Advice?

[Abandoners]

I am looking to purchase my first bike, and lucky for me I found a 1988 Honda Hawk withh 44,000 miles on it. It is slightly dinged, but it still in perfect running shape (from what I'm told) they are selling it to me for $2500 out the door, they are asking $3000, but we made (almost) a deal for $2500.

Is this worth it, or should I look around longer. And is there anything I should be aware of (mechanical or other)?

Like I said, I'm a new rider, and lov the look and feel of the hawk. Thank you in advance for your help.

Michael

[tkm433]

Re: Advice?

I am looking to purchase my first bike, and lucky for me I found a 1988 Honda Hawk withh 44,000 miles on it. It is slightly dinged, but it still in perfect running shape (from what I'm told) they are selling it to me for $2500 out the door, they are asking $3000, but we made (almost) a deal for $2500.

Is this worth it, or should I look around longer. And is there anything I should be aware of (mechanical or other)?

Like I said, I'm a new rider, and lov the look and feel of the hawk. Thank you in advance for your help.

Michael

I would love to be able to get $2500 for mine if I sold it but looking at maybe not the best judge of pricing good old ebay you will notice a good many Hawks not selling for over $2000. This could be due to it being ebay and people really can not see the bike of maybe they are not worth more than that.

as for the bike you are looking at other than you listing it with being dinged and 44,000 miles it is hard to tell what it is worth. In my view 44,000 miles is high for that price they are asking.

How are the tires? Are they new or hard as a brick? If you need to replace them and you can not do it yourself you are looking at an easy $300 for tires and labor.

How is the drive chain and sprockets? With 44,000 miles they are easy due for the new chain and sprockets which could set yopu back another $300 if you can not do it yourself and you need to have it done by your local shop.

The cush drive rubber? If the bike makes a loud noise when you shift it they need to be replace and that will cost you around $30 in parts plus labor.

Being that it is dinged up how did this happen? Check out the forks and see if they are damaged or if the seals are leaking. Fork seals go bad with just age and again a couple hundred bucks at your local shop to replace.

On to the dings? If you do not mind rideing it as it looks then there is no problem. If you want to replace the damaged body work you will be looking at around $100 for the tail plastic in decent shape, if it is not damage the tank is anywhere from $150 to $400 range and the fender which never really gets damaged go for $25 and up depending on condition and how bad the seller wants it out of their house.

I do not want to scare you but I just feel that a cosmetic damaged 44,000 mile Hawk is not worth $2500. I would not even say $2000 but again that is just my view.

[SMF]

mileage sounds high and it's not in perfect condition... those without scratches, etc (like mine b/f i raced it. lol) fetch _good_ money. since it's been down it sounds a bit high...

[Guth]

Re: Advice?

Is this worth it, or should I look around longer.

Where are you located - this can also have a considerable impact on the price. Have you been following local craigslist postings? Ebay activity? Bike Trader ads for your region? Checked with local shops that work on Hawks?

If you're located in the USA, the price sounds high to me based on your description - does it run smoothly? If you're still considering this particular bike, then as other posters mentioned, have a look at the tires, fork seals, check the gas tank for rust, etc...

All the best,
Guth

[cfiiman]

Trust me that's high, for a bike like that 1500 tops is what I would pay, and that only is if I really really wanted it right now without waiting...I've seen really nice ones with under 10K go on ebay for 1800-2200, extremely nice ones on this board from old members before I bought mine go for 2400, and they were perfect...It is too high for that many miles/condition IMO...Doc do you agree???

[motorcycleman]

It would have to have new tires, chain and sprocket set, cush drive rubbers, a nice exhaust and need nothing mechanical for it to be worth 2500. Even then it sounds high to me. But once you get it, and do whatever mods you want to it, and if you keep it for say ten years, it will have been worth it

[jaysun0ne]

no one mentioned any thing about mods

does it have a different front end, rear suspention mod, corbin seat, after market exhaust, body work? this all can effect price as well

MHO 1500 would be a deal for any running hawk i wouldnt pay more than 2000 for a avrage hawk 2000+ for a really nice one.

if you wait you could find one for under 1000 they are out there.

[whiskeypigeon]

Did the price of Hawks go down $1K in the past year? I think for under a grand you are looking to put some time/money into it (and will probably be waiting a while).

[Abandoners]

Thanx all...

Looking like I probably hold off for a bit. If anyone knows anyone thats getting rid of their hawk in the San Francisco area, please let me know.

By the way, all the upgrades it has (that I was told and saw) are new tires (front and rear). And a Corbin seat (some scratches). It just looks kind-a dirty and has a dent in the tank.

Thanx again,

Michael

[whiskeypigeon]

Chicago is very close to San Fran, and I am selling my Hawk

[Roberto]

^^^ Looks like a much better prospect for the money. Shipping/trailer rental+fuel can't be that much.

[squirrelman]

from what little i know, SF area has HIGHEST Hawk prices in USA.

[MasterBates]

i got mine with 31k for only $2250 in san francisco and it had supertrapp exhaust, aftermarket turn signals, corbin seat, new front sprocket, battery charger, and the stock seat/exhaust. its all about the seller you gotta find someone who doesnt know how much their hawk is really worth if you want a good deal.

[drinmotoracer]

Dude... sfbay.craigslist.org/mcy There is one for $1100 right now! He says it starts and runs! Otherwise there are a lot for around $2000 which is a fair price for a decent one in the bay area...

[Guth]

from what little i know, SF area has HIGHEST Hawk prices in USA.

I've followed the SF Craigslist postings for a couple of years now - just as a reference point. You can definitely do better than the offering that the original post in this thread mentions.

Hawks in the SF area might be priced higher than in other parts of the country, but certainly not higher than the rest of the west coast. While the SF area might be lacking the true bargains mentioned by other posters here, it appears that it more than makes up this for in terms of the quantity of worthwhile Hawk for sale. Here in the northwest, it is almost as common to find a "Hawk Wanted" posting on Craigslist as it is to find a "Hawk for Sale" posting.

Abandoners, hang in there. You're bound to find a decent Hawk sooner rather than later in your neck of the woods. I know that there is at least one independent shop in the SF area that post ads on Craigslist for nice looking Hawks every now and then. Your patience will be rewarded.

All the best,
Guth