Hawk 250 or Tbr7?

[Schoolblack21]

Hi all,
New to the forum, this is our of the norm for me so bare with me. I'm close to pulling the trigger on a hawk or tbr7 and through my research they are essentially the same. (If not sorry for the mess up). Is there any discernable difference between the two? Which is the better of the two?

[JerryHawk250]

Welcome aboard! Main difference is the Hawk has 21" front and 18" rear wheels whereas the TBR7 had 19" front and 17" rear. The Hawk will be taller and will have a wider selection of off road tires. The TBR7 will be easier to register in most states as it is EPA certified for street use where the Hawk isn't but has been successful in some states. Can't go wrong with either bike.

[NzBrakelathes]

Maybe consider the Blue eagle from peace powers ports
Motocheez did a YT vid n was very impressed and he’s got all 3 bikes etc

[kingofqueenz]

As a TBR owner and this is my first bike, while the bike is great and EASILY registered, I am unhappy with how tall \ high the bike sits.

I am 5' 10" , I lowered the rear shock and removed the spacers on the front forks and even lowered the forks on the triple tree and I still feel the bike is fairly tall.

Not sure how tall you are, nor how tall the Hawk sits, but if you are short or a new rider, I would look for a lower profile bike.

[wedooit]

Welcome!!! also check out onelegged as cuz jay has a tbr. there are many other tbr and hawk dude here as well.

[OneLeggedRider]

As Jerry said you can't go wrong with either for the price. I bought both and in my opinion the TBR7 is a better bike as far as fit and finish, and ease of assembly. Better bolts and locknuts, LED turn signals, rear rack, rear brake linkage, ease of registration, and alot of other little things like an inline fuel filter, etc.

The drawbacks are ofcourse the rim sizes as far as tire selection, a very poor rear shock even though you can adjust preload for weight, cheap plastic hand guards that are just for looks, mirrors won't stay in place, and a slightly different frame so the CRF performance pipe is not a direct bolt on. Petcock valve that doesn't actually shut off, and uses a dim ATV headlight bulb.

The Hawk on the other hand is a tried an true big wheel dirtbike that has alot more information and resources due to it's popularity. But some states won't register it as street legal, and it requires alot more initial assembly and has poor quality nuts and bolts that might snap or vibrate loose. It also costs $60 more than the TBR7.

So for me it would boil down to what state I lived in as far as registration, and what kind of riding I wanted to do. Mostly street with an occasional back road or trail, TBR7. Mostly secondary and gravel roads with actual muddy trails, Hawk all the way.

[OneLeggedRider]

As a TBR owner and this is my first bike, while the bike is great and EASILY registered, I am unhappy with how tall \ high the bike sits.

I am 5' 10" , I lowered the rear shock and removed the spacers on the front forks and even lowered the forks on the triple tree and I still feel the bike is fairly tall.

Not sure how tall you are, nor how tall the Hawk sits, but if you are short or a new rider, I would look for a lower profile bike.

Both bikes sit too tall with the Hawk being maybe an inch taller. I'm 6'2" and would have difficulty swinging my leg over either in it's stock form.

[kingofqueenz]

Thanks OneLg

Im 99% street ride and after having rode some American made bikes, or even taking a Rebel 500 for a ride, being able to touch the floor with your knees bent vs. tippy toe is very frustrating at stop signs and traffic lights ( again, I mostly street ride ).

[Schoolblack21]

Thank you to everybody for helping me out. I live in northeast Arkansas and from what I have gathered the TBR7 Is a breeze to get through the dmv here. As I live in a small town and the speed limit isnt but 55 the max I need to go is 60 without the motor having a stroke on me. What is your opinions on sprocket combos if you don't mind?

[wedooit]

Hey school....I have the BMS for the mrs, had to lower it with seat cut, shock, etc. am running stock gears. But it has inverted forks, and a small rack for grocery getting. I thought when we bought it, we would try something new or different. I spent too much time, brew, coffee, and months, deciding what to purchase, and that was too much time spent. LOL! Get the bike and ride, as what I should have done. They are all good bikes, and many here, have many miles on them with enjoyment of not spending lots of dollars. And the folks here are kind and knowledgeable!

