Superhawk vs Gsxr 750
#31
WRT to the clearance, fork springs and shock set up for proper sag will give you more than you'll ever need. After removing the hero blobs (peg feelers) I have never scraped a peg. I dragged the front header once but that was with the forks raised 15mm in the tubes. Needless to say they're back at 10mm.
#33
Getting back to the GSX-R situation, much as I enjoy my VTR, there are times when I miss the "take-no-prisoners" rush of an I-4 coming on the cam. I had a 1985 FZ750 (which I know is nothing compared to what's out there now) but I used to love the way the engine came on as the tach hit 6500 rpm. It was reminiscent of a two-stroke coming on the pipe in the way the engine came alive. Yep, miss those days at times......
#34
I think it was Motorcyclist magazine (but could be one of the others) with their summary table and one line descriptions. For years the description they used to list the Superhawk went something like this: for street riding, probably the bike most riders could go fastest on.
I like v-twins. I have had a couple smaller ones (Honda GL-500, Suzuki DL-650 V-Strom) and love the grunt and the sound of a V-Twin that will rev. Suprisingly the GL-500 red-lined at 10K+ RPM and liked to be up there. The Suzuki came alive above 7 grand. My new bike can be more focused, as I'll be keeping the 'wing for long rides. The new bike will be for weekend/day rides and commuting.
So, I'm looking at SV's and of course the SH. I *think* a RC-51 is too agressive (I'm 47 and like to ride fast, but also like some comfort!), Duc's cost too much for up-keep as I ride lots of miles, Aprilia's are nice, but parts are hard to come by according to my buddy who has a Falco. On the other hand he loves the Falco.
No point here really, I'm just rambling. cliby's comment is why I' drawn to the Superhawk - wel, that and a friend used to have one that I always drooled over. The only drawback I can see is the 'short' range, but I can always add an aux tank. :-)
Now if I can just find a blue one when I get serious about buying. I like the blue ones.
#35
Senior Member
Back Marker
Back Marker
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Russell, Bay of Islands, New Zealand
Posts: 229
A word of advice, since I went through the same SV/VTR internal debate (my son has an SV650, which is a great machine in every way).
Find some honest motorcycle dealers and put them on the spot about warranty issues with the one compared with the other (forgetting the well-known chassis problems with the TL1000s). That tipped it in the VTR direction for me.
Personally (ducking for cover....), I think the SV looks better than the VTR, but then I also like the VTR's understatedness, too.
Find some honest motorcycle dealers and put them on the spot about warranty issues with the one compared with the other (forgetting the well-known chassis problems with the TL1000s). That tipped it in the VTR direction for me.
Personally (ducking for cover....), I think the SV looks better than the VTR, but then I also like the VTR's understatedness, too.
#36
Getting back to the GSX-R situation, much as I enjoy my VTR, there are times when I miss the "take-no-prisoners" rush of an I-4 coming on the cam. I had a 1985 FZ750 (which I know is nothing compared to what's out there now) but I used to love the way the engine came on as the tach hit 6500 rpm. It was reminiscent of a two-stroke coming on the pipe in the way the engine came alive. Yep, miss those days at times......
#37
Senior Member
Back Marker
Back Marker
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Russell, Bay of Islands, New Zealand
Posts: 229
Yeah, the tuned TZ750 (I4 two stroke, for those who may not have seen one) I used to race was a big rush like that: it jumped from 55rwhp at 8,000 rpm to 125 at 9,400 to 148 at 10,400.
Never yet ridden a road bike like it for suddenness; I used to think that there was no such thing as too much power, but this in a 300lb bike was a bit much.
Never yet ridden a road bike like it for suddenness; I used to think that there was no such thing as too much power, but this in a 300lb bike was a bit much.
#38
This might be my first post here. I am a current Goldwing rider looking to add a second bike this fall or next winter. I test rode a Buell XB12Ss a couple weekends ago and was fairly impressed with the bike, but not the dealer or price. I think the Buell would be a good bike priced at $8K; at the $11K+ the stealer wants, it's way overpriced.
I like v-twins. I have had a couple smaller ones (Honda GL-500, Suzuki DL-650 V-Strom) and love the grunt and the sound of a V-Twin that will rev. Suprisingly the GL-500 red-lined at 10K+ RPM and liked to be up there. The Suzuki came alive above 7 grand. My new bike can be more focused, as I'll be keeping the 'wing for long rides. The new bike will be for weekend/day rides and commuting.
So, I'm looking at SV's and of course the SH. I *think* a RC-51 is too agressive (I'm 47 and like to ride fast, but also like some comfort!), Duc's cost too much for up-keep as I ride lots of miles, Aprilia's are nice, but parts are hard to come by according to my buddy who has a Falco. On the other hand he loves the Falco.
