Suggestions for mods that work, for my '03 VTR1000

[03 bluperhawk]

Just bought a bone stock '03 Superhawk today w/6000 miles.
It'll go in soon for fluids and some new rubber.

I've read this forum, and like your suggestions on tires:
either Michelin Pilot Powers or Pirelli Diablos.

Anyone have ideas for my first hopup parts?
I was thinking slipons and a jet kit?
Just curious on what's worked for you guys,
without going all out $$$$$.

Thanks,
Terry

[sighter]

Most start with the exhaust. The stocker pipes are fairly restrictive. A free flowing air filter and car re-jet will bring up the power some as well. Past that front race tech springs and front brake modifications are popular mods.

Good luck and congrats on your new ride.

[oneducs]

get rid of the rubber brake lines if it come with them and replace them with ss lines and new sintered brake pads. get your suspension set up for your weight and ridding style. set the sag, rebound and compression on your forks and rear shock if your bike comes with the fully adjustable suspension. as said before slipons or full system exhaust and something for the airbox/airfuel mixture. that should get you started and good luck with the new bike.

[03 bluperhawk]

Thanks for your ideas. I'd like to do the exhaust up and

would like to know what slipons up the ponies, but aren't

outrageously loud. Also, if I jet kit it, will my mpg

go down a lot? Dynojet or Ti-pro? Just rode her home

last night mmmmm mmm. Can anybody see out those mirrors?
Terry

03 Superhawk

92 VFR

[jschmidt]

Originally Posted by 03 bluperhawk

Thanks for your ideas. I'd like to do the exhaust up and

would like to know what slipons up the ponies, but aren't

outrageously loud. Also, if I jet kit it, will my mpg

go down a lot? Dynojet or Ti-pro? Just rode her home

last night mmmmm mmm. Can anybody see out those mirrors?
Terry

03 Superhawk

92 VFR

Milage, yes, but not substantially. I've always been a fan of Factory jet kits. Expect to get 4-5 HP. How much you twist the throttle makes a big diff.

Better tires net a big gain. Pick your favorite street performance tire.

One of the best mods you'll make (if you're heavier than about 145) is a set of weight matched springs from Racetech. They have a calculator on the website. Racetech Emulators are also popular, but you'll get a huge bang for buck with just the springs.

A free flowing filter gets basically nothing. Don't drill or modify the airbox either.

There are lots of garage mods (like TPS adjustment and vent rerouting) that fall in the category of urban myth. If you have the clutch-in stalling problem, up your idle to 1300 rpm.

If you find the outside of your palms getting sore, even though your arms are relaxed, its because of the angle of the clipons. You can trim the pin that locates them. Each 1/8" you file off will net about 3/4" forward angle at the end of the bar. Be conservative, but this is a surprisingly satisfying mod.

Swap the grips for gel or (in my case for big hands) grab-on superbike grips.

I swapped out the pegs with a set from a CBR1000RR and like the enhanced feedback they provide. Cosmetically, they match the passenger pegs. This too was a surprisingly satisfying mod.

Sylvania Silverstar headlight bulb is a great improvement for night time riding.

Other than expensive engine work, not too many other mods will be noticable.

There have been lots of experiments with mirror swaps. AFAIK, no one has seen a huge improvement.

Front braking systems from a 929, 954, or RC51 are another popular mod.

On the far side, USD fork swaps, pistons-cams-porting, and swingarm-frame locating plates have been done with success.

[hairball]

Check www.bigvalleyhonda.com and find their Superhawk racing pages. Lots of performance info there.

[03 bluperhawk]

Wow,

Thanks all for input, jschmidt, ty, there's a lot
of great info for me, I appreciate it much.
You did not mention slipons, do you have
an aftermkt exhaust you like that's not too loud?
Or have you found too little gain in hp w/them?

Time to shop,yessss,

Terry

[jschmidt]

Originally Posted by 03 bluperhawk

Wow,

Thanks all for input, jschmidt, ty, there's a lot
of great info for me, I appreciate it much.
You did not mention slipons, do you have
an aftermkt exhaust you like that's not too loud?
Or have you found too little gain in hp w/them?

Time to shop,yessss,

Terry

I have 2brothers CF cans. They're loud.

