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09-14-2016, 02:02 AM | #1 |
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 138
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New Guy, New to Bikes, Looking for Answers
Hey guys,
New guy here from DFW. I've got multiple questions regarding the Hawk 250. I've done a lot of research already but I still can't bring myself to actually go buy one. I'm not convinced. I've been wanting to get a bike for the longest time, and I don't want to spend a ton of money on a first bike. I'm also not afraid of tinkering on machines. I bought my first truck 4 years ago and I've had some sort of project going on (fun or maintenance) damn near every weekend since. That being said, I feel the Hawk is an excellent choice. But like I said, I'm not convinced that it's the bike for me. First off, as the title states, I have seen multiple people who have put between 1000-3000 (motocheeze on youtube)or so miles on the bikes and revied them but what about 10-20,000 miles or more. I'm wanting to know how they held up/are holding up and what are some parts that tend to break, or just need replacing. How do these bikes handle being ridden daily? I have a 20 mile round trip to school everyday and the speed limit never goes above 50 on that commute. Are they pretty reliable once you get them tuned and dialed in? Like I said, I don't mind working on the bike, but I don't want one that will need to be worked on every couple days or one that I have to worry about it not starting every morning. I've been reading through threads since I joined a week or so (maybe two) ago. I've already got a list of the "mods" I plan to do. 17t front, 45t rear sprockets, better chain, mikuni carb and jets, changing engine oil, better spark plug, longer shift lever, etc... Now, looking through the local CL ads, I found a 2015 Hawk for $1000 obo. I thought to myself "hell yeah!" until I looked at the pictures. Other than the front wheel and tire, do you guys see anything else that's just jumping out at you that looks wrong with this bike? Shitty pictures, I know. I'll take better ones if/when I go look at it. The clutch lever doesn't look right to me. If I can get a hold of the guy and go look at it, what are some things I should look for that could be damaged as a result of whatever caused that wheel to be bent? Since I obviously can't ride it like that, how would I check to makes sure things aren't bent/broken. And lastly, replacement parts. I talked to a couple dealers today (one of which, when I mentioned the one on craigslist, dropped his price right then and there... $1650 TTL out the door to $1500 TTL out the door), one being 360 powersports, one being pioneer powersports, and the other being a no name sotre with a sign above the building that says "Scooters and ATVS!". 360 said they would not install parts I order (like the sprockets and such) while the other two said they would. I've heard horror stories of 360 so I'm completely turned off by them now. So other than dealers, where could I order parts for these things? Preferably american made replacements if that's even an option. I'm sure I'll have more questions the longer I'm here. Thanks guys and gals. |
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09-14-2016, 04:33 AM | #2 |
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Deerfield Beach FL
Posts: 1,410
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I say no on the above bike for $1000 is my personal opinion. A brand new one delivered to your front door that you know the history of can be had for less than $1400.00.
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09-14-2016, 05:01 AM | #3 |
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Garland, Tx
Posts: 65
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Yeah. I also say no to the "used" one. I bought mine off Harry Hines about a year ago for like $1680 TTL soooo. If you are close to Garland or can be and want an up close and personal look or maybe even a quick test ride to help your decision along, I can meet up with you. Or in between here and Love Field (area where I work), that'll work too. Just lemme know. It really is a great bike once you figure out the quirks if it has any.
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09-14-2016, 02:35 PM | #4 | ||||||||
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 138
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The most recent version has a 14 bolt in the rear, 6 lug rotors up front, and 18" stock wheels from an 08 Silverado. It's nothing special but it's my pride and joy 4 years ago - stock - 71,000 miles My high school phase Beginning of last summer (and my old 91 KDX200 that I regret selling) Now Sorry for all of the truck pictures on a bike forum, I'll keep them to a minimum from now on haha I've watched countless YouTube videos on these bikes so far haha Last edited by 95C1500; 09-15-2016 at 02:54 AM. |
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09-17-2016, 08:38 PM | #5 |
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 770
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some good tubes out there. funny thing, haven't checked the mileage as i've been taking a lot of cross state fishing trips, 120-170 miles, haven't needed to worry bout filling up and i'm running faaaaast for quite a while, then slooooow down to the water through the various fire roads, trails etc. just off the top i would guesss getting somewhere around 70mpg, thats just a guess timate all i know is ride most of the day and i usually need to add a gallon or so when i'm ready to head back out the next day . btw, running stock carb/aircleaner and exhaust- i like nice and quiet except for surprising deer LOL, which here in the ozarks, happens a LOT.
