2000 Super Hawk ?'s

[pavlos-99]

I have just purchased a 2000 SH that is oh so sweet. I was wondering what gearing other SH owners are running. Mine is stock, 16/41, I was thinking of going 15/42. I want lots more bottom end pull and more air under the front tire. I don't really care about doing 190mph. 140 is fine with me. Also, will a 190 tire fit under the rear of a SH. I know I don't need one, I'm just curious. The bike has a pair of D&D pipes that I hate! I'm looking to get something quieter, maybe stock if nothing is tamer than these things. It sounds like a buell, too loud. BTW, any riders in East Tennessee? Thanks for the input.

[dive2277]

I had a 1993 CBR1000F and it was geared like the VTR too tall. As you may remember back then Honda was competing with Kawasaki (ZX-10 & 11) for fastest street bike. So I moved up 3 teeth on the rear sprocket and it transformed the bike into something for the real world because you can only have so much fun at 170 MPH before you die or go to jail. So, I am thinking about doing the same with my 98 Super Hawk. As for pipes, yeah they sound cool at idle and cruising away slowly from Starbuck’s, but when you’re getting on it hard, it’s better not to advertise to the cop’s from 2 miles away. (“Saying hey!!!! I’m speeding!!!!! And I am coming your way!!!!! So get your ticket book and radar gun ready!!!!”)



God Bless, and ride smart,



Stuart

[pavlos-99]

Thanks for the input. What gearing are you running currently? Anyone else running gearing other than stock? What about the rear tire? Will anything bigger than stock fit?

[Utah996]

I have stock gearing on my 2002. Works just fine for me in the "real world" driving ! As for a 190 on the rear tire....it will fit how ever after reading a few posts on here about this subject the SH's rim is to small to use a 190 tire effectively. Meaning that you will have less contact patch with a 190 then the stock sized 180.

[pavlos-99]

Thanks for the tire info. I see you have an '05 RC51, how much faster is it than a SH? How does it handle? I have been contemplating getting an RC but I have heard they are extermely uncomfortable in long rides. Also, what kind of fuel economy do you get with your SH?

[sp2pilot]

I had a 2000 Superhawk (Bright yellow). I spent a ton of money on it with an Ohlins shock, Ohlins steering dampner, Revalved / resprung forks, Galfer wave rotors with superbike pads and brake lines, Moriwaki full exhaust, Factory stage 2 jet kit, and a 520 chain and sprocket conversion with a 15 42 re-gear.

With all of that done it was fun to say the least and I did several track days with it as well as canyon carving as often as possible. I was always smiling when I rode it alone and always sad when I rode with any other current sportbike. 600's would just dust me and any liter bike was just a dot on the horizon if it had a decent rider.

The Superhawk is a great street bike as long as you don't push it to its limit. At that point its inadequacies become glaringly obvious. It is down on power and too heavy to be considered a supersport and with piss poor mileage (less then 90 miles after the jet kit and re-gear) it sucks as a sport tourer. It is just a great hooligan bike and a pretty fun play bike. Just don't plan on embarrassing any competent sportbike riders if they are on any thing built after 1992.

I own a RC 51, it is faster stops harder and can carry a hell of a lot more corner speed then my heavily modified Superhawk. My RC is not as comfortable as the Hawk and the RC won't wheely as easily either (3rd gear mono's on the Hawk where only a clutch pull away at 70 mph)

I still enjoy the hawk and it kicks ass as a fling-around-town urban assault weapon. It just isn’t a great sportbike

[dive2277]

I’m running stock gearing but thinking about moving up 2~3 teeth on the rear and as far as the 190 series tire it will fit just fine but will slow down steering a bit and the extra traction will only benefit someone with Eddie Lawson’s skills.



God Bless, and keep it smart,



Stuart

[pavlos-99]

Thanks for the input. I'll stick with a stock tire size. It's almost time for tires and I thought I'd ask before I spent any money.

[Utah996]

Originally Posted by pavlos-99

Thanks for the tire info. I see you have an '05 RC51, how much faster is it than a SH? How does it handle? I have been contemplating getting an RC but I have heard they are extermely uncomfortable in long rides. Also, what kind of fuel economy do you get with your SH?

The RC51 is a lot quicker than my SH, I still think the SH has a little more low end torque than the RC. The RC handles like a dream, its never unsure in the turns. Its hard to ride for long distances, but I do anyway because I love the way the bike feels. When I get back on the SH it feels like a cruiser compared to the RC.

Fuel economy: SH on 89 octane = 37 to 40mpg, RC on 91 octane = 35-37mpg

[ducwv]

I just got my 05 rc on monday. As far as comfort goes, then only two things that I could see bothering me are the hard seat and the fact I have to "look up" so much to see where I'm going as compared to my r6

[sighter]

Originally Posted by pavlos-99

The bike has a pair of D&D pipes that I hate! I'm looking to get something quieter, maybe stock if nothing is tamer than these things. It sounds like a buell, too loud. BTW, any riders in East Tennessee? Thanks for the input.

Good news is that anything is quiter than D&D! Jardine has some good prices and are much quiter.

You may want to drop down one tooth on the front sprocket to see what you think on the sprocket change. It is cheap to do and you should have enough adjustment in your chain. It will throw off your speedometer!

Enjoy your Superhawk!

[daywalker]

I recently bought my 98 superchicken, and I agree its fun as hell. Only changes I've made are oil an filter, an a new dubble bubble(red) and Dunlop 208 on the rear the guy I bought it from had already dropped a tooth up front added a jet kit??? Not sure really and the Jardine RT one high pipes, I do love those pipes. mine seems to wanna tug your arms out of their sockets if ya pop 1st too quick.

[woodman]

Go up 2 teeth on the rear sprocket. You will love it.