Keep us posted on your journey and send us some pix!!!

[OneLeggedRider]

Thank you to everybody for helping me out. I live in northeast Arkansas and from what I have gathered the TBR7 Is a breeze to get through the dmv here. As I live in a small town and the speed limit isnt but 55 the max I need to go is 60 without the motor having a stroke on me. What is your opinions on sprocket combos if you don't mind?

Order Tako's kit, it comes with a 17 tooth front sprocket and lots of other goodies to get ya started.

[Schoolblack21]

Order Tako's kit, it comes with a 17 tooth front sprocket and lots of other goodies to get ya started.

Thank you bud, I seen on motocheez's video about that kit. im use to turning wrenches on cars and had a 87 Suzuki dr200 (I think that's the model) but I didn't have it long before I traded it off. Its just a little different than hanging over a fender to work on something

[OneLeggedRider]

Thank you bud, I seen on motocheez's video about that kit. im use to turning wrenches on cars and had a 87 Suzuki dr200 (I think that's the model) but I didn't have it long before I traded it off. Its just a little different than hanging over a fender to work on something

He's since improved it and you get alot more stuff. A complete rebuild kit including the floats, a vast array of jets including pilots, air filter, sprocket, and the proper spark plug for the TBR7. An excellent value for $29.

[Schoolblack21]

Welcome aboard! Main difference is the Hawk has 21" front and 18" rear wheels whereas the TBR7 had 19" front and 17" rear. The Hawk will be taller and will have a wider selection of off road tires. The TBR7 will be easier to register in most states as it is EPA certified for street use where the Hawk isn't but has been successful in some states. Can't go wrong with either bike.

Thank you for taking the time for that, btw I watched some of your vids and I like that skid plate on your bike. But I think im gonna head down the ole tbr7 road just to keep the headache down to a minimum with the dmv.

[JerryHawk250]

Thank you for taking the time for that, btw I watched some of your vids and I like that skid plate on your bike. But I think im gonna head down the ole tbr7 road just to keep the headache down to a minimum with the dmv.

I don't know if you looked at the Hawk 250 DXL? It is street legal, EFI, Digital cluster, Stainless steel exhaust and has the UDS forks. Does cost a little more but has quiet a few more upgrades from the Old Hawk. Note: pictures on this site are of the old Hawk except the first picture. https://q9powersportsusa.com/collections/new-gas-powered-2019-road-legal-250cc-enduro-motorcycles/products/rps-hawk-250cc-efi-dual-sport-motorcycles

Here are the correct specs and pictures. https://www.rickypowersports.net/hawk-250-dlx-efi

[Schoolblack21]

[QUOTE=JerryHawk250;316203]I don't know if you looked at the Hawk 250 DXL? It is street legal, EFI, Digital cluster, Stainless steel exhaust and has the UDS forks. Does cost a little more but has quiet a few more upgrades from the Old Hawk. Note: pictures on this site are of the old Hawk except the first picture. https://q9powersportsusa.com/collections/new-gas-powered-2019-road-legal-250cc-enduro-motorcycles/products/rps-hawk-250cc-efi-dual-sport-motorcycles

Here are the correct specs and pictures. https://www.rickypowersports.net/hawk-250-dlx-efi[/
QUOTE]
(Please don't take this as me being a smarta$$ or just an a$$ just my point of view)Thank you, I like the idea of the efi system on the newer bikes and the digital gauges and whatnot but what if that efi system goes out? I know the fellers on here would have fixes but im going into this bike as a toy I ride for fun on weekends and a commuter for my long and arduous 5 miles to work lol. I know carbs pretty well and I can break it down on the side of the road(rejet, clean, ect…). it may be a bit more expensive but I like tried and true methods and if I know its a 1300 dollar bike I can mod the mess out of it and not feel bad. but again thank you

[JerryHawk250]

Completely understand. Was just throwing out other options just in case. I like the simplicity of the Hawk or TBR7. Less to go wrong with them. :)

[Red Hawk]

Kinda off topic but who else wants to stuff a stainless exhaust on their Hawk? It looks like a direct fit, after plunging the o2 sensor hole.

