Brand new to the forum and motorcycles!

[Jorogumo4]

Hello! I've never riden a motorcycle before and was reading a few threads on here regarding the Hawk 250 I had arrive today, I'm still putting everything together, but noticed that the motorcycle sits way too high for me, I'm 5'6" and I can BARELY touch the ground with my toes.

I read a few threads on here regarding changing the rear shock to lower the ride height? I'm guessing the stock rear shock is 320mm? I plan on using this mostly on the road as a back up commuter, so I was looking at a 290mm shock that would supposedly give me 3 more inches to work with?

I was looking at the following shock on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...C5ZG4UYX&psc=1

Any recommendations when it comes to a rider my height?

[Sport Rider]

first, welcome.

I'd suggest rather than the expense of a shock that you look at a lowering link for the hawk. The front is easy enough to lower by sliding the fork tubes up in the triple tree.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by Sport Rider

first, welcome.

I'd suggest rather than the expense of a shock that you look at a lowering link for the hawk. The front is easy enough to lower by sliding the fork tubes up in the triple tree.

No such thing as a lowering link for a Hawk. They are direct mounted, only a shorter shock will work.

[bigdano711]

I'm hoping to get mine today or tomorrow. My plan is to grease axles, check the valve lash, oil chain/lube cables with WD40, change spark plug to NGK DPR8EIX-9, dump the engine oil that it comes with cold, put in Rotella T4 15W40, putt it around a little, then dump that oil while still hot and put in fresh oil. Then putt it around to break it in.

[Deckard_Cain]

There are 5ft tall ladies riding bikes bigger than this, while you can certainly lower the bike, there are other options that involve just changing your techniques.

First get it out of your head that you need to have both feet flat on the ground.
Also, lowering the bike will absolutely change it's suspension and handling characteristics, not always for the better.

Here are some YT vids to check out for more tips.

[Jorogumo4]

Originally Posted by Deckard_Cain

There are 5ft tall ladies riding bikes bigger than this, while you can certainly lower the bike, there are other options that involve just changing your techniques.

First get it out of your head that you need to have both feet flat on the ground.
Also, lowering the bike will absolutely change it's suspension and handling characteristics, not always for the better.

Thank you so much! I will watch these now! Perhaps I won't have to spend any extra money. I do still plan on doing the all the other things mentioned on this forum as well, like checking the valve lash, changing the oil before the first run, thread locking many of the bolts, and greasing stuff up.

[Deckard_Cain]

Originally Posted by Jorogumo4

Thank you so much! I will watch these now! Perhaps I won't have to spend any extra money. I do still plan on doing the all the other things mentioned on this forum as well, like checking the valve lash, changing the oil before the first run, thread locking many of the bolts, and greasing stuff up.

Solid plan! Also double check the torque of critical fasteners.. I find using Honda published torque specs when possible a good rule to live by.

[Jorogumo4]

Originally Posted by Deckard_Cain

Solid plan! Also double check the torque of critical fasteners.. I find using Honda published torque specs when possible a good rule to live by.

As an update. Yesterday I changed the oil with 15w-40 Rotella, I also put in 92 octane gasoline. Tightened up a few bolts, killed the battery just trying to get a few things idleing right. And well. Today, I jumped it off with my portable battery jumper and took my first ride in my yard!

Found first gear no problem, cruized around getting a feel for the bike, came to a stop. Forgot to go into neutral woops. So it stalled. Started it back up, got going. Came to a stop after finding neutral. Started going again in 1st gear, tried switching to neutral after a few laps around my house and hit 2nd gear LOL, a bit of a scare there but remained calm and got it back down to first, then to neutral, and stopped. And now that I was feeling a bit more comfortable I tried coming to a stop switching to neutral and setting down my left leg this time incase I ran into an incline in the future wanted to practice that and fell. Haha. All is good though!

I'm getting pretty comfortable with the one foot method for everything, getting comfortable with my clutch and throttle. Coming to a stop is still a bit of a struggle since I'm pretty short but, we're getting there and I'm not struggling too much.

I still need to adjust the valves, you can realy hear them clacking about.

And I had a question as well.

I have the choke positioned all the way down. I.E. I pushed the lever down not up. I was struggling having it staying running with the choke all the way up, but once I got it all the way down and adjusted the idler, starts up PERFECT and idles great.

Is it ideal to have the choke all the way down? Does that mean the choke is closed or open? Adjusting the choke just adjusts the amount of air that comes in right?

