VTR1000 Superhawk 996

[Fargo360]

So a couple of months back I was thinking of moving up to a '77 CB750k7, but this past weekend I got to ride my wife's cousin's Superhawk 996. Woah! Now that's a bike! I liked the sportbike look with the v-twin rumble. I also noticed its not quite as edgy off the line, but still had great power. I think I found the bike I'm gunna get next. Anyone else have a Superhawk? Any thoughts on the bike?

[ceemes]

had to goggle that model, basically its known as the Fire Blade for the rest of the world, even in Canada.

[High_Side]

I had a Firestorm for 11 years and it's a spectacular bike. Best wheelieing streetbike I've ever owned (even compared to the Superduke)! The fuel range sucks however and the bend on the handlebars managed to engrave a complimentry bend in my wrists that started to suck the fun out of riding it after 11 years of all kinds of riding (including some decent long trips). I'd still have it, if it weren't for the "no new sheds to hold motorcycles" rule that was imposed by the management around here.

One of the bet bikes I have ever owned. Go for it.

[Fargo360]

Yeah...my wife's cousin told me that its not a bike to get for fuel economy. It only gets 35mpg or something like that (still better than my truck) He said if I am going to look for one I should get one that's 2k1 or newer, they have a larger fuel tank.

the handlebars managed to engrave a complimentry bend in my wrists that started to suck the fun out of riding it after 11 years of all kinds of riding (including some decent long trips).

So its not going to be good to take for a ride that's like 200 miles or so? I'd mostly ride around town, but I'd like to take it to Minneapolis now and again to go to my parents house.

[Wrider]

Yeah not the Fireblade, the Firestorm. They are great bikes though. Also look up the Suzuki TL1000R. Known for its 4th gear 70 mph throttle wheelies.

[High_Side]

Yeah...my wife's cousin told me that its not a bike to get for fuel economy. It only gets 35mpg or something like that (still better than my truck) He said if I am going to look for one I should get one that's 2k1 or newer, they have a larger fuel tank.

the handlebars managed to engrave a complimentry bend in my wrists that started to suck the fun out of riding it after 11 years of all kinds of riding (including some decent long trips).

So its not going to be good to take for a ride that's like 200 miles or so? I'd mostly ride around town, but I'd like to take it to Minneapolis now and again to go to my parents house.

The larger fuel tank is a must but it never came to Canada (we kept the original 16litre tank as a new tank would have required recertification with Transport Canada). I wouldn't worry too much about the wrists for a 200 mile ride as my issue came after a trip from Calgary to Wyoming where my hands stayed numb for several days afterwards. The 2001 and later models also had a slightly different bend of the bars that may help as well.

Cheers,

High_Side

[matthew5656]

I've owned a vrt1000 (or other's call it the honda superchicken) for two years, and I am very pleased. Lots of grunt, plenty of torque from 3-9,000 RPM, which I find far superior in a street bike compared with most other race replica inline 4s on the market, in my opinion. 90 degree V twin sounds pretty nice, I have the high mount aftermarket exhaust system with the Jardine pipes. I'd suggest an aftermarket sargent seat, as I've heard a lot of complaints about the stock seat, or mainly the stock seat of honda bikes in general. A litre bike v twin is no slouche on the highway with plenty of pull at low RPM even in 6th gear, but like wrider mentioned the suzi TL1000Rs, they do have more RWHP than vtr, but with a little less in torque ft/lbs. I like the newer RVT1000rs but they're completely track driven and really are different, I read somewhere Honda only used a few parts from the original firestorm for it's design.

Ok pro's: Awesome power. Great for everyday street riding, plenty of pull at any engine speed to dodge a cager. I love the style of it, obvious looking sport bike but a little more dated than all of the newer yamahas/suzi/kawis/hondas, which makes it a little more unique than what most people see. It's been very reliable as most hondas can be. Never had a problem with the battery, even after the rectifier blew. Great handling, depending on what you're comparing it too. Obviously not the newest suspension/design today. Ergonomics won't be comfortable like your cruiser or standard VFR/Nighthawk/650r/etc, but much, much more comfortable than todays supersports, or even the honda F4is, again in my opinion. And it's cheaper than a ducati.

Cons: I need to replace the front/rear cam chain tensioners before they go and "fudge" up all the valve timing. I have 20k on her and it runs fine, but definitely a good idea to prevent expensive maintenance in redoing the valve timing. It's a very common problem with honda OEM tensioners, especially inside the vtr. I hear it's an easy replacement with the OEM parts or the manual tensioners, or as well as a very time consuming, and frustrating fix from other's opinion, depending upon one's tech savvy I guess. The rectifier/regulator will probably go out and your bike will go to sleep. You can try to replace the blown fuse like I did, start if up and regain happiness, and then watch it suddenly lose power again within 30 seconds or less. Swapping the regulator was easy and not very expensive, just remove the rear tail fairing and it's right there. I would really like some handle bar risers, but due to the positioning of the front fairing, risers wouldn't be possible for slow speed turns or heavy cornering at all, and you will see why when you look at it. If I semi-street fightered it and removed the front fairing, that would call for some risers and it would be almost as comfortable as the interceptor but, like I said the bike's ergonomics are far superior in comparison with today's supersports hunch over, risers or without.

Ok that's a lot of typing, but I say go for it . She will make you very happy. please post pictures.

[matthew5656]

oh and the gas mileage on the superhawk is inferior to a lot of bikes today, but roughly 35-40 mpg/city is still a lot better than my truck's 14mpg anyway... The carburetors installed into that bike were the largest honda ever put on a motorcycle. 48mm I think, but someone correct it if I am wrong. But so what, my bike likes to drink too, just like her owner

[storysunfolding]

I also noticed its not quite as edgy off the line, but still had great power.

Sounds like that one needs a tune up. I can literally get the wheel off the ground in three feet with the SuperChicken. The liter twins have so much low end torque it's ridiculous. You'll eat up anything in your path... and go through lots of tires in the process.

[Wrider]

There's a guy in Denver selling his... He's the step-son of a local motorcycle shop owner.
Thing is IMMACULATE...
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