2016 Hawk 250 3Yr ,7200 mile Review

[JerryHawk250]

This month make 3 years that I have owned my Hawk 250. I just rolled over to 7200 miles this pass weekend. Here's the whole story on how it all came about. We already had a Chinese ATV my daughter wanted to get a UTV so we can all go ride together. She and my wife were in an automobile accident and they both got a small settlement from it. So while looking at the UTV's and another ATV I ran across the Hawk 250 on APSCUSA for just over $1200. My daughter told me I should get one if I like it and she would pay for it if I ordered her the UTV. Of course I told her she couldn't do that but insisted on me getting it for my Christmas present because I've done so much for her. This where I broke down into tears. So on October 10, 2016 I call Don with APSCUSA to see what kind of deal he could make on the two if I placed an order for the Hawk along with a UTV. I had no intention on buying a bike but made me an offer I couldn't refuse. $1,099 for the Hawk and $2,249 for the UTV. Both were a steal.
When I got the Hawk I couldn't believe what I got for $1,099. Looked to be a strong bike. Much bigger than I thought it would be. So once assembled, checked over and oil changed I took it out for a spin down the street. I was impressed with the low end torque even on a fresh engine. So that weekend we took everything out to the spillway for a shake down run. Once I got some time on the engine I did a few WOT runs and realized it needed tuning but for the most part it ran good enough for the trails. For the most part I was happy with the purchase.
This is where chinariders came into play. Started reading what others had done, bought jets, watched a few Motochezz videos and got her tuned and running great. Or so I thought until I took that first ride on the street and realized I could barely break 60mph on the stock speedo. That's when all the mods started. Ordered a 40 tooth rear sprocket and that made a huge difference. No more screaming little china engine. As most of you know the mods didn't stop there. lol
So here we go. Things that were a must do when I got the Hawk to make it a fun bike were carb tuning, gutting the cat, sprocket change and of course an accurate speedo and tach from Matt. All the other stuff were great improvements but were not necessary to have a reliable and enjoyable bike.
Only failure/issues I've had with the bike were minor. One was a blown neutral safety diode which RPS replaced. Second was a bad sending unit which RPS replaced. Other than that the bike has ran perfect and drove great. 2016 models seem to have been a good year for these bikes. We have a few of us that bought them about the same time and I can't remember any complaints about anything major failing. Stock chain lasted well over 2500 miles and was still within spec. when I replaced it with another stock chain someone gave me on here. I had no problems with the rear hub coming apart that seem to appear when the 2017 models came out.
What I love about my bike now that I have done all the mods and head work is that now the bike feels more like a solid jap bike that runs 65+ mph effortlessly and is very comfortable even on long 2-3 hour rides.

Would I buy another Hawk is a trick question. My answer would be yes if I only had the same choices I had back then. There wasn't a wide selection of bike 3 years ago as they have today.
Today I would probable go with a Orion RXB-250L, SSR XR250 or even a Pitster Pro LXR 250F.

[Weldangrind]

Thanks for the review, Jerry. I smiled at the comment about less selection when you bought it in 2016; you can imagine what it was like 10 years ago.

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Thanks for the review, Jerry. I smiled at the comment about less selection when you bought it in 2016; you can imagine what it was like 10 years ago.

Yeah, Life was simple back then. It wasn't hard to decide. Choices were Hawk, Storm or TT250. lol

[OneLeggedRider]

That's great Jerry and I like the backstory/history. How long had it been since you were on a dirt oriented bike? It had been 20yrs for me if we're talking 2 wheels. I also like what you said about it feeling like a solid jap bike after you put some work into it. I still need to do the fat bars and risers, but I'm almost there.

The performance, sound and suspension has Jay spoiled. Now here he is with a brand new Hawk that literally is just days old and needs more break in time, but when he came over Wednesday he asked to take mine out for a couple hours instead. I tossed him the key and said have at it. 🙂

[JerryHawk250]

A little over 20 years ago before my back injury. My buddies Yamaha xt 500. a real dirt bike.

[Megadan]

Most of the good selection hasn't been around until the last year or so. If the Orion had been around even when I got my replacement Hawk, I would have gotten that instead, just for the suspension alone.

[BrianW]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Thanks for the review, Jerry. I smiled at the comment about less selection when you bought it in 2016; you can imagine what it was like 10 years ago.

Funny, I was just sort of thinking about this over the weekend and I felt like there were more choices circa 2006-2010. Lifan (and the various Lifanoid brands) , Qlink, Zong, and Pitster all sort of offering their own version of dual sports/motards. Perhaps I was simply more in-the-loop then, though.

[Beast250]

As a new member, I wanted to say 'Thanks' for all of the great info, patience and answers. For random people on the internet, you do help people like me who are learning and interested.

Thank you! Thank you JerryHawk250 and MegaDan!

[peacefullyslow]

This is the kind of story I like to hear about Chinese bikes. I joined this forum looking for positive experiences and this is one of those. Keep em coming.

[JerryHawk250]

And the Hawk keeps on going with over 7700 mile now.

[MooDog]

Great testimony to the potential of these bikes.. Still haven't "bit" yet.. but...

[JerryHawk250]

4 Year update and 8600 miles and still runs like a champ. Though i haven't been riding it much lately on the road, It's still puts a smile on my face when i hit the trails and do a little off-roading.

[PowerJunkie]

Exactly what I was looking for JerryHawk250, a review by someone who's had one a while ������
Oct 10 is a magic day for me too, it's my B-day!
Anyway yeah I'm HIGHLY considering one. It's cheap cheap enough and I'm hearing the quality is decent, it's looking like exactly what I want for my commute. See any with a rack or some kind of luggage? I'd definitely need to be able to hold a 12 pack, or a bag of food, or whatever smallish. Top speed really isn't an issue, but have you heard of anyone changing the CDI to get a bit more top speed? I hear great gas mileage but not yet about how much mpg they get, what would you say? Top speed aside, how long about would you say 0-60? Any other mods you've looked at and didn't get but you know about it that you can share?
Thanks!

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by PowerJunkie

Exactly what I was looking for JerryHawk250, a review by someone who's had one a while ������
Oct 10 is a magic day for me too, it's my B-day!
Anyway yeah I'm HIGHLY considering one. It's cheap cheap enough and I'm hearing the quality is decent, it's looking like exactly what I want for my commute. See any with a rack or some kind of luggage? I'd definitely need to be able to hold a 12 pack, or a bag of food, or whatever smallish. Top speed really isn't an issue, but have you heard of anyone changing the CDI to get a bit more top speed? I hear great gas mileage but not yet about how much mpg they get, what would you say? Top speed aside, how long about would you say 0-60? Any other mods you've looked at and didn't get but you know about it that you can share?
Thanks!

Well i put on some miles since this review. I don't remember the exact mileage but I do know it's over 8600 miles for sure. Install a tail trunk like I did. I don' know about a 12 pack but a 6 pack will fit for sure. lol. I'm still running the stock CDI. The CG engine is not a high revving engine so no need to get a CDI with the rev limiter removed. You will get more performance gain by installing a 4 degree advanced timing key. Key mods for performance gains are a well tuned carb, porting and decking the head and a good free flowing exhaust. If using for a commuter I would replace the rear sprocket with a 40-43 tooth rear sprocket. These bikes come really low geared for the factory with the 50 tooth. These bikes aren't really designed for 70+ mph speeds although I have hit 80 mph once but doesn't feel safe at the 70+ speeds. It will cruse comfortably 55-65 mph all day with ease.

[Emerikol]

Jerry, where can I pick up a +4 degree timing key? Are they available on Amazon, by chance? Thanks.