Hi, I have a possibility to buy a VTR1000/Superhawk 996. I'm friends with the owner of a bike shop I used to work at and we started talking about track days. He rides the track too. He said I have the perfect bike for you since I like my VFR so much. In the back of the shop under a waterproof bike cover is a yellow VTR 1000. I tend to recall it being a 2000. It's sat for 2 years as he loaned a guy money who never paid. I'm sure it will need a battery, new fluids, tires, carbs cleaned etc. I know it's not a CBR, but what do you think about it on the track? I've ridden my 99 VFR on the track and had a lot of fun, but I've never ridden one of these. There is a lot of satisfaction riding around newer bikes on an old one. So what do you think? I don't know a price yet, I'll find that out tomorrow. If I get it, I'm wondering if my 99 might be better on the track or the VTR. Discuss.
The Super Hawk was Honda's answer to the Ducati 900SS and it did very well in comparison. The RC-51 was the race version and did much better! Take it for a test ride, I think you'll like the V-Twin.
I loved my Suzuki Sv1000s. The upgrade to the earlier failed attempt with the TL. I did love the twin and wished I still had it. I know its not a Honda but I am not a die hard Honda guy! I did ride the super hawk a co-worker had. I think that all reviews liked the Sv1000s over the super hawk. More hp 108 vs. 97. twins are great. I did like mine over the hawk ,but that may have been that it was my bike. I did not own the Honda.;-) Now that I have the VFR I like it the most since it is my only bike.
If anything I'd say the VFR would be better on track with a more free-breathing, high-revving engine, and the VTR is better on road with more low down punch out of bends; I seldom rev mine higher than 7k. The VTR chassis and the VFR are reasonably similar, I have an Ohlins shock and reworked forks on the VTR and would rate it better than the VFR with a more stable and neutral feel, but there's not much in it. The VFR has a much better road ride position, more front-back seat freedom, more leg room, higher bars; the VTR would be better on the track. If you do go with a VTR, some manual camchain tensioners are a must, there plenty of tales of failure on the VTR, and instead of being annoying like a VFR 6G, they tend to be catastrophic and result in valve-piston contact.
Big Twin Torque can be similar to VFR, with less weight to throw around, less width between your legs.. if you like hanging off the bike in corners, VTR can be a very capable track bike. Fuel range is somewhat limited in comparison to VFR, but that doesn't really matter if you designate it as a track bike. I have had my first VTR on the track a few times, home-made front mount radiator from a F4i was smaller in capacity, further reduce the overall weight and width. My second VTR was a flood recovery bike, flushed all fluids 3-4 times before running it, bought it for $2k, under 12k miles. Sold it for $3k and 10k miles later.
Hey Lint, I had a 2003 candy blue superhawk and I loved it dearly! The only reason I got rid of it was because I broke my back and after the surgery I had I can't really ride bikes with aggressive seating positions anymore. I just could not ride the bike comfortably, the riding position really put me in a lot of pain after my surgery. The last ride I had it on was 68 miles, and I couldn't walk for two days after that. That's when I knew I had to sell it. It's a shame because I really didn't want to sell that bike. It runs great, handles great, and just performs. They feel super thin and flickable, they are really awesome bikes. Lots of fun to ride! The vfr's are awesome also, I have two now, but the vfr's don't have that heart stopping pucker effect when you dump the clutch in first gear and take off. V twins are good for that. Lol My superhawk was my hooligan race around town bike, and now my vfr is my grown up cruising bike. I'm sure the vfrs make more horse power top end in the higher rpm range, but for low end punch, v twin bikes are just lots of fun.
I have become a fan of V twins. The not too heavy sporting kind, not the potato makers. My current Duc is rated at something like 87 foot pounds and 137 HP peak. I like the foot pounds. Instant brap and thrust.
I agree! I have a Ducati Diavel carbon with the full Termi performance package installed. That bike is NUTS!! Lol The power from the L twin engine is ridiculous! My Hondas are my easy Sunday morning cruising bikes, and my Ducati is my speed machine.
Note on the VTR and VFR clip ons.... 4 gen and 5 gen bars will fit on to a VTR if you hacksaw off the location "tang" on the bottom of the clipon... That would give you several bar height options to play with. In reverse, I have seen guys that installed VTR bars on VFRs... Cheers...
agree with cat. it'd be ok for the track, but a friend has a vtr and it seems like he has to stop for fuel every 100 mi. they sound pretty mean though.
The VTR comes with a 16L tank vs. most VFRs at 20L, and the VTR gets a bit more hungry when the throttle is opened (I think in direct proportion to the fun delivered...). I usually get 125 miles until the low fuel light comes on, where my 5G will do 170 miles.