Hawk 250 trails.

[Dylanrssll]

I was wondering what the hardest trails you guys have ridden especially the hawk and magician. Thinking about selling my kawi to be able to get me and the wife bikes. I ride some pretty rough trails but her magician wouldn't see anything crazy. I'm also mechanical and a welder so I can fix what is needed. Just wondering about the reliability factor.

[pete]

What model kawasaki do you ride ?



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[Dylanrssll]

I have a klx 250. It's probably in the same range power and stuff as a hawk honestly. Don't think I'll be losing much

[pete]

Originally Posted by Dylanrssll

I have a klx 250. It's probably in the same range power and stuff as a hawk honestly. Don't think I'll be losing much

The KLX ..
USD forks / linkage suspension / 50% more power
water cooled / 6 gears..
Also the KLX250 started life as the KLX300
smaller bore / lower compression / milder cams...
The KLX250 is a tuff little motor...
they make some nice 300 & 350 kits for them..

It's really depends on what you are going to use the
hawk for.. you say you ride some rough trails...
whats your idea of rough ?... I have no dought the Hawk will
do it... how long it will do it for is the thing.. The running
gear could be more of a issue than the motor...

my first and only chinese bike I broke the frame & twisted
the swing arm.... I learnt you can't ride them like a japper...

..

[Dylanrssll]

Well I guess I wouldn't imagine my trails being too rough. I'm in guam right now and im going to be heading back to the states soon. Going to Texas so for the most part all it'll see will be whatever is in Arkansas. On the other side we are going to road trip to Alaska so we will hit some trails in Utah and Colorado. If it holds from there I might plan to use it for our trans America trail trip the following year but 5k miles might worry me

[Dylanrssll]

My big issue going back to the states will he id have to wait nearly 4 months for the navy to ship my bike to me and everyone I know that has had a bike shipped by the military has had some pretty bad problems

[Dylanrssll]

Originally Posted by pete

The KLX ..
USD forks / linkage suspension / 50% more power
water cooled / 6 gears..
Also the KLX250 started life as the KLX300
smaller bore / lower compression / milder cams...
The KLX250 is a tuff little motor...
they make some nice 300 & 350 kits for them..

It's really depends on what you are going to use the
hawk for.. you say you ride some rough trails...
whats your idea of rough ?... I have no dought the Hawk will
do it... how long it will do it for is the thing.. The running
gear could be more of a issue than the motor...

my first and only chinese bike I broke the frame & twisted
the swing arm.... I learnt you can't ride them like a japper...

..

Also what do you mean by running gear?

[Ariel Red Hunter]

Originally Posted by Dylanrssll

I was wondering what the hardest trails you guys have ridden especially the hawk and magician. Thinking about selling my kawi to be able to get me and the wife bikes. I ride some pretty rough trails but her magician wouldn't see anything crazy. I'm also mechanical and a welder so I can fix what is needed. Just wondering about the reliability factor.

They are quite reliable, once you get the bugs sorted out. But the Hawk will be quite a comedown from a Kwacker. Not anywhere near as much power, and the suspension, while good, is not as good as what you are used to. Not the bike I would choose to ride 80 mph whoops with. I have never heard of a frame breakage issue with the Hawk. The Hawk is better off-road than the Magician, but people ride Magicians off-road all the time. If you are going to be riding with your wife, the Hawk and Magician make a good pair. Once you get them sorted out, they'll take you anywhere you want to go. ....ARH

[JerryHawk250]

The Hawk is a good solid trail bike. Lots of low end torque which is good for trail riding. Frame is well built. The only weak points that I have seen on here have been front rims tend to bend easily and weak spokes. None of which I have experienced yet. Like I said great trail bike but wouldn't use this for the dirt track. There just not set up for that. Average top speeds for most is about the mid 60's but are capable of low 70's. But you are planning on trail riding and don't need a 75 + mph bike. I've taken my Hawk on some pretty rough trails with steep inclines and she never looked back. Has handled everything I have thrown at her. For the price you can't go wrong.

[pistolclass]

So to answer your question, I've been on some pretty knarly trails with my hawk. Deep ruts, log and steam crossings, steep hills. The hawk handles it with confidence. Now I think the bigger question is how do i tackle these trails, cautiously. I do most of my trail riding at slow speeds so I'm not really hammering the suspension.

I would never dream of riding the hawk like an mx bike. That is left to better bikes,and riders for that matter. I'm in my late 40s so I know my limits, and those limits pair up nicely with the hawk's limits.

The KLX is a superior machine in most all respects. I got my hawk because I haven't ridden in decades and I was not willing to part with $5k to see if was something I would like to or have time to do. Choices are good and it sounds like you have plenty. Hope this helps... Either way, we want photos.

[pete]

Originally Posted by Dylanrssll

Also what do you mean by running gear?

running gear = frame , suspension , wheels etc..

the hawk will most lightly be more than ok for you and where you will ride it...

I have to get my head around the fact that
when most people say rough or gnarly terrain.. my idea of it is
probably quite diffrent to theres... my idea of rough is probably quite
extreme to others idea of it....
We have a enduro here I have riden twice called "the no way in hell enduro"
When you look at where you have to go you think to your self
there no way in hell you can get a bike though there/up there/down there...








.

[Dylanrssll]

Not quite that bad lol we have some crazy trails and big hill climbs here but I doubt I would really encounter that even if I looked for it back home. Sounds like the bike will be good. I was just going to reinforce the welds and replace lot of bolt during assembly to knock some of the problems out of the way early. I've definitely learned my limits as well so I don't think I'll over do it it. Looks like I'll have 2 China bikes in the garage come january

[JerryHawk250]

There rough trails and there extreme, I would say that's on the extreme end

[pete]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

There rough trails and there extreme, I would say that's on the extreme end

probably is....& maddness on 2 wheels..
And I'm even getting to old for that these days..
In fact by the time the bikes got able to ride this terrain
I was probably already to old...
why I ride a 4T now ...

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by pete

probably is.... and I'm even getting to old for that these days..
why I ride a 4T now ...

Not even in my younger days would I attempt that. Last year about this time we had gone on some pretty rough trails. Had a few younger guys trying to follow me. Had a couple that turned back. One kid had followed me back to the parking lot. He tells me, hey dude that was some awesome riding, I had a hard time keeping up. You should of seen his face when I took off my helmet and he saw some old dude. Priceless. I ain't going to lie to you, They had a few hill I was like ain't no way i'm going to make it up there.