10-04-2019, 08:48 PM | #1 |
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 16
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Flying a Hawk from Florida to Fargo
Full disclosure: don't own a hawk at the moment, just a Vulcan S....Also, no literal flying would be involved in the trip...
I am contemplating the possibility of a 5000 mile round trip from Tampa to Fargo and back. I have friends up in ND and it would be an adventure. Currently own a 650 (yes, I could take that bike), have many years on a 50cc two stroke, very mechanically/technically inclined. Thinking about next summer for the trip. Would stay off the interstate, cruise "highways" at 55ish. I have seen a couple of folks mention their longer trips, and had a couple of questions for the hive mind:
What do you think? |
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10-04-2019, 09:22 PM | #2 | |
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Argentina
Posts: 756
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Quote:
With their little brothers the CG150 they have done back forth RN40, which is a highway in Argentina. It's a 5000 km one way and another 5000 km going back.... So is more or less the trip you want to do. 99% of them had no trouble at all, as long as you maintain it.... 150cc 5000km chinese bike 15000 km Honda Wave,"Oh but it's HONDA!!!" is not, china parts assembled in Argentina. The only Japanese thing is the brand. With common sense those engine will take you anywhere. Change oil when it's time, keep the wheels in good shape, clean the air filter and you will be OK. Vibrations are going to be annoying but oh well, it's OHV.... Honda made the CG to be reliable above all. If people love Honda motorcycles and they are the biggest sellers, it's because of the reliability of the cg of the late 70s... |
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10-04-2019, 09:32 PM | #3 |
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: NEPA
Posts: 273
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Shake down ride, and not around the block.
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2018 Hawk P&P Decked .040 off the head. 17/43 D.I.D. 428, NGK Iridium plug, DeCat, Wrapped pipe, Custom S.S. Muffler core, Nibbi PE30 115/35, L.E.D. Lights, Digital Cluster, USB port, Cutting Bord skid plate, Oil cooler w/ custom CRF oil filter inline, 5Wt fork oil, Rear Shock, CNC Back Rack, 30mm FAT bars, Bark Busters, ProGrips, Adjustable levers, Shinko 700’s lots of Loctite! |
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10-04-2019, 09:54 PM | #4 | |
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 16
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Quote:
Thanks for the links to those videos, I will check them out. |
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10-04-2019, 10:42 PM | #5 | |
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: ChCh , NZ
Posts: 2,265
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Quote:
That may well be the case... But the component's and assembly are to Honda standards... Honda don't suddenly except a lower standard because the bike & parts are made out side Japan.. Can not be said for all Chinese's made/assembled bikes... And there lies the diffrents.... 5000km is nothing... the Honda wave is also made in Thailand.... would be interesting to compare the two... More Honda wave's on the road in Thailand than any other scooter... Only 43,000 bahts … sounds expensive but is one of the cheaper scooters...… Even put sidecars on them...use as Taxis / vans / trucks / mobile food stands etc... us getting around in Khon Kaen ,Thailand in one.. Think this one is a Yamaha Finn 125... .
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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 |
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10-05-2019, 12:56 AM | #6 |
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Montucky
Posts: 209
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Adjust the valves, grease the wheel bearings (pack and no slack), check the spokes. Have the Hawk carbed right with a fresh oil change and everything adjusted good. Have some better tubes/tires than stock......do the 2500 miles and make up your opinion of it will make it on the way back? Locktite every bolt and nut that your life depends on. Change the oil every 1k mile. I think you'd do good.
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1983 Honda Xl600R 2016 Ducati Multistrada 1200S DVT |
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10-05-2019, 01:51 AM | #7 | |
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 8,100
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Quote:
Tires should be a consideration as well. I don't think I would want to do that many miles on knobbies. Shinko 700 or 705's are awesome at road duty and wear very well. You could also do actual cruiser tires if you have no intent of seing any sort of dirt. As far as your fear of overheating the motor, look up JerryHawk250's thread on a head and oil temp gauge he installed. I wouldn't worry personally as long as you have the right gearing and a well tuned carb. I would also say ditch the factory chain and put a good quality one on and look into a regear. If your plan is to cruise at around 55mph, a 17/45 or similar combo would be great, or even a 43 rear. This will keep the revs down while staying within the strongest part of the power curve. If you have to contend with any steep grades (mountains) maybe carry a 15 tooth front to swap in if necessary. I would carry a few spare parts as well. An extra coil, CDI, spark plug and reg/rec at a minimum as well as a spare master link. These are all small cheap parts, and while you may make the full trip without an issue, it would suck to get stranded because one failed. A tube patch kit, a couple of main jets, and a compact tire pump are also a good idea. Then obviously a small but comprehensive enough tool kit to do roadside repairs. Just my take on it from my experiences doing long tours and owning a Hawk where I have to travel highways regularly.
