Narrowed it down a bit...

NoBs · 02-11-2020, 08:12 PM

I'd love to have the XT-250, Kawasaki KLX 250, or the Suzuki DRB 250 but I just can't justify the price soo.. Looking for used bikes, if found, are almost as much as a new one. Very disappointing. I've not ruled out a Chinese bike, in fact they are starting to look better to me than before.. An Orion RXB 250l, Bashan Storm DB-08-250 and maybe a Brozz 250. Not seen enough video/review on the LIfan Xpect 200 w/ FI to form any opinion..

A secondary important question to me is seat height. I see lowering links installed on bikes but no mention how much they can lower a bike. I would think this would be mentioned often but I must not be at the right videos to hear them mentioning how much the Orion for example, can be lowered. 35.6 seat height won't cut it for me. Right around 32 plus maybe a tad might do it.

Pathfinders · 02-11-2020, 09:11 PM

Once you sit on the bike it will drop a few inches depending on your weight. Some on this site have lowered a Hawk to fit a person who is 5'3". I am in the process of lowering a Hawk for the wife right now.

Roy

NoBs · 02-12-2020, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pathfinders

Once you sit on the bike it will drop a few inches depending on your weight. Some on this site have lowered a Hawk to fit a person who is 5'3". I am in the process of lowering a Hawk for the wife right now.

Roy

Yep, fully aware of the drop after mounting. One of the main problems is getting ON the bike since the seat is a couple inches higher. If you can mount it comfortably it will probably be OK.. I've got a bit of OA of the knees and hip which makes swinging the leg up high like I used to pretty uncomfortable. My Kawasaki Vulcan only sits a tad over 28 inches and I'm flatfooted with both legs. And I can mount it OK..

Good luck on the wife's bike..

**JerryHawk250** · 02-12-2020, 09:59 AM

I know on my Hawk the seat height has drop a inch or two within the first year and has gotten a good bit softer over the years. When I first got it I had a hard time swinging a leg over the seat. Now I have no problems doing so. 62 years old and the arthritis can play hell on me some times. But after a few minutes of riding I forget about it. lol

kirbo7106 · 02-12-2020, 01:26 PM

CSC offers a seat/saddle for the TT 250 that is 2 inches lower. If I’m not mistaken, the TT 250 Seat will fit a Hawk 250 also.

NoBs · 02-12-2020, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

I know on my Hawk the seat height has drop a inch or two within the first year and has gotten a good bit softer over the years. When I first got it I had a hard time swinging a leg over the seat. Now I have no problems doing so. 62 years old and the arthritis can play hell on me some times. But after a few minutes of riding I forget about it. lol

When I went out on our ride in the desert two years ago ( age 72 ) I felt nothing but the air when that 2 stroke lit up..

Today I went back to the Yamaha dealer and swung a leg over the XT-250 kinda sorta, well I got it over anyway, I was pleased to see that both feet were touching flat on the floor.. Seat height was 31.9 inches, so at least now I have a starting point.
If it was even 10 years ago I could justify an almost 6K purchase but now... I'm looking for about half that. Looks like a nice bike for sure.

ikeus685 · 02-12-2020, 08:39 PM

[QUOTE=NoBs;328310]I'd love to have the XT-250, Kawasaki KLX 250, or the Suzuki DRB 250 but I just can't justify the price soo.. Looking for used bikes, if found, are almost as much as a new one. Very disappointing. I've not ruled out a Chinese bike, in fact they are starting to look better to me than before.. An Orion RXB 250l, Bashan Storm DB-08-250 and maybe a Brozz 250. Not seen enough video/review on the LIfan Xpect 200 w/ FI to form any opinion..

A secondary important question to me is seat height. I see lowering links installed on bikes but no mention how much they can lower a bike. I would think this would be mentioned often but I must not be at the right videos to hear them mentioning how much the Orion for example, can be lowered. 35.6 seat height won't cut it for me. Right around 32 plus maybe a tad might do it.[/QUOTE

I believe most lowering links are in the 1 1/2" to maybe 3". Hope someone can show case their finished product of lowering the seat height.
You can also whittle down, reshape your seat with maybe an inch or so gain.
I done that on my Vader BD125 removed that raised passenger portion. Damn hump forces one too far forward.

GlennR · 02-12-2020, 10:27 PM

I'm not really short, but it's a lot easier to step up onto the left footpeg when I'm feeling stiff, tired, or lazy. When you're riding you really only need to touch the ground with one foot when you come to a stop.

NoBs · 02-12-2020, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlennR

I'm not really short, but it's a lot easier to step up onto the left footpeg when I'm feeling stiff, tired, or lazy. When you're riding you really only need to touch the ground with one foot when you come to a stop.

Been there, done that for over 50 years.. I'm at the point where I want two feet to touch the ground. It started many years when I bought my new 66 Triumph Bonneville 650, twin carbs, had me one footing it at the stop lights. Never liked it then, probably would like it less now. My 1975 CZ M/C bike had me one footing it as well and back then there was no electric start. Many black and blue marks on the calf when your foot slipped off the peg while trying to start it on the side on a hill. Nope, both feet on the ground and electric start sound fine to me..

I have no idea why, but the Orion RXB 250L is peaking my interest right now but I haven't seen a decent dirt ride on it yet. If anyone knows of a video I'd sure like to see it.

