In the market

[letsride]

Hey Guys!!
I am currently in the market for a Dual Sport / Enduro (Street Legal) Bike. I live on a dirt road and there is MILES and MILES of dirt roads that connect to mine. So a hard tail BarHog just isn't cutting it. Plus I can't ride my kids when they say "daddy please take me for a ride". SO here I am, the bar hog is going and I want to order a bike. Mainly because I've always wanted to have a bike shipped in a crate to my front door! Call me crazy, but I think that would be SUPER cool and exciting. Why don't the Japanese offer that as an option? Anyway what is the consensus here on a reliable Enduro that is currently available. I've read some posts about how folks love THE ZONG! What all bikes / brands do they make? Who is a good retailer to order from? And I've been reading about the Hawk, is that just the most available model now and thats why there is alot of talk on that one? Thanks guys for any input. And for the time being I'll keep reading.

[JerryHawk250]

I have a Hawk 250 and very happy with it.

[Adam Rinkleff]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

I have a Hawk 250 and very happy with it.

[Merlin]

Originally Posted by letsride

Hey Guys!!
I am currently in the market for a Dual Sport / Enduro (Street Legal) Bike. I live on a dirt road and there is MILES and MILES of dirt roads that connect to mine. So a hard tail BarHog just isn't cutting it. Plus I can't ride my kids when they say "daddy please take me for a ride". SO here I am, the bar hog is going and I want to order a bike. Mainly because I've always wanted to have a bike shipped in a crate to my front door! Call me crazy, but I think that would be SUPER cool and exciting. Why don't the Japanese offer that as an option? Anyway what is the consensus here on a reliable Enduro that is currently available. I've read some posts about how folks love THE ZONG! What all bikes / brands do they make? Who is a good retailer to order from? And I've been reading about the Hawk, is that just the most available model now and thats why there is alot of talk on that one? Thanks guys for any input. And for the time being I'll keep reading.

I would go for the Bashan Brozz. DOT and EPA approved so youll have no problem getting it regged. The Hawk is not DOT approved. Do a search here and you should find all you need to know.

[Adam Rinkleff]

Originally Posted by Merlin

The Hawk is not DOT approved.

Confirmed, can't say this enough, as some dealers appear to be misleading customers. The Hawk is NOT approved by the DOT for on road use. It was designed for off road use, and it has off road tires. In some states, in some regions, in some counties, the local state bureaucracy will approve it for onroad use. Other states will not. The key thing to ask your local DMV is whether they allow you to convert dirtbikes for onroad use, by adding lights, mirrors, etc. If they do, then you can get the bike on road. If they do not, then you can't.

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by Adam Rinkleff

Confirmed, can't say this enough, as some dealers appear to be misleading customers. The Hawk is NOT approved by the DOT for on road use. It was designed for off road use, and it has off road tires. In some states, in some regions, in some counties, the local state bureaucracy will approve it for onroad use. Other states will not. The key thing to ask your local DMV is whether they allow you to convert dirtbikes for onroad use, by adding lights, mirrors, etc. If they do, then you can get the bike on road. If they do not, then you can't.

I had no issues getting registered and tagged in Louisiana. As mention before the MCO must read motorcycle. APSCUSA had everything to me in 3 days. MCO, Notarized Bill of sale and Odometer statement. 15 minutes in and out of DMV.

[motorcyclelove]

OP, keep us posted on what you get and don't forget pics! We love build pics.

[jimwildman]

Originally Posted by Adam Rinkleff

Confirmed, can't say this enough, as some dealers appear to be misleading customers. The Hawk is NOT approved by the DOT for on road use. It was designed for off road use, and it has off road tires. In some states, in some regions, in some counties, the local state bureaucracy will approve it for onroad use. Other states will not. The key thing to ask your local DMV is whether they allow you to convert dirtbikes for onroad use, by adding lights, mirrors, etc. If they do, then you can get the bike on road. If they do not, then you can't.

Those tires are dot85 approved. also I have 1002 miles on my hawk and the tires still look new.. if I rode my motocross bike on the road "yz250" the tires would be dead in a short few hundred miles.. they are a different compound,

The tires on the hawk are 90/10 dot approved tires. mine passed the NY inspection with no issues.

That said I'll lilely replace them with a 80/20 or more road use tire when they do die.

In NYS it seems all they care about is the designation on the MCO, Mine was designated as Motorcycle, and they didnt ask a single question.. other's with a designation of Dirt Bike have not had much luck.

[letsride]

Has anyone done a thread or video with set up procedures with torque specs? Or is this info in the manual. Like triple tree clamp bolts, axel nuts, shock bolt / nut, etc. etc. I see vids on youtube of guys just wrenching them down and I cringe at the thought. I've restored and brought back to life many old jap bikes and there is a proper torque spec on this stuff. Just curious, and please don't take this as me dogging anyone, just my .02. When I get my bike in the crate I want to do it right the first time, I will be in no hurry. Thanks again.

[Merlin]

Originally Posted by letsride

Has anyone done a thread or video with set up procedures with torque specs? Or is this info in the manual. Like triple tree clamp bolts, axel nuts, shock bolt / nut, etc. etc. I see vids on youtube of guys just wrenching them down and I cringe at the thought. I've restored and brought back to life many old jap bikes and there is a proper torque spec on this stuff. Just curious, and please don't take this as me dogging anyone, just my .02. When I get my bike in the crate I want to do it right the first time, I will be in no hurry. Thanks again.