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Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124 |
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10-05-2019, 10:43 AM | #8 |
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Yuma, Arizona
Posts: 9,054
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If I were you, I would lean towards one of the Bashan offerings (Bashan Brozz 250, BMS CRP 250, Bashan Storm 250, or CR250 (don't let the copied name fool you--this one looks like an adventure bike and might be your best bet).
One of our members a few years back was planning a South American 'ride and dump' on his Hawk (the plan was a one way trip and simply leaving or selling the Hawk somewhere in Argentina). He lived in Georgia. He prepped the bike for months, posting updates here on what he was doing to improve his Hawk. The big day came, and then he posted he had to alter his plans as his Hawk broke something or another several hundred miles from his start. He rode the Hawk back home, and a couple days later did the trip on his Honda CRF 250L. Another member bought a fully assembled Hawk in Texas and rode it 700 miles to Albuquerque with no issues (stock sprockets even!). He took back roads, however, which is probably the big difference as the first member was on the interstate to make up time to the border. Also a few years back, a young woman from Israel on a tourist visa was in Salt Lake City. She bought a Storm, and in spite of her short size, learned to ride it (she was a brand new rider), as well as from here on Chinariders she learned how to change her own oil and adjust her valves. After a few months, she rode it loaded up from SLC to New York City (back roads). I would love to see a person buy a Hawk and successfully ride it on such a trip as yours, but my gut says to suggest one of the Bashan bikes.
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"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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10-05-2019, 11:53 AM | #9 |
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 8,100
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I believe a Hawk is perfectly capable of a trip like this. One example of a hawk failing doesn't speak for all of the bikes.
That said, the Bashans do come with better quality control, so I don't entirely disagree. I wouldn't push any of these bikes on an interstate for sustained periods of time. Back roads would be my preferred method of travel since these bikes aren't really designed.or intended to be touring machines.
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Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124 |
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10-05-2019, 12:27 PM | #10 | ||
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Argentina
Posts: 756
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First Gen XRE300 made in Brazil, a lot of recalls. CRF230 made in Brazil, a lot of recalls Non japanese Honda CR-V, a lot of recalls Yamaha XTZ 125 made in Argentina, recalls Yamaha XTZ 250 made in Argentina, recalls Yamaha MT03 made in Indonesia, recalls If you like to belive that made in japan is the same as made in china, assembled somewhere else is the same. That's ok... On the bright side with those "Japanese" motorcycle at least they recall them for free and a have a strong supply chain, so you know that you will find part for them for a long time..... Which is something that cannot be said about the 100% chinese bike which is "Ok now it belongs to you, get the fu#k out here!" and with parts you need to cross reference them... Yes 5000 km is not, but he had to back home another 5000 and that bike is still running fine. Not an uncommon sight to see CG engines with 40000, 50000, 60000 miles and still runnings, which for motorcycle that range from 600 to 1200 usd is something interesting. About the Wave the price in Thailand is similiar to the one in Argentina, Brazil among other SA countries. Quote:
On the other hand my biggest concer about a big trip would be, where i can stop to rest. With the vibrations of non balanced engines, my hands need to rest after 2 hours. Last edited by Wild Dog; 10-05-2019 at 01:51 PM. |
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10-05-2019, 01:00 PM | #11 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sardis, BC, Canada
Posts: 25,977
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Add a Coleman seat pad (originally meant for ATV's), aluminum bars, cushy grips and mechanic's glove that are meant for impact wrenches. Those steps will make the vibrations tolerable.
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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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10-05-2019, 02:12 PM | #12 |
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 8,100
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Foam grip covers are also an alternative, or just thicker gel grips. The seat pad would be a must for sure. Hawk seats suck for comfort. I can ride for hours on my Honda, and about 1 or 2 on my Hawk.
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Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124 |
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10-06-2019, 06:17 PM | #13 |
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Argentina
Posts: 756
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While looking for a post in riding section, i came across Pete's post which shared this link
https://advrider.com/chinese-adventu...e-you-kidding/ She took this picture, this is what i would call a common sight in Patagonia, Argentina. "Old F-150 and chinese motorcycle getting a new tire" Those old and beat up F-150 are mostly equiped with Argentinian Ford V8 Fase 2, an evolution of the Ford 292 ohv V8. The youngest V8 Fase 2 is only 33 years old.... Yet they still keep running and moving those 70´s F-100 and early 80´s F-150. |
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