A dealer within 1 1/2 hours from me has a couple of new, leftover 2003 Superhawks for $5999.00 +fees. I'm thinking thats a pretty good price since they MSRP for about $8500.00. My questions to you experienced VTR owners concerns the suitability of this bike for my uses.
First, I'm a 52 year old rider with over 40 years of riding (off road until I was 15 1/2 when I got my street permit).I've owned about 18 bikes-all street legal.Many were dual sports-the rest street bikes. Sizes ranged from 90cc to 1000cc. The sportiest bike I've owned was a Kawasaki 500 Ninja.
I'm sure the VTR would be fine for my 55 mile commute, and general running around, and weekend fun rides. I also need to be able to take trips two-up on my next bike.This is where I'm unsure of the VTR.Can they be set up for reasonable passenger comfort?I wouldn't be doing high pressure travelling, but would need to be able to do, say, 300 mile days or so on occasion.I understand the range-limited by the small gas tank and not too good of gas mileage in mpg, and stopping every 100 miles or so would be okay.
I would need to be able to take 2-3 weekend trips, and maybe 1 4-6 day trip per year.
For the money, these just seem to be pretty attractive to me.

Thanks for your comments.
Jon Neet

 

Jon,

The price is certainly excellent.

As for passenger comfort I'm going to note it depends on the flexibility of your passenger. I have a number of bikes, including some excellent for passengers, and she simply loves riding on the back of the VTR.. mostly because it is a fun 100 mile ride bike. Haven't tried going farther together. Could easily do it, but somewhere between 200-300 miles she may wish she was on something else... but would be fine. It is your call in a way.

This I know, this is one of the best backroad bikes around. The exhaust note will serenade you. It is reliable. I would lean towards getting it given your situation, your interests, and your recognition of the VTR's workaround areas.

 

No! Go away we don't want any new Superhawk owners, they're ours we don't want to share! The only thing that I see being an issue is it's lack of luggage for the longer trips you want to do. There are some options such as Corbin beetle bags and some soft luggage but if that's not a problem then I say go for it. Corbin also carries a gunfighter and lady seat wich has a back rest that inserts into the back of the passenger seat. The stock seat will get to your bottom side after a while anyway IMO so it's a good upgrade for long rides. If new isn't a must, you can get some really good deals on used Hawks as well. But some like to have it from mile one that's up to you, if it were me I'd try to get them to eat the dealer fees though.

 

Altho many consider the Superhawk a sport touring bike it leans more towards the sport side.
After 300 miles you will be ready to get off.
Most I've done is about 450 miles in a day.
That was pushing it for my 52 year old body!
Filling with gas every 100 miles is a welcome break. (don't forget to hydrate at those gas stops!)
The stock seat sux for long rides.
Do yourself a favor & get a Sargent or Corbin seat.
Even then, the passenger padding on their seating area is small.
They will tire long before you do.
You may find wearing padded bicycle shorts will help seat comfort.
They cost around $20 at Bike nashbar http://www.nashbar.com/results.cfm?s...ice1&pagename=

Also, you may find the stock bars too low at first.
Many use GenMar bar risers or Helibars.
I tried the GenMar's the first few months but went back to the stock bars after my back strengthened.

$5999 for a brand new 2003 Honda with full warranty is a great deal !
Superhawks are great motorcycles & give many miles of carefree riding.
They are not a full blown race replica bike like an RC51 nor a full up Sport Touring bike like a ST1300 or Ducati ST4.
They are somewhere in the middle.
At $6k you just can't beat the price!

Here are some bags you might use in addition to a tank bag.
Saddle bags require low mount stock type mufflers so the bags don't touch the muffler & melt over time.
http://www.corbin.com/honda/vtrbag.shtml
http://www.newenoughhp.com/tour_mast...e_bag_page.htm
http://www.newenoughhp.com/tour_mast...e_bag_page.htm These might be too big
http://www.cycleventure.com/products...stem/index.htm

BTW, NewEnough.com has an excellent return/exchange policy.
So if the bigger bags don't fit right you can return them for the smaller bags so long as they are still in new condition.

 

Honestly...no. It's not what you are looking for. My 32 yr. old, 105 lb Thai wife who grew up riding 5 persons to a scooter, can ride on the back for a few hours but that's it and even then she's complaining. I'm 42 and in pretty good shape for my age and I wish for a more upright position on a ride more than an hour or so.

I think you'd be happier with an VFR Interceptor.

 

Some great info here-thanks all. My wife really wants a backrest, so i was happy to see Corbin offered a seat with a removable backrest. That may make this whole thing doable for me.

Jon Neet

 

I'd have to say "no" as well. Its more sport than sport touring.

Even if you raise the bars like I did so they're reasonably comfortable, there's no getting around the nasty passenger seat and short tank range.

What about a VFR?