Buying a used Hawk

[LostinthePines]

Hello everyone, I need some experienced opinions

I'm looking at purchasing a used 2016 Hawk 250 for $800.

There is a problem with the engine not revving up. He say it needs a new carb, which adds up from all Over read about. But, could there be another more serious issue?

I have not looked at the bike yet. Plus, I am completely new to motorcycles and this is a new learning adventure for me.
Buyer says it's in excellent condition, 320 miles on it

All opinions welcomed!

I'm looking for a starter bike to learn on and occasionally commute with 20 miles round-trip

[Megadan]

Probably needs a valve adjustment and a carb clean and rejet. I would try to talk the price down since you cant run the motor to verify its mechanical condition though. 800 is a fair price for a running Hawk. If all it needs is a $25 carburetor...

[LostinthePines]

Thanks Megadan! The owner said he bought it last year drove it a couple times, then had this problem.

My other option is a 1982 Honda xl250r listed for $1700, 11k miles, w/ new tires...

Or perhaps buying a new Hawk...

[roundhouse]

I bought my 2016 used and have never regretted it. Mine would run and ride but would pop at the top end. Rejetted and runs like a champ. got about 2400 miles on it.

Good luck. see if you can get him down $100 and really get a deal.

[Wild Dog]

Originally Posted by LostinthePines

Thanks Megadan! The owner said he bought it last year drove it a couple times, then had this problem.

My other option is a 1982 Honda xl250r listed for $1700, 11k miles, w/ new tires...

Or perhaps buying a new Hawk...

Nein!! Unless you like to rebuild motorcycles. The XL250r most likely needs a ton of thing to be done.
When the sellers says "Hey it has new tires!!" it means "look at the tires, look at tires please!! don't look at anything else!".

After some bad exp with olders bikes, cars, bicycle.... now i rather have chinese new, than old and abused japanese.

[Megadan]

New tires was never much of a selling point for me. Tires are relatively cheap and I almost always change them out for a type or brand I prefer anyway.

[pete]

Originally Posted by Wild Dog

Nein!! Unless you like to rebuild motorcycles. The XL250r most likely needs a ton of thing to be done.
When the sellers says "Hey it has new tires!!" it means "look at the tires, look at tires please!! don't look at anything else!".

After some bad exp with olders bikes, cars, bicycle.... now i rather have chinese new, than old and abused japanese.

Maybe it needed new tires and there is no sinister motive in putting them on..
Did that thought ever enter your mind....


..

[Wild Dog]

Originally Posted by pete

Maybe it needed new tires and there is no sinister motive in putting them on..
Did that thought ever enter your mind....
..

It did cross my mind, like 19 years ago...
I been "suckered" before so i tend to be very suspicious, even more when the vehicle used to belong to a granny/grandpa or it's has a very low millage for the age of the vehicle.

[Frag2]

Originally Posted by LostinthePines

Thanks Megadan! The owner said he bought it last year drove it a couple times, then had this problem.

My other option is a 1982 Honda xl250r listed for $1700, 11k miles, w/ new tires...

Or perhaps buying a new Hawk...

The older 1 probably least best option, think of history its had. Ide lean toward Megadan advise he has vast knowledge with these bikes . See if turns over look plug also

[Frag2]

Sorry tad more info Hawk is tall bike. Me I have short legs 5-10 but short legs Magician for me short

[Emerikol]

I'm with MegaDan on this one; See if you can talk the guy on the Hawk down a couple hundred dollars, and then get your hands dirty. Even in a worst-case scenario, having $800 or so in the bike and having to totally replace the engine and carb, you're still going to come out cheaper than with the old Honda. And that's coming from an old-Honda guy. If it were me, I would buy the Hawk and start digging into it. He says it won't rev, but happens when you twist the throttle? Does it die? Does it get up a couple hundred RPM and then level out? Does the throttle cable even move the carb slide? There are only so many things that it can be, and short of some sort of engine eating itself issue it should be pretty easy to get nailed down. On top of that, you get some really good experience and knowledge working on your bike. Let us know where you wind up on this one.

[LostinthePines]

Thanks for the advice, everyone! This forum is great!

Bought a new used Hawk! Looking forward to browsing all of the helpful advice

Happy riding!

[Cravin01]

Good move, I'm sure it will be a easy fix with 350 miles on it, plus you have a deep tool box right here at ChinaRiders. Most want to upgrade the carb at some point even it's brand new anyway. This could be a good start with a Pumper or PWK and their cheap!

What color did is it and do you have any pics coming?

[OneLeggedRider]

I'd still like to have the old XL.

[GronkFries]

Originally Posted by Cravin01

...Most want to upgrade the carb at some point even it's brand new anyway....

You have to get a bigger main jet, or at least see what size main jet you have. My bike out of the box had a quarter throttle of whump and that was it. Couldn't pull a sick whore off a piss pot.

It takes under ten minutes to inspect and change it out anyway. The ethanol probably gobbed up the slow jets, so add ten minutes cleaning the journals and jet. You need a #2 Phillips (Or JIS 2 if you're really swanky, those handy Honda tool bags have one in it), and a 10mm wrench.

One other thing I would have done is take the risk drilling out the main jet that you have now - If you have a drill press or a steady hand you're golden. And if you haven't ordered an assortment of jets for your carb then do it already. I think we know someone who sells those lol