2004 Honda Super Hawk

This is one of the toughest, torquiest, funnest longest lasting motorcycles ever made. Mine has more than 100,000 miles on it and it keeps ticking with the same bore and pistons it was born with back in 1999. To this day, a wheelie continues to be a seconds away, and downshifting to seek power ... is an option that seldom needs to be takeny. The fact that this back was never modified from its entry in the market in 1997 until its demise in 2004 speaks volumes about the stregth of the model. For those of us who like our power up front and without necessarily making a scene, there is nothing like a twin and the VTR 1000 is one of the best ever.

for the money, especially a used one, nothing really offers that much more than a VTR1000F. With the knowledge its really not a true sports bike (more a "standard" or sport tourer), with mods costing less than $1,500, it can be made to be more comfortable, and handle and perform even better. The ... latest offerings in this catagory are not significantly lighter (if at all), faster, or handle better (especially with stiffer springs, fresh fork oil and a better shock) to the extent they are worth the significantly greater coin it would take to own a Superhawk. SH lovers are waiting with bated breath for a new VTR1200F, that hopefully with the increased displacement will also have a larger tank.

This is a relatively simple motorcycle (carbs no less), but it is very easy to live with. Simple doesn't mean poorly executed though. It is one of the most proficient fun machines you will every ride, but with a ton of torque and a great turn of speed. There are many great bikes in this catagory, ... but not many better. About half the models rated above the Super Hawk are comparatively lame. This is a smile machine, at a bargain price which can run with the very best.