Wow, New Hawk, Endless Hassle...

[HawkTwoFifty]

So I have been working on a jetting issue on my new Hawk 250 and think it is finally good, except... now I couldnt test it out fully since my tire went flat during my ride causing me to almost crash. So I got home and tried to fill it will air but it didnt fill. So I then tried to fill it with Fix-a-flat so I could desperately go back out to test my jetting but the fix-a-flat poured right out the sidewalls like a leaking dam.

What may this new issue be?? I have owned Japanese atvs and bikes my whole life and never had an issue with a tire not filling with air, and on top of that, having fix-a-flat pour out the sidewalls.

WHAT IS MY ISSUE HERE????

I am almost regretting this Hawk 250 purchase (from Txpowersports.com) as its been over a month now and its endless puzzles to figure out...

[pistolclass]

The Hawks tubes are not so great. I would go out and get a set of thicker tubes and replace both of them.

Once you get it sorted out, I'm sure you will be very happy with it.

My previous bikes were Japanese so I know the frustration. When I went to get back into riding I went to the Honda dealership and had sticker shock on the cost of a new Honda, nearly $6k. I got my hawk for $1,200 and it required tinkering. But once it was dialed in it proved to be quite a nice bike.

Good luck and hang in there.

[HawkTwoFifty]

The Hawks tubes are not so great. I would go out and get a set of thicker tubes and replace both of them.

Once you get it sorted out, I'm sure you will be very happy with it.

My previous bikes were Japanese so I know the frustration. When I went to get back into riding I went to the Honda dealership and had sticker shock on the cost of a new Honda, nearly $6k. I got my hawk for $1,200 and it required tinkering. But once it was dialed in it proved to be quite a nice bike.

Good luck and hang in there.

Thank you pistolclass for your reply. Do you (or anyone else here) know of a link online where I can buy a decent replacement for these hawk tubes where I wont have this issue happen again?

I havent even put 13 miles on my hawk yet!!!!!! Are the inner tubes made out of paper?? What else should I be aware of going bad on this bike?

I am starting to regret buying this bike.

[HawkTwoFifty]

If my tubes went bad after less than 13 miles, I think the manufacturer of the Hawk 250 should pay for this!!! This is ridiculous.

Does anyone have the contact info for the manufacturer of the Hawk? The manufacturer of the hawk is Haosen right? I bought this bike from TXpowersports, should I contact Haosen or TXpowersports with my complaint?

Very aggravated.

[pistolclass]

I got my tubes from CycleGear. There is a local store here in CT that I just showed them my bike and they pulled them off the shelf. I'm sure I could have saved a couple of bucks by getting them online but I like to support my local store. Because they grabbed them off the shelf I don't remember the size. IT will be a matter of time before other folks here chime in with links to the proper tubes.

As for after purchase service, good luck. TXpowerports is not known for their service. The hassle of dealing with them is not worth the $20 for a tube.

[kirbo7106]

I had the factory front tube come apart at 61 miles. Some people have mentioned that the factory Hawk tubes are made by the Chinese Condom Company!

I bought IRC heavy duty tubes from Amazon. I also replaced the rim strips because the rear rim strip had a tear in it from a spoke nipple. They are also made by IRC. Since I spend at least 50 percent of my Hawk time on paved roads, I switched out the knobby tires for Shinko 244s. I really like the 244s!

I understand about being frustrated with the lack of dealer support. I was ready to sell my Hawk and by a new Kawasaki KLX 250. Then I saw the price tag attached to that new KLX! Which is why I bought new tires, tubes and rim strips!

Like everyone else has said, once you get the bugs worked out, the Hawk is a nice little dual sport motorcycle.

Good luck & hang in there!

[Megadan]

Tubes are one of the many known weak points of these bikes from the factory. I had seemingly better luck than most and managed to get to about 1300 miles before my rear tube decided to die. The tubes are very thin and not made of the best rubber. Replace both and be happy. Get a good brand and replace both as suggested. They aren't an expensive thing to replace.

[timcosby]

if you have fixaflat comming out the sidewalls you got more problems than tubes!

