Help on making a decision

Bobafett123 · 04-06-2023, 12:25 PM

Hi Folks i am new to the forums and I trying to pick between a couple of bikes and i really could use some help deciding. I have been wanting the Hawk 250 DLX for a long while now and was just about ready to buy one and Happen to See Jerryhawk 250 with his amazing Lifan KPX 250 and now i want that Bike instead . I Like both bikes and know that either one will be a good bike, but my issue is seat height. I am 5ft 8 and the seat height on both Bikes has me a little worried. So I went to a dealership for Lifan yesterday here by where i live and they had a KPX 250 to look at and the seat is tall but like i couldn't deal with it . The question i have is there adjustments on the rear shock to soften the rear to gain a little height in the travel ?? or has anyone switched out the rear Shock to lower the seat height a little ??? i don't want to shave the seat and some of the other options to get it i only need maybe an inch or inch and a half . No i dont want to wear Platform shoes either LOL . I also sat on the Lifan xpect 200 with he lower seat height but i just like the KPX better . Any help would be Awesome
Thanks !

Texas Pete · 04-06-2023, 12:53 PM

Are you trying to swing a leg over from standing on the ground or are you standing on the foot peg and swinging your leg over like with a horse with your foot in the stirrups first? I stopped worrying about bike height when I adopted the latter method. Left foot on the peg, reach over with right hand and grasp the front brake holding it in the engaged position. Lifting up with left leg transferring weight on to the bikes stand, leaning over the seat slightly while swinging the right leg over. Then as your weight fully transfers to the suspension it sags down to the ground. Once you get the technique down it’s very easy getting on. Then you can worry about what’s more important, once on the bike does it compress the shocks enough such that you can flat foot it enough to control the bike while stationary. That’s the only thing I would worry about working on reducing the suspension setup for.

Bobafett123 · 04-06-2023, 01:08 PM

yeah i was foot on the ground and swung my leg over. But once i was on the bike full weight i was up on my toes a little . Not that it was tippy toes, just not too flat footed .My first Street bike was kinda like this i had an 1982 Honda Ft 500 Ascot and it was a taller bike too , but i never had an issue. I am really impressed with the KPX and plan on ordering it soon just that Dang Expect 200 got me thinking about the seat height since is is 32.5inches vs 35 for the KPX

**JerryHawk250** · 04-06-2023, 01:14 PM

You can back off on the rear spring to get more sag. Also the rear spring does settle in some. When i first got the KPX I couldn't flat foot it. Now I can. I also mount it cowboy style, lol

Thumper · 04-06-2023, 04:53 PM

I do this on the Templars as well. Seat height on them is about 37" (both 5 speed and 6 speed)!

A deliberated left step up/balance on the left peg, then swing over the seat with the right leg. It takes a bit of practice since the kickstand will push it to the right as your weight settles on. Easy once you get used to it.

Ina Ditch · 04-06-2023, 06:56 PM

my brozz wore in as Jhawk described, don't know if it is an option with the bike your looking at but on the brozz I was able to slide the triple tree down on the forks to lower the front end.
I understand your concern, I am 5'6 and chose the brozz because of the seat height. By the way, I bought a set of shorter shocks to lower the rear but never put them on, by the time they arrived I was use to the bike and didn't need them, again, I am 5'6"
Hope it goes well for you, wish there were dealers near me so I could look before I buy.

tknj99 · 04-06-2023, 07:08 PM

One thing i learned with the Templar fairly quick is, Do Not mount while the kickstand is down, almost dumped it over the first couple times i did that

Megadan · 04-06-2023, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobafett123

No i dont want to wear Platform shoes either LOL .

Alternative option. Have your legs lengthened 2 inches. I've heard it's a new growing trend, so you would be doing the "in" thing. Just ignore the agonizing pain and need to walk assisted during the whole months long process and you are good to go!

In all seriousness though, there are always options, especially if you just want to drop it an inch or so.

I lack first hand knowledge on the KPX as I just ride around my poverty spec basic bitch Hawk. I haven't had the pleasure of taking a KPX apart completely and going through all of the specs and measures to figure out the chassis and what may be needed to raise or lower it. I am also assuming that those who do own one have also had very little need to dig into the bike so far since the Lifan is built somewhat decently when compared to the Poverty 250, so less hands on is needed in the first place.

Me, I would just work on stretching and techniques to mount the bike I really want, because it's way less work to just use what have to work with.

Oldenslow · 04-07-2023, 09:10 AM

i think you are all making too much fuss over seat height...