AJboughtamoto · 02-13-2020, 06:17 AM

It looks pretty good, more of a proper dirt bike. I've been looking at getting one myself.

bored stiff · 02-13-2020, 07:39 PM

you can lower any of the by changing rear shock. The xpect has an ajustable rear shock, storm dose not. itcomes with a 310mm you can reduce the hight by 2 inches with a 260mm 1000lb shock https://www.ebay.com/itm/260mm-Shock...:OIoAAOSwkdld~

NoBs · 02-13-2020, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bored stiff

you can lower any of the by changing rear shock. The xpect has an ajustable rear shock, storm dose not. itcomes with a 310mm you can reduce the hight by 2 inches with a 260mm 1000lb shock https://www.ebay.com/itm/260mm-Shock...:OIoAAOSwkdld~

I checked in the seat height, I believe it was 35.5 inches. A 2 inch drop would have me slightly one legged at any stop at 33.5 inches. In the beginning at least, I'd just like to jump on it and ride. If it's the right feel, one could always put " stuff " on it.

franque · 02-14-2020, 01:46 AM

Also, since there's a linkage ratio, shortening the shock 'x' length doesn't mean it is 'x' shorter, in fact it all depends on the linkage ratio at rest (sometimes 3:1!).

02-11-2020, 08:12 PM	#1
NoBs Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: North East Pa. Posts: 72	Narrowed it down a bit... I'd love to have the XT-250, Kawasaki KLX 250, or the Suzuki DRB 250 but I just can't justify the price soo.. Looking for used bikes, if found, are almost as much as a new one. Very disappointing. I've not ruled out a Chinese bike, in fact they are starting to look better to me than before.. An Orion RXB 250l, Bashan Storm DB-08-250 and maybe a Brozz 250. Not seen enough video/review on the LIfan Xpect 200 w/ FI to form any opinion.. A secondary important question to me is seat height. I see lowering links installed on bikes but no mention how much they can lower a bike. I would think this would be mentioned often but I must not be at the right videos to hear them mentioning how much the Orion for example, can be lowered. 35.6 seat height won't cut it for me. Right around 32 plus maybe a tad might do it.
	0

02-12-2020, 09:59 AM	#4
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,564	I know on my Hawk the seat height has drop a inch or two within the first year and has gotten a good bit softer over the years. When I first got it I had a hard time swinging a leg over the seat. Now I have no problems doing so. 62 years old and the arthritis can play hell on me some times. But after a few minutes of riding I forget about it. lol __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
	3

02-12-2020, 01:26 PM	#5
kirbo7106 Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Holiday, Florida Posts: 672	CSC offers a seat/saddle for the TT 250 that is 2 inches lower. If I’m not mistaken, the TT 250 Seat will fit a Hawk 250 also. __________________ Dan-O -2018 Tao Tao HellCat - DOA -2016 Hawk 250 - Kitty Hawk - eBay exhaust, Mikuni carb(120 main/30 Pilot), airbox mod with K&N filter, digital cluster, total LEDs, 17/45 sprockets, RK chain, Shinko 244 tires, trunk, aftermarket levers, burrito tube, skid plate, Sargent Cycle Seat... -2003 HD Sportster 100th Anniversary -1999 Buell X-1 Lightning - Race kit, Buell Seat
	1

02-13-2020, 06:17 AM	#10
AJboughtamoto Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 123	It looks pretty good, more of a proper dirt bike. I've been looking at getting one myself. __________________ 2019 Brozz 250 1999 Gas Gas EC300 2003 ZX6R 1991 Voyager XII
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02-11-2020, 09:11 PM	#2
Pathfinders Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 129	Once you sit on the bike it will drop a few inches depending on your weight. Some on this site have lowered a Hawk to fit a person who is 5'3". I am in the process of lowering a Hawk for the wife right now. Roy
	2

02-12-2020, 08:39 PM	#7
ikeus685 Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Coastal Oregon Posts: 154	[QUOTE=NoBs;328310]I'd love to have the XT-250, Kawasaki KLX 250, or the Suzuki DRB 250 but I just can't justify the price soo.. Looking for used bikes, if found, are almost as much as a new one. Very disappointing. I've not ruled out a Chinese bike, in fact they are starting to look better to me than before.. An Orion RXB 250l, Bashan Storm DB-08-250 and maybe a Brozz 250. Not seen enough video/review on the LIfan Xpect 200 w/ FI to form any opinion.. A secondary important question to me is seat height. I see lowering links installed on bikes but no mention how much they can lower a bike. I would think this would be mentioned often but I must not be at the right videos to hear them mentioning how much the Orion for example, can be lowered. 35.6 seat height won't cut it for me. Right around 32 plus maybe a tad might do it.[/QUOTE I believe most lowering links are in the 1 1/2" to maybe 3". Hope someone can show case their finished product of lowering the seat height. You can also whittle down, reshape your seat with maybe an inch or so gain. I done that on my Vader BD125 removed that raised passenger portion. Damn hump forces one too far forward.
	0

02-12-2020, 10:27 PM	#8
GlennR Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Boone, NC Posts: 187	I'm not really short, but it's a lot easier to step up onto the left footpeg when I'm feeling stiff, tired, or lazy. When you're riding you really only need to touch the ground with one foot when you come to a stop.
	0

02-13-2020, 07:39 PM	#11
bored stiff Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: New York Posts: 53	you can lower any of the by changing rear shock. The xpect has an ajustable rear shock, storm dose not. itcomes with a 310mm you can reduce the hight by 2 inches with a 260mm 1000lb shock https://www.ebay.com/itm/260mm-Shock...:OIoAAOSwkdld~
	0

02-14-2020, 01:46 AM	#13
franque Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Marseille, France -> Conakry, Guinea Posts: 1,481	Also, since there's a linkage ratio, shortening the shock 'x' length doesn't mean it is 'x' shorter, in fact it all depends on the linkage ratio at rest (sometimes 3:1!).
	0