Hawk 250 for Highway Use

cbrett · 10-05-2020, 06:41 PM

Can the Hawk 250 handle 45+ speed for 60 miles without any negative or long term stress effect on the bike?

Thanks!

Merlin · 10-05-2020, 07:37 PM

Yes no problem.

culcune · 10-05-2020, 11:42 PM

45 to 55 should be no problem, but I personally would change out the front and rear sprockets to more street-friendly gearing not for top speed, but to greatly reduce the vibrations these bikes can put out. I would suggest a 17 tooth countersprocket and mid-40s or lower rear sprocket. If you still want gearing for light trail off-road or dirt road you could probably get away with a 46 tooth rear.

**JerryHawk250** · 10-06-2020, 07:39 AM

60 mph is no problem with the right sprockets. I've rode mine for literally hours . I've taken mine on 75 to 130 miles rides. The 17/45 or in my case 15/40 which is about the same gear ratio is a good combination for on and off road. The reason i choose the 40 rear was if i planned on mostly highway i would put a 17 tooth on front and could easily cruise 60 -70 mph. Just make sure you tune the carb so it's not running too lean. These bikes come way too lean from the factory.

cbrett · 10-19-2020, 08:10 PM

Thanks for the replies. Was just unsure of riding at high rpms over an extended period of time.

culcune · 10-20-2020, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbrett

Thanks for the replies. Was just unsure of riding at high rpms over an extended period of time.

These bikes seem to thrive at high rpms for extended periods of time. I mean, within reason. As long as the valves get adjusted and the oil is changed, you should be good. Like Jerryhawk said, look into the carb. Most members simply change them out for fake Mikunis found all over Ebay or Amazon. However, if you can get into the stock one, you can simply play with the jetting. Heck, see if stock works for you when you first run the bike.

The sprocket change is recommended for comfort at highway or biway speeds. At your planned commuting speeds, the bike will be good to go with a sprocket change.

Oh, and these bikes need about 300 miles or so to break-in. Many a member have posted within the first few miles how slow their Hawk seems to be. Once they hit at least 300 miles, they report how the engine is like night and day. So, keep that in the back of your mind.

DeCoY · 10-20-2020, 11:27 AM

Here in Denver at 5000 ft, my hawk runs perfectly. The crazy thing is, when I take it up to 10k-11k for trail riding, it does great there too! The internet had me very worried about the stock carb for no reason! ��

Wild Dog · 10-20-2020, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeCoY

Here in Denver at 5000 ft, my hawk runs perfectly. The crazy thing is, when I take it up to 10k-11k for trail riding, it does great there too! The internet had me very worried about the stock carb for no reason! ��

From my point of view it seems the hawk sold a few years ago, just had carbs with near random jetting.
It seems that US Resellers are actually doing some QC (which they should have done always) on the motorcycles they are shipping.

If go back to 2014 and keep reading post till 2020, you will see that the newer the hawk is, the better jetted seems to be.

Dusman · 10-20-2020, 08:59 PM

I can confirm that the Hawk can do extended highway speeds from 60-70 mph with a 17/40 gearing. I ride mine on the highway every day and it performs just fine. If you want to do the occasional highway jaunt and keep it trail rideable without losing too much low end torque, go with 17/45 or 17/43 if you’re a lighter bodyweight fellah.

10-05-2020, 06:41 PM	#1
cbrett Join Date: Sep 2019 Posts: 4	Hawk 250 for Highway Use Can the Hawk 250 handle 45+ speed for 60 miles without any negative or long term stress effect on the bike? Thanks!
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10-05-2020, 07:37 PM	#2
Merlin Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,107	Yes no problem. __________________ Bashan Blaze Mods: Alloy Rim's, Muffler, Mukuni VM26 Carb, Foam Filter, Tachometer, Volt Meter,LED Headlight, LED Blinkers
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10-05-2020, 11:42 PM	#3
culcune Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yuma, Arizona Posts: 9,035	45 to 55 should be no problem, but I personally would change out the front and rear sprockets to more street-friendly gearing not for top speed, but to greatly reduce the vibrations these bikes can put out. I would suggest a 17 tooth countersprocket and mid-40s or lower rear sprocket. If you still want gearing for light trail off-road or dirt road you could probably get away with a 46 tooth rear. __________________ "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
	1

10-06-2020, 07:39 AM	#4
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,578	60 mph is no problem with the right sprockets. I've rode mine for literally hours . I've taken mine on 75 to 130 miles rides. The 17/45 or in my case 15/40 which is about the same gear ratio is a good combination for on and off road. The reason i choose the 40 rear was if i planned on mostly highway i would put a 17 tooth on front and could easily cruise 60 -70 mph. Just make sure you tune the carb so it's not running too lean. These bikes come way too lean from the factory. __________________ 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
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10-19-2020, 08:10 PM	#5
cbrett Join Date: Sep 2019 Posts: 4	Thanks for the replies. Was just unsure of riding at high rpms over an extended period of time.
	1

10-20-2020, 11:27 AM	#7
DeCoY Join Date: Sep 2020 Posts: 26	Here in Denver at 5000 ft, my hawk runs perfectly. The crazy thing is, when I take it up to 10k-11k for trail riding, it does great there too! The internet had me very worried about the stock carb for no reason! ��
	0

10-20-2020, 08:59 PM	#9
Dusman Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: NC Posts: 218	I can confirm that the Hawk can do extended highway speeds from 60-70 mph with a 17/40 gearing. I ride mine on the highway every day and it performs just fine. If you want to do the occasional highway jaunt and keep it trail rideable without losing too much low end torque, go with 17/45 or 17/43 if you’re a lighter bodyweight fellah.
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