Rps model year:

[Troiani49]

Does the model year for RPS bikes matter? Do the bikes change for one year to the next. If a know problem existed what it be corrected? I have read about broken welds on the magicians frame, would RPS address this issue? Is the 2016 hawk the same as the 2019 Hawk?

[JerryHawk250]

They hawk pretty much hasn't changed from 2016 -2018. Basically the same bike. I haven't seen a 2019 but it probably hasn't changed either.

[Megadan]

The only real changes were mainly minor cosmetic stuff. 2017-2018 all came with black wheels, the 2016's had some that came with chrome wheels. My 2017 and now 2018 also did not have the turn signal relay with the built in beeper, and instead seemed to come with a basic electronic 2 pin as I have installed LED signals on both bikes without a fast flash issue.

Otherwise, as Jerry said, it's basically the same bike across every year.

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by Megadan

The only real changes were mainly minor cosmetic stuff. 2017-2018 all came with black wheels, the 2016's had some that came with chrome wheels. My 2017 and now 2018 also did not have the turn signal relay with the built in beeper, and instead seemed to come with a basic electronic 2 pin as I have installed LED signals on both bikes without a fast flash issue.

Otherwise, as Jerry said, it's basically the same bike across every year.

The 2016's came with black wheels too. 2015 and older had chrome. 2017 and 2018 came with a tool tube too which the 2016 and older didn't.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

The 2016's came with black wheels too. 2015 and older had chrome. 2017 and 2018 came with a tool tube too which the 2016 and older didn't.

The factory tool tube isn't anything to get excited about really. It's just barely big enough for the factory tool kit lol.

[OneLeggedRider]

Yes, my 2018 has the tool tube and doesn't have the annoying turn signal beeper. Also the tube going into the airbox is tightly sealed with a semi hard sealant, dont know if that's new or not.

[ChipToothy]

Originally Posted by Megadan

The factory tool tube isn't anything to get excited about really. It's just barely big enough for the factory tool kit lol.

Mine split and fell off a long time ago.

[Ariel Red Hunter]

Originally Posted by Troiani49

Does the model year for RPS bikes matter? Do the bikes change for one year to the next. If a know problem existed what it be corrected? I have read about broken welds on the magicians frame, would RPS address this issue? Is the 2016 hawk the same as the 2019 Hawk?

There seem to be small quality improvements on the Hawk from year to year, or maybe from batch to batch. I hear less complaints on swing arm bushings, chains, rear rims, etc. then in years past. Some of that may be because new owners are taking more pains about assembly. There are certainly enough helpers and videos on here to get a new owner over the hump and on to pleasant ridership. There are problems still though: any fluid that came on the bike should be changed, and the bike should be regreased. Don't forget the steering head bearings, and everything on the swing arm and rear shock. But, the thing is, it has a tough little engine, and a very strong frame...ARH

[timcosby]

maybe cause we told everybody to lube the chain first and it would be ok??????

[timcosby]

Originally Posted by Ariel Red Hunter

There seem to be small quality improvements on the Hawk from year to year, or maybe from batch to batch. I hear less complaints on swing arm bushings, chains, rear rims, etc. then in years past. Some of that may be because new owners are taking more pains about assembly. There are certainly enough helpers and videos on here to get a new owner over the hump and on to pleasant ridership. There are problems still though: any fluid that came on the bike should be changed, and the bike should be regreased. Don't forget the steering head bearings, and everything on the swing arm and rear shock. But, the thing is, it has a tough little engine, and a very strong frame...ARH

why are all the fluids bad other than thats what someone said. still have oem brake fluid and fork fluid in mine not a thing wrong with it. if you have proof there bad i would love to see it.

[Megadan]

That brake fluid in your 2016 is bad on age alone. 2yrs intervals on brake fluid is the industry sstandard.. As far as the quality, its pretty cheap stuff. The oil in the forks on both of my hawks was low, uneven, and full of trash floating in it. Also fairly sure its just a generic light machine oil. The engine oil? lol

I fail to see why spending 50 bucks on good quality fluids that you know for sure are good quality fluids is such a bad thing.

For an analog of what they use on these bikes look no further than the boogers worth of "grease" on the steering stem bearings that has the consistency of thick hand soap.

[ChipToothy]

I’m seeing China bikes being ridden at least once a week lately. The scooter stores are carrying them now. Hawks are getting exspencive. $2,400 pre tax at the dealership and $2,000 used. That’s almost a 100% mark up. I felt ripped off at $1,700 lol. There’s a 2009 Rocketa 200 going for $900 here.


Wish I had the money to start a business.

[timcosby]

Originally Posted by Megadan

That brake fluid in your 2016 is bad on age alone. 2yrs intervals on brake fluid is the industry sstandard.. As far as the quality, its pretty cheap stuff. The oil in the forks on both of my hawks was low, uneven, and full of trash floating in it. Also fairly sure its just a generic light machine oil. The engine oil? lol

I fail to see why spending 50 bucks on good quality fluids that you know for sure are good quality fluids is such a bad thing.

For an analog of what they use on these bikes look no further than the boogers worth of "grease" on the steering stem bearings that has the consistency of thick hand soap.

well im leaving it in to see just how long it will last befor it blows. what proof do you have that it is cheap? other than thats what you think.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by timcosby

well im leaving it in to see just how long it will last befor it blows. what proof do you have that it is cheap? other than thats what you think.

My own first hand experience on the very noticeable change in brake feel with no air having come out during the bleed process was more than enough to convince me. Or the fact that it failed a simple brake fluid test. However, we can consider the following other items.

The MSRP of the bike, the lack of grease on critical joints, the other numerous low quality issues found on the bike. Or how about the uneven and often low levels of fluid in each system? My 2018 came with the rear fluid below the min line, and the front wasn't even in the window. Off of that alone I can make an educated guess, and given the previously mentioned items... likely a very accurate one.

Plus, for less than 10 bucks for a bottle of fresh brake fluid, what is the harm? Seriously. Explain to me what is so bad about spending $10.

It would be awfully strange to me that they would go ultra cheap on every other fluid, component, and even assembly of the bike to then get all spendy on brake fluid. From a purely logical point of view that makes no sense.

As a final note, you want to leave your brake fluid in past the recommended service interval of every single OEM manufacturer. Just because that might "work" doesn't mean it's a good idea with a fluid that is highly hygroscopic. Any reason? To prove a point? I have seen vehicles run the same brake fluid for 10 years and it was "ok" according to the owner. The fluid came out a combination of rust and rubber, and subsequently needed a new master cylinder, lines, and caliper rebuilds, but it was "ok."

That was a car. On a bike the brakes are even more critical, and I would rather spend 10 bucks than run the future risk of brake failure. Cheap investment for a high potential return.

If you can provide a logical or evidence based counter argument, I would genuinely love to hear it.

[OneLeggedRider]

Every thing I've seen on the Hawk leads me to believe they would use the cheapest least refined oil they could get away with. From the valves and fuel mixture screw being cranked down tight, to the junk swingarm that changes size as you loosen the axle, and the bike won't even run properly till you adjust or replace the carburetor. And when I drained the shipping oil out of the engine it didn't look like brand new oil that had never been ran. It was thin and runny like a machine oil. I wouldn't be surprised if they put the same oil in the brakes and forks!