Hawk Underpowered?

[Sport Rider]

question for you guys. I just want to confirm it's not MY bike, but just the hawk in general. I had a guy test out my bike over the weekend. He's a very knowledgable dirt bike and carb guy. He said the carb felt good to him and the small hicups I was experiencing are just in the transition points and inherent in the carb.

One thing he said was that the bike feels under powered. I told him it was only a 229 and was a 9:1 compression ratio, but wanted to ask here. My bike has a 17/50 sprocket setup right now and I'm seeing 55-58 speedo indicated on flat road before the HP seems not to be able to push it forward against the air resistance. RPMs are not maxed out, just the the motor can't push any harder. Am I normal???

[BARLOW]

question for you guys. I just want to confirm it's not MY bike, but just the hawk in general. I had a guy test out my bike over the weekend. He's a very knowledgable dirt bike and carb guy. He said the carb felt good to him and the small hicups I was experiencing are just in the transition points and inherent in the carb.

One thing he said was that the bike feels under powered. I told him it was only a 229 and was a 9:1 compression ratio, but wanted to ask here. My bike has a 17/50 sprocket setup right now and I'm seeing 55-58 speedo indicated on flat road before the HP seems not to be able to push it forward against the air resistance. RPMs are not maxed out, just the the motor can't push any harder. Am I normal???
i have the same problem with my storm, with 17/45 sprocket ... i can hit 8000 rpm in 4th gear, but only about 6500 in 5th ... the little book that came with my storm says that it only has 8.7:1 the 200 has 9.2:1 the 150 has 9.2:1 ... also says max hp is 15.42@7500 and torque 12.53@5500

[mq1991]

question for you guys. I just want to confirm it's not MY bike, but just the hawk in general. I had a guy test out my bike over the weekend. He's a very knowledgable dirt bike and carb guy. He said the carb felt good to him and the small hicups I was experiencing are just in the transition points and inherent in the carb.

One thing he said was that the bike feels under powered. I told him it was only a 229 and was a 9:1 compression ratio, but wanted to ask here. My bike has a 17/50 sprocket setup right now and I'm seeing 55-58 speedo indicated on flat road before the HP seems not to be able to push it forward against the air resistance. RPMs are not maxed out, just the the motor can't push any harder. Am I normal???

You might have an issue somewhere, I can hit 80 mph indicated(about 60mph actual), and wheelie pretty easily in 1st, and shift to 2nd carrying the wheelie. Im running the 17/50 setup as well. Try changing your main jet size and see what happens. Go up 5 from where your at, see if it gets better or worse. If it gets worse, go down 5 from your original jet.

Takes a little time but its worth it! :)

That all being said, if I understand correctly, this engine is based on a design from like 1975 or something. Its not going to compete with the newest 4 stroke 250's out there. So someone jumping from a 2016 WR250 to a hawk would definitely notice the power difference. Probably where most of the cost savings is on the bike.

[2LZ]

Are your bikes broke in yet? If they aren't, there's no way they'll reach their potential. The motors are still full of "hot spots" that cause excess friction. The Hondoid motor runs much better with more mileage....at least all four of mine have and noticably so.
Something to think about........

[Weldangrind]

Am I normal???

No. You're a China Rider.

[mjstef]

Need about 300 miles before they wake up. Also a Mikuni makes a HUGE difference. At my elevation a 17T would be un-ridable on many of the mountain trails i run. I can hit 60MPH per GPS stock wound out. Before i swapped carbs 55 was barely attainable.....

[SeerAtlas]

mistef is right. breakin makes big difference on this motor. you can really feel the seat of the pantsd diff as the bikes loosen uo. i'd be careful bout trying for max speed before its got some miles. also, has a lot to do with how many times tme engine reaches op temperature then back to cold, then back to op temp. as someone posted, the metal expands and contracts with each cycle. the components temper themselves over time and release tensions/stresses in the metallurgy eventually reaching a stable configuration. its at this point where serious builders "blueprint " their engines.

[Sport Rider]

no. You're a china rider.