[Jorogumo4]

Originally Posted by jeffrey

Lever all the way down= no choke lever in the middel= half choke lever all the way up is full choke.Yes it is ideal to have the choke lever all the way down when the engine is warm. The last part is yes.

Excellent, thank you so much! I was confused a bit, but glad I was understanding it properly. I seen many videos where people where saying they needed to start their bikes with the choke up, but that seems to be a determent for me. Starts up just fine without the choke and idles great.

If that's the way it needs to run then I'll count my lucky stars I guess? Haha

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by Jorogumo4

Hello! I've never riden a motorcycle before and was reading a few threads on here regarding the Hawk 250 I had arrive today, I'm still putting everything together, but noticed that the motorcycle sits way too high for me, I'm 5'6" and I can BARELY touch the ground with my toes.

I read a few threads on here regarding changing the rear shock to lower the ride height? I'm guessing the stock rear shock is 320mm? I plan on using this mostly on the road as a back up commuter, so I was looking at a 290mm shock that would supposedly give me 3 more inches to work with?

I was looking at the following shock on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...C5ZG4UYX&psc=1

Any recommendations when it comes to a rider my height?

If you go to the link to my Hawk in my description and scroll down to the pictures. That is how your bike would sit if you installed a roughly 300mm long rear shock on a Hawk and leave the front at full ride.height.

That should get your feat more firmly on the ground, and in my experience just makes the Hawk a much better riding.and stable bike. I do not recommend lowering the front if you don't have to, and if you do, no more than an inch.

One option for a direct bolt on shock that will lower the rear of the Hawk is to actually use a Bashan Brozz shock. it's about 300mm long and also has preload adjustment.

[Texas Pete]

Assuming that you are in the USA, Motorcycle Safety Foundation

[Jorogumo4]

Originally Posted by Texas Pete

Assuming that you are in the USA, Motorcycle Safety Foundation

I am, seems I need these?
North Carolina
3WBRC
BRC
BRC2 License Waiver

Just finished putting around the house again this time tried making sure to get into second and drive around and get into first. Getting used to turning as well, still a little scary to me leaning the bike but I'm leaning myself the opposite of my turn. Feels a bit more comfortable and stable that way and seen some videos recommending it.

[Texas Pete]

Originally Posted by Jorogumo4

I am, seems I need these?
North Carolina
3WBRC
BRC
BRC2 License Waiver

You will need to confirm with your motor vehicles department.

In Texas of you already have a Texas Drivers License and want to have the motorcycle endorsement added you:

1. Take the BRC
2. Complete the BRC
3. Take your BRC completion certificate to the Texas motor vehicles department
4. They issue you your M endorsement immediately and mail your new permanent license in the mail. No need to take either the Texas State written examination or the riding examination.

As a bonus you tell your insurance company you have your BRC certificate and they discount your insurance.


I found this on a web search, you'll need to confirm it locally. "Upon successful completion of the BRC, you will be issued a skills waiver card for the NCDMV. This means the DMV will not require you to take their motorcycle riding test. You will still be required to visit your local DMV office and take their written exam before being issued a motorcycle endorsement."

[Jorogumo4]

Originally Posted by Texas Pete

Upon successful completion of the BRC, you will be issued a skills waiver card for the NCDMV. This means the DMV will not require you to take their motorcycle riding test. You will still be required to visit your local DMV office and take their written exam before being issued a motorcycle endorsement.

Yeah this is what I was reading as well, seems to stand true for North Carolina, so I will definitally take up this course. Though may put around my backyard some more just to get more comfortable with the controls and everything.

Do these driving test schools usually have you bring your own motorcycle? Or do they have ones for you to use? I think I would rather learn on the bike I'm actually going to be driving haha. Still very nervous about that. But even then, it's like 15 miles from me, so I assume I'd have to legally, tow it there? I'm not comfortable enough to get on the road yet....

[Texas Pete]

Originally Posted by Jorogumo4

Do these driving test schools usually have you bring your own motorcycle? Or do they have ones for you to use? I think I would rather learn on the bike I'm actually going to be driving haha. Still very nervous about that. But even then, it's like 15 miles from me, so I assume I'd have to legally, tow it there? I'm not comfortable enough to get on the road yet....

Contact your local schools that MSF lists for your zipcode and ask. I know the courses after BRC they all seem to allow you to train and learn on your own bike. I am not sure about the BRC.


Also as another option, Harley Riding Academy teaches MSF material, so if you want to learn on a Harley instead of some potentially old and unknown service level Japanese bike you could find a local Harley dealer teaching Riding Academy classes. If its a good dealer, they will give you a free Harley T-shirt after completing the course, advertising that local dealership of course .