Soon-to-Be (hopefully) Rider near Richmond, VA

VirginiaRider · 03-23-2018, 05:24 PM

I'm looking at buying a Hawk 250 soon, and I've been learning alot about this motorcycle browsing your forum. Thanks for having this forum, it has been very helpful.

From what I've read, Q9 Powersports seems to be a good, reliable place to order from. Do they deliver as far as Richmond, VA? Has anyone had any bad experiences with them, especially when ordering from another state?

Also, have any of you registered a Hawk 250 in VA recently? I saw where someone was able to do it, but I also heard that some states are not registering vehicles with VINs that start with "L". Is that the case in VA?

One more thing - I plan to do all of my riding off-road. Is there any advantage to registering for a license for the bike? I thought it would be helpful if/when I sell the bike in the future, but are there any other reasons to do so?

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated! Again, thanks for this helpful forum!!

culcune · 03-23-2018, 05:44 PM

Welcome here--Q9 seem to be about as good as any to order from; all seem to have negatives at some time or another. I am guessing if someone was successful in VA, then you are good to go, but you can always; heck should always, check with your state's DMV/MVD/whatever it is called to see if any changes were made. Hawks are technically off-road bikes according to the EPA, but with all the street equipment have become registered in over half of the US states so far for the road. If you are planning to only ride off road, my guess is it would be beneficial to street register yours in case you ever want to be on the road (you can never say never), or ride between trails. Your bike is not meant for brutal off-road, anyway, so you might end up on dirt roads that require license plates, rather than total off road trails. If you wanted a low-cost off road only bike, you should look into the Apollo bikes--the Hawk is not meant for harsh off roading, not to mention the lights and turn signals will eventually fall off if you take the 'Chinese manufacturing' into account. Make sure you watch a bunch of Motocheez videos, not to mention these numerous Hawk threads here.

Megadan · 03-23-2018, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VirginiaRider

One more thing - I plan to do all of my riding off-road. Is there any advantage to registering for a license for the bike? I thought it would be helpful if/when I sell the bike in the future, but are there any other reasons to do so?

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated! Again, thanks for this helpful forum!!

Welcome!

Not to talk you out of a Hawk, because I love mine, but if you do plan on mainly using it off-road and not registering it, then have you considered alternatives like the Apollo DB-36? Same basic engine, slightly better off-road suspension, and right around the same price. They are made by TaoTao, which is a decent manufacturer and I know lots of guys love them.
https://www.360powersports.com/Apoll...bike-250cc.htm

As far as advantages to registering the Hawk.
The Hawk makes a decent backup bike/errand runner. I use mine a lot to go to work to save on fuel.
It gives you the ability to connect trails by using public roads.
It will give you a much wider audience to sell to if it is road legal.

VirginiaRider · 03-24-2018, 05:58 PM

Thanks for your replies. I'll definitely check out the Apollo.

I tried to contact the VA DMV to ask about registering the Hawk, but the person I talked to recommended asking a local dealer(??). I'll try again and see if I can get a better answer.

Thanks!

Megadan · 03-24-2018, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VirginiaRider

Thanks for your replies. I'll definitely check out the Apollo.

I tried to contact the VA DMV to ask about registering the Hawk, but the person I talked to recommended asking a local dealer(??). I'll try again and see if I can get a better answer.

Thanks!

Go to post 40 (page 3) on this thread. http://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=17919

Successful Hawk registration in Virginia in November of last year. So I imagine if you want a Hawk, then you should be able to register it, assuming the Virginia DMV has a database at least lol. Usually once one bike is registered, it should show up in the system and making it easier for the next guy who comes along.

VirginiaRider · 03-25-2018, 08:37 PM

Thanks for the info!

VirginiaRider · 04-05-2018, 03:56 PM

My Hawk 250 arrived yesterday with no problems. I'm in the process of putting it together. I should be riding in a few days!

Megadan · 04-05-2018, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VirginiaRider

My Hawk 250 arrived yesterday with no problems. I'm in the process of putting it together. I should be riding in a few days!

Awesome! Looking forward to pics of the completed bike.

03-23-2018, 05:24 PM	#1
VirginiaRider Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 14	Soon-to-Be (hopefully) Rider near Richmond, VA I'm looking at buying a Hawk 250 soon, and I've been learning alot about this motorcycle browsing your forum. Thanks for having this forum, it has been very helpful. From what I've read, Q9 Powersports seems to be a good, reliable place to order from. Do they deliver as far as Richmond, VA? Has anyone had any bad experiences with them, especially when ordering from another state? Also, have any of you registered a Hawk 250 in VA recently? I saw where someone was able to do it, but I also heard that some states are not registering vehicles with VINs that start with "L". Is that the case in VA? One more thing - I plan to do all of my riding off-road. Is there any advantage to registering for a license for the bike? I thought it would be helpful if/when I sell the bike in the future, but are there any other reasons to do so? Any and all help will be greatly appreciated! Again, thanks for this helpful forum!!
	1

03-23-2018, 05:44 PM	#2
culcune Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yuma, Arizona Posts: 9,035	Welcome here--Q9 seem to be about as good as any to order from; all seem to have negatives at some time or another. I am guessing if someone was successful in VA, then you are good to go, but you can always; heck should always, check with your state's DMV/MVD/whatever it is called to see if any changes were made. Hawks are technically off-road bikes according to the EPA, but with all the street equipment have become registered in over half of the US states so far for the road. If you are planning to only ride off road, my guess is it would be beneficial to street register yours in case you ever want to be on the road (you can never say never), or ride between trails. Your bike is not meant for brutal off-road, anyway, so you might end up on dirt roads that require license plates, rather than total off road trails. If you wanted a low-cost off road only bike, you should look into the Apollo bikes--the Hawk is not meant for harsh off roading, not to mention the lights and turn signals will eventually fall off if you take the 'Chinese manufacturing' into account. Make sure you watch a bunch of Motocheez videos, not to mention these numerous Hawk threads here. __________________ "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

03-24-2018, 05:58 PM	#4
VirginiaRider Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 14	Thanks for your replies. I'll definitely check out the Apollo. I tried to contact the VA DMV to ask about registering the Hawk, but the person I talked to recommended asking a local dealer(??). I'll try again and see if I can get a better answer. Thanks!
	0

03-25-2018, 08:37 PM	#6
VirginiaRider Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 14	Thanks for the info!
	0

04-05-2018, 03:56 PM	#7
VirginiaRider Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 14	My Hawk 250 arrived yesterday with no problems. I'm in the process of putting it together. I should be riding in a few days!
	3