Concept & Transformation
The range of liquid-cooled V-twins embodies an illustrious group in Honda heritage. While recognizing their long-lasting career in different cruiser models, Big Red waited until the end of the eighties to step up with a street model using this kind of engine. The Honda NT650GT Hawk was actually the first sport bike powered by this kind of engine, a model with three-valve cylinder heads. But it didn't sell well in the US at a time when Americans used to go for bigger displacements.

It took until 1997 for Honda to release a new model, the Super Hawk (in Europe VTR1000F Fire Storm), displacing 996cc and challenging the traditional V-twins from Ducati and the new Suzuki TL1000S. Compared with these competitors, the Super Hawk struck just the right balance of performance, driveability, and reliability. Moreover, it was a lot less expensive than the divas from Italy. So, altogether, this Honda became a sportbike for the real world, and you could use it for touring too.

Engine & Transmission
The grunt of the engine has remained the same since its introduction in 1997. You press the start button and get immediate response from the big V-twin. The sound of the huge 48mm carbs inhaling and the deep tone from the two mufflers can mesmerize. Engaging the clutch is an easy game and requires much less effort than the Italian V-twins demand. The same goes for changing gears and pulling the throttle. Everything works just fine.

And the big carburetors don't cause any trouble either; usually these sizes are difficult to tune for the transition between "off the throttle" and load. Just so you'll know, no one else has ever tried to deal with these sizes on a stock bike before, a job that Honda handled superbly. The throttle response out of tight or fast turns is perfect, which certainly makes the bike easy to work with for the average rider.

Nevertheless, you can feel the difference in horsepower in comparison to current V2-sportbike competitors from Aprilia, Ducati, and Suzuki. An Aprilia Falco or a Suzuki SV1000 accelerates better and passing is easier. Riders will have to push the Super Hawk harder to get by. However, the Honda performs well when it's all about the right amount of torque in tight turns and in alternating curves. You can trust the engine (even if you didn't hit the right gear) to pull you securely through a winding band of asphalt. For proof of that, there isn't any better road than Deal's Gap, the route we rode putting the bike through its paces during the Honda Hoot in 2003. The Super Hawk meshes perfectly in this kind of motorcycle riding and the "motorcycle world's" other dimensions, including a sedate cross-country tour. Then of course there's a top speed of 151mph, which is more than enough for any sane man's purposes.