear any clicking, clacking, or ticking at idle then the CCTs might be on their way out. It's a very common topic here and all you have to do is search and you'll find a million threads on the subject.
Chain and fluid condition will tell you if the PO has taken care of the bike or not. Most things are usually very fixable and even if the bike has only had 4 or 5 oil changes it's still a Honda and will run for a very long time.
Also, let the bike get warm enough that the fan kicks on. When it's hot listen carefully to the motor and if you hear any clicking, clacking, or ticking at idle then the CCTs might be on their way out. It's a very common topic here and all you have to do is search and you'll find a million threads on the subject.
Chain and fluid condition will tell you if the PO has taken care of the bike or not. Most things are usually very fixable and even if the bike has only had 4 or 5 oil changes it's still a Honda and will run for a very long time.
05-25-2008, 08:20 PM
#22
Member
Squid
Join Date: May 2008
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 42
Hi just bought a '98' Superhawk about a month and a half ago. found the forum a week ago alot of usefull info here. have had several bikes before but this is my first sportbike havin a blast on it. If i knew this bike was so much fun i would have bought one alot sooner. here's the skinny on my bike '98' Superhawk red 14,000 miles corbin seat and corbin beetlebags yoshi pipes. That's about all I can think of. when I can figure out how to resize the image I will post a few pics
Jim
Jim
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