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Seer's First LAW-"FLY THE PLANE!", fail that, and nothing else matters. 12th Law- Consider what marvels you might do if only you had tomorrow to live over again. Third Law-When someone tells you some thing "Can't Be Done", what they're really saying is They can't do it!!14th Law-Just because something "IS", doesn't necessarily mean it SHOULD be.. Eighth Law-The only true personal security is anonymity.Ninth Law-Humans tend to learn very little when speaking.10th Law-Some lives ARE worth taking |
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09-17-2016, 09:23 PM | #6 | |
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 138
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09-14-2016, 07:15 AM | #7 |
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 118
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The only way a Chinese bike made sense to me was to buy it new so that I could be sure it was taken care of. I'm not expecting Japanese reliability because I'm not paying Japanese prices, so the best way to get a reliable machine is if I'm sure of all maintenance, etc.
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09-14-2016, 09:59 AM | #8 | |
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: akwesasne, NY-13655
Posts: 2,220
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09-14-2016, 10:26 AM | #9 |
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Volcano, Ca
Posts: 7,112
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Reliability: The CG motor will run a very long time, especially if it's maintained. They were designed to deal with the worst of conditions. There's a member here who has 50k on his Lifan CG motor before the oil pump chain got to slack (counter balanced motor). I believe the motor still runs. There is no oil pump chain in a Hawk since it's not counter balanced. One less thing to go wrong.
Parts: There's many options including RPS and CSC for starters. Most generic Hondoid parts can also be found on Amazon or EBay.
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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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09-14-2016, 11:05 AM | #10 |
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 770
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I have two Hawks which are not just ridden, but ridden HARD pretty much every day the weather doesn't intervene. If you wait till the perceived 'end of mc season' the prices will plummet, I believe someone was selling them for 1050.00 last fall. Paid 1300 for mine, could have done a bit better but liked the seller.
Now, since you're in texas, you should be able to get a serious deal cause the importer is there, grab a friend w a pickup and take a road trip. i.e., forget shipping. Assuming you get a get a good one (problems have been really, really rare) order up an 45 rear sprocket, maybe a 16 front if you want more than you're 50mph comfortably, and a unibear chain (you'll need it eventually as the stock chains stretch like crazy). With the money you save from shipping, get our board members hawk version of his digital speedo / tach) change the fluids, and smile/ridee like a bandit . These things are serious fun, JUST MAKE SURE you read and follow the xcellent setup and maintenance threads on this board. The bike will last a very,very long time, I love mine. and just so you know...w the 16/45 gearing I can easily cruise 50-55 day after day after day while also banging around the dirt, mud, gravel, water, and rock we have round the hills here. mine will pull up a slight grade fully loaded, at a bit over 55 with that gearing and touch 70 on the flat if I crouch down over the tank. My bro's bike does a bit better but his is abnormally strong and he weighs about 90 lbs. less (I'm about 270). I've had a lot of bikes in my life, >old guy and consider the Hawk to be near the top of the 'bang for buck fun" scale. good luck.
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Seer's First LAW-"FLY THE PLANE!", fail that, and nothing else matters. 12th Law- Consider what marvels you might do if only you had tomorrow to live over again. Third Law-When someone tells you some thing "Can't Be Done", what they're really saying is They can't do it!!14th Law-Just because something "IS", doesn't necessarily mean it SHOULD be.. Eighth Law-The only true personal security is anonymity.Ninth Law-Humans tend to learn very little when speaking.10th Law-Some lives ARE worth taking |
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09-14-2016, 11:46 AM | #11 |
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 380
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If you want a little project, i would make an offer on the Hawk with a bent wheel. Offer $500 and see where you go, of course I wouldn't go beyond 6-700 as you can get one new in a crate for $1350 delivered...
New parts are expensive, used parts may be available. Really depends on the extent of the damage. I believe that front wheel is typical china bike and not specific to the Hawk. |
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09-14-2016, 11:51 AM | #12 | |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sardis, BC, Canada
Posts: 25,977
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Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer |
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09-14-2016, 11:50 AM | #13 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sardis, BC, Canada
Posts: 25,977
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Welcome, 95C1500! These guys have given you excellent guidance, so I'll just add that I'd love to see pics of your truck.
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Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer |
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09-14-2016, 03:49 PM | #14 |
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 118
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You may want to follow this guy over at Advrider: http://advrider.com/index.php?thread...#post-29745172
He has 3k miles on his Hawk and it taking it to South America soon. |
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09-14-2016, 04:10 PM | #15 | |
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 138
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