hawk update

[Richie311]

Originally Posted by Megadan

The stock tire width is technically 4.33 inches wide, but the knobs on the tire make them physically wider. So you can use a 4.10 or a 4.60 width without issue and they are both functional. My Shinko 700 rear is a 4.6 x 18 and works perfectly, but looks narrower than the stock knobby tire too.

I just put some Shinko 244s on mine and did 4.6x18 in the rear and noticed them same thing. Over all it's narrower and shorter but I also put a 42t rear sprocket on so it worked out in the end.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by Richie311

I just put some Shinko 244s on mine and did 4.6x18 in the rear and noticed them same thing. Over all it's narrower and shorter but I also put a 42t rear sprocket on so it worked out in the end.

Same with my 700 4.6x18. I am running a 33t rear instead of a 35 to compensate or the smaller diameter. My effective gearing is now the same as the stock tire with a 35. I run a 520 chain setup, if you are curious. 13f and 35r is equivalent to a 17f and 45r with the 428 chain.

[Bill Hilly]

When I put the 4.60x18" Dunlop D605 on my Hawk, it geared me down just a hair. I had recently went from a 16 to a 17 tooth front sprocket, and the difference in the tire is noticable, but I can easily live with it.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by Bill Hilly

When I put the 4.60x18" Dunlop D605 on my Hawk, it geared me down just a hair. I had recently went from a 16 to a 17 tooth front sprocket, and the difference in the tire is noticable, but I can easily live with it.

It gears you down about 2 teeth out back.

[Zapkin]

inexpensive mirrors and so much better than stock that its not even in the same ballpark. With these I can actually see behind me and didn't even put em on backwards! they hold their position too..far better than the ones I had which required constant adjustment.

[buzz]

ya it help tp put them on the right way,smoke a another one he he.

[Zapkin]

This is the exact rear tire I bought and I am pretty sure it changed my gear ratio.

edit: according to microsoft copilot this changes my drive ratio by 5.4% which is comforting because I thought perhaps I'd lost my mind.

[Zapkin]

Just took the bike off-road for the first time since getting new tires. Not impressed with them; it's squirrely as hell on grass and useless in mud (which I understand). Also, I was not impressed with it on dirt. I have the same Kenda 270 tires front and back. I thought they were 50/50, but for me, it feels more like 20% dirt and 70% street. Maybe if I were more experienced and the bike were lighter, it would be different, but the stock knobbies were way better than these. I know that's to be expected. Anyway, just wanted to update. Beware if you are considering the Kendas.

[Bill Hilly]

Originally Posted by Zapkin

Just took the bike off-road for the first time since getting new tires. Not impressed with them; it's squirrely as hell on grass and useless in mud (which I understand). Also, I was not impressed with it on dirt. I have the same Kenda 270 tires front and back. I thought they were 50/50, but for me, it feels more like 20% dirt and 70% street. Maybe if I were more experienced and the bike were lighter, it would be different, but the stock knobbies were way better than these. I know that's to be expected. Anyway, just wanted to update. Beware if you are considering the Kendas.

I always thought the K270 tires looked like they would be a pretty good, and versatile tire, and were probably pretty aggressive for a 50/50 tire.
I bought a set of a pretty new , to the market tire, called the Tusk Waypoint. They are one of the cheapest DOT, 50/50 tires. They referred to them as 70dirt/30 pavement, but they remind me a lot of the Dunlop D605, especially the rear. The front is just a hair more aggressive looking the a D605 front, and is directional, the rear is not directional. I had bought them for my KPX, because it wore the front tire plumb out, while the rear was still probably around 3/4 tread. I could not bring myself to trash the rear yet, so, I ended up buying as cheap , and similar to stock front to run for now, and I am saving the Waypoints, but I have a feeling the Waypoints are going to catch on. I will probably put the knobbies off my parts bike on my registered Hawk, next time it needs tires.

[Do©Hawk]

Good to know about the Dunlops. My Trakmasters are all I know. As they wear down, I've been strongly considering a more street friendly tire. That is until last week when I finally got out on a trail. The Trackmasters gave me confidence off-road that I had no business having and I liked it. Even if I only ride offroad 5% of the time, I appreciate that traction. I have a hard time believing the Hawk will blow my mind in the same way with street friendly tires.

[Bill Hilly]

Originally Posted by Do©Hawk

Good to know about the Dunlops. My Trakmasters are all I know. As they wear down, I've been strongly considering a more street friendly tire. That is until last week when I finally got out on a trail. The Trackmasters gave me confidence off-road that I had no business having and I liked it. Even if I only ride offroad 5% of the time, I appreciate that traction. I have a hard time believing the Hawk will blow my mind in the same way with street friendly tires.

I actually think the Waypoints may be the better deal. The D605 price has went up, and the front tire seems to come with pretty shallow tread. Here are a couple of pictures of the Waypoint, and 605 side by side. Keep in mind the D605 have had a good bit of miles ran in them.http://

Here's a shot video of me showing the D605 tires not long after putting them on my Hawk.

[Zapkin]

I just got my hands on some military grade radar absorbent material. It appears to be a black color, somehow flat in nature. A friend of mine who lives just outside of some area 50 or area 49 or something got it for me, wait...maybe it was area 51. Anyway, it is radar absorbent which means the cops around here are in for a big surprise. . . . .

[Bill Hilly]

Originally Posted by Zapkin

I just got my hands on some military grade radar absorbent material. It appears to be a black color, somehow flat in nature. A friend of mine who lives just outside of some area 50 or area 49 or something got it for me, wait...maybe it was area 51. Anyway, it is radar absorbent which means the cops around here are in for a big surprise. . . . .

Probably off my Stealth bomber that I had parked at the park and ride. Some crackhead stripped a lot of the radar absorbent material off of it, and sawed off the catalytic converter.

[buzz]

Thats some funny stuff!

[Thumper]

Ha! 60mph in the 25mph speed zone in stealth mode... Nice