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sHm_wizutuA

Deckard_Cain · 04-07-2023, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas Pete

Are you trying to swing a leg over from standing on the ground or are you standing on the foot peg and swinging your leg over like with a horse with your foot in the stirrups first? I stopped worrying about bike height when I adopted the latter method. Left foot on the peg, reach over with right hand and grasp the front brake holding it in the engaged position. Lifting up with left leg transferring weight on to the bikes stand, leaning over the seat slightly while swinging the right leg over. Then as your weight fully transfers to the suspension it sags down to the ground. Once you get the technique down it’s very easy getting on. Then you can worry about what’s more important, once on the bike does it compress the shocks enough such that you can flat foot it enough to control the bike while stationary. That’s the only thing I would worry about working on reducing the suspension setup for.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobafett123

yeah i was foot on the ground and swung my leg over. But once i was on the bike full weight i was up on my toes a little . Not that it was tippy toes, just not too flat footed .My first Street bike was kinda like this i had an 1982 Honda Ft 500 Ascot and it was a taller bike too , but i never had an issue. I am really impressed with the KPX and plan on ordering it soon just that Dang Expect 200 got me thinking about the seat height since is is 32.5inches vs 35 for the KPX

I use the peg up method myself.. I'm not short, but I do only have a 29" inseam. It works amazing.

Look, if Joclyn Snow at 5ft flat can manipulate and ride the 600lb GS1200/1250 like a BOSS, I think us wee normal people can handle the Hawk 250 and similar.

Boba- once you're on the bike but need to put a foot down, slide off to the left, straddle your right leg on the seat and you should be able to put the left foot flat on the ground while keep the right foot on the rear brake.

Then to take off you just scootch up and back on.

DanDLion · 04-07-2023, 12:00 PM

https://www.chinariders.net/showpost...4&postcount=48

I am not familiar with the KPX, but would this work?

Magician16 · 04-08-2023, 10:24 AM

Both my bikes have the 32" height. I ride mostly off road and mounting with the peg up method doesn't work after you've gone down in sand or brush. I was riding a buddy's Kawasaki 250 off road, and I simply could not remount after dropping it. I ended up pushing it quite a distance to find some rocky terrain where I could.

I learned that I could start off beside the bike with my foot on the peg and swing up after motoring for a bit, but that's difficult for my 70 yoa body.

Texas Pete · 04-08-2023, 06:44 PM

Never used a hockey puck?

Bobafett123 · 04-09-2023, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldenslow

i think you are all making too much fuss over seat height...

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sHm_wizutuA

This guy has gotten really good at dealing this a seat height issue!

Bobafett123 · 04-10-2023, 07:49 AM

Taking the advice from you guys on not letting the seat height worry me now from my last post, Which is the better of the two bikes to buy ? The Lifan KPX 250 or the Hawk DLX 250 ? Like both equally and I have always wanted the Hawk since I first saw the original one , but is the Lifan KPX worth spending the extra $1000 bucks on it ?

04-06-2023, 12:25 PM	#1
Bobafett123 Join Date: Mar 2023 Posts: 6	Help on making a decision Hi Folks i am new to the forums and I trying to pick between a couple of bikes and i really could use some help deciding. I have been wanting the Hawk 250 DLX for a long while now and was just about ready to buy one and Happen to See Jerryhawk 250 with his amazing Lifan KPX 250 and now i want that Bike instead . I Like both bikes and know that either one will be a good bike, but my issue is seat height. I am 5ft 8 and the seat height on both Bikes has me a little worried. So I went to a dealership for Lifan yesterday here by where i live and they had a KPX 250 to look at and the seat is tall but like i couldn't deal with it . The question i have is there adjustments on the rear shock to soften the rear to gain a little height in the travel ?? or has anyone switched out the rear Shock to lower the seat height a little ??? i don't want to shave the seat and some of the other options to get it i only need maybe an inch or inch and a half . No i dont want to wear Platform shoes either LOL . I also sat on the Lifan xpect 200 with he lower seat height but i just like the KPX better . Any help would be Awesome Thanks !
	0

04-06-2023, 12:53 PM	#2
Texas Pete Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 578	Are you trying to swing a leg over from standing on the ground or are you standing on the foot peg and swinging your leg over like with a horse with your foot in the stirrups first? I stopped worrying about bike height when I adopted the latter method. Left foot on the peg, reach over with right hand and grasp the front brake holding it in the engaged position. Lifting up with left leg transferring weight on to the bikes stand, leaning over the seat slightly while swinging the right leg over. Then as your weight fully transfers to the suspension it sags down to the ground. Once you get the technique down it’s very easy getting on. Then you can worry about what’s more important, once on the bike does it compress the shocks enough such that you can flat foot it enough to control the bike while stationary. That’s the only thing I would worry about working on reducing the suspension setup for. __________________ 2022 1/2 Templar X 250 - 6 gear model - 13 Front / 40 Rear Sprockets - #42 / #120 Jets - 1mm thick nitrile O-ring needle shim (removed) - Kenda K761 Dual Sport Tires - Sedona Standard Thickness Inner Tubes - Stock OEM battery, carburetor, spark plug still going strong - https://youtu.be/dhAYEKH-jFQ Texas Pete's Templar X 250 Torque Specifications Sheet Texas Pete's Engine Displacement Calculator Texas Pete's Tire and Rim Compatibility
	3

