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#1 |
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 14
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Can someone help me pick which bike to get?
Hi everyone, great forum.
I was looking to buy a bike mainly for dirt roads/2 lane roads sometimes trails in the woods but nothing very intense. I might take it fishing etc. I live in WV. Here are the 2 bikes I was considering: the rps hawk and another bike (Fleetwood or lancer) 250 that has a rack and rectangular headlight. Here are links. ****** 1 ******* https://www.txpowersports.com/New_ha...bike-250cc.htm ****** 2 ******* https://www.motobuys.com/fleetwood-2...ro-db07-k.html As I see it, the rps hawk advantages are: lots of them around, more support, parts easier to get, more online help and videos etc, just more popular. The advantages of the "Fleetwood" or "lancer" is at least for me the rack on the back. Also I think the tires might suit me better. I am a little concerned about finding parts. For me, at least a rear rack is essential, but maybe that could be added on to the hawk without too much trouble. Does anyone have any advise regarding this decision? Thanks everyone for taking the time to look at my post and any advice. |
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#2 |
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Volcano, Ca
Posts: 7,112
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Don't be thrown by all of the different names. Most of these bikes share many of the same parts and can be purchased in many places. The blanket name for them is 'Hondoid". Just steer clear of the old gen Hondoids and you should be good with any. That said, steer clear of TXPS also.
The other question is can you register a Hawk for the street in your state?
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"Light a fire for a man, and you heat him for a day. Light a man on fire, and you heat him for the rest of his life." 2007 Suzuki DRZ400S (SM convert) 2009 Q Link XP 200 1967 BSA B25 250cc Starfire 2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411 1948 Royal Enfield Model G 350 |
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#4 |
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Buffalo NY
Posts: 86
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I really like the look of the one from Motobuys. Looks like it comes with all the proper paperwork for registration too. 48 state legal.
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2018 CSC TT 250 Suzuki DR 650 2003 Honda Shadow 750 (sold and I miss it) |
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#5 |
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Volcano, Ca
Posts: 7,112
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I should have opened the link. The one at motobuys looks nice but it's old gen Hondoid. Sketchy rims and spokes, hard plastics that like to crack..
I've bought from these guys and have had decent luck, some others have not. They have a lot of the new generation CB's including the Hawk, Storm, Shark, Brozz, etc... All safe bets. https://www.superiorpowersports.com/category_s/145.htm
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"Light a fire for a man, and you heat him for a day. Light a man on fire, and you heat him for the rest of his life." 2007 Suzuki DRZ400S (SM convert) 2009 Q Link XP 200 1967 BSA B25 250cc Starfire 2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411 1948 Royal Enfield Model G 350 |
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#6 |
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 8,100
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If it is within your budget, then get the CSC TT250 and then buy and install their rear rack. It comes with less aggressive tires tnan the Hawk, and a bunch of improvements.
If it is not within your budget then get the Hawk, install the TT250 rear rack - it bolts right on, and then install whatever tires suit your fancy. Shinko 700 or 244 tires are both great choices and not very expensive. This will also give you a chance to upgrade the tubes, because the stock tubes suck.
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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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#8 |
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 14
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Thanks
Ok thank you for the advise. I’m sure i can get some help finding parts if needed then. What are the most common ‘wear parts’ like brake shoes sprockets etc people buy. Or do most parts outlive the bike?
Here are some other examples of bikes i ran across: https://www.superiorpowersports.com/...50mc-rte-r.htm https://www.superiorpowersports.com/...50db-shark.htm http://www.saferwholesale.com/Hawk-4.../gsi-hawk4.htm As popular as the hawks are you’d think someone would have a rear rack for sale for them. That would be helpful. (update: CSC TT250 rack was recommended earlier in thread) With this additional advice I’m going to do a little more searching and post back soon. Looking to buy in next week or 2. And if anyone has advise about delivery i live in a residential area. If needed i could have crate loaded onto a 4x8 trailer i have and pull into garage. Not sure how cumbersome delivery to home is. Last edited by GaryBD; 06-14-2018 at 05:57 PM. |
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#9 | |
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Buffalo NY
Posts: 86
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Quote:
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2018 CSC TT 250 Suzuki DR 650 2003 Honda Shadow 750 (sold and I miss it) |
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#10 |
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 14
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I'm not sure if this is older or newer generation. What is the best way to tell?
http://www.saferwholesale.com/DF-250...-df-250rte.htm I noticed that some of the older one's had rear drum brakes. And how bad are the older generation bikes? Do the rims fail frequently, do the engines tend to fail more frequently? I guess if I found an old gen I really liked for a good price, how strong would the recommendation be to not buy. I definitely don't want a lemon that doesn't run well or breaks down very easily. But if a rim failed, I could replace. |
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#11 | |
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: fontana, california
Posts: 333
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Quote:
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#12 |
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Applegate, Oregon
Posts: 101
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I looked at them all and decided on the CSC TT250. It’s a few hundred dollars more but you get a far superior bike with exceptional dealer support. I have mine just over a month and already have over 1000 miles on it with not a single problem. 60 mph, 60 mpg and 60 smiles per day. It’s wayyyyyy fun.
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#13 |
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Dayton OH
Posts: 17
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Maybe check out the RPS Magician. It has a rack, less aggressive tires, lower height. Still a dual sport but more road then trail. Small gas tank.
My wife's doesn't arrive until Monday so no 1st hand experience yet. |
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#14 | |
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 8,100
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Quote:
Most importantly, as mentioned, is the dealer support. That can be worth the increased cost all on its own. I would argue that you get a "far superior" bike. It is still a Chinese made motorcycle. I think it would be more fair to say that you definitely get a better finished product. The Hawk requires a little more attention and effort on the end users part, but when done right can be every bit as reliable and capable as the TT250.
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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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#15 |
Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Houma, La.
Posts: 11,651
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Choice on bike will also depend on you height or inseam measurement. The Hawk/TT250/Enforcer with 21/18" wheels is tall and more for the 5'10" and taller. Storm and Magician with 19/17" wheels is more for the vertically challenged.
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2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (Sold) 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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Tags |
250cc, dealers, enduro, hawk |
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