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07-22-2021, 05:11 PM | #1 |
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Kansas
Posts: 11
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Hawk DLX - Durability
How durable is the Hawk DLX? Would it be able to stand up to a BDR ride? Specifically UTBDR?
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07-22-2021, 09:58 PM | #2 |
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 405
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No Feedback yet? What's up DLX riders?
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07-23-2021, 01:04 AM | #3 |
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Marseille, France -> Conakry, Guinea
Posts: 1,481
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I think this would apply to any of the cheaper designed Chinese bikes, but put simply, if it wasn't ridden aggressively, it might be fine, but you might also find yourself stranded in the middle of the desert if you took one of these.
If you tried to use one, I would build up different wheels for it (get some quality rims and spokes) and I would replace all bearings, bushings, and seals with quality, name brand stuff like Timken, SKF, etc. Also I would look at swapping a stronger swingarm onto one, but also making sure that you have good knowledge on how to repair/adapt to make things work. There are people on here (I would assume that they just assemble and ride, rather than going over things with a fine-toothed comb) who have had wheels on even the DLX go bad during normal riding. If it were my money, I would avoid the RX3 and the DLX and get a GPX FSE250E, they're still made in China, but with top shelf stuff, I personally know a guy that rode the 7 miles of Hell and the tour of Idaho (Google them both if you're interested in finding out about them) on a GPX. Plus, GPX is based in Utah, with possibly the best customer service in the business. I'd stick with them rather than something super cheap. |
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07-23-2021, 11:35 AM | #4 | |
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Kansas
Posts: 11
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07-23-2021, 09:53 AM | #5 |
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 153
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Since virtually all Chinese motorcycles are copies of existing proven designs there is not much to worry about from the design standpoint. Where they fall short of those originals is in quality of parts and care of assembly, which are both lacking in every example I have seen. This doesn't mean they are "bad" bikes, but it does mean that an owner who is somewhat mechanically skilled and meticulous in his maintenance practices will be happier in the long run than the owner who expects to jump on and ride without worries. It is quite common to see brand-new bikes with loose spokes and out-of-round wheels, loose or severly obvertightened bolts, poor quality welds, etc. It is good to remember that these bikes are inexpensive because of low labor costs, yes, but also because just about every component is usually the very cheapest example available. Sparkplugs, lightbulbs, even fluids and oils will all likely need to be changed out sooner than you'd need to with any mainstream bike. These bikes can, and do, provide years of transortation for many thousands of people, but they require an added measure of care from an owner of above-average dedication to do so. You simply cannot expect otherwise from a machine that costs a fraction of what a similar Japanese machine would cost. Japanese-level reliability/durability comes with a Japanese-level price. If that's too high for you, you can still ride IF you're willing to invest the added time and effort a Chinese bike will require. Otherwise, apply patience and save your money for a better bike.
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07-23-2021, 11:39 AM | #6 | ||
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Kansas
Posts: 11
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If anyone can handle the details of caring for such a machine, and all the "little" upgrades to make it better, he can! The main reason I'm trying to help him find something is because his entire riding life has been Harleys on the street, and he's just now interested in doing some ADV; but wants to get in cheap.
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07-23-2021, 12:14 PM | #7 |
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Volcano, Ca
Posts: 7,112
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The Hondoid, as it's generally referenced, is a very durable bike for commuting and trail riding, though many in Third World countries have used them for daily transportation. The main reason for the CG OHV motor designed by Honda way back. No chains and can deal with utter lack of maintenance.
Many here have even done more than easy trails and they've held up just fine. Mrs. 2LZ and I have beat the snot out of Hondoids of the past with no real issues. You just have to keep in mind what they are. Inexpensive and durable get-arounds. Not MX bikes. Here's an example of Mrs. 2LZ and her old Hensim DB150. This was taken at about 7200 feet, up super rugged fire breaks in the Sierra Nevada near Truckee. Neither of the bikes gave us a lick of trouble on any of our rides. The little CG's just kept pulling.
