[Pete]

Well, after the big fiasco with the 929, I went against all advice and didn't wait for the "rebound" period to end; on Friday, with my thinking cap on not-so-straight, I plunged in again. This time, it's a new, leftover, black '99 Superhawk.

I'm still in mourning over the loss of the 929, but this bike fills the void in my garage quite nicely, and doesn't hit the ol' wallet much harder than the VFR did on insurance rates. Also, given my skill level, the Superhawk makes more sense. (No, Paul, that was not an admission that the 929 was too much bike for me. )

As for it being a Honda, well, nothing that the other mfr's offer in this class appeals to me as much as the VTR. 'Nuff said about that.

The bike came with D204s, but I managed to get a set of D207s thrown in on the deal, so I'll get those mounted this week.

My initial impressions of the bike are very positive. The ergos are good for me at 6'1", 34" inseam. The V-twin engine is loads of fun, talk about engine braking! Not to mention first gear clutchless wheelies without going past the break-in RPM limit. The suspension is a tad soft at the OEM settings, but I'll get that worked out, and steering feels very neutral. The brakes are good, but not great; stainless lines will help. Fuel range bites.

Taking the 929 out of my bike-owning picture, the VTR rates higher than the VFR, so life is good once again!


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Pete
"Ultimately, most problems can be solved by applying a large brick to the correct skull. Difficulties arise when you don't have a brick or can't find the the right skull. The Devil is always in the details."

 

[Spitfire]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Aril, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Pete:
As for it being a Honda, well, nothing that the other mfr's offer in this class appeals to me as much as the VTR. 'Nuff said about that.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

More specifically..........

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Aril, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Pete:
mfr's<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Is that, "manufacturers" or "m*therf*uckers"?

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Hey officer, wanna race????

 

[Dan F4]

Congrats Pete!!

Glad you got a bike you like and works for ya. Keep us posted.....

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Dan F4 Red/Black

 

[Pete]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Aril, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Spitfire:
Is that, "manufacturers" or "m*therf*uckers"?

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

LOL!

Dan, thanks man.

FYI regarding the wheelie comment, I have no plans to be the next Starboy Chris, but I was very amazed at how the front end comes up so easily...rots o' rorque!



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Pete
"Ultimately, most problems can be solved by applying a large brick to the correct skull. Difficulties arise when you don't have a brick or can't find the the right skull. The Devil is always in the details."

 

[jimmyjr]

Hey Pete,


Cool bike..Great choice, even though it IS a Honda...A guy here at work has one, and they are REALLY nice looking bikes...Your VFR didn't have too motor braking???I guess as a v4 it was smoother...Be careful with all that torque down low!!! It's addictive!!!Have fun and good luck!!!!Jimmy G.

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[inanima]

Superhawk: the bike of champions. You couldn't have picked a better bike.
Congratulations; welcome to the wonderful world of V-Twins.

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j.-
"rawlbrughhhlearlaurTIMMY!"

 

[Pete]

Thanks Jimmy! Yeah, you hit the nail on the head about the VFR's engine braking - smoother/more linear than the VTR.

------------------
Pete
"Ultimately, most problems can be solved by applying a large brick to the correct skull. Difficulties arise when you don't have a brick or can't find the the right skull. The Devil is always in the details."

 

[His_Suzuki]

Congrats!

How is the adjustment from 4 to twin coming along? Is it hard to get used to? The superhawk's brakes are probably not as good because it has engine braking to help out.

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Todd Hoffmaster
'00 Katana 600
38 speeding tickets and still counting

 

[colin409]

Congrats, I've never ridden the 929, but with my experience with the 900 and the stories I hear about the Superhawk. My guess is that you will not regret giving up the 929 for the Superhawk.

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Colin
FloridaSportbikers
My Home Page

 

[Hurricane]

Pete-

Way to go man! I'm glad you were able to find something you like- 929 or not, the VTR is still one hell of a sweet ride. Congrats- I hope it serves you well. (no doubt that, though -it is a Honda, after all.... )

Now you've just got to learn to pull off those stand-on-the-seat-wheelies!

'cane

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[VTRPilot]

Welcome to the V-Twin revolution. The SuperHawk's fun factor is unmatched! Put some steel lines on the front and the brakes will firm up nicely. Aftermarket high pipes look great on the bike and really enhance that V-twin growl. You're gonna get addicted, that's a given, especially with the ease of roll-on wheelies. Have fun bro!

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C'mon guys! It's all ball bearings these days!...STC

 

[mrdatalife]

So Pete...who did you end up going with for insurance? And how much cheaper is it than the 929.

jc

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[Rug Burn]

Hola from cancun fellow sportbike bros and sistas. Congrats once again Pete, I´m sure you´ll love the Superchicken too. Well, I gotta go, Margaritas are calling my name again.

Stacia, thanks for all the info., I,m a snorkeling fool

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Clark

 

[JDM1200]

Hey Pete congrats! The black Superhawk is one of my all time favorites.

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Ride the Pace,
JD

 

[Hammer]

Funny you should mention the engine braking on that beast. My buddy just learned the hard way on his '98 Superhawk. We were out in some new roads, unfamiliar to us, and going through the twists. He got into an S-curve a little to hot, firmed up the brakes and downshifted to engine brake for the second curve. He accidentally skipped second and went down into first. Of course he lost the rear end, and went off a 15' embankment. He went sky-gound-sky and so did the bike. He came away without a scratch(yet another Praise for the full leathers). The bike wasn't too bad either. Broke all the plastics and broke the clutch lever. Everything else checks out ok. The torque in that thing is fantastic, but it can bite you going the other way. It is a great bike.

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That don't fix it? Get a bigger Hammer
1993 GSXR 1100

 

[HondaNut!]

Congratulations Pete, I think that the Hawk is a great choice from what I know about you and your riding style and needs. Thumbs up!

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Kyle J.-
email:[email protected]

"Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has many -- not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some."
-- Charles Dickens

 

[Pete]

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the sentiments. And Hammer, thanks for the words of caution.

Todd, skipping the 929, the transition from V4 to V-twin has not been an issue for me.

VTRPilot, yeah, I recently saw a VTR with high Staintune pipes that looked and sounded sweet. Do you have high pipes on yours, and if so, what kind?

Mrdatalife, I kept my policy with Allstate, and at $650/yr for full coverage, it's about $1400/yr cheaper than the 929. But I'm still gonna shop around some more to see if I can get a better deal.

Thanks again! I hope it won't be too soon, relativley speaking, before you have to tell me "congrats on the new bike" again.



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Pete
"Ultimately, most problems can be solved by applying a large brick to the correct skull. Difficulties arise when you don't have a brick or can't find the the right skull. The Devil is always in the details."