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yesterday it was upper 30's or lower 40's but dry so i figured, why have the new ( to me ) bike just sitting there ? lets take it out for a short ride.
I find the ergos still in the comfy range with the main difference being the peg height. I'm 5'8 and don't like a long reach to the bars so it's a pretty good fit. the tank to seat transition is more dramatic than the kat, i find this a more stable position as i can lock my elbow to the tank going thru the corners ( which i quickly found out that i can reduce the pressure on my inner thigh ( outside leg )). It's a V-twin so the bike is narrow and has a really small feel to it - yet you don't feel like your sitting on top of it.
the cluster is all business - speedo, tack & idiot lights - very easy to read.
the ride... the torque is fantastic. lots of power everywhere. due to the cold weather i didn't get near the 9.5k red line. the twin bellowing out of the full 2 brothers exhaust is pure joy ( not as loud as my pipe on the kat, also 2 brothers ). throttle control has never been an issue and a skill that i don't work too much on - i can pin the throttle at the first moment i see the apex ( on the kat ), getting the front end light just isn't going to happen. I have always found covering the front brake with 1 or 2 finger can really help with stability and with all that torque i will need to refine that skill.
the turn in is fast compared; even with the new D220's ( which will get replaced come warmer weather ) but not to light. the bike obviously is lighter than the Kat which is very noticable ( but nothing compared to the current i-4s ). i don't know what pads are on there - they don't have a strong bite but have a very linear feel are seem more than adequate.
i'm not big on riding others bikes, so i don't - but the saying is very true; you only know the best you've riden ( taken or borrowed from race tech - talking about suspension - but works for bikes in general ). there really is no way to describe the differences in the two bike so i won't try. After 3 years of riding the Katana i found myself riding beyond the bikes limits. the upgrades really helped the kat but finding this deal was a once in a lifetime thing. i have a new understanding of why people talk ill of our beloved bike. for those looking at the sport side - the katana will only go so far. I will however keep it in mind & spirit. it's a fun, forgiving bike and i think i've shown many around here just how good of an all around bike it is.
just like the Katana the superhawk is often overlooked - not a real powerhouse by current standards but for the street i feel this is going to be a blast - when your ready... it's worth a look.
tim
I find the ergos still in the comfy range with the main difference being the peg height. I'm 5'8 and don't like a long reach to the bars so it's a pretty good fit. the tank to seat transition is more dramatic than the kat, i find this a more stable position as i can lock my elbow to the tank going thru the corners ( which i quickly found out that i can reduce the pressure on my inner thigh ( outside leg )). It's a V-twin so the bike is narrow and has a really small feel to it - yet you don't feel like your sitting on top of it.
the cluster is all business - speedo, tack & idiot lights - very easy to read.
the ride... the torque is fantastic. lots of power everywhere. due to the cold weather i didn't get near the 9.5k red line. the twin bellowing out of the full 2 brothers exhaust is pure joy ( not as loud as my pipe on the kat, also 2 brothers ). throttle control has never been an issue and a skill that i don't work too much on - i can pin the throttle at the first moment i see the apex ( on the kat ), getting the front end light just isn't going to happen. I have always found covering the front brake with 1 or 2 finger can really help with stability and with all that torque i will need to refine that skill.
the turn in is fast compared; even with the new D220's ( which will get replaced come warmer weather ) but not to light. the bike obviously is lighter than the Kat which is very noticable ( but nothing compared to the current i-4s ). i don't know what pads are on there - they don't have a strong bite but have a very linear feel are seem more than adequate.
i'm not big on riding others bikes, so i don't - but the saying is very true; you only know the best you've riden ( taken or borrowed from race tech - talking about suspension - but works for bikes in general ). there really is no way to describe the differences in the two bike so i won't try. After 3 years of riding the Katana i found myself riding beyond the bikes limits. the upgrades really helped the kat but finding this deal was a once in a lifetime thing. i have a new understanding of why people talk ill of our beloved bike. for those looking at the sport side - the katana will only go so far. I will however keep it in mind & spirit. it's a fun, forgiving bike and i think i've shown many around here just how good of an all around bike it is.
just like the Katana the superhawk is often overlooked - not a real powerhouse by current standards but for the street i feel this is going to be a blast - when your ready... it's worth a look.
tim
I rode a 'hawk once, didnt look real comfortable but once I got on it and start out I was definately impressed, power and torque out the wazoo it was a blast ! .
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