Hey fellow Superhawk Riders - I just picked up a gorgeous '99 Superhawk w/ less than 6,000 miles on it. Have ridden Interceptors and VFR's all my life, but wanted to feel real torque. Anyways, a buddy of mine has an '02 800 Interceptor. We went riding last weekend, and he ate me alive w/ that Interceptor. He's got a Power Commander, Micron Slip-On's and dropped a tooth in his front sprocket. I've got Two Bros. Slip-On's and a Jet Kit. Obviously in the low RPM's I stood a chance, but man once we started spooling them up, he walked away!!! I believe I had the advantage in the corners, and man does my Hawk wheelie, (1st gear, no clutch, 2nd gear with the clutch, and third gear she'd jump up w/ the clutch too..) I love the bike, and am happy w/ it - but should that Interceptor be killing me like that??? I'd also take any suggestions for some more performance upgrades. Thanks...
p.s. I will be dropping a K & N Air filter soon....

 

That would be correct Sir! I own two Super Hawks and a '99 VFR and the VFR will run away from the VTR on the big end. 0-60 the VTR owns it but in the latter part of the quarter the VFR blows right on by.

 

Forget the K&N filter and drop a tooth on your front sprocket. Or drop a tooth on the front and go up two on the rear like I have. If the Interceptor gets you after that, you're both riding way too fast.

 

Killer5280 - Can you even keep the front end on the ground by going to that deep a gear reduction???

 

Stock, the Super Hawk is overgeared because of its overdrive 6th gear. I like it better than stock, but some don't like it because it is a little buzzy; it sure does leap forward, though. You do have to watch it in 1st gear, however, but I don't find it unmanageable.

 

Thanks Killer, I'll give it a whirl. Hell man, I've got to watch her in 1st gear now....

 

Honestly, I don't find it that much more difficult to keep the front down in first gear than with stock gearing; you have to watch it, either way. It sure does accelerate harder in roll ons, though.

 

You just have to watch the acceleration in 1st gear. If I just twist it, that front end yanks up real hard. It's real impressive, actually. I've been contemplating the smaller sprocket, but just wanted to see what some other SH riders had to say. Thanks for the info - I think I'll probably go for it....

 

Like I said, some guys don't like because it is a little revvy around town (and it throws off the speedo/odo), but it's a fairly common mod and I like it. If you don't mind the extra revs and the inaccurate speedo, you'll like it, too.

 

I used to do it on my other bikes, I just rode along side a bike w/ an acuurate speedo - checked my RPM's and used that as a gauge when the police were around. I'm probably going to go sprocket shopping tonight or tomorrow...

 

I'm running 15-44 and am constantly looking for 7th gear around town. Will hit 120 quick as can be though. Highly recommend a Speedo-Healer. Less than a $100 and five minute installation. Corrects the speedo and odometer.

 

Use the spreadsheet in the KB section to figure out your speed. If you run 15/43, it works out to 25.5 km/h or 16 mph per 1000 rpm in top gear. I am running this gearing (with a Speedohealer) and am very happy with it. Roll-ons are a breeze BTW, if you adjust your Speedohealer to have the speed ok, it throws your odometer out by 5.5% (understates the mileage, verified it actually and it was exactly 5.5% off), well, on Canadian VTR's (Firestorms) anyhow.

 

hmmm... how about an upgrade in your riding performance... say a trackday w/ the VTR or a good instructor?

If he's a much better rider than you, he'll kill you on just about anything. If you're both really good riders, then there shouldn't be much difference.

All that said, I'm quite happy with my 15/43 conversion, which does away just about all urge for the acceleration to be higher...

 

Just as an FYI the reason you were told to skip the K&N is that doing so would require a rejet on the carbs, not really worth it until you are also doing the exhaust too, then do all 3.

 

do the 520 conversion, down one/up two, and buy some marchesini's. i did i love it more and more. this is currently day three for that specific setup. i originally had 530 with steel sprockets and stock wheels. the difference is huge. my major drawback is i now have "32000+" miles

 

I've always thought the hawk steered reeaaaally slowly at speed... do the Marchies really make that much a difference?

 

between the lighter wheels and wallet, it must turn in more quickly....

Just kidding, wish I could afford form of them darn-fangled forged (or carbon!!!!) wheels If you want a quicker turn in, raise the forks and shim the rear shock, makes an appreciable difference.

 

KILLER, you've answered one of my questions, but I want to get it straight. you say drop one tooth on the front and two teeth up on the rear? COOL, I love the sound of my HAWK( D&D polished aluminum slip-ons and jetted) and I love the looks I get from people(you know- the stop what their doing and look a mile down the road to see what the hell is coming- especialy from harley riders!). Thanx

 

Some like the gearing one tooth down in the front and stock rear. Others have gone down one in the front and two up in the rear and like it.

 

thanx bud(killer5280)
it seems there's a few combinations but they all seem to include losing a tooth on the front, so i'll try that and see what happens. thanx again- i appreciate your time.

 

16/44 will get you close to 15/43 too, just a bit higher (and your chain will last longer)

 

did that too, and my wallet is super lightweight at this point.