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"Light a fire for a man, and you heat him for a day. Light a man on fire, and you heat him for the rest of his life." 2007 Suzuki DRZ400S (SM convert) 2009 Q Link XP 200 1967 BSA B25 250cc Starfire 2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411 1948 Royal Enfield Model G 350 |
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07-23-2021, 12:27 PM | #8 |
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Flower Mound Texas
Posts: 904
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I'd take my tbr7 just about anywhere that didnt require long high speed runs. But I've replaced chain and swingarm and feel pretty confident in everything else (if I was going someplace way out away from help I might put in some non-chinese wheel bearings as a precaution).
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2021 Tao Tbr7 - "Lucille" Mods so far- Brozz swingarm, 21" front rim (Bridgestone Tw302 rear/Dunlop D606 front tires), Digital gauge cluster, pz30b pumper carb, after market hand guards, aftermarket brake and clutch levers, round fold away mirrors, Fly handlebars shortened slightly, 13t front sprocket 2009 Q-link Legacy 250 1982 Suzuki GS1100ES - "Jolene" |
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07-23-2021, 02:05 PM | #9 |
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: PNW
Posts: 984
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Puts more "Adventure" in a BDR quest for sure. CG strong, ride hard!
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07-23-2021, 03:35 PM | #10 |
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Argentina
Posts: 756
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Most of the things that are called "backroads" in the US, are called "Main Roads in South America".
Those CG and those frame, they been used pretty much anywhere from Deserts to Snow. Everytime somebody ask something about these motorcycles they ask the wrong question. "It's going to be durable??" "It's going to handle it??" They can handle it, and they are durable enough. There is post that were talking about couple riding south America in "throw away" RX3. They did 12.000 miles and sold the throw away motorcycles in working order, the owner is going to do another 12.000 miles on the throw away motorcycle and it's going to be in working. These motorcycles are made to be durable, because they were designed to be that way. They are not racing machines, they are not made to turn heads. They are machines that were made to need little care and be able to work a long time. What you should ask before getting into a ride with one of these motorcycles? "Do i want to ride at the speed these machine can go?" "Do i have the patience to ride for hours at 60/65 mph??" |
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07-23-2021, 05:05 PM | #11 |
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Kansas
Posts: 11
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This term "CG" was used in several posts, but without definition.
In this context, what is "CG"?
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07-23-2021, 05:08 PM | #12 | |
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Volcano, Ca
Posts: 7,112
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If it had a belly button, it's a CG, if it has nipples, it's a CB (OHC) motor. A little history. https://www.rideapart.com/features/4...e-budget-bike/
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"Light a fire for a man, and you heat him for a day. Light a man on fire, and you heat him for the rest of his life." 2007 Suzuki DRZ400S (SM convert) 2009 Q Link XP 200 1967 BSA B25 250cc Starfire 2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411 1948 Royal Enfield Model G 350 |
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07-23-2021, 05:16 PM | #13 | |
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Kansas
Posts: 11
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I've never heard those terms before; I've only been riding for ten years or so and I'm neither a mechanic or aficionado, I just go out and have fun
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07-24-2021, 01:15 AM | #14 | |
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Volcano, Ca
Posts: 7,112
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Second example. A CB motor. Overhead cam. The nipples, as many reference, are the caps on top of the head for adjusting the rocker tappets. Also notice the lack of belly button and the round cam cap on top of the head.
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"Light a fire for a man, and you heat him for a day. Light a man on fire, and you heat him for the rest of his life." 2007 Suzuki DRZ400S (SM convert) 2009 Q Link XP 200 1967 BSA B25 250cc Starfire 2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411 1948 Royal Enfield Model G 350 |
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07-23-2021, 05:12 PM | #15 | |
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Kansas
Posts: 11
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6"+ rock shelves, up and down. Very rough and rocky terrain. You WILL drop the bike in to rocks. That's hard on any bike, I think it's reasonable to question if the suspension and chassis of a low cost machine can hold up to that kind of abuse (and it really is abuse, not use!) Is this the kind of context you're commenting in?
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