Hawk Twins

emptyschmitz · 01-08-2017, 10:39 PM

Hello All!

My name is Matt and I recently took the plunge on two Hawk 250s that should be on their way to me this week. One for me ("Caboose" Blue) and one for my girlfriend ("Donut" Red. Well not really, its not Lightish Red). We are going to upgrade them and take them on THIS.

Based on my research, we will be breaking them in as people on this forum recommend and checking all things to make sure they are definitely ship shape before the ride. We are also planning on swapping to the Mikuni carb and adding the oil cooler to help keep things running smoothly. I have a whole list that I hope to document and provide on this site as well as a trip report.

A bit more about myself, I was a globe trotting mechanic but the schedule got to be too much so I took a sales job where I'm home most nights and moved in together with my girlfriend while she finishes school. I am a massive nerd (if you caught the Red vs. Blue reference above you probably already know this) but my passion is all things two wheels. My girlfriend and I have been together for almost 4 years and our favorite things are pedal start mopeds and motorcycles and long road trips. We wrench and ride a lot together and even took the coursework to be rider coaches so in the summer we get to teach classes together and its the best summer job! We are

about motorcycles. I have 4-5 (I lose count) that I hope to be selling once the weather gets better and she also has 4-5 of her own to par down lol!

Anyway I am really looking forward to getting my dirty mitts on the Hawks and preparing them for the hardest 1000 miles I've ridden in a while!

ben2go · 01-08-2017, 11:14 PM

Nice bikes and good ride. My GF and our son are from high mountain coal minig villages in Perry county KY. Lots of good gravel and backwoods riding around there.

BlackBike · 01-09-2017, 12:15 AM

Looks like quite an adv! Welcome to the club.

emptyschmitz · 01-09-2017, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ben2go

Nice bikes and good ride. My GF and our son are from high mountain coal minig villages in Perry county KY. Lots of good gravel and backwoods riding around there.

We'll be riding with good friends that live in Louisville that are also a mix of experienced trail riders and newbies. From what I've researched of the trip its a lot of that sort of riding with some single track mixed in here and there. It will be a great time!

Sport Rider · 01-09-2017, 09:51 AM

that looks like a lot of fun. I'm looking at trying out some of the Trans America Trail here in NC. looks similar to the route you have.

this guy isn't the original one, but he's mapped routes through NC which cross I-77 just north of where I am. I'm trying to plan some day rides for the routes between I77 and the NC/TN border.

https://sites.google.com/site/gpskev...-america-trail

Huck369 · 01-09-2017, 11:30 AM

Where are you located?
I'm down in Somerset, Kentucky, and have ridden a few sections of the K.A.T. It's a great route for sure.

emptyschmitz · 01-09-2017, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huck369

Where are you located?
I'm down in Somerset, Kentucky, and have ridden a few sections of the K.A.T. It's a great route for sure.

I'm actually up by Richmond, IN but we have lots of friends through the vintage moped clubs and our closest pals are in the Louisville crew. Went with a few of those guys out to Colorado and ran that BDR with them. My first trail ride and the only other dirt experience I had at the time was someone's lot behind their house! I feel like I did pretty good, very glad I did it on an XL250! Light bikes on trails are the way to go.

How gnarly are the single track sections of the KAT if you have done any?

Huck369 · 01-09-2017, 04:26 PM

I've done some of the "Hard" sections in my area, and think the Hawks should do fine on them, since they are basically a dirt bike with lights....some narrow sections...but if you run the Main sections, instead of the hard sections, most Adventure bikes can handle it.

Weldangrind · 01-16-2017, 11:20 PM

Welcome, Matt! Several of us are nerds of one form or another around here; you'll fit right in.

BlackBike · 01-16-2017, 11:34 PM

Empty...any news on the blessed event?

I love watching box trucks giving birth to hawks and RX3's

emptyschmitz · 01-19-2017, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackBike

Empty...any news on the blessed event?

I love watching box trucks giving birth to hawks and RX3's

Called ASPC for the third time since my order (placed 2 weeks ago and paid for) and still keep getting the "Oh we've got a ton of orders and I need to find out what shipped when" story each time from them. Last two times promised a call back, nothing. Apparently that Hawk sale raked in a bunch of orders. I'm normally quite patient and understanding but this is getting to be a bit ridiculous, especially when I don't get a promised call back. I think I'll call today and keep calling until I actually get an answer of what is going on with my order. Sheesh...

Once I actually get to haul them home in my ancient Mazda longbed I'll post pics

culcune · 01-19-2017, 10:45 AM

Have you tried RPS? I am quite certain your bikes will be drop-shipped from RPS's warehouse in Texas. Not necessarily to bug RPS, but perhaps they can put your mind at ease and let you know of the status of your 'twins' such as "yes, they are ordered, and waiting for pickup as we speak..."

Adam Renkleff is a stand-up guy, and while your order is between you and ASPCUSA, again, Adam might be able to put your mind at ease as to where, on his end, your order is.

emptyschmitz · 01-19-2017, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by culcune

Have you tried RPS? I am quite certain your bikes will be drop-shipped from RPS's warehouse in Texas. Not necessarily to bug RPS, but perhaps they can put your mind at ease and let you know of the status of your 'twins' such as "yes, they are ordered, and waiting for pickup as we speak..."

