Originally Posted by Megadan
(Post 265141)
So I think I can give you a great insight into the Hawk and how big you are, because I am basically the same size as you. For starters, the power is adequate enough that I can keep up with traffic just fine. You won't be passing people on the highway, but around town its got just enough to get the job done. With gearing, intake, and exhaust upgrades and a properly tuned carburetor it's just right (in my eyes).
It doesn't feel small. I find the distance between the seat and pegs to be comfortable. I have to put a little effort into swinging my leg over, but it's not overly high either. Once in the seat, I can flat foot it easily and also nearly stand up out of the seat (34" inseam).
Honestly, the only issue you may have is one many of us Americans have, which is the small gap between the peg and the shifter and brake pedal. I don't mind the brake pedal much, but the stock shifter sticks out from the bike too far, so I installed an IMS shifter for an XR400 (MSR shifter also works) that moves the peg closer to the bike and gives more room. The extended MSR shifter is also a bit longer to buy more room. I tend to ride with the balls of my feet on the peg, so pedal "room" isn't much of a problem to me. Old habit from sporty street riding lol.
Another area that needs a little additional love being a larger rider, in my opinion, is the suspension. The rear shock/spring is adequate, but the forks have too much rider sag. I highly recommend making new preload spacers for the forks. The stock units are 15.2mm long and 22mm diameter. Find some 22mm (or 7/8") O.D. pipe and cut yourself some new ones. I currently run 35mm of preload, and I get about 3 inches of sag out of 8 inches of travel, which is perfect.
Also, with the forks, as I am sure you have probably read by now in your searching, you will want to change the fork oil. I started with the recommended 210ml, but added 20ml more fluid - 230ml per fork - to reduce the compressed air gap and increase the progressive spring effect as the forks compress. I find it to still ride very comfortably, and I still get a lot of suspension travel without too much harshness. Obviously, you can tune all of this to your liking.
You definitely need to re-gear it. If you are going to stick with the knobby tires, then the venerable 17 front and 45 rear is always a great starting point. You can also stick with a 15 front and go to a 41 or 39 rear sprocket and get the same basic ratio as the 17/45. If you do exhaust mods or an aftermarket exhaust as well as the intake mod or pod filter, then you can step up the gearing a little. I run a 17/43 with a 128 link chain, and I love it. Bike can easily reach and cruise at 60mph, and maintain it without being wide open on all but the steeper hills or a really strong headwind. I can max out at 67mph on flat ground.
I believe Jerry has a 17/39 or 40 sprocket setup and loves it (correct me Jerry lol)
The Hawk can be a great commuter bike once you set it up for it. If you mainly plan on using it on the road but might want to do some off roading, then definitely consider some dual sport tires like the Shinko 705, 700, 244, or the Kenda 761 or 270. If your plan is to only use it for road-duty, then get some street tires.
For purely road tires there are two recommendations I can make that offer sizes just about perfect for the Hawk.
If you are on a budget, then the Shinko 230 Tourmaster is a GREAT tire. I have these on my Goldwing and love them. You could run an 80/90-21 (slightly smaller diameter than stock) and a 120/90-18. Both tires can be had for about 120-130 bucks.
If you are feeling a little more spendy then the Bridgestone BT45 Battlax comes in a 90/90-21 and 120/90-18. These are a close match in diameter, and offer better wear than the 230's, but also cost almost twice as much.
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