[thumper769]

the first this i suggest is not up the idle speed this will only contribute to the heat and already warm running engine, but do remove all the pear valves and block off the open holes left in the air box also block the reeds on top of the valve covers and as i suggested to another member adjust your idle sensor instead of your idle speed screw, if your not sure how then just ask and i tell you how i also put RT-1 on my s-hawk with other mods i have performed on my own just from my knowledge of the bike and racing and just being a mechanic, the tourque and power i have gained are fenominal, i also have suggestions on handleing ...............phew!!!
speedracer069@msn.com feel free to email me

[sighter]

I have Jardine pipes and am satisfied with the sound and looks although they are much louder than stock. I don't know of any slip ons that will not be a good bit louder than stock. I can vouch for the weight savings though, man the stockers are heavy and these Jardine cans and brackets are very light. If you check on how the stockers bolt up, you will then see that the "slip ons" will include the short connecting pipes. Also note that these will be for stock configuration straight back or a high mount configuration closer up to the rear cowl. Expect to pay a good bit because you need two of everything!

I use '03 to '05 style Yamaha R6 mirrors and now only see 1/2 a mirror of my elbow as opposed to nothing but elbow with the stockers, they bolt right on and have the nice break-away pivot feature if bumped. I bought them locally for $40 for the pair and consider them a vast improvement for the street.

[ains]

The Best Mod You Can Make On A Superhawk Is A Sargent Seat!!! Not A Corbin. A Sargent!!! You Won't Need Heli Bars A Or Gen-mar Risers If You Go With A Sargent Seat. You Will Be Able To Ride All Day In Comfort.

[glideman]

Isn't the sargeant seat thicker than the regular seat? Doesn't that make you have more pressure on your wrists if someone was thinking they wanted helibars?

[ains]

Originally Posted by glideman

Isn't the sargeant seat thicker than the regular seat? Doesn't that make you have more pressure on your wrists if someone was thinking they wanted helibars?

With the Sargent seat your not sliding into the tank like with the stock seat. I tried both Helis and the Sargent. I only needed the Sargent. I ended up selling the helis.

[CNI Dawg]

What I'd do:

1st) Aftermarket cans & jet kit. Really makes it run better at both low & high RPM!
Mine wouldn't hardly run below 3000 rpm with the stock cans.
Disable or remove the PAIR system if you can get away with it when you do your yearly state inspection.

2nd) EBC HH sintered brake pads. &
Stainless steel braided brake lines. Really helps braking power

3th) Unless you're really light (135lbs) Race tech fork springs for your weight, gold compression valves, AND Gold rebound valves.
Have the mechanic that rebuilds your forks set you up on the bike... sag, spring preload, both front & rear .

[03 bluperhawk]

To CNI Dawg,

Where can I get some long ass mirrors like yours?

I've been lookin' for Don Herve's extenders, and
cannot find them anywhere.

Now that's my kind of daily commuter; sweet 03, Dawg.

Terry

[CNI Dawg]

I tried to find some Don's too but he quit making them So I went with the FZ1 mirrors off ebay. They are EMGO brand so you should be able to find them elsewere too. These supposedly are the extended stem version...a little longer than regular FZ1 mirrors.
Got the idea here http://www.superhawkforum.com/viewto...ht=fz1+mirrors
Check it out

[woodman]

Don't forget a 43 tooth rear sprocket. These bikes are geared too high, going up two teeth on the rear make a huge difference in performance and a rear sprocket is only about $35.00.

[CNI Dawg]

Originally Posted by woodman

Don't forget a 43 tooth rear sprocket. These bikes are geared too high, going up two teeth on the rear make a huge difference in performance and a rear sprocket is only about $35.00.

I just went with a 520 chain and 15/42 tooth sprockets.
WoW it makes a very noticeable difference !
The S'hawk runs much better now!
It makes it seem like the stock gearing is way too high & the motor was working too hard (lugging)
Now the 15/43 makes it seem just about right.
It's "zippy" around town now !

There is a guy on eBay that sells the setup for $139.99 + shipping
RK RB520GXW gold chain, Vortex 15 steel front & 43 alloy rear sprockets
http://stores.ebay.com/SUM-OF-ALL-PARTS-STORE
You'll either need their Motion Pro chain tool or a local motorcycle shop to install it.

[03 bluperhawk]

My 03's only got 6k miles.

So... if I want to get the rest of the life out of the stock chain (in order to save mod $), can I swap out just the rear sprocket, for now, to a 43 and still use the stock chain, or do you have to add links?

Any big differences in sprocket brands?

Can anybody explain why there's the conflicting opinions on the airbox/PAIR mods from different members; (do it-don't)?

Thanks