Best Rear shock replacement Hawk 250

Tashka · 04-12-2019, 02:30 PM

Hello! I was wondering yall could give me any good recommendations for a better rear shock. Something great for offroad but still alright for the road. I dont want something lower unless it gave strong benefit offroad. I'd be open to something a little taller. Preferably cheap but quality is important.

Thanks!

Megadan · 04-12-2019, 02:40 PM

THis is what I put on my Hawk. 320mm length (same as stock length) The adjustable damping does work, although there isn't much there for fine adjustment. The spring is a single rate 1200lb/in unit and unlike the Hawk it has preload adjustment. I can't speak to the quality long term as I only have a couple hundred miles on my bike so far, but initial impressions are that it is a big improvement over stock. You will need spacers for the top and bottom mounts. I needed two 5mm top spacers and two 10mm bottom.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/KEOG...3-f0cdc4345c7c

EDIT: This is how my bike sits on the side stand with the above rear shock and 55mm of total front preload with the YSS fork valves.

OneLeggedRider · 04-13-2019, 12:51 AM

I went with the 290mm which lowered the rear 3", and caught some flack for it. But it was a definite improvement, I can swing my leg over the bike and it's so much better than the stock shock. I also raised the forks 1.25" with spacers and quality fork oil. Excellent combination.

buz100 · 04-14-2019, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneLeggedRider

I went with the 290mm which lowered the rear 3", and caught some flack for it. But it was a definite improvement, I can swing my leg over the bike and it's so much better than the stock shock. I also raised the forks 1.25" with spacers and quality fork oil. Excellent combination.

Have you had any issues bottoming out with the new shock?

Tashka · 05-08-2019, 07:08 PM

Have you?

What did you use for spacers? just washers or something specific?

Landsvw · 05-08-2019, 07:38 PM

I don’t have a specific hawk replacement, but what I did with my Roketa was, measured the length then started looking at the Japanese bikes until I found a length that was close. For my Roketa the closest rear shock was a DR125. I then ordered a used one from EBay. It changed the whole character of the bike and make it actually rideable on gravel and dirt.

Megadan · 05-08-2019, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Landsvw

I don’t have a specific hawk replacement, but what I did with my Roketa was, measured the length then started looking at the Japanese bikes until I found a length that was close. For my Roketa the closest rear shock was a DR125. I then ordered a used one from EBay. It changed the whole character of the bike and make it actually rideable on gravel and dirt.

The issue with the Hawk is that the length is not very common at 320mm. If you were looking to lower the bike, then it would definitely open up more options.

NzBrakelathes · 05-08-2019, 10:46 PM

I have a spare adjustable style that I think is like the Tao Tao TBR7 or one of the other bikes like it. Was on a demo bike that was striped down and used for parts etc.
Could sell if someone would like it

Landsvw · 05-08-2019, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Megadan

The issue with the Hawk is that the length is not very common at 320mm. If you were looking to lower the bike, then it would definitely open up more options.

Yah understood for sure. I did a bunch of google research on shock lengths. Once I found the several bikes that were close, I then started searching for a used Japanese shock. The DR125 was slightly long and I had to install upside down to make the brackets fit. I relaxed the coil spring until I got it just right. Worked fine for the old Roketa. Wonder if there would be a way to extend the shock mount for the Hawk, so it could fit more common type shocks from Japanese bikes?

OneLeggedRider · 05-09-2019, 09:16 AM

I just used 10mm washers for the spacers, but it was a PITA to keep them lined up when pushing the bolts through.

The 290mm WILL bottom out if you jump it or hit a large whoop. It is also unsuitable for carrying a passenger. But I have yet to pull it off and add some preload, which I think will cure those 2 problems. But for road riding it performs remarkably well the way it is now. $75 on Amazon.

Vtunimog · 05-16-2019, 09:10 PM

has anyone considered the air adjustable 310-320 mm , will they fit ?

Megadan · 05-16-2019, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vtunimog

has anyone considered the air adjustable 310-320 mm , will they fit ?

link?

Wild Dog · 05-17-2019, 12:11 AM

You mean this https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Univ...a-95b70873188d

Megadan · 05-17-2019, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild Dog

You mean this https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Univ...a-95b70873188d

No, those aren't correct. The Hawk uses a mono-shock.

ChipToothy · 05-17-2019, 10:07 AM

I think the Ebay shock is great for the price, just the 1200 LBS rating is maybe exaggerated or they need the gas filled? Way too bouncy for road use. Has anyone filled one or know what to buy to DIY?

