Pulled the trigger
02-21-2009, 04:20 AM
#1
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Pulled the trigger
I'm the proud owner of a 2004 Black SuperHawk. Bought it last night. It's been sitting on the showroom at Heart of Dixie Harley Davidson since April. Needless to say, the battery is hammered. I'm letting them try to charge it overnight and plan to pick it up this afternoon. When I get it home I get a pic up...well yall know what it looks like. It's bone stock with 11,000 miles.
Confession: This is my first sport bike
Confession: This is my first sport bike
Last edited by aka Yamadog; 02-21-2009 at 07:31 AM.
02-21-2009, 06:12 AM
#3
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What were you riding before? The 'hawk was my first sportbike as well, but I'd been on a '76 KZ and a '00 V-Star 650 for significant miles before coming over to the dark side. Welcome by the way...
The Superhawk isn't actually all that bad as a first sportbike, since the power is very linear. 600 supersports are probably worse since they now have more peak horsepower, but it's made way up in the stratosphere instead of across the board like the 'hawk. All that said, be careful with it, and have fun!
The Superhawk isn't actually all that bad as a first sportbike, since the power is very linear. 600 supersports are probably worse since they now have more peak horsepower, but it's made way up in the stratosphere instead of across the board like the 'hawk. All that said, be careful with it, and have fun!
02-21-2009, 07:29 AM
#7
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I'm the proud owner of a 2004 Black SuperHawk. Bought it last night. It's been sitting on the showroom at Heart of Dixie Harley Davidson since April. Needless to say, the battery is hammered. I'm letting them try to charge it overnight and plan to pick it up this afternoon. When I get it home I get a pic up...well yall know what it looks like. It's bone stock with 11,000 miles.
Confession: This is my first sport bike
Confession: This is my first sport bike
I see many mods in ur future
02-21-2009, 07:42 AM
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Thanks all...Yes I'll be careful...closest past ride was a Gen 1 FZ1. It had some zoom but I dont think it had the bottom the SuperHawk will prove to have. I had dropped a tooth on the front and the front end was very floatable but the power delivery was extremely smooth with a little boost at 8300RPM. I'm thinking the SuperHawk will be like flipping on an intense light(can you say mousetrap) first thing in the AM
02-21-2009, 09:26 AM
#9
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The superhawk is very easy to ride and has the most linear power delivery of any bike I've ridden. Like everyone has said, be careful (because it's your first sportbike) but you'll be fine as long you are.
Edit: I just re-read the long list of bikes in your post, you're obviously not a n00b. You'll be fine, enjoy.
Edit: I just re-read the long list of bikes in your post, you're obviously not a n00b. You'll be fine, enjoy.
Last edited by jbaxx; 02-21-2009 at 09:29 AM.
02-21-2009, 12:11 PM
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Many of us
Find that we just don't push that hard anymore. That the handling capabilities of a comfortable cruiser are sufficient for how we ride. And the whack of a single pin crank twin is hypnotic.I straddle the line, bought my VTR last year.
But I could have a Harley too....... Or the new Star 950...
02-21-2009, 12:38 PM
#13
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I test rode quite a few cruisers in the past two years and found that they offered nothing that the VTR (or standards) did not offer. They were heavier, more uncomfortable, offered inferior handling and braking, and much less power (in every rpm register; the crap about arm-stretching torque is a fable trust me). In short, they were inferior motorcycles from every possible objective measure. On the other hand, a bike like the Bandit 1250 is as close to the ultimate do-it-all streetbike as you can find (and it doesn't need to be ridden at ten-tenths to be enjoyed). I never understood the cruiser thing and, having ridden a fair number of them of late, understand it even less.... I can only see one reason to buy a cruiser, for posing and that just isn't my thing.
02-21-2009, 01:14 PM
#14
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Join Date: Jul 2008
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my buddy went to rcmp training in regina sk. he stored his volusia 800 here and in return told me to ride it. i did. quite a bit. it is different and i found relaxing was part of it. my major gripe was the pounding my back took. the myth of cruisers being comfortable is far from reality. i get quite a chuckle when cruiser riders comment on my gix or vtr "must be SOOO uncomfortable!!!"
i look at the goldwings and st1300s and notice their weight distribution between feet/bum/hands. my guess is that the bandit has a good weight distribution too.
back to aka yamadog - where are the pics of the new bike??? hahahaha
i look at the goldwings and st1300s and notice their weight distribution between feet/bum/hands. my guess is that the bandit has a good weight distribution too.
back to aka yamadog - where are the pics of the new bike??? hahahaha
02-21-2009, 01:38 PM
#15
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Welcome, you will enjoy it. The VTR was my first sport bike as well (previous was a Shadow) and I found it very easy to ride as long as you take it easy at first. Enjoy your new ride and keep it shiny side up
02-21-2009, 03:18 PM
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I've been here for not too long and have been reading a lot of the posts these knowledgable folks share. There is excellent information here and if you can't find it via the search function, just ask and someone will answer.tyronne
02-21-2009, 03:46 PM
#17
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New VTR owner
Like you, just bought a Super Hawk. After a 30 year sabbatical, thought I wanted a sport-touring bike. Got a little apprehensive about all that weight and expense after so long not riding. Saw a Super Hawk in a local dealer's add and loved the looks. Researched the bike on internet and learned about it's relatively light weight and linear power curve. I've been thinking I want to change the ergos a bit (bars back and up, higher screen and better seat), but really need to ride it to know what I've got and how it feels. Can't wait to ride it, but we're still well iced in and expecting another foot of snow tomorrow. Got a great deal on a leather jacket fron Newenough.com last week. I'll post a photo when I can get it out of the shed and take a decent one. Bring yours up to New England and I'll show you some nice roads!
02-21-2009, 05:34 PM
#19
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Well the first ride was exciting. I was nervous but after 50 miles or so I started to get comfortable. I kept all the rubber on the ground and never cracked the throttle past 3/4. I need some seat time to really evaluate it. It has little in common with any bike I've owned in the past.
I'm going to jump right in to making a few changes. The suspension does not have enough rebound dampening and may be a little soft. I'll research the carb/exhaust combination. The riding position was fine which surprised me... being such an old guy.
I'll get the pics up tomorrow
I'm going to jump right in to making a few changes. The suspension does not have enough rebound dampening and may be a little soft. I'll research the carb/exhaust combination. The riding position was fine which surprised me... being such an old guy.
I'll get the pics up tomorrow
02-21-2009, 06:02 PM
#20
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The riding position of the VTR will take the weight off your wrists at freeway speeds. That's the advantage over a cruiser, where you are pulling yourself up to the bars at speed. Not too comfortable around town though.
The best thing I did was to buy a Sargent seat. It makes a BIG difference in comfort.
The best thing I did was to buy a Sargent seat. It makes a BIG difference in comfort.
02-21-2009, 08:59 PM
#21
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Congrats on the purchase... you'll be more than satisfied. You're a lucky man having a VTR1000F & a K1200LT in the garage. I sold my K1200LT last year, but not before a very nice 3k mile PCH trip. What a great bike, it totally changed my opinion on BMW motorcycles!
+1 on the sargent seat!
+1 on the sargent seat!
02-22-2009, 04:38 AM
#23
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I noticed the Operating Temp varied widely. 185deg F-215 deg F. It was a cool day in the mid 50's. It acted like a thermostat stuck partially closed. Both fans come on while in traffic...no surprise here. At constant speed...50 to 90 mph temp ranged from 185 to 214 degrees F. This normal? or shpold I start trouble shooting?
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