Possible 2002 Superhawk Purchase
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Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 10
Possible 2002 Superhawk Purchase
I am considering buying a 2002 Superhawk. The guy wants $3200. Good deal ? It has 3500 original miles. It is red and has a slightly damaged front fender. Adult owner. What should I look for problem wise ? We have 10% ethanol here in Upstate NY. Does it affect the carbs ? I had a '99 Superhawk about 10 years ago and am thinking about getting another ! Are there differences between the '99 and the 2002 ? Thanks for any help !! Lee
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Squid
Squid
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 78
From: Bremerton WA
Not much difference, maybe the speedo and the tach are different. The later models I think had better rectifiers with fins. Other people would know the differences, or do a search. You'll want to retrofit a new rectifier from a later model bike anyway, so that is not important.
$3200 is a good price for an almost new bike. But figure on replacing the tires if they are older than 2 years, they get hard and less sticky. So if they are original they are junk and plan on spending at least $300 for tires.
If you are happy with a stock bike that is a good deal. If you want to do some upgrades (better seat, Pipes, APES, braided lines, better brakes, springs, etc.) You'd be better off buying one that is already set up like you wanted, even if its more $, and more miles. Aftermarket parts are expensive. These bikes can go for a lot of miles if taken care of , so 3,500 miles or even 23,500 miles is nothing really if bike was taken care of.
Having a bike that has never been down, and is cosmetically perfect except the front fender is worth the $3200 if the bike is pristine, and you want one that way.
Since the bike is so low in miles, make sure it is running good and not missing bad on the carbs from old bad fuel. Not hard to clean the carbs, but it gives you some wiggle room on the price. A dealer would want $200 to clean the carbs, probably. I wouldn't worry about only 10% ethanol.
$3200 is a good price for an almost new bike. But figure on replacing the tires if they are older than 2 years, they get hard and less sticky. So if they are original they are junk and plan on spending at least $300 for tires.
If you are happy with a stock bike that is a good deal. If you want to do some upgrades (better seat, Pipes, APES, braided lines, better brakes, springs, etc.) You'd be better off buying one that is already set up like you wanted, even if its more $, and more miles. Aftermarket parts are expensive. These bikes can go for a lot of miles if taken care of , so 3,500 miles or even 23,500 miles is nothing really if bike was taken care of.
Having a bike that has never been down, and is cosmetically perfect except the front fender is worth the $3200 if the bike is pristine, and you want one that way.
Since the bike is so low in miles, make sure it is running good and not missing bad on the carbs from old bad fuel. Not hard to clean the carbs, but it gives you some wiggle room on the price. A dealer would want $200 to clean the carbs, probably. I wouldn't worry about only 10% ethanol.
Senior Member
SuperSport
SuperSport
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 521
From: Tampa Florida
Mine was 3300 for a 2000 with 28k. Mine was a nightmare. Get it checked out if you can
02-25-11 Holy Freaking crap Go Eco Green Machines screwed up big time. « Just a Geek On a Bike
02-25-11 Holy Freaking crap Go Eco Green Machines screwed up big time. « Just a Geek On a Bike
Retired- but not tired!
SuperBike
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,481
From: Pittsburgh
A few weeks ago I paid $3500 for a red 2002 with just over 4,000 miles on it. It had brand new Pirelli tires, and no damage whatsoever and new battery. The seller threw in a helmet and workstand for the asking price. The owner's manual indicates 10% Ethanol is fine. Just make sure it's 86 Octane minimum.
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MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,871
From: Phoenix, AZ
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,452
From: San Clemente, CA
Sounds like a good deal.
But with an average of 400 miles ridden per year, I'd say a carb cleaning is in order. My '05 has over 47,000 miles. Carbs tend to gum up when a bike isn't ridden regularly, and I've cleaned mine twice in the last year.
But with an average of 400 miles ridden per year, I'd say a carb cleaning is in order. My '05 has over 47,000 miles. Carbs tend to gum up when a bike isn't ridden regularly, and I've cleaned mine twice in the last year.
Member
Squid
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 85
From: NorCal
Use seafoam or sta-bil Everytime you ride and you will have no problems.
Umm...I'm awesome. Duh...
Squid
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 87
From: daytona beach, fl
i just learned somenthing haha. ive spent my whole life by the beach and never been up in the mountains or off the eastern seaboard for that matter so i thought 87 was the standard minimum
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,452
From: San Clemente, CA
I first cleaned my carbs a little over a year ago when one of the pilot jets plugged, causing a dead misfire. My bike had 38,000 miles on it at that time. Then the next week I got rear-ended at a red light, and the repair took 2 months with my bike sitting in the dealer's shop that whole time. So I cleaned them again when I got it back with my slip-ons and went up one size on the pilots.
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