Tanshanomi's Snap Judgments

Honda Hawk GT

Thu, July 8th, 2010


1988–91 Honda NT650 Hawk GT
Performancewww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
The Hawk GT was an enjoyable engine, though jetted too lean. It doesn't have any outstanding traits or remarkable characteristics, leaving it feeling somewhat appliance-like.
Handlingwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
The springy and stoppie parts are a bit out of date and suffer from the usual OEM cost-cutting, but the spar frame and single-sided swingarm are both incredibly stiff. Combined with light weight and compact dimensions, it inspires confidence in the turns.
Lookswww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
The Hawk GT is interesting, but a bit antiseptic — neither homely nor inspiring. Somehow it all doesn't come together to create any single overall impression besides, 'Look, a spar frame.'
Reliabilitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Low maintenance features, solid build quality, and no-gimmick design.
Practicalitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
Having ridden a Hawk GT on city streets, twisty backroads, and several 650+ mile Interstate days, it's a great all-around'er. One full point off for the horrible stock seat, however; it's hard, smooth and slants forward, constantly forcing the family jewels against the back of the humped tank. A Corbin saddle is mandatory on this bike.
Desirabilitywww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
It's the sort of bike I claim to love, but this one leaves me a bit cold.
Overallwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.comwww.dyerware.com
A high-quality bike that could just as easily be a Maytag as a Honda.