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Old 11-26-2018, 08:20 AM   #1
PaiN   PaiN is offline
 
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I just can't do it..

With TXPowersports Black Friday sale the cost of a Hawk250 was down to $1310 shipped to my door.... But I just can not push that "buy" button
I know the cost is immensely cheap compared to other 250 dual-sports but the more I read and look into things, the more shy I get about actually making the purchase. I don't mind doing some work on bikes but I don't have "a place" to work, I have to bring my tools out to the driveway for most things(and its winter here in NE) From what I picked up, seems like the Hawk needs some work to most every system before they work well enough. Then there is the general reliability, I will off-road this bike so its going to get abuse, I have local trails but I also will need to road ride 1,2 even 3 hours to get to some trail areas in other states. I'm not convinced the bike it up to the task. Last there is the registration issue...I still do know for sure if this motorcycle in register-able here in CT.....
thx for reading
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Old 11-26-2018, 08:35 AM   #2
ben2go   ben2go is offline
 
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As much as I like these little China bikes, in your situation, I would go with a nice used Japanese bike. CT is the reason, not that the Hawk is somehow flawed. Doing the rework using the guides on this forum will make the bike reliable. CT is very fickle when it comes to tag/reg China bikes. You can call your local licensing agency (DMV for me) and ask if they will tag/reg the bike before purchasing. Also, TXpowersports is notorious for screwing people on their bikes. I would look at other drop shippers/resellers.


 
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Old 11-26-2018, 09:04 AM   #3
PaiN   PaiN is offline
 
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Originally Posted by ben2go View Post
As much as I like these little China bikes, in your situation, I would go with a nice used Japanese bike. CT is the reason, not that the Hawk is somehow flawed. Doing the rework using the guides on this forum will make the bike reliable. CT is very fickle when it comes to tag/reg China bikes. You can call your local licensing agency (DMV for me) and ask if they will tag/reg the bike before purchasing. Also, TXpowersports is notorious for screwing people on their bikes. I would look at other drop shippers/resellers.
I called the DMV and they gave me the run-a-round, not an answer My insurance agent is even having trouble getting me quote.
I've read a thing or two not great about TXPowersports... Who would be a reputable shipper to use if I ever decide to go through with this purchase?
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Old 11-26-2018, 09:31 AM   #4
ben2go   ben2go is offline
 
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I'm not sure who to use right now as they all seem to be getting a bad rep. Don, at APSCUSA, is who I have delt with in the past. I don't know if he is still there or not. I haven't talked to him in going on three years.


 
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Old 11-26-2018, 09:31 AM   #5
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doog

OMG. I've been antagonizing all day yesterday about buying one, especially for the $1310. I also live in CT and worrying about reg and insurance. Also, with winter coming, it's going to be cold to work on it and ride it to make sure there's no bad parts since there's only 3 months parts warranty.
I already have a Suzuki DR650, which I love. It's a little big and heavy for tight off road riding though. I thought a Hawk would make a good second bike for the tight stuff.


 
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Old 11-26-2018, 10:19 AM   #6
Alpha Reign   Alpha Reign is offline
 
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OMG. I've been antagonizing all day yesterday about buying one, especially for the $1310. I also live in CT and worrying about reg and insurance. Also, with winter coming, it's going to be cold to work on it and ride it to make sure there's no bad parts since there's only 3 months parts warranty.
I already have a Suzuki DR650, which I love. It's a little big and heavy for tight off road riding though. I thought a Hawk would make a good second bike for the tight stuff.
I believe we had people in Connecticut register their Hawk before. We will have to get someone there to vouch for that though.

About the cold though. Suck it up Butter Cup! You can dress worm, wear a pair of mechanics gloves and those rubber nitrite gloves from Harbor Freight. If not, there is always summer!