Adam Renkleff is a stand-up guy, and while your order is between you and ASPCUSA, again, Adam might be able to put your mind at ease as to where, on his end, your order is.

I've seen good reviews about Don at ASPC too, its why I went through with ordering from them. I got a bit more info about the bikes, they should be at the freight terminal or at least close, going to get confirmation when the warehouse (assuming RPS) opens in an hour or so.

UPDATE: just got a call back from Greg and Don and got the shipping arranged the way I needed, the bikes should be arriving on Monday!

culcune · 01-19-2017, 11:32 PM

RPS is the US distributor for the Hawk. They do not sell directly to consumers. Adam Renkleff, who works for RPS, is a member here. Your twins will come from RPS. It is just a matter of a truck picking up your bikes and getting them to you.

countryboy · 01-22-2017, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emptyschmitz

I'm actually up by Richmond, IN but we have lots of friends through the vintage moped clubs and our closest pals are in the Louisville crew. Went with a few of those guys out to Colorado and ran that BDR with them. My first trail ride and the only other dirt experience I had at the time was someone's lot behind their house! I feel like I did pretty good, very glad I did it on an XL250! Light bikes on trails are the way to go.

How gnarly are the single track sections of the KAT if you have done any?

I live on up in Columbus Indiana and am looking to do the same thing for my wife and I for her birthday. taught her to ride on an old Yamaha ttr225 that I rode a little to hard and sold lol. definitely curious to see how your bikes turn out cause I can't wait to order mine!

01-08-2017, 10:39 PM	#1
emptyschmitz Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 72	Hawk Twins Hello All! My name is Matt and I recently took the plunge on two Hawk 250s that should be on their way to me this week. One for me ("Caboose" Blue) and one for my girlfriend ("Donut" Red. Well not really, its not Lightish Red). We are going to upgrade them and take them on THIS. Based on my research, we will be breaking them in as people on this forum recommend and checking all things to make sure they are definitely ship shape before the ride. We are also planning on swapping to the Mikuni carb and adding the oil cooler to help keep things running smoothly. I have a whole list that I hope to document and provide on this site as well as a trip report. A bit more about myself, I was a globe trotting mechanic but the schedule got to be too much so I took a sales job where I'm home most nights and moved in together with my girlfriend while she finishes school. I am a massive nerd (if you caught the Red vs. Blue reference above you probably already know this) but my passion is all things two wheels. My girlfriend and I have been together for almost 4 years and our favorite things are pedal start mopeds and motorcycles and long road trips. We wrench and ride a lot together and even took the coursework to be rider coaches so in the summer we get to teach classes together and its the best summer job! We are about motorcycles. I have 4-5 (I lose count) that I hope to be selling once the weather gets better and she also has 4-5 of her own to par down lol! Anyway I am really looking forward to getting my dirty mitts on the Hawks and preparing them for the hardest 1000 miles I've ridden in a while!
	5

01-09-2017, 12:15 AM	#3
BlackBike Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: George West, Texas Posts: 4,097	Looks like quite an adv! Welcome to the club. __________________ ***************************************** 2015 Bashan"Blaze" BS250GY-31 (DB-07K-250) GONE 2017 Suzuki V Strom 650 XT "We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid." ~Benjamin Franklin~
	0

01-09-2017, 11:30 AM	#6
Huck369 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Somerset, KY Posts: 684	Where are you located? I'm down in Somerset, Kentucky, and have ridden a few sections of the K.A.T. It's a great route for sure. __________________ Huck 2013 Honda NC700X 2013 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone 2016 AJP PR4 2022 Templar X 250 2021 Sondors Metacycle AMA Life Member
	0

01-09-2017, 04:26 PM	#8
Huck369 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Somerset, KY Posts: 684	I've done some of the "Hard" sections in my area, and think the Hawks should do fine on them, since they are basically a dirt bike with lights....some narrow sections...but if you run the Main sections, instead of the hard sections, most Adventure bikes can handle it. __________________ Huck 2013 Honda NC700X 2013 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone 2016 AJP PR4 2022 Templar X 250 2021 Sondors Metacycle AMA Life Member
	1

01-16-2017, 11:20 PM	#9
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Welcome, Matt! Several of us are nerds of one form or another around here; you'll fit right in. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

01-08-2017, 11:14 PM	#2
ben2go Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,335	Nice bikes and good ride. My GF and our son are from high mountain coal minig villages in Perry county KY. Lots of good gravel and backwoods riding around there.
	0

01-09-2017, 09:51 AM	#5
Sport Rider Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Mooresville NC Posts: 2,025	that looks like a lot of fun. I'm looking at trying out some of the Trans America Trail here in NC. looks similar to the route you have. this guy isn't the original one, but he's mapped routes through NC which cross I-77 just north of where I am. I'm trying to plan some day rides for the routes between I77 and the NC/TN border. https://sites.google.com/site/gpskev...-america-trail
	1

01-16-2017, 11:34 PM	#10
BlackBike Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: George West, Texas Posts: 4,097	Empty...any news on the blessed event? I love watching box trucks giving birth to hawks and RX3's __________________ ***************************************** 2015 Bashan"Blaze" BS250GY-31 (DB-07K-250) GONE 2017 Suzuki V Strom 650 XT "We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid." ~Benjamin Franklin~
	1

01-19-2017, 10:45 AM	#12
culcune Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yuma, Arizona Posts: 9,035	Have you tried RPS? I am quite certain your bikes will be drