Hawk Goes Mainstream on Youtube

[kingofqueenz]

Found this vid interesting, if you follow SRK Cycles on Youtube a prominent dealer in the NorthEast with circa 150k followers on Youtube, he did a nice review of the Hawk

[culcune]

Funny enough I mentioned to him that it is technically not street legal in all states, and he responded with "weird". I did mention the TBR7 which IS 49 state street legal, and that it is cheaper. However, the Hawk has a huge following, and is one of the first bikes that I have seen the phenomenon where it isn't just popular here, but in fact popular with numerous people who have no idea Chinariders exists! For reference, I have been a member here since 2006, and pretty much up until the Hawk, if it didn't happen here on CR in the Chinabike realm, it didn't happen!

[NzBrakelathes]

Hawks are popular all over the world except china.....

[MooDog]

I've seen this review prior to this thread. Pretty good stuff.. Time's coming to pull the trigger on either the TBR7 or Hawk.

[culcune]

Originally Posted by MooDog

I've seen this review prior to this thread. Pretty good stuff.. Time's coming to pull the trigger on either the TBR7 or Hawk.

I don't think you will go wrong with either. The only issue with a Hawk you MIGHT encounter is registration since Hawks are technically EPA certified as 'off-road motorcycles'. The Tao is 49 state EPA/DOT certified as an 'on highway motorcycle'. However, since the Hawk has all street-legal equipment, many states plate them without issue, and others will plate them as 'converted dirt bikes'.

[BigFatAl]

No problem getting a plate for my Hawk DLX in Washington state,just took a bit of time.
Good review and pretty honest.

[MooDog]

Originally Posted by culcune

I don't think you will go wrong with either. The only issue with a Hawk you MIGHT encounter is registration since Hawks are technically EPA certified as 'off-road motorcycles'. The Tao is 49 state EPA/DOT certified as an 'on highway motorcycle'. However, since the Hawk has all street-legal equipment, many states plate them without issue, and others will plate them as 'converted dirt bikes'.

I should look for into this. I'm in Wisconsin. I have a few weeks yet..

[BigFatAl]

For somebody who owns a motorcycle dealership he doesn’t seem to know much about bikes !!.

[kingofqueenz]

He tries to portray a sense of innocence around bikes to connect with viewers ( IMO )

@ MooDog - I personally think they are just about the same bike, I opted for the TBR7 for 2 reasons #1 Tires are more street than offroad ( but will accomodate - 80/20 ) #2 Assembly - TBR7 is basically assembled, with a few minor items, I think the Hawk is a little more involved - clearly if you are getting in this came you are likely capable with a wrench, so either way you would be good.

Can't go wrong with either.... PULL THE TRIGGER!!!

[culcune]

Originally Posted by kingofqueenz

Can't go wrong with either.... PULL THE TRIGGER!!!

Can one street plate a Hawk in NY? Or, if you know, NJ? I remember a few years ago, one could. But I recall them cracking down and possibly stopping this practice. Then again, I do believe a member successfully street-plated one in upstate NY after the crackdown (possibly narrowed down around NYC and more immediate surrounds).

[kingofqueenz]

I reggy'd my TBR7 in May 2019 in NY (Long Island), my buddy purchased and reggy'd his HAWK in June 2019 at same location.

It was an intense experience, they gave a much harder time for whatever reason, he requested his MCO to say motorcycle ( not dirtbike ) when purchasing from TX P-sports and they accomodated.

I don't know why, I wasn;t there but he did register and did mention he was petrified how difficult it was and how many issues they raised.

[timcosby]

Originally Posted by NzBrakelathes

Hawks are popular all over the world except china.....

i hear in china you are either poor or very well off. if your poor you cant even buy a hawk and if your well off you want better machine so there is no market for a hawk in china. thats my take on it and i have been known to be wrong befor.

[timcosby]

i think the new fuel injected hawk is 48 state street legal

[culcune]

Originally Posted by timcosby

i think the new fuel injected hawk is 48 state street legal

According to the official EPA/DOT certification list, it is 49 state legal, but that doesn't mean one of the 49 states isn't trying to be the next California with its own CARB certification process. Actually, for a few years not too long ago, a few eastern states declared they were going to hop on board with California and only accept vehicles with CARB certification. I believe I recall a few motorcycles listed on the EPA/DOT list as being 48 state street legal. However, that seems to have fallen by the wayside as it seems that bikes are either 50 state, some are 49 state + California (not sure what the difference is), while some are 49 state (Californians need not apply); mostly Chinese bikes but a few mainstream brands' bikes, too (Suzuki's TU250 comes to mind).

[NzBrakelathes]