:d :d :d

[Sport Rider]

I'm getting close to having 300 on it now. I think I may change oil again, clean screen, and re-check the valves. I'm not really worried so much as just curious. one day I hope to have a chance to swap and ride someone else's to compare. that's probably the only way to know for sure. :tup:

[SeerAtlas]

lol, i felt the same way bout the hawk and the tt250 so i bought one of each:) like you, I want to see for myself who wins the bang for buck trophy :) I'll probably sell the loser, assuming there is one lol

[BARLOW]

i have 310 miles on mine, changed the carb and jets (40/115) and for the most part, it just does not get over 60mph at wot, and i can only cruse at about 53mph ... i dropped the clip on the carb yesterday and it ran pure trash, going to try and lift it tomorrow if the weather is nice ... also i ran one short run at wot with out the air box and nedle center, no change ... dont get me wrong, it has low end grunt, just will not fight the wind and 1 or 2 people on it does not make a noticeable change to anything

[Sport Rider]

i have 310 miles on mine, changed the carb and jets (40/115) and for the most part, it just does not get over 60mph at wot, and i can only cruse at about 53mph ... i dropped the clip on the carb yesterday and it ran pure trash, going to try and lift it tomorrow if the weather is nice ... also i ran one short run at wot with out the air box and nedle center, no change ... dont get me wrong, it has low end grunt, just will not fight the wind and 1 or 2 people on it does not make a noticeable change to anything

I'm on the second slot on my needle. the guy suggested I could set it at 3rd and see if it makes a difference, but he again said it's running pretty well where it's at. I don't think that's going to make much of a diff in the top end anyway. the main is in control there and I already raised mine to a 117.5 with very little noticable difference. once they are "close" we're probably just doing fine tuning. perhaps 1 MPH? probably not more than that.

[BARLOW]

I'm on the second slot on my needle. the guy suggested I could set it at 3rd and see if it makes a difference, but he again said it's running pretty well where it's at. I don't think that's going to make much of a diff in the top end anyway. the main is in control there and I already raised mine to a 117.5 with very little noticable difference. once they are "close" we're probably just doing fine tuning. perhaps 1 MPH? probably not more than that. hummm ... i was thinking that the top end is where it would make the most difference ... i know lifting the needle made a huge change, just not for the good

[lee47512]

I am not having any problems like that. I do have the lurch but that is just because it is not broke in yet mine runs very strong. Stock front sprocket 42 tooth rear sprocket it will run 55 all day long when broke in 60 will be easy enough for it to maintain.

[lee47512]

i have 310 miles on mine, changed the carb and jets (40/115) and for the most part, it just does not get over 60mph at wot, and i can only cruse at about 53mph ... i dropped the clip on the carb yesterday and it ran pure trash, going to try and lift it tomorrow if the weather is nice ... also i ran one short run at wot with out the air box and nedle center, no change ... dont get me wrong, it has low end grunt, just will not fight the wind and 1 or 2 people on it does not make a noticeable change to anything
Mine got over 60 with the 50 tooth on first ride before i changed it. That is weird.

[Ron B]

at least you get to ride yours.....I still have 300lbs. of yard art :ohno:

[lee47512]

Are your bikes broke in yet? If they aren't, there's no way they'll reach their potential. The motors are still full of "hot spots" that cause excess friction. The Hondoid motor runs much better with more mileage....at least all four of mine have and noticably so.
Something to think about........
Same here two 150 scooters and a 200 d/s they were all the same till about 800 or 900 miles they were not at there best.

[lee47512]

at least you get to ride yours.....I still have 300lbs. of yard :ohno:
That sucks I guess k/m is on the list of do not buy from.

[Fame28]

Lee - If you plan on making a purchase - APSCUSA.COM - We bought two hawk's from them and they have amazing customer service and they are very fast with getting out the bike and paperwork. Our's were registered and insured in N.Y. with no problems.

[lee47512]

Lee - If you plan on making a purchase - APSCUSA.COM - We bought two hawk's from them and they have amazing customer service and they are very fast with getting out the bike and paperwork. Our's were registered and insured in N.Y. with no problems.
I already bought with motobuys and have just got my paperwork monday 38 days after i bought my bike. But yeah I wish I had went with apscusa.