Description
Click here for an CycleVIN Motorcycle History Report on this 1998 Honda SuperHawk. Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
Sold between 1997 and 2005, the SuperHawk was sometimes in the shadow of the RC51. But if you were looking for a sporty street bike and not a trackday machine, it was an excellent choice that won a Cycle World Ten Best award and a “Sweet 16” (yes, out with 16 challengers) Open Class sportbike comparison in 1997. It “was a sportbike you could ride all day without needing a six-pack of ibuprofen and a weekly appointment with your chiropractor.”
The 996cc 90-degree V-Twin produced about 100 horsepower and was great for street usage. Owners love the sound of the motor, spotless fueling (from the largest carbs Honda ever put on a street bike), reasonable ergonomics, and the Honda build quality. The only real complaint was fuel mileage, which can dip into the 20s if you’ve having too much fun.
The seller of this example (VIN: JH2SC360XWM002176) bought it three years ago from a friend in Reno, Nevada.
The odometer shows 3,752 miles. Please Note: the VIN report shows that it was last titled with 12,457 miles. The seller does not know why that’s the case, his only guess is that the odometer reading may have been fudged in the past by a prior owner to get around California’s 7,500 mile rule when it was registered there in 2006 but at this point there’s no way to know for sure.
Per the seller, “I am fairly certain this is one of the bikes that went through Big Valley Honda when the Thorwaldsens owned it. This is when Bob Hayashida was working at BVH and they were the US importer for Moriwaki. They also built a few VTRs that were raced in AFM in the late 90s. I think this bike has some Moriwaki parts and engine work but can’t confirm, it is quite a bit faster by feel than similar Superhawks I have ridden. It has an unobtanium Moriwaki full titanium exhaust system, I think it was one of 300 sets that they made and are easily worth a grand alone. It also has other really well done mods like a factory looking bung for a steering damper on the left side of the frame.”
Modifications:
Sargent seat that has been recovered.
Ohlins shock sourced from Japan and rebuilt by Dan Kyle last year, 25 miles on it since.
“The front forks were done by a friend, they have Race Tech Gold Valves for compression and rebound, his special VTR shim stack and mod to the compression valve, .90kg/mm Race Tech fork springs, and all new seals/fluids. They have less than 25 miles on them, the forks are amazing.”
Front calipers from a Honda RC51 SP-1, wave rotors, and the radial master cylinder from a Honda CBR600RR.
ASV levers.
Aftermarket chain guard.
New T-Rex Racing frame sliders just installed.
Braided lines all around including clutch.
“Nicky mod” on the sprocket cover.
“New MOSFET regulator/rectifier setup with wiring I bought from a guy on VTR forum.”
DynoJet jet kit. “I completely rebuilt the carbs six months ago with all new seals and o-rings, sync’d them and set TPS at 500 ohms. The bike got a full service less than 25 miles ago with a coolant flush, oil/filter change, full brake fluid flush, new battery, and new spark plugs.”
“I just had it completely repainted a year ago by my good painter. The bodywork and tank had very minor flaws, I just wanted it perfect. The paint was based on the Japanese version but with Superhawk decals instead of Firestorm on the front…my poor translation wit the painter ended up with the Japanese warning decals on the tank.”
The sale includes the original owner’s manual.
Blemishes:
We recommend the next owner installs a new battery.
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment to inspect it), this SuperHawk is offered on a clean Arizona title with non-op registration. Have any SuperHawk stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the comments!