[McFailbutter]

I have rode both bikes a bit, my tbr has a lil over a 1000 miles?/ Km on it. And put several hrs on onelegged's hawk. Tbr if your mostly on road. Hawk for off. Both are great bikes. Tinkered a lot on both. Come carb tuning time, I will note that tbr has shifted studs on the carb, making it easier to get the nuts on and off. But hopefully you never have to hank the carb as many times as I did.
Headlight is easier to adjust on hawk.
The other differences have all been mentioned by others.

[McFailbutter]

Shorter studs* on carb

[culcune]

Thank you for taking the time for that, btw I watched some of your vids and I like that skid plate on your bike. But I think im gonna head down the ole tbr7 road just to keep the headache down to a minimum with the dmv.

The Hawk and its cousin are EPA certified as 'off-road dirtbikes'; have been for several years now. Many members got them street legal because many states plate bikes with a minimum of street equipment and/or the manufacturer's statement of origin states 'motorcycle' on it vs. 'dirtbike'. That was a few years ago. Now, some states have caught on and will no longer plate the Hawk. The Hawk DLX you discussed a bit with Jerryhawk is EPA/DOT certified for 49 states as street legal (Californians need not apply). Not suggesting you get a DLX as you already had your reasons for NOT getting one, but that is the difference internally with RPS who are the manufacturers/importers for both bikes.

The Taotao is certified as 49 state street EPA/DOT (sorry, California--we hate you!), so you will have no problem getting it registered. OK, you might have difficulties if you are the first to register it in your state, lol, as many members have found over the years being their state's Guinea pig depending on which newly released bike they were trying to register, but if you KNOW someone has already registered a TBR7, you should be good to go unless you get a knucklehead DMV employee :lmao:

[JerryHawk250]

To add to what culcune said. If you go to one of the local notary/tag places they will go out there way to make sure you get it registered. They care because they want to make money. lol

[Blackhawk45]

Thank you to everybody for helping me out. I live in northeast Arkansas and from what I have gathered the TBR7 Is a breeze to get through the dmv here. As I live in a small town and the speed limit isnt but 55 the max I need to go is 60 without the motor having a stroke on me. What is your opinions on sprocket combos if you don't mind?


The stock sprocket combo will do that, especially once you get it broken in and well tuned. I would suggest waiting til then to decide on which if any sprocket change is warranted. My Hawk, barely broken in and with no mods except a shimmed needle in the carb, will do 58 GPS-confirmed mph on the factory 15-50 sprocket set. 55 is no problem at all, and I like the fact that I can slow all the way down to 20 mph for a sharp curve or whatever, without even needing to downshift from high gear.

[Schoolblack21]

The Hawk and its cousin are EPA certified as 'off-road dirtbikes'; have been for several years now. Many members got them street legal because many states plate bikes with a minimum of street equipment and/or the manufacturer's statement of origin states 'motorcycle' on it vs. 'dirtbike'. That was a few years ago. Now, some states have caught on and will no longer plate the Hawk. The Hawk DLX you discussed a bit with Jerryhawk is EPA/DOT certified for 49 states as street legal (Californians need not apply). Not suggesting you get a DLX as you already had your reasons for NOT getting one, but that is the difference internally with RPS who are the manufacturers/importers for both bikes.