I have asked the same and never got an answer here. I never was able to find that info anywhere. I think that kind of info would make a great sticky.

[jimwildman]

Originally Posted by letsride

Has anyone done a thread or video with set up procedures with torque specs? Or is this info in the manual. Like triple tree clamp bolts, axel nuts, shock bolt / nut, etc. etc. I see vids on youtube of guys just wrenching them down and I cringe at the thought. I've restored and brought back to life many old jap bikes and there is a proper torque spec on this stuff. Just curious, and please don't take this as me dogging anyone, just my .02. When I get my bike in the crate I want to do it right the first time, I will be in no hurry. Thanks again.

depends on ones expirience.. you get used to how much to tighten say a 10mm compared to a 12mm. with the exception of head gaskets, pressure plates and the like I never pull out ay of my torque wrenches..

And then on these bikes you just go a little tighter, or use lock tight.

[Azhule]

Great Q' that is kind of hard to answer...

But we will all try I'm sure

I'm saving up for another China Bike, and I'm probably going to stick with the inexpensive "Bashan" Storm 250, has inverted front forks, front and rear disk brakes, and only costs $1,400 or so shipped to your door, comes with the 49 State DOT/EPA "sticker of approval" too... what else could one ask for that price?

The Bashan Brozz is another decent choice, but has a rear drum brake

Our current China Bike, a Bashan WILL 200, has (overall) been a great bike... and if we would have got the bike as described by the seller ("a brand new, 0 km still in the crate bike"... we received a turd of a floor model with over 4 km on it...) it would have been a great bike/purchase without the "overall" stipulation... thus the reason I'm saving up for another "Bashan" motorcycle before spending the extra cash on a CSC bike that comes with a warranty

[rojo_grande]

Lots of options out there.

I'm partial to the CSC TT250 (zong). Have been extremely pleased with the bike.

The current deal at $2,195 including assembly, delivery, docs, and crating is a pretty good deal. Warrantied for a year. CSC has first class support and customer service, not to mention their readily available parts inventory. Comes mostly assembled. Have to put the levers and mirrors on. Give the bike a good once over checking for any obvious loose nuts and bolts, check the tire pressure, put in some gas and go. Worth the extra $ to me and still feel like I got good value.

http://www.cscmotorcycles.com/CSC-TT-250-p/ztt250.htm

CSC also does their now infamous Baja rides for the RX-3 and TT250
http://californiascooterco.com/blog/?p=23588

Rojo

[BlackBike]

Originally Posted by rojo_grande

Lots of options out there.

I'm partial to the CSC TT250 (zong). Have been extremely pleased with the bike.

The current deal at $2,195 including assembly, delivery, docs, and crating is a pretty good deal. Warrantied for a year. CSC has first class support and customer service, not to mention their readily available parts inventory. Comes mostly assembled. Have to put the levers and mirrors on. Give the bike a good once over checking for any obvious loose nuts and bolts, check the tire pressure, put in some gas and go. Worth the extra $ to me and still feel like I got good value.

http://www.cscmotorcycles.com/CSC-TT-250-p/ztt250.htm

CSC also does their now infamous Baja rides for the RX-3 and TT250
http://californiascooterco.com/blog/?p=23588

Rojo

Agree...If you can swing the cash, great deal now but limited time (sound like a car salesman)

If I knew then what I know now.....

[culcune]

The Bashan bikes (Storm 250, Brozz 250, Shark 250) are solid bikes and 49 state EPA/DOT legal. Mid-$1000 depending on dealer.

If you like modifying/tinkering (all Chinese bikes need it at some point, but one in particular) the Ricky Power Sports (RPS) Hawk is your bike. Member Motocheez here has several videos on youtube regarding his ownership of the Hawk. He also recently got a RPS Magician, but that bike is more street oriented. It does use the exact same engine as the Hawk. Disclaimer--the RPS bikes are certified as 'off-road' by the EPA, so unless you live in a state that street registers bikes based on street equipment (both have all turn signals, headlight with high and low beam, taillight/brake lights, license plate lights, license plate holder, etc), you might run into problems registering one for your state. Ironically, some counties within states will plate them, while others do not. Some states are absolutely no go because they check the list of EPA/DOT certified bikes (i.e New Jersey). There might have been issues with S. Carolina mentioned regarding the Hawks, but don't quote me. Keep in mind that some states used to be no problemo, and then later on became problem states.

California Scooter Company (CSC) has the TT250 which is street legal in all 50 states. It is shipped completely ready to ride, but as mentioned, is the highest priced of the bunch.

One not mentioned as of late is the Dong Fang DF 250 RTE. Dong Fang has a cult status due to their bobber, but they have a sport bike, a crotch-rocket (in style because we all know not in speed ), a standard, and an enduro which all utilize the exact same 229.2 cc engine. They are 49 state EPA/DOT certified, and based on the Dong Fang bobber thread on Mychinamoto, seem to be fairly decent engines.

http://www.mychinamoto.com/forums/sh...er-Information