I used TXpowersports and as far as I know I didn't get screwed over. The bike ain't starting right now, but that's my bad for letting it sit in the cold for two weeks with a dead battery. I would buy with confidence if you do want a Hawk. It takes a lot of work but I love mine.
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Old 11-26-2018, 12:02 PM   #7
PaiN   PaiN is offline
 
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Originally Posted by doog View Post
OMG. I've been antagonizing all day yesterday about buying one, especially for the $1310. I also live in CT and worrying about reg and insurance. Also, with winter coming, it's going to be cold to work on it and ride it to make sure there's no bad parts since there's only 3 months parts warranty.
I already have a Suzuki DR650, which I love. It's a little big and heavy for tight off road riding though. I thought a Hawk would make a good second bike for the tight stuff.
Its tough...ain't it We're basically in the same boat. I've been also looking at the used Jap market around here...its pretty slim pinkins' ;( There are a few DR/XR 650's on the market but I don't want a big tank for the trails and I think the prices are too high for them.
I'm going to look more in this CSC TT250 the guys mentions above.
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Old 11-26-2018, 10:22 AM   #8
ChipToothy   ChipToothy is offline
 
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Get the TT250. All you pretty much have to do is put gas in it.


https://www.cscmotorcycles.com/defau...c=dual%20sport


 
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Old 11-26-2018, 10:24 AM   #9
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Get the TT250. All you pretty much have to do is put gas in it.


https://www.cscmotorcycles.com/defau...c=dual%20sport
Yes, the TT250 is eons better than the Hawk. But you also pay a little more for that luxury.
Still cheaper than any Japanese bike though!
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Old 11-26-2018, 11:58 AM   #10
PaiN   PaiN is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChipToothy View Post
Get the TT250. All you pretty much have to do is put gas in it.


https://www.cscmotorcycles.com/defau...c=dual%20sport
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alpha Reign View Post
Yes, the TT250 is eons better than the Hawk. But you also pay a little more for that luxury.
Still cheaper than any Japanese bike though!
I thought these were essentially the same bike as the Hawk...What is the difference?
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Old 11-27-2018, 11:09 AM   #11
Ariel Red Hunter   Ariel Red Hunter is offline
 
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Originally Posted by Alpha Reign View Post
Yes, the TT250 is eons better than the Hawk. But you also pay a little more for that luxury.
Still cheaper than any Japanese bike though!
A little more? Very close to twice as much is not really "a little more", at least to me...ARH


 
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Old 11-27-2018, 11:30 AM   #12
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$1310? add sales tax and about $200 to get it up to acceptable running order....
this seems to always be the struggle in picking used-jap or chondas. if 2k is easy to come by in few months time go chonda. if 2k is hard to come up with in few months time go used-jap. you really dont know what you got in either situation, but shinny new is more fun!... use progressive ins online. click 'other bike' and enter vin.


 
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Old 11-27-2018, 12:11 PM   #13
PaiN   PaiN is offline
 
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I just found this vid



I have plans to head to the show in NYC this weekend....I hope CSC is there then I can see the TT first hand.
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Old 11-26-2018, 02:18 PM   #14
Tashka   Tashka is offline
 
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the tt250 plastics are higher quality. They will bend and snap back into place even with extensive damage. The hawk plastics are more brittle and will just crack. I have csc plastics on my hawk that have yet to break after street crashes and offroad tumbles.

heck, the front fender that I got from csc didnt shatter after a 50 mph crash rear ending a car. It left some Mark's and scratched the paint on the plastic. but nothing else.


 
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Old 11-26-2018, 02:38 PM   #15
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I'd say no to your idea. the hawk will not be good for 3 hours of street travel just to get to trails. it "can", but that's not where it shines. second, trail riding comes in various abuse levels. this bike will not take tremendous beatings without problems. Joints, welds, and bearings have to be considered. partiularly if dousing it with water and/or mud a lot. I use mine for back road, gravel. packed dirt and light trail riding which is not tight/technical/muddy. I find it works well for that.

I'm not intimately familiar with the TT250, but unless they've upgraded every nut/bolt/bearing/etc, the advantage is the motor being a bit smoother and perhaps better internal components.


 
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