[pistolclass]

I think they were: Front: 80/100 21 Rear: 110/100 18.

But of course cycle gear is out of stock: https://www.cyclegear.com/gear/msr-heavy-duty-tubes

Someone please confirm my sizes.

[Musictrek]

I had very good luck with my original tubes. I put at least 600 miles on them. However, when I changed tires. The spoke rubber band strip was in bad shape. The ends of the spoke fittings were rubbing holes in the rubber rim strip and leaving marks on the thin tube.

[Ariel Red Hunter]

So I have been working on a jetting issue on my new Hawk 250 and think it is finally good, except... now I couldnt test it out fully since my tire went flat during my ride causing me to almost crash. So I got home and tried to fill it will air but it didnt fill. So I then tried to fill it with Fix-a-flat so I could desperately go back out to test my jetting but the fix-a-flat poured right out the sidewalls like a leaking dam.

What may this new issue be?? I have owned Japanese atvs and bikes my whole life and never had an issue with a tire not filling with air, and on top of that, having fix-a-flat pour out the sidewalls.

WHAT IS MY ISSUE HERE????

I am almost regretting this Hawk 250 purchase (from Txpowersports.com) as its been over a month now and its endless puzzles to figure out...It does not surprise me that the tires leak. Tube type tires were never designed to hold air. China, and I suppose India are a little behind the curve in tire construction. All Japanese as well as all Western tires are sprayed on the inside with sealant because it is convenient to manufacture all tires on the same line. It costs heavy duty money to shut down a line in order to make just a batch of tube tires. So they run the tires all down the same line in order that there will be no screw-ups by having a tubeless tire get through uncoated. Liability, in other words. However, you are right to complain about the tubes. Like when the Japanese started making tubes, they are not very good. Amongst other places try Tire Barn, and Dennis Kirk. The correct tubes are sometimes marked; 2.75 - 21, and 4.00 - 18...ARH

[Ariel Red Hunter]

I had very good luck with my original tubes. I put at least 600 miles on them. However, when I changed tires. The spoke rubber band strip was in bad shape. The ends of the spoke fittings were rubbing holes in the rubber rim strip and leaving marks on the thin tube.I must warn you about this! It means that the spoke threads are protuding through the nipples! Blow-outs possible. Check and adjust your spoke tension, then file the spoke ends so that they do not portrude through the nipples, then either put in new rim strips or use Gorilla Tape to cover the nipples...ARH

[pete]

I must warn you about this! It means that the spoke threads are protuding through the nipples! Blow-outs possible. Check and adjust your spoke tension, then file the spoke ends so that they do not portrude through the nipples, then either put in new rim strips or use Gorilla Tape to cover the nipples...ARH


ARH is right.... tape the rims...
All my rims get 3 layers of 32mm duct tape over the rubber rim strip..

theres a tape made by 3M that is getting quite a following to turn
spoked rims into tubeless.... can't remember what it's called..




.

[humanbeing]

...theres a tape made by 3M that is getting quite a following to turn
spoked rims into tubeless.... can't remember what it's called...
Google results said
https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/3M-Extreme-Sealing-Tape-4412N?N=5002385+3293241577&rt=rud works in that job...

[JerryHawk250]

Google results said
https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/3M-Extreme-Sealing-Tape-4412N?N=5002385+3293241577&rt=rud works in that job...
That's the stuff :tup: When my stock tube had busted I looked into going tubeless and read up on the 3m tape. I had already ordered the tube but if it bust again I was going tubeless.

[Musictrek]

I must warn you about this! It means that the spoke threads are protuding through the nipples! Blow-outs possible. Check and adjust your spoke tension, then file the spoke ends so that they do not portrude through the nipples, then either put in new rim strips or use Gorilla Tape to cover the nipples...ARH I did go through the whole wheel and tighten down the spokes and installed a new rim strip. I was surprised how lucky I was.

[Ariel Red Hunter]

I did go through the whole wheel and tighten down the spokes and installed a new rim strip. I was surprised how lucky I was.Did you file down the spoke ends where they were protruded?....ARH

[timcosby]

i got 2500 miles out of my front tube. it just started going down. hell i ride it without air most of the time. the rear hasnt given me any trouble so far. fixaflat didnt fix my front but it also didnt come out of the sidewalls.