04-06-2023, 01:14 PM	#4
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,555	You can back off on the rear spring to get more sag. Also the rear spring does settle in some. When i first got the KPX I couldn't flat foot it. Now I can. I also mount it cowboy style, lol __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
	1

04-06-2023, 04:53 PM	#5
Thumper Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Kansas City Posts: 2,282	I do this on the Templars as well. Seat height on them is about 37" (both 5 speed and 6 speed)! A deliberated left step up/balance on the left peg, then swing over the seat with the right leg. It takes a bit of practice since the kickstand will push it to the right as your weight settles on. Easy once you get used to it. __________________ -2022 5 speed Templar X Orange, OEM 51T rear sprocket, 14T front sprocket -NOS 2020 KTM 250SX (2-stroke motocross), less than 10 hours on it
	2

04-06-2023, 07:08 PM	#7
tknj99 Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Central VA Posts: 1,256	One thing i learned with the Templar fairly quick is, Do Not mount while the kickstand is down, almost dumped it over the first couple times i did that __________________ 2024 Zuma Storm 150 DLX 2019 Beta 430 RRS 2017 Honda Fury Former China Bikes: Tao DBX1, Brozz 250, CSC RX4, Titan DLX, Templar X
	0

04-06-2023, 01:08 PM	#3
Bobafett123 Join Date: Mar 2023 Posts: 6	yeah i was foot on the ground and swung my leg over. But once i was on the bike full weight i was up on my toes a little . Not that it was tippy toes, just not too flat footed .My first Street bike was kinda like this i had an 1982 Honda Ft 500 Ascot and it was a taller bike too , but i never had an issue. I am really impressed with the KPX and plan on ordering it soon just that Dang Expect 200 got me thinking about the seat height since is is 32.5inches vs 35 for the KPX
	0

04-06-2023, 06:56 PM	#6
Ina Ditch Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: NW-Fl Posts: 305	my brozz wore in as Jhawk described, don't know if it is an option with the bike your looking at but on the brozz I was able to slide the triple tree down on the forks to lower the front end. I understand your concern, I am 5'6 and chose the brozz because of the seat height. By the way, I bought a set of shorter shocks to lower the rear but never put them on, by the time they arrived I was use to the bike and didn't need them, again, I am 5'6" Hope it goes well for you, wish there were dealers near me so I could look before I buy.
	1

04-07-2023, 09:10 AM	#9
Oldenslow Join Date: Mar 2020 Posts: 153	i think you are all making too much fuss over seat height... https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sHm_wizutuA
	3

04-07-2023, 12:00 PM	#11
DanDLion Join Date: Mar 2023 Location: Sonoran Desert, AZ Posts: 24	https://www.chinariders.net/showpost...4&postcount=48 I am not familiar with the KPX, but would this work?
	0

04-08-2023, 10:24 AM	#12
Magician16 Join Date: Aug 2019 Posts: 468	Both my bikes have the 32" height. I ride mostly off road and mounting with the peg up method doesn't work after you've gone down in sand or brush. I was riding a buddy's Kawasaki 250 off road, and I simply could not remount after dropping it. I ended up pushing it quite a distance to find some rocky terrain where I could. I learned that I could start off beside the bike with my foot on the peg and swing up after motoring for a bit, but that's difficult for my 70 yoa body. __________________ 2018 Bashan Storm(sold) 2016 Magician 250
	0

04-08-2023, 06:44 PM	#13
Texas Pete Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 578	Never used a hockey puck? __________________ 2022 1/2 Templar X 250 - 6 gear model - 13 Front / 40 Rear Sprockets - #42 / #120 Jets - 1mm thick nitrile O-ring needle shim (removed) - Kenda K761 Dual Sport Tires - Sedona Standard Thickness Inner Tubes - Stock OEM battery, carburetor, spark plug still going strong - https://youtu.be/dhAYEKH-jFQ Texas Pete's Templar X 250 Torque Specifications Sheet Texas Pete's Engine Displacement Calculator Texas Pete's Tire and Rim Compatibility
	0

04-10-2023, 07:49 AM	#15
Bobafett123 Join Date: Mar 2023 Posts: 6	Which is the better bike to Buy? Taking the advice from you guys on not letting the seat height worry me now from my last post, Which is the better of the two bikes to buy ? The Lifan KPX 250 or the Hawk DLX 250 ? Like both equally and I have always wanted the Hawk since I first saw the original one , but is the Lifan KPX worth spending the extra $1000 bucks on it ?
	0