Just bought a Honda Firestorm/Superhawk. Super excited but I'm looking for feedback from current or past owners who can tell me what to expect! I want to do a series of videos, detailing my complete ownership experience.
PS: chain tensioner has already been replaced by the previous owner


You can post your comments here or on Youtube.
Thanks!

 

Welcome SJC! Where are you from? This Honda should be very reliable after you take care of the 2 main issues. CCT's and R/R. Do you know if the PO did anything with the original r/r? Send the double bubble to me, lol! It helps get the air up to at least head level.

 

Hi, I'm from Belgium. It better be reliable! Spent too much money on manky motorcycles last year.
Chain tensioner was pre-emptively replaced by the previous owner. He knew it was an issue, and so he replaced it for his peace of mind.
I haven't spoken about the R/R with the PO. I will check to see if it's the original one. Will it suffice to just replace the R/R with a similar aftermarket model, or does it need to be of a different type? (mosfet?)
If I get the OEM screen in, I will happily forward the double bubble screen to you, but if you're in the US, I'm afraid the shipping will be more than its value. Double bubble screens don't do anything for me. If anything, they throw the wind against my neck or even worse, my head.

 

Welcome.
You have a very clean example. Consider yourself lucky to have found such a nice, pristine, unmolested example. Very envious of the 19L tank. Too bad for the US market that those tanks were never imported.
Yes to your question about the tail light lens, red was stock. Also the Firestorm’s had a lens that were a bit different than the Superhawk, which had a very hideous light to illuminate the license plate. The stock turn signal lights were not the most attractive. You might want to look at the brand Proton for the front. I understand the aesthetic for wanting to maintain a stock condition. I enjoy learning about the subtle differences from the different markets these bikes were sold in. Flat black paint, clock faces. Can’t help but wonder if those clock faces were after market.
Again welcome to the forum.

 

Thank you for the compliments, and for the clarification with regards to the lenses. I always look for bikes that have been cared for. That means that I am often on the lookout for a certain model for weeks or even months before I actually buy.
The Proton turn signals you talk about, are they the flush mounting ones?
The clock faces on my Firestorm are definitely not aftermarket. I see them on every late model Firestorm in Europe.
Thanks for the feedback!

 

Nice video. Beautiful, clean example of a Superhawk, I mean Firestorm. I love the matte black. I have the common red and of course everyone wants the color they don't have.
The stock suspension sucks.
Mine has been utterly reliable and I still get a kick out of riding it although I ride my FZ1 more often.

 

Ha! You're right about wanting the color you don't have!
I noticed some serious fork dive, yes, but the rear shock seems fine to me, and I'm heavier than average. This is going to be a street bike (I have something else for the track), so I'm wondering how far I'm going to go in upgrading the suspension.
Thanks for the comment!

 

Might be a bit of work finding a source for these that will ship to you.
The model for the RC51 fits the Superhawk.
Proton 500 LED Flushmount signals - Honda

 

Welcome to the forums and I loved your video review.
I'm subscribed now to your YouTube and anxious to see follow ups and progress with this bike.
Glad you're here and enjoy the ride. 👍

 

great vids!! keep up the awesome work and can't wait to see new contents