Honda Hawk Racebike

Currently, I'm still running my 1990 Honda Hawk.

I started out riding this bike as an amateur and it is because I've stuck with it for so long that I've been able to go fast. It is so easy to ride and handles so well that it enabled me to learn how to push the envelope.

I will be adding more pictures and tuning tips and tricks (things that I have tried and tested on the racetrack) as time goes by.

  • Suspension and Chassis
    Most of the work that I've done on this bike has been on the chassis. It is my opinion that money should first be spent on suspension. It is an investment that will provide the biggest return in racing and allow you to learn how to go fast.

    I'm running an F3 front end, with the forks set at 26mm up from the top of the triple tree and a Penske adjustable shock that is 323mm long.  It might seem that this set up is a bit tall, but this geometry seems to work quite well for the Hawk.  You still have very quick turn-in and it is very stable under heavy braking and at mid corner.
  • custom air filter for the nt650 gt hawkPipe and Jet Kits, and Exhaust
    I've piped and jetted it and made a custom air filter.
  • custom radiator for the hawkOversized Radiator
    I destroyed the stock one the first time I crashed it. Wanting to replace it with something that would be an upgrade, and survive future crashes, this was the best way to go.
  • Bodywork, Tailsection, and Windscreen
    I've got a set of SharkSkinz Honda RS250 Replica race fiberglass, made specifically for the Hawk. It is amazing stuff, crashes great, good aerodynamics, looks sweet. I've got to figure out where I got the tail from, I bought it from a fellow racer.
  • Exhaust Hanger Bracket
    Courtesy of my good friend, Alan Lapp, this bracket does it's job, and then some. So far, crash-proof, light, strong as hell and easy to replicate.
  • Foot Pegs
    Believe it or not, this is one of the best mods you can make to the bike. You are connected to the machine through your feet and these pegs (I think they are off of a 1995circa Honda RVF 400) do the job very well. They also fold, and are more crash resistant (seeing a pattern with stuff I put on this bike yet :).
  • Chassis
    Some overlap with Suspension in this category, but that shouldn't be a surprise. I've got a scotts rotary steering damper on the bike and it kicks butt! Crash Proof!!! If you break this thing the bike would likely be destroyed completely. Adjustable.
  • Engine Upgrades and Hawk Engine Basics
    Information about putting a bigger, and/or, fresher motor in your Hawk. Also information about this particular machine and some of the gotchas with NT650 horsepower output.