[HawkTwoFifty]

Thanks everyone for the help. So I am looking at IRC heavy duty tubes for my Hawk 250 in size 110/100-18 and see this size tube coming in stems varieties of "TR4" and "TR6". Which version do I buy??

I was looking at this one first having a TR4 stem:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/IRC-Heavy-Duty-110-100-18-130-80-18-140-80-18-Inner-Tire-Tube-Motorcycle-TR4/302389455131?hash=item4667d0e91b:g:TjIAAOSwJrpZcPT 5&vxp=mtr

but then seen another with a TR6 stem.

Which do I buy?

And should I replace the tires as well? I dont want to ride several miles from my home now for fear of tires or tubes failing on me!! What do you guys recommend for reliability??

Thanks!!

[HawkTwoFifty]

if you have fixaflat comming out the sidewalls you got more problems than tubes!

Thanks for the reply timcosby. Does this situation indicate that my tire AND tube is bad? The tire was so flat that I could stick my finger between the wheel and tire. So are my tires the issue as well as the tube??

Thanks.

[HawkTwoFifty]

Also, do I need to buy that 3M tape (mentioned on the 1st page of this thread) to ensure my replacement tubes do not fail? Or can I just buy heavy duty tubes and be fine? How about tires? Should I change out the stock tires as well? I dont want to get stranded far from home because of cheap crappy tires and tubes.

I never expected this to ever possibly be an issue or concern!!

[HawkTwoFifty]

SIGH... just SIGH is how I am feeling right now...

:ohno:>:(:cry:

[kirbo7106]

Hey HawkTwoFifty,
I didn’t have any problems with the tires themselves. Knobby tires on the street have a “loose” feel. The knobs flex when you lean into a turn. I went with a 50/50 Tire, but I could have gone with a 70/30 or even an 80/20. I like the feel of the Shinko 244s. I think they are a good compromise.

What kind of riding are you planning on doing? If you don’t mind the knobby, then just replace the tubes and rim strips and or tape.

Keep us posted,

[pistolclass]

My stock tires are great in the dirt, adequate on the pavement. They squirm on the blacktop above 35 mph .

[pistolclass]

This forum is the reason to own the hawk. After purchase support is non existent from the sellers but unbelievable from this group. Hang in there and soon enough your friends will be buying Hawks based on the Hawks bang for the buck once the bugs are worked out of it.

[Megadan]

I have already used said 3m tape on my goldwing. It works very well for.going tubeless, but you have to make sure you clean the bejeezus out of the rim so it will seal properly. For insurance it is a good idea to stretch a rim strip or bicycle tube over it. It is also very unforgiving, once it touches, soyou have to get it right the first time.

Another use, if you dont trust the tubeless route is to still use it to seal the spokes while still running a tube. Good insurance against the rapid deflation typical of inner tube blow outs. This is what I did with my Hawk, and it worked perfectly when my rear tube went. Tire slowly lost air, and allowed me to catch it before it left me stranded.

[HawkTwoFifty]

Hey HawkTwoFifty,
I didn’t have any problems with the tires themselves. Knobby tires on the street have a “loose” feel. The knobs flex when you lean into a turn. I went with a 50/50 Tire, but I could have gone with a 70/30 or even an 80/20. I like the feel of the Shinko 244s. I think they are a good compromise.

What kind of riding are you planning on doing? If you don’t mind the knobby, then just replace the tubes and rim strips and or tape.

Keep us posted,

Thanks Kirbo for your reply. I guess that I plan to do about 70% on road and 30% off road. But I do want to have the best of both worlds in one tire if possible.

If I get the Shinko 244, do I need to buy tubes for the Shinkos?

I just want a reliable tire (with or without tubes or tape etc) that will not leave me stranded far from home, while performing decent on both road and off-road.

Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!

