By some, I meant depending on model. Just like Honda makes both Superhawks and CBRs the same year where some are carbed and some are Fuel Injected.. Boss Hoss makes some models that are carbed and some that are Fuel Injected. (Boss Hoss is a brand, like Honda, not a particular bike like Superhawk)

We could niggle and make the superhawk the only whatever by making up our own definitions.. But the Boss Hoss brand motorcycles are considered production by the Guinness book of world records.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...1070827AAVF6tH

"Confirmed in the Guinness Book of World Records.
The Boss Hoss is a production bike with dealerships located all over the United States. Their BHC-3 ZZ4 SS bike has a dry weight of 1110 pounds. This bike is powered by a Small Block Chevy 350. See second link below.

Boss Hoss used to make an even larger bike powered by a massive 502 cubic inch Big Block Chevy. It was discontinued in after the 2007 model year. It is replaced by the BHC-3 LS2 powered by a Chevy LS2 similar to what is used in a Corvette.

 

Collectable? Sure! Storage during the time lapse for appreciation becomes the problem. I'd love the own a CB 750 K 'O' with the sand cast cases, but it would have been a PITA to have kept and maintained it for these past fifty years. I doubt the sale price would have covered those costs. And the eventual buyer is always going to want it for less than what you think it is worth.

Collect for love or lust, but don't think the monetary reward is going to be yours. Besides, there is just something unfulfilled about a motorcycle in a display case, not being ridden, it's rubber bits and pieces slowly rotting and oxidizing. God bless every collector who rides to Daytona on antique iron.

 

I agree with indierocker. It's going to earn a place in history based on it being the last of the carbed, big sportbikes. I also think it will be sought after in the future based on it's relative simplicity. Read the intro section of your Hanes manual (superhawk history) and give it all some thought.

Also there are several folks here who have sold a VTR only to buy one again later because they missed it.

 

I doubt the Superhawk will ever be considered “Collectible” because in my mind a collectible motorcycle is one that is iconic, a classic legend of an era, recognized by the general public - not just motorcycle enthusiasts, may have paved the way for a whole new class of bikes like an 1981 Katana, or a well known but limited production motorcycle like the Ducata Hailwoods.

However I DO believe the Superhawk will be a “Classic”. I view a classic motorcycle as having some, if not all, of the following characetistics:
- being outstanding in their class
- limited production
- history of popularity among buyers when new
- maybe a flagship or milestone model that offered an introduction to new styling or advanced technology
- maybe some racing history
- reputation as being particularly well-built
- unaffordable to most when new, but highly desired
- increased in popularity after production ended
- buyers like the look, the sound and remember the era - perhaps it was one of the bikes he once owned and wish he’d never sold it
- owner doesn’t necessarily care that the bike is on a collector’s “A list” of appreciating motorcycles
- purchased not so much as an investment, because his dividends are in the form of tinkering with the machine out in the garage, riding it on nice days or just sitting, staring at its beauty like a piece of art with a beer in his hand

Does the Superhawk meet some of those criteria? As some of the other members here pointed out, it’s one of a kind, unique compared to other models available from 1998 – 2005, enjoys a growing cult bike status and considered the “last of the Mohicans”, (well-said inderocker!). There’s even a Superhawk sitting on display in the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum.

Was the VTR1000F ever outstanding in its class, a flagship or milestone model? Was it ever coveted but unaffordable to high school and college students? Is it increasing in popularity since the end of production? I’m not so sure.

 

I wanted one even before they were 1st released (while in college), but my poor *** had to wait to buy one used well after production had ceased.

 

Collectibility is in the eye of the beholder - so someone who had a SH and loved it will buy one to keep in the future, or someone who (for their own reasons ) used to lust after one when new and could not afford it, will.

But on any objective view, the SH does not meet classic status, compared with say the following other Hondas:

1. It changed the face of motorcycling (C50 Cub obviously, 1st series CB750, the latter because Honda productionised a number of elements previously really only seen in racers);

2. It was ridiculously complicated and/or expensive when new (CBX6, CX500/650 Turbo);

3. It showed the way for further development and market penetration (C50 again, CB72/77, 1st series XL250).

I love my SH to bits, not least because it is under the radar. But I don't kid myself it's a classic, or ever will be, except to me.