Tao Tao TBR7 vs RPS Hawk 250

[M76]

My wife is looking to get a bike with me now so we can do some adventuring together. Shes interested in the Hawk 250, but the metallic blue color of the Tao Tao TBR7 caught her eye as well. Is there any major differences between the two? How comparable is the TBR7 to the Hawk? Any reason I should steer her towards the Hawk over the TBR7 or vice versa?

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by M76

My wife is looking to get a bike with me now so we can do some adventuring together. Shes interested in the Hawk 250, but the metallic blue color of the Tao Tao TBR7 caught her eye as well. Is there any major differences between the two? How comparable is the TBR7 to the Hawk? Any reason I should steer her towards the Hawk over the TBR7 or vice versa?

Some will claim the tbr7 is a better quality. I would argue that myself, but as we all know, opinions are like A-holes.

IMHO they are the same horse with different legs. The TBR7 has the smaller 19 and 17 inch wheels, which can limit tire selection, but also makes the seat height a couple inches lower, which is handy for those with an altitude deficiency.

[M76]

Excellent points and what I had assumed myself. Ultimately though the seat heights should not be a problem because if push comes to shove I'll give her the Magician I have on the way and I'll take the TBR7/Hawk.

Thanks for the input.

[Deckard_Cain]

Tbr7 seems to be marginally better quality, from what I've heard and seen on YT.. although I have had no issues or noticed nothing glaringly "poor" about my 2020 Hawk either.

The one big thing that steered me away from the TBR7 was that I didn't like that they did not paint the underside of the plastics.

Yes, I am petty.

[M76]

Originally Posted by Megadan

The TBR7 has the smaller 19 and 17 inch wheels, which can limit tire selection

Is this a matter of availability or selection? I doubt the wife is going to be doing much trail or dirt riding, so if I can find a average to decent chance of getting street or 50/50 tires for the Magician and the Hawk/TBR7 I think we are golden.

[M76]

Originally Posted by Deckard_Cain

Tbr7 seems to be marginally better quality, from what I've heard and seen on YT.. although I have had no issues or noticed nothing glaringly "poor" about my 2020 Hawk either.

The one big thing that steered me away from the TBR7 was that I didn't like that they did not paint the underside of the plastics.

Yes, I am petty.

The TBR7 metallic blue caught her eye but she may end up having me paint the plastics in the end anyway.

[stewbrash]

I think that if you get the white one, it is all white plastic...no paint.

[M76]

Originally Posted by stewbrash

I think that if you get the white one, it is all white plastic...no paint.

That's a good point. That way if she decides to repaint later she will have a virgin base to work with.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by M76

Is this a matter of availability or selection? I doubt the wife is going to be doing much trail or dirt riding, so if I can find a average to decent chance of getting street or 50/50 tires for the Magician and the Hawk/TBR7 I think we are golden.

Both availability and selection. The sizes they use are fairly uncommon, so not many options out there as a whole. There are a couple though, so if you aren't super picky about tires, then you should be fine.

[buzz]

TBR7 just bought mine ,love it. White was the color for me,200 miles no problems

[Deckard_Cain]

Originally Posted by stewbrash

I think that if you get the white one, it is all white plastic...no paint.

Originally Posted by buzz

TBR7 just bought mine ,love it. White was the color for me,200 miles no problems

If I were to get a Tbr7, white is the color I'd want for many reasons, that being one of the main ones

[mrstangblb]

I'm curious about these and the Lifan X-Pect. Does the 200 cc Lifan compare speed-wise to the TBR7 and the Hawk? I want a DLX if I get a Hawk, but I've seen the Lifan may be just a hair better quality.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by mrstangblb

I'm curious about these and the Lifan X-Pect. Does the 200 cc Lifan compare speed-wise to the TBR7 and the Hawk? I want a DLX if I get a Hawk, but I've seen the Lifan may be just a hair better quality.

Don't focus too much on the "big" engine thing. The CG200 engines may not be as torqey, but they are also a lot more happy to rev higher, and at the end of the day make pretty much the same HP, so they really aren't any slower.

[mrstangblb]

Originally Posted by Megadan

Don't focus too much on the "big" engine thing. The CG200 engines may not be as torqey, but they are also a lot more happy to rev higher, and at the end of the day make pretty much the same HP, so they really aren't any slower.

I keep trying to figure out what I want to do - take a chance on a Lifan or Hawk DLX or just try to find a good used DR650, KLR or something like that.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by mrstangblb

I keep trying to figure out what I want to do - take a chance on a Lifan or Hawk DLX or just try to find a good used DR650, KLR or something like that.

Depends on how serious of an off road bike you want. I love my Hawk, but I consider most of these chinese bikes "light-medium" duty in terms of off road capability.

If these were trucks for off roading, I would consider a Hawk more like a stock Suzuki Samurai while a bike like the DR650 would be a Toyota Landcruiser with some bigger tires and suspension work. Both are capable, but one is more built for the job. If Orion ever gets them back in stock, the RXB250L is probably the best and most off road capable 2k or less bike in the Chinabike world.