Paying KTM to do it sounds like a waste of money.

Next time around the block I will look for a 310mm and higher load capacity like 2,000 LBS.

04-12-2019, 02:30 PM	#1
Tashka Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 158	Best Rear shock replacement Hawk 250 Hello! I was wondering yall could give me any good recommendations for a better rear shock. Something great for offroad but still alright for the road. I dont want something lower unless it gave strong benefit offroad. I'd be open to something a little taller. Preferably cheap but quality is important. Thanks!
	0

04-12-2019, 02:40 PM	#2
Megadan Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 8,080	THis is what I put on my Hawk. 320mm length (same as stock length) The adjustable damping does work, although there isn't much there for fine adjustment. The spring is a single rate 1200lb/in unit and unlike the Hawk it has preload adjustment. I can't speak to the quality long term as I only have a couple hundred miles on my bike so far, but initial impressions are that it is a big improvement over stock. You will need spacers for the top and bottom mounts. I needed two 5mm top spacers and two 10mm bottom. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/KEOG...3-f0cdc4345c7c EDIT: This is how my bike sits on the side stand with the above rear shock and 55mm of total front preload with the YSS fork valves. __________________ 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 Last edited by Megadan; 05-08-2019 at 10:35 PM.
	2

04-13-2019, 12:51 AM	#3
OneLeggedRider Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Stockport, Oh. Posts: 1,442	I went with the 290mm which lowered the rear 3", and caught some flack for it. But it was a definite improvement, I can swing my leg over the bike and it's so much better than the stock shock. I also raised the forks 1.25" with spacers and quality fork oil. Excellent combination. Last edited by OneLeggedRider; 10-30-2019 at 01:58 AM.
	3

05-08-2019, 07:38 PM	#6
Landsvw Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Myrtle Creek Oregon Posts: 873	I don’t have a specific hawk replacement, but what I did with my Roketa was, measured the length then started looking at the Japanese bikes until I found a length that was close. For my Roketa the closest rear shock was a DR125. I then ordered a used one from EBay. It changed the whole character of the bike and make it actually rideable on gravel and dirt. __________________ 1988 Kawasaki KLR250 1969 Honda Z50 silver tag 2002 Ford F-350 7.3 diesel 1975 Corvette 2017 Chevy Bolt “Throttle twisting geek” -LFN
	1

05-09-2019, 09:16 AM	#10
OneLeggedRider Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Stockport, Oh. Posts: 1,442	I just used 10mm washers for the spacers, but it was a PITA to keep them lined up when pushing the bolts through. The 290mm WILL bottom out if you jump it or hit a large whoop. It is also unsuitable for carrying a passenger. But I have yet to pull it off and add some preload, which I think will cure those 2 problems. But for road riding it performs remarkably well the way it is now. $75 on Amazon. Last edited by OneLeggedRider; 10-30-2019 at 01:58 AM.
	1

05-08-2019, 07:08 PM	#5
Tashka Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 158	Have you? What did you use for spacers? just washers or something specific?
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05-08-2019, 10:46 PM	#8
NzBrakelathes Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Hell Posts: 2,408	I have a spare adjustable style that I think is like the Tao Tao TBR7 or one of the other bikes like it. Was on a demo bike that was striped down and used for parts etc. Could sell if someone would like it
	0

05-16-2019, 09:10 PM	#11
Vtunimog Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Vermont - USA Posts: 73	has anyone considered the air adjustable 310-320 mm , will they fit ?
	0

05-17-2019, 12:11 AM	#13
Wild Dog Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Argentina Posts: 756	You mean this https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Univ...a-95b70873188d
	0

05-17-2019, 10:07 AM	#15
ChipToothy Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 819	I think the Ebay shock is great for the price, just the 1200 LBS rating is maybe exaggerated or they need the gas filled? Way too bouncy for road use. Has anyone filled one or know what to buy to DIY? Paying KTM to do it sounds like a waste of money. Next time around the block I will look for a 310mm and higher load capacity like 2,000 LBS. __________________ Bashan Storm: Ebay steel exhaust wrapped, folding shift lever, seat mod, vm26 carb, air pod, dual led scrambler headlamps, windshield mod, led brake/tail light, secondary led brake light (swingarm), Ebay 295mm rear shock, back up CDI (racing unknown), oil cooler, digital gauge cluster,
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