[franque]

Don't worry about a tubeless tire just yet, that's over complicating things, and I can see is causing you to fret... Take a deep breath, and then, just get some tubes, don't worry about a tubeless conversion. You could probably just run the stock tires with new tubes. As everyone else has said, the stock tubes are crap anyway, it's not a fault of the actual bike itself. Be sure that there is a rim strip, make sure that spoke aren't protruding, check that the chain is tensioned and lubricated, check the oil (change it if you haven't already), tire pressure, and ride it.

[JerryHawk250]

Don't worry about a tubeless tire just yet, that's over complicating things, and I can see is causing you to fret... Take a deep breath, and then, just get some tubes, don't worry about a tubeless conversion. You could probably just run the stock tires with new tubes. As everyone else has said, the stock tubes are crap anyway, it's not a fault of the actual bike itself. Be sure that there is a rim strip, make sure that spoke aren't protruding, check that the chain is tensioned and lubricated, check the oil (change it if you haven't already), tire pressure, and ride it.
2X

[franque]

Also, I wanted to add, what pressure were you running the tires at? Usually that (too low a pressure) is the first thing that causes tubes to fail.

That being said, these tubes are a known failure point. For a novice, particularly on the street, I'd run them at 25psi front, 30psi rear.

In addition, they weren't saying that the tires themselves are unsafe, just that they might not be airtight enough to run tubeless (which, again, I'd advise against, because it unnecessarily complicates things for now).

[HawkTwoFifty]

Thanks guys for the replies. What tubes should I buy for my stock tires? I heard the brand IRC mentioned but they come in two stem versions - tr4 & tr6. What does this mean, and which version do I buy for my stock wheels and tires?

Thanks!

[Megadan]

Tr4.

[Sochin]

Get part numbers 276413 and 276372 if you go on bikebandit. They got a Turbo Tuesday sale today. $26 and change plus shipping for Kenda TR4 tubes.

[Ariel Red Hunter]

Also, do I need to buy that 3M tape (mentioned on the 1st page of this thread) to ensure my replacement tubes do not fail? Or can I just buy heavy duty tubes and be fine? How about tires? Should I change out the stock tires as well? I dont want to get stranded far from home because of cheap crappy tires and tubes.

I never expected this to ever possibly be an issue or concern!!Issue? Shouldn't be an issue. You aren't the first guy on here with tube trouble! Just replace the tubes and the rim strips and off you go. Tension your spokes to middle "C" or a little less, check that no spoke ends are portruding, (if they are, file them down) put in the new rim strips, put a little air in the tubes, coat them with baby powder, install the tubes, put the tires back on. Air 'em up, then let the air back out, so the tubes can "find themselves", wait a couple of minutes, air 'em up again, and the job is done. And you have learned a new skill. :tup:......ARH

[pistolclass]

Issue? Shouldn't be an issue. You aren't the first guy on here with tube trouble! Just replace the tubes and the rim strips and off you go. Tension your spokes to middle "C" or a little less, check that no spoke ends are portruding, (if they are, file them down) put in the new rim strips, put a little air in the tubes, coat them with baby powder, install the tubes, put the tires back on. Air 'em up, then let the air back out, so the tubes can "find themselves", wait a couple of minutes, air 'em up again, and the job is done. And you have learned a new skill. :tup:......ARH

Great point ARH, new skill learned. You will find because there is no dealer support you will learn a ton and be much more capable for the inevitable fix on the side of the road or in the woods.... no matter what you ride. Even Hondas get flats.

[pete]

Even Hondas get flats.



you can't trust those dam Honda's...





..

[timcosby]

Thanks for the reply timcosby. Does this situation indicate that my tire AND tube is bad? The tire was so flat that I could stick my finger between the wheel and tire. So are my tires the issue as well as the tube??

Thanks.

tire had just came off the bead of the rim. tire should be ok unless you road a long way with it like that. thats probably what you really meant about the fixaflat comming out the sidewall of the tire. it wasnt the sidewall of the tire i assume it was cause the bead of the tire was not in place on the rim. hell use three layers of plain old duct tape on the nipples and have at it you should be fine then. after you take the tire off you will see what were talking about the nipples rubbing the tube.