New member from Minnesota

bmackay318 · 02-19-2015, 04:45 PM

Greetings all, I've been riding and wrenching on bikes since I was a kid. About 2years ago I had to sell my stable to fund my move across the country for work and my wedding. Well the bug has bitten me again too get back on two wheels. The bikes I currently own are just skeletons of their former selves.

My ride to work is only 5 miles but there is a stretch where I would need to be able to hold 55mph. Currently I am looking between two models of bikes, first one being the RPS 250CC HAWK
Which is road legal as it sits. The other option I was leaning towards was the Apollo agb36 250cc dirt bike that I would modify for street purposes. I know both of these motors are only 230cc and that they would possibly need new sprockets to achieve that speed. Does anyone have any insight on either of these models?

The website I've found to order them from is killer motorsports.com

The skeletons I have in my garage currently are a 2000 KX250, 1972 ct90, and a 1977 sl100. All of these were given to me instead of being scrapped.

Thanks for reading

katoranger · 02-19-2015, 04:56 PM

Welcome. With a sprocket change you will be able to reach 55 mph.

What part of Minnesota?

bmackay318 · 02-19-2015, 05:08 PM

I am northwest of Duluth in the Iron Range. Although it is cold I'm used to riding in cold weather used to ride year-round in Chicago.

Louis Angel · 02-19-2015, 07:43 PM

Howdy bmackay318! From one new member to another. :cheers:

Back when I was a truck driver, I made several trips through Minnesota.
That is some beautiful country up there indeed! I could so see going
on some long bike rides up there. Although I must say Tennessee here
is quite nice too!

SpudRider · 02-19-2015, 08:00 PM

Welcome; we are glad you joined us.

Show us links to the two websites, and we will try to help you choose.

You won't have any problem cruising at 55 mph, after you get the correct sprocket ratio.

bmackay318 · 02-19-2015, 09:06 PM

This is the first one that is looks like it is already street legal.
http://www.killermotorsports.com/RPS...1-250-hawk.htm

The other bike I am looking at is http://www.killermotorsports.com/Apo.../ap1-db-36.htm
I like this second choice because of the USD forks and what I believe is a beefier chain. My understanding it's that it is a 530 chain.

A little more about me is that I am 6'4" and 280lbs.
Thanks

SpudRider · 02-19-2015, 09:47 PM

Have you checked the DMV regulations in Minnesota? Many states will not give you a license plate for a modified dirt bike. Also, many states will not issue a license plate for many of the Chinese enduro motorcycles. I suggest you check with the local DMV and see if they will issue a license plate for the RPS 250 Hawk motorcycle.

bmackay318 · 02-19-2015, 10:14 PM

In Minnesota in order to get road plates the dirt bike must first be registered with the DNR for trail riding. From there, a form for self certification of road legal status (lights, horn, tires, etc) is completed and brought to the DMV with the registration from the DNR. The DMV will issues plates so that it may be operated on the roadways but an amended title will not be issued. I've had a friend already do this to get his Honda CR500 on the roadway.

If they decide not to play ball, dirt bikes can be registered in South Dakota and they will send a plate and an amended title back with designates road and highway use that I can then register in Minnesota. This way costs roughly $60 more.

culcune · 02-19-2015, 10:21 PM

Welcome--several years ago, someone had imported Apollo 36 bikes which had motard style street tires and full road lighting. It must have been a fluke because I have only seen the off-road models since.

bmackay318 · 02-19-2015, 10:45 PM

If only they still made those. For the lighting system I'm not terribly worried about the charging system since I can run the system as a total loss one like it's found commonly on modified dirt bikes.

With either bike I figure I will end up purchasing an adjustable carb like Weld links often, and a 25slow and 120 main jet. Plus I will change out the spark plug with a MGs and some Rotella T 15-40W oil to switch out with the shipping I'll before starting.

SpudRider · 02-19-2015, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmackay318

In Minnesota in order to get road plates the dirt bike must first be registered with the DNR for trail riding. From there, a form for self certification of road legal status (lights, horn, tires, etc) is completed and brought to the DMV with the registration from the DNR. The DMV will issues plates so that it may be operated on the roadways but an amended title will not be issued. I've had a friend already do this to get his Honda CR500 on the roadway.

If they decide not to play ball, dirt bikes can be registered in South Dakota and they will send a plate and an amended title back with designates road and highway use that I can then register in Minnesota. This way costs roughly $60 more.

Based upon the dirt bike regulations, I assume you won't have much trouble getting a license plate for a Chinese bike with all the equipment required for street riding. If this is so, I suggest you get the RPS 250 Hawk motorcycle. I got a license plate for my Honda CRF250X dirt bike in Idaho. However, it can take a lot of work and some money to make a dirt bike street legal.

The RPS 250 Hawk has a very competitive price, and you won't need to spend the money, and do all the labor to make it street legal.

bmackay318 · 02-19-2015, 11:02 PM

Thanks Spud, I had already called them today to see if they had it in stock and will hopefully get a call back tomorrow. Then it'll just be sourcing the carb, jets, and sprockets.

culcune · 02-20-2015, 12:07 AM

Don't leave the TMEC 200 enduro off your shopping list. Call and see what kind of deal Excalibur can swing for you. Great bike, and don't let the 200cc 'scare' you!

http://www.atv4usa.com/proddetail.as...EC200-1&cat=17

bmackay318 · 02-20-2015, 06:52 AM

I guess I'll give wade a call today, my only worry about the TMEC was that it wouldn't be able to carry someone my size at 55mph comfortably.

bmackay318 · 02-20-2015, 01:34 PM

So I called Excalibur today and the price was a little higher than I like so I think I'll go with that Hawk if they call me back saying it's in stock. I have a slip on from my Kx250 that I think I'll fit into the exhaust because that stock one looks awfully restrictive. With that exhaust and the cold weather here I think I'll get a 130 main and 25 pilot jet for the new carburetor.

