Rear shock replacement?

Thecamdimarco · 01-24-2023, 07:37 AM

Good morning,

So I’m looking at purchasing a hawk, but I am 5’6” with a 29-30” inseam. I saw people on the forum talk about the 290mm rear shock that lowered the rear a few inches and I was curious on maybe if that shock is worth it, and if so a link to it? The commutes I plan to do will all be road, and I don’t plan on taking my hawk on the trails much, if not at all. I also plan on having a passenger in the near future too. I’m probably 140-142 with gear, and my girlfriend would be around 130.

Thankyou

Hap · 01-24-2023, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thecamdimarco

Good morning,

So I’m looking at purchasing a hawk, but I am 5’6” with a 29-30” inseam. I saw people on the forum talk about the 290mm rear shock that lowered the rear a few inches and I was curious on maybe if that shock is worth it, and if so a link to it? The commutes I plan to do will all be road, and I don’t plan on taking my hawk on the trails much, if not at all. I also plan on having a passenger in the near future too. I’m probably 140-142 with gear, and my girlfriend would be around 130.

Thankyou

I think I am the one you are referring to about the shock swap. I think a
290mm shock will be much too short for the Hawk 250. Actually I used a 270mm shock to replace a 290mm one in length. And as a result lowered the Xpro Sail 150 that I was working on about 3 inches. I’m sure that you can lower your Hawk using the same method. Just make sure the new shock is identical to the one you are removing except shorter. There are many people here that own Hawks and have lowered them. Hopefully some of them can chime in and help. Good luck!

Thecamdimarco · 01-24-2023, 11:36 AM

Well, the rear shock stock is 320mm, and I’ve heard going down to 290mm lowers it about 3 inches or so

TominMO · 01-24-2023, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thecamdimarco

Well, the rear shock stock is 320mm, and I’ve heard going down to 290mm lowers it about 3 inches or so

That's only a difference of 30mm, or 1.2 inches. And since the shock is at an angle, not vertical, the amount of lowering will be even less. Maybe about 0.8 inches.

Thecamdimarco · 01-24-2023, 01:50 PM

Gotcha. So I guess it’s not really worth it then lol. If anything I may lower the stock one a bit. I’m just worried I’ll be too short for the hawk at 5’6”

J4Fun · 01-24-2023, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TominMO

That's only a difference of 30mm, or 1.2 inches. And since the shock is at an angle, not vertical, the amount of lowering will be even less. Maybe about 0.8 inches.

Hi Tom, wouldn’t the swing arm magnify the difference? Meaning a 1.2” difference on the shock height could lower the bike 3”? It would be different if we were talking two shocks close to the axle like a Honda 90…just thinking outloud here…

Fast_Freddy · 01-24-2023, 02:00 PM

J4Fun is correct. A 10mm shorter rear shock will lower the seat height by more than 10mm due to the rear suspension linkage. I don't know the exact ratio for the Hawk.

Megadan · 01-24-2023, 02:14 PM

The Hawk doesn't have linkage. It is a direct swingarm mount.

The rough ratio for lowering is about 1 inch for every 10mm of shock length. I mean rough simply because as the swingarm comes closer to the frame the mount point relationship changes, so it never stays exactly the same.

A 295mm rear shock lowers the rear of the bike about 3 inches. This is the maximum I would personally lower the rear of the bike as any further than this and you do start to run the risk of bottoming out.

Megadan · 01-24-2023, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TominMO

That's only a difference of 30mm, or 1.2 inches. And since the shock is at an angle, not vertical, the amount of lowering will be even less. Maybe about 0.8 inches.

The flaw in this thinking is that you are looking at the mount position height change, and not the axle, which is located further away from the pivot point, and thus needs to move more relative to the distance the mount moves. Suspension Ratio. This is the same reason the spring ratio needs to be higher than the actual weight applied to the bike. Good old fashioned leverage

Hap · 01-24-2023, 05:18 PM

The difference in height from a 320mm shock to a 290mm on the Hawk. Would equate to approximately 3” difference in seat height. Maybe more.