No point here really, I'm just rambling. cliby's comment is why I' drawn to the Superhawk - wel, that and a friend used to have one that I always drooled over. The only drawback I can see is the 'short' range, but I can always add an aux tank. :-)
Now if I can just find a blue one when I get serious about buying. I like the blue ones.
I like v-twins. I have had a couple smaller ones (Honda GL-500, Suzuki DL-650 V-Strom) and love the grunt and the sound of a V-Twin that will rev. Suprisingly the GL-500 red-lined at 10K+ RPM and liked to be up there. The Suzuki came alive above 7 grand. My new bike can be more focused, as I'll be keeping the 'wing for long rides. The new bike will be for weekend/day rides and commuting.
So, I'm looking at SV's and of course the SH. I *think* a RC-51 is too agressive (I'm 47 and like to ride fast, but also like some comfort!), Duc's cost too much for up-keep as I ride lots of miles, Aprilia's are nice, but parts are hard to come by according to my buddy who has a Falco. On the other hand he loves the Falco.
No point here really, I'm just rambling. cliby's comment is why I' drawn to the Superhawk - wel, that and a friend used to have one that I always drooled over. The only drawback I can see is the 'short' range, but I can always add an aux tank. :-)
Now if I can just find a blue one when I get serious about buying. I like the blue ones.
I think that the sv's are good bikes. they are about the only suzuki street bike that I do like. but the superhawk does everything just a little bit better than the sv. except mileage. its a little faster, a little more comfortable, a little more agile, a little better sounding, a little cheaper, and a little more reliable. (honda) shrug
#39
I think that the sv's are good bikes. they are about the only suzuki street bike that I do like. but the superhawk does everything just a little bit better than the sv. except mileage. its a little faster, a little more comfortable, a little more agile, a little better sounding, a little cheaper, and a little more reliable. (honda) shrug
In the end, I like Honda's. They work, and they work for a long time. Seldom the fastest, seldom the best looking (damn those Italians!) but always the best all-around. IMHO, of course!
#40
i really enjoy riding my hawk i'm 42 and the hawk is much more comfortable than my sons cbr900. also his bike is not much faster than mine. if you're looking for a good 2nd bike you cant go wrong with a superhawk
#41
Frog- I also ride an 1800 wing. It was my only bike for 5 years, then decided to get a 2nd bike. It was between a Buell CityX or a Truimph Bonneville. I know that seems odd, but my criteria was something fun with personallity, and I didn't really care about practical/comfortable since I have the Wing. In the end, the Buell bothered me a bit after reading BadWeb comments regarding reliability issues.
So what happened? Found too good of a deal to pass up. Got my '03 Hawk last year brand new still in the crate for $6000 OTD. I agree the blue ones are the best, -fastest and best handling : )
Oh, as far as the range goes, I thought it would bother me only being able to cover 100 miles on a tank also, but let me tell you, if you don't buy an aftermarket seat, you really won't want to do any more than that...
So what happened? Found too good of a deal to pass up. Got my '03 Hawk last year brand new still in the crate for $6000 OTD. I agree the blue ones are the best, -fastest and best handling : )
Oh, as far as the range goes, I thought it would bother me only being able to cover 100 miles on a tank also, but let me tell you, if you don't buy an aftermarket seat, you really won't want to do any more than that...
#42
"I agree the blue ones are the best, -fastest and best handling : )" I have to agree that with that statement. However, if you think the light/sky blue ones are fast, you should try the dark/midnight blue ones... he he (too bad those VTR's never made it into the US, fortunately we did get them up here in Canada)
#45
just to break up the party, I want to be clear that yellow are the best ones, and certainly fastest. It is by far still the best compromise. Of course I would like to ride the new KTM Vtwins - they sound awesome all around - but again, the price differential is impressive.
#48
#50
Oh, for cryin' out loud! Do we HAVE to go through the "which color is fastest" EVERY MONTH????!?!?!?!?!?!?!? Give it up already.
White ones are the fastest. I'll show you guys it's a fact at the Rally.
White ones are the fastest. I'll show you guys it's a fact at the Rally.
#52
Which color is fastest.
What gearing is best.
What do failing CCT's sound like.
What kind of oil is best.
SO whose starting the oil thread?!?
#56
Tires? I thought this was a thread on oil brands. Or was it color?
Wait, what color oil do I use on my sprockets? I only use high-mount 190 series dual compound CCT's, by the way.
Wait, what color oil do I use on my sprockets? I only use high-mount 190 series dual compound CCT's, by the way.