02-19-2015, 04:45 PM	#1
bmackay318 Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 15	New member from Minnesota Greetings all, I've been riding and wrenching on bikes since I was a kid. About 2years ago I had to sell my stable to fund my move across the country for work and my wedding. Well the bug has bitten me again too get back on two wheels. The bikes I currently own are just skeletons of their former selves. My ride to work is only 5 miles but there is a stretch where I would need to be able to hold 55mph. Currently I am looking between two models of bikes, first one being the RPS 250CC HAWK Which is road legal as it sits. The other option I was leaning towards was the Apollo agb36 250cc dirt bike that I would modify for street purposes. I know both of these motors are only 230cc and that they would possibly need new sprockets to achieve that speed. Does anyone have any insight on either of these models? The website I've found to order them from is killer motorsports.com The skeletons I have in my garage currently are a 2000 KX250, 1972 ct90, and a 1977 sl100. All of these were given to me instead of being scrapped. Thanks for reading
	0

02-19-2015, 04:56 PM	#2
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	Welcome. With a sprocket change you will be able to reach 55 mph. What part of Minnesota? __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

02-19-2015, 07:43 PM	#4
Louis Angel Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: TENNESSEE Posts: 392	Howdy bmackay318! From one new member to another. :cheers: Back when I was a truck driver, I made several trips through Minnesota. That is some beautiful country up there indeed! I could so see going on some long bike rides up there. Although I must say Tennessee here is quite nice too! __________________ " If it ain't broke, I can probably still fix it!" ---- Tim Allen
	0

02-19-2015, 08:00 PM	#5
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	Welcome; we are glad you joined us. Show us links to the two websites, and we will try to help you choose. You won't have any problem cruising at 55 mph, after you get the correct sprocket ratio. __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	0

02-19-2015, 09:47 PM	#7
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	Have you checked the DMV regulations in Minnesota? Many states will not give you a license plate for a modified dirt bike. Also, many states will not issue a license plate for many of the Chinese enduro motorcycles. I suggest you check with the local DMV and see if they will issue a license plate for the RPS 250 Hawk motorcycle. __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	0

02-19-2015, 05:08 PM	#3
bmackay318 Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 15	I am northwest of Duluth in the Iron Range. Although it is cold I'm used to riding in cold weather used to ride year-round in Chicago.
	0

02-19-2015, 09:06 PM	#6
bmackay318 Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 15	This is the first one that is looks like it is already street legal. http://www.killermotorsports.com/RPS...1-250-hawk.htm The other bike I am looking at is http://www.killermotorsports.com/Apo.../ap1-db-36.htm I like this second choice because of the USD forks and what I believe is a beefier chain. My understanding it's that it is a 530 chain. A little more about me is that I am 6'4" and 280lbs. Thanks
	0

02-19-2015, 10:14 PM	#8
bmackay318 Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 15	In Minnesota in order to get road plates the dirt bike must first be registered with the DNR for trail riding. From there, a form for self certification of road legal status (lights, horn, tires, etc) is completed and brought to the DMV with the registration from the DNR. The DMV will issues plates so that it may be operated on the roadways but an amended title will not be issued. I've had a friend already do this to get his Honda CR500 on the roadway. If they decide not to play ball, dirt bikes can be registered in South Dakota and they will send a plate and an amended title back with designates road and highway use that I can then register in Minnesota. This way costs roughly $60 more.
	0

02-19-2015, 10:21 PM	#9
culcune Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yuma, Arizona Posts: 9,035	Welcome--several years ago, someone had imported Apollo 36 bikes which had motard style street tires and full road lighting. It must have been a fluke because I have only seen the off-road models since. __________________ "They say that life's a carousel, spinning fast you got to ride it well..." TGB Delivery Scooter 150 TMEC 200 Enduro--carcass is sadly rotting in the backyard
	0

02-19-2015, 10:45 PM	#10
bmackay318 Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 15	If only they still made those. For the lighting system I'm not terribly worried about the charging system since I can run the system as a total loss one like it's found commonly on modified dirt bikes. With either bike I figure I will end up purchasing an adjustable carb like Weld links often, and a 25slow and 120 main jet. Plus I will change out the spark plug with a MGs and some Rotella T 15-40W oil to switch out with the shipping I'll before starting.
	0

02-19-2015, 11:02 PM	#12
bmackay318 Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 15	Thanks Spud, I had already called them today to see if they had it in stock and will hopefully get a call back tomorrow. Then it'll just be sourcing the carb, jets, and sprockets.
	0

02-20-2015, 12:07 AM	#13
culcune Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yuma, Arizona Posts: 9,035	Don't leave the TMEC 200 enduro off your shopping list. Call and see what kind of deal Excalibur can swing for you. Great bike, and don't let the 200cc 'scare' you! http://www.atv4usa.com/proddetail.as...EC200-1&cat=17 __________________ "They say that life's a carousel, spinning fast you got to ride it well..." TGB Delivery Scooter 150 TMEC 200 Enduro--carcass is sadly rotting in the backyard
	0

02-20-2015, 06:52 AM	#14
bmackay318 Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 15	I guess I'll give wade a call today, my only worry about the TMEC was that it wouldn't be able to carry someone my size at 55mph comfortably.
	0

02-20-2015, 01:34 PM	#15
bmackay318 Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 15	So I called Excalibur today and the price was a little higher than I like so I think I'll go with that Hawk if they call me back saying it's in stock. I have a slip on from my Kx250 that I think I'll fit into the exhaust because that stock one looks awfully restrictive. With that exhaust and the cold weather here I think I'll get a 130 main and 25 pilot jet for the new carburetor.
	0