Megadan · 01-24-2023, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hap

The difference in height from a 320mm shock to a 290mm on the Hawk. Would equate to approximately 3” difference in seat height. Maybe more.

290mm would be approaching around 3.5 to 4 inches.

CheapThrills · 01-25-2023, 02:49 AM

Following thread, what is a good quality shock that can be recommended to lower the bike the most without making for a horrible ride?

Thx,

Patch56 · 01-25-2023, 09:24 AM

Good Morning,
I am also 5'6 and bought a Hawk last fall. I did put a 290mm shock on mine and it did lower it enough for me to almost be flat footed. Most all of my riding is on the street back and forth to work, with a little light trail riding once in a while. I think if I had it to do over again I would go with a 295 mm due to the fact when I do hit a hard bump it can bottom out.

01-24-2023, 07:37 AM	#1
Thecamdimarco Join Date: Jan 2023 Posts: 7	Rear shock replacement? Good morning, So I’m looking at purchasing a hawk, but I am 5’6” with a 29-30” inseam. I saw people on the forum talk about the 290mm rear shock that lowered the rear a few inches and I was curious on maybe if that shock is worth it, and if so a link to it? The commutes I plan to do will all be road, and I don’t plan on taking my hawk on the trails much, if not at all. I also plan on having a passenger in the near future too. I’m probably 140-142 with gear, and my girlfriend would be around 130. Thankyou
	1

01-24-2023, 02:00 PM	#7
Fast_Freddy Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Pennsyltuckey Posts: 291	J4Fun is correct. A 10mm shorter rear shock will lower the seat height by more than 10mm due to the rear suspension linkage. I don't know the exact ratio for the Hawk. __________________ 22 Templar 250
	0

01-24-2023, 02:14 PM	#8
Megadan Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 8,045	The Hawk doesn't have linkage. It is a direct swingarm mount. The rough ratio for lowering is about 1 inch for every 10mm of shock length. I mean rough simply because as the swingarm comes closer to the frame the mount point relationship changes, so it never stays exactly the same. A 295mm rear shock lowers the rear of the bike about 3 inches. This is the maximum I would personally lower the rear of the bike as any further than this and you do start to run the risk of bottoming out. __________________ 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
	2

01-24-2023, 05:18 PM	#10
Hap Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: Maben, MS Posts: 164	The difference in height from a 320mm shock to a 290mm on the Hawk. Would equate to approximately 3” difference in seat height. Maybe more. __________________ 22 Templar X 250 Hand Guards Custom Graphics Pro Taper Grips 125 main 45 pilot jets 42 tooth rear sprocket 2010 Yamaha Vstar 1100 Silver Star
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01-25-2023, 02:49 AM	#12
CheapThrills Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Lehigh Valley Area Posts: 150	Following thread, what is a good quality shock that can be recommended to lower the bike the most without making for a horrible ride? Thx, __________________ - My 2 Bikes: TaoTao TBR7 Boom Vader Gen 2 (BD125-10) Testing a YouTube Channel
	0

01-24-2023, 11:36 AM	#3
Thecamdimarco Join Date: Jan 2023 Posts: 7	Well, the rear shock stock is 320mm, and I’ve heard going down to 290mm lowers it about 3 inches or so
	0

01-24-2023, 01:50 PM	#5
Thecamdimarco Join Date: Jan 2023 Posts: 7	Gotcha. So I guess it’s not really worth it then lol. If anything I may lower the stock one a bit. I’m just worried I’ll be too short for the hawk at 5’6”
	0

01-25-2023, 09:24 AM	#13
Patch56 Join Date: Aug 2022 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Posts: 22	Good Morning, I am also 5'6 and bought a Hawk last fall. I did put a 290mm shock on mine and it did lower it enough for me to almost be flat footed. Most all of my riding is on the street back and forth to work, with a little light trail riding once in a while. I think if I had it to do over again I would go with a 295 mm due to the fact when I do hit a hard bump it can bottom out.
	0