Hello again folks,

I'm new to this forum, and the VTR1000. I am not a top-end / racer type. I just want a fun, torquey, comfortable bike to ride for fun and possibly to commute on.

I am not new to motorcycles. I have been riding for 20 years. Most of the bikes I have ridden have been "standard" motorcycles. I like the looks, and riding position, of the standard "naked" bikes.

Since my friend brought up the fact that he has, and wants to sell, his Super Hawk, I have tried to read up on the machine. My interest has increased with all that I have read. Now, I just want to ride one and see for myself...

I am very aware of Honda's reputation for fit and quality. This makes the Super Hawk more interesting.

I may have some ignorant questions, so please bear with me. I appreciate all the help.


roadapple

 

Welcome aboard.

 

Fire away with the questions. We're all here to help.

Shameless indescrete subliminal message: You should buy it!

 

Thanks for all the help!

I've been looking for a good, fun, reliable bike with support from the manufacturer. I've looked at the Suzuki DL1000, and DL650. I looked in the V-Strom forums and found many complaints about the bikes, not to mention Suzuki's reluctance to make things right for the customers who have had problems.

Everyone I have talked to stated that Hondas are not only quality machines, with fit and finish above par, but Honda stands behind their products.

I'm thinking seriously about buying my friends Super Hawk. I am really looking for a light, and fun, touring machine (which the V-Strom appears to fill the bill), but I do not want to be left holding on to a machine that just doesn't work, and a manufacturer that is indifferent once the sale is made.

I want to ride, not wait on the dealer to try to make the bike run like it is supposed to do in the first place.

I like the Honda 919, the Super Hawk, and just about any Honda I have ridden over the years.

I have never owned a Honda. I have owned a 1981 Kawasaki 440 LTD, a 1988 Harley 883 Sportster, a 1982 Harley FXRS, a 1966 BSA Hornet, and currently, a 1992 Harley 1200 Sportster.

I like the naked bikes, but I'd like something comfortable for long rides, and maybe some moderate touring.

Thanks again.

 

The only "negative" with the VTR in your request is it was created as a sport machine not a race replica nor a touring bike. It doesn't have a long range in stock form. If you are a novice in that regard this really isn't a negative as many folks want a break about the same time the bike wants more fuel.

Your sportsters have about the same or maybe even less range depending on your right hand. The VTR will absolutely blow all your former rides away in accelleration, handling, braking, suspension compliance, wheeling (heh,heh, heh), and sheer grin factor.

The VTR1000F is very reliable and only two issues pop up way down the road: R/R's and chain tensioners, both with easy and relatively cheap fixes.

Hey, I just noticed you're in Texas. Buy mine!

 

I'll just add that, at least in stock form, although it's not as bad as the race replicas it's not particularly comfortable for long hauls. The bars are fairly low and the seat kinda sucks. There are easy and relatively inexpensive fixes for these problems though.

 

What are "R/R's"?

 

regulator/rectifier - like the alternator on your car. Little pieces, little price, ho-hum repair. They can be tricky though as some don't just outright fail. They kinda. Unfortunately whether they outright fail or kinda it will put you on the side of the road. Usually there are tell-tale signs that the machine is developing a problem. Usually it involves the battery gradually losing power. There is a lot of info in the archives if you search keyword rectifier or regulator.