Randomly stumbled across an '02 Hawk with 32,000kms yesterday going for $3400 all in. Took her for a test run today and omg what a ride, so much torque. My question to all the forum gurus is: is she a worthy first bike? I love the sound and the torque. She's gotten galpher brake lines, bmx style pegs, led lights, clean history. I'm 6'3" 240lbs, I fit great, I'm just having buyers anxiety.

 

It was my first bike. With the torque, riding position, ease of handling, honda reliability and how easy it is to work on I cant see myself getting anything else for the street. Maybe another sportier twin for the track, but I dont plan to get rid of it, ever.

 

Thanks Aja, the only thing holding me back currently is the 32k km's (20,000 miles)

 

If you have never ridden before at all, a big V-twin isn't a very forgiving first choice of bike... But if you have some experience on gravel, or on a small bike, or if you are a think before you act kind of person, it's however a great choice...

It's less likely to get you into trouble than a liter IL4, but if you are hamfisted with the throttle, it will toss you off a lot easier and a lot farther than an IL4 600 or similar can manage... However, if you take it easy, and don't poke it with a big stick, it's a forgiving beast that has all the speed and grunt to get you out of trouble just as easy as getting into trouble, once you learn how to handle your end of the deal...

That mileage isn't even an issue, that's about right for a break in period on the engine, now it's time to hammer it properly... Seriously, if you take care of the bike, swap the right parts/fluids at the right times, it will most likely outlast you twice over, even if you ride it long miles on a daily basis...

On these bikes, completely regardless of age and mileage, there are two things that tends to fail without any prior warning, the cam chain tensioners (CCT), and the Regulator/Rectifier (R/R)... Both are cheap and easy to fix, and once you have done that, the bike is near bulletproof with regular maintainance... Search the threads that already exist to skip the newbie questions...

With you being a fairly large guy, like a lot of us here, you will most likely find that the suspension is way to soft, especially in the front... It might not be apparent as an inexperienced rider, and you might think "It's all right, I'm just learning, not pushing it..." But the fact of the matter is, with your weight, you have almost zero room for error before the suspension is overtaxed, and you loose traction, which is hard to handle with experience, and almost impossible if you haven't got the experience...

It's a common beginners error to go into a corner to hot... And with no more give in the fork, the front slides out from under you... With proper suspension, you like the rest of the beginners will just need to go home and change your underwear...

If I where buying that bike, I'd factor in some $150-200 in the budget to have one of the guys here that are the "suspension guru's" swap in the correct springs and setup the forks for you... It will be worth it, and you will feel much more confident on the bike, with proper suspension helping you to learn...

Not trying to put you off buying the bike, just an honest opinion... I'm 6'4" 210-220 myself, so I know how badly the stock fork copes with that weight...

 

A smaller bike is advisable for a first bike. Some of the best riders learned their limits and how to ride on a smaller bike.

 

I guess I should clear up that this is my first street bike, I grew up racing motorcross so I did have motorcycle experience.

But don't let your head get big, take it slow, and build skill before speed. Do you have any riding experience?

 

Thanks for all the input! I went to a local riding school 2 years ago and last summer I had a 250 ninja that I put 5000kms on it was a family members

 

Well, with that background, you are still definetly "a beginner", but it shouldn't be a problem to learn more on a VTR... Just mind the throttle... It has enough grunt to flick you off in an instant, and it doesn't put up with foolish behavior as the ninja would...

But my advice is still the same, upgrade the front springs to something remotely correct for your weight before you do anything else but maintainance...

 

GMatic

I would make sure the bike has been maintained & CCT, etc. that Tweety stated has been taking care of.

If U buy, take it easy & learn the bike. ALWAYS Ride within ur limits, Not somebody else's.

I've seen & heard of too many people riding hard w/ others & try to keep up or show off & end up hurt or worse, dead. Don't be one of those peeps.

Lastly, if U like the VTR. Next season change the suspension, with ur weight U will tax the suspension in turns when ridden hard.

Wear the correct gear & Be Safe!!