The Taotao is certified as 49 state street EPA/DOT (sorry, California--we hate you!), so you will have no problem getting it registered. OK, you might have difficulties if you are the first to register it in your state, lol, as many members have found over the years being their state's Guinea pig depending on which newly released bike they were trying to register, but if you KNOW someone has already registered a TBR7, you should be good to go unless you get a knucklehead DMV employee :lmao:

Well I think I have made a decision on the tbr7 and im gonna prebuy a mikuni 30mm carb, 17 tooth sprocket, oil cooler kit, (im gonna do like jerryhawk did and make a skid plate for that safety net), and the ebay "special" exhaust. I live in farm country so getting to 60 wont be a problem. And Im fairly certain my local dmv will look at me funny but will give me all certification with and without much headache lol

[Schoolblack21]

Before I forget what about the oil life, jerryhawk I know you have the oil cooler setup, but that's one thing that is not talked about to much. I might see about a inline oil filter setup in parallel with the oil cooler

[JerryHawk250]

Before I forget what about the oil life, jerryhawk I know you have the oil cooler setup, but that's one thing that is not talked about to much. I might see about a inline oil filter setup in parallel with the oil cooler

The cooler greatly increases the oil life. My cooler has the relocated oil screen to catch large particles. Your engine has a centrifugal oil filter to catch all the fine stuff so an inline filter is not necessary. You really don't want to put anything in line to restrict the oil flow and put a burden on the oil pump. I cleaned the centrifugal oil filter after about 1500 miles. Wasn't much to clean out. I had milling shavings in the screen filter the first couple of oil changes.

[Blackhawk45]

Agreed. That oil centrifuge is way better than any filter.

[Schoolblack21]

Well fellers I ended up pulling the trigger lastnight and bought the roketa db-41hc, there hasn't been to many people to buy them but they look essentially the same to both the hawk and tbr7.

[JerryHawk250]

Yes that's the Bashan Enforcer. Another good bike. Congrats. :tup:

[JerryHawk250]

The only thing I don't like about Bashan bikes is the lack of a kill switch. In stead of that you get four way flashers not very helpful with a stuck throttle or doing plug chops for carb tuning. Just my thoughts of it. Other than that I think Bashan bikes are good.
I forgot who it was on here but they converted that switch to a kill switch.

[Schoolblack21]

thank you all again, but onto my next question. I have a quick list of what to do as I assembly the bike, if you would fill in the gaps if I miss anything for reflection later. Adjust valve lash, lock tight EVERYTHING, drain oil in it and replace with better oil, check spokes, replace Chinese tubes with heavy duty tubes, check chain/rear tire alignment, adjust carb (unsure if the bashan enforcer comes with a keihin carb or the Chinese knockoff), adjust throttle/clutch cable, like I said I may have missed something

[McFailbutter]

Fork fluid, they rarely come with recommended amount. Or even a balanced amount. My tbr was supposed to be 170 ml. Had 70 on one side, 110 on the other. Easiest to do before ya even put the front tire on.

[McFailbutter]

Check to see you're bikes recommended amount, then adjust accordingly for your weight n such. More / less ml's. Spacers removed or added.

[Schoolblack21]

Fork fluid, they rarely come with recommended amount. Or even a balanced amount. My tbr was supposed to be 170 ml. Had 70 on one side, 110 on the other. Easiest to do before ya even put the front tire on.

10-4 fork oil is on the list, as far as the motor oil that comes in it I have heard mixed comments on it. Is it worth keeping or should I change right away?

[JerryHawk250]

I don't know if you read the sticky at the top of the Dual Sport section. Lots of good information that will apply to your bike. Hawk 250 Information and Resource Guide. http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331

[Schoolblack21]

I don't know if you read the sticky at the top of the Dual Sport section. Lots of good information that will apply to your bike. Hawk 250 Information and Resource Guide. http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331

Thank you bud ive been reading it and have now been buying parts already. Delivery time is next week on Tuesday, got the mikuni vm26 already and a set of jets. I know I sound like a broken record but thank you for all the information and leading me the right way. :thanks:

[JerryHawk250]

Thank you bud ive been reading it and have now been buying parts already. Delivery time is next week on Tuesday, got the mikuni vm26 already and a set of jets. I know I sound like a broken record but thank you for all the information and leading me the right way. :thanks: No problem, That's what this forum is for. :)