How to make HAwk handle sand better. Tires?

sniper695 · 07-31-2018, 02:51 PM

My dad bought a Hawk and he struggles with it in sand, where my bike just zips along (yamaha wr450) it washes out the front and back tire is squirrely. We live in michigan, we drive some dirt, some hard packed sand, like 2 track roads and there is some soft fluffy sand.

Is there anything we can do to help it drive better in sand? I am assuming tires would help, is there a particular make that would handle sand best?

**JerryHawk250** · 07-31-2018, 02:57 PM

What tire do you have on the Yamaha wr450?

sniper695 · 07-31-2018, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

What tire do you have on the Yamaha wr450?

I am not sure, I just bought it, whatever came on it stock I think they are Dunlop® MX51's. I only have a few miles on them but I am happy with them so far.

**JerryHawk250** · 07-31-2018, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sniper695

I am not sure, I just bought it, whatever came on it stock I think they are Dunlop® MX51's. I only have a few miles on them but I am happy with them so far.

That may be the answer you are looking for. The stock front tire on the Hawk doesn't do well in soft sand. I would like to find a better tire too as were I ride off road has a good bit of sand. Most of the time it is wet but will catch you off guard when you hit the dry soft stuff.
There also could be a difference in the rake of the forks too.

pete · 08-01-2018, 01:59 AM

WR450 is the anwser to your question...
You have the power to get on top of the sand and stay there...

weight over the rear wheel to lighten the front to help stop it ploughing...
and ride faster than you want to...

..

Bruces · 08-01-2018, 09:16 AM

Tire pressure and wheel speed are your friend in the sand .

culcune · 08-01-2018, 05:50 PM

I absolutely hate riding in sand on anything two wheels. Not a helpful response, sorry, but remember riding sand back in the mid-90s on friends' KX500 and CR500, both with paddle wheels on the back and hating every second (this was in the Mojave Desert in So. Cal.), as well as on the bike I borrowed from the friend with the Kawasaki, his spare KX250 (can't remember if it was also 2-stroke, but I hated riding it on sand, as well). Don't get me started on riding sand at Pismo Beach on my friend's CR500...

sniper695 · 08-02-2018, 01:47 PM

Thanks, I am going to try it out this weekend when we go riding, and see how much is the bike and how much is the rider.

any recommendation on a front tire that does better in sand?

07-31-2018, 02:51 PM	#1
sniper695 Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 15	How to make HAwk handle sand better. Tires? My dad bought a Hawk and he struggles with it in sand, where my bike just zips along (yamaha wr450) it washes out the front and back tire is squirrely. We live in michigan, we drive some dirt, some hard packed sand, like 2 track roads and there is some soft fluffy sand. Is there anything we can do to help it drive better in sand? I am assuming tires would help, is there a particular make that would handle sand best?
	0

07-31-2018, 02:57 PM	#2
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,578	What tire do you have on the Yamaha wr450? __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
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08-01-2018, 01:59 AM	#5
pete Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: ChCh , NZ Posts: 2,262	WR450 is the anwser to your question... You have the power to get on top of the sand and stay there... weight over the rear wheel to lighten the front to help stop it ploughing... and ride faster than you want to... .. __________________ 09 XT660R ... 06 TTR250 ... 80 Montesa H6 125 Enduro... 77 Montesa Cota 348 MRR "Malcom Rathnell Replica"... Current resto projects.. 81 Honda CT110... 80 Kawasaki KL250A1... 11 Husaburg TE125 enduro... "sold" along with another 31... Lifan 125 Pitbike.. "stolen" ... KIWI BIKER FORUM...... http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/content.php All the best offroad rides in NZ... http://www.remotemoto.com/ E-mail... xtpete1@gmail.com
	3

08-01-2018, 05:50 PM	#7
culcune Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yuma, Arizona Posts: 9,035	I absolutely hate riding in sand on anything two wheels. Not a helpful response, sorry, but remember riding sand back in the mid-90s on friends' KX500 and CR500, both with paddle wheels on the back and hating every second (this was in the Mojave Desert in So. Cal.), as well as on the bike I borrowed from the friend with the Kawasaki, his spare KX250 (can't remember if it was also 2-stroke, but I hated riding it on sand, as well). Don't get me started on riding sand at Pismo Beach on my friend's CR500... __________________ "They say that life's a carousel, spinning fast you got to ride it well..." TGB Delivery Scooter 150 TMEC 200 Enduro--carcass is sadly rotting in the backyard
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08-01-2018, 09:16 AM	#6
Bruces Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 1,588	Tire pressure and wheel speed are your friend in the sand .
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08-02-2018, 01:47 PM	#8
sniper695 Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 15	Thanks, I am going to try it out this weekend when we go riding, and see how much is the bike and how much is the rider. any recommendation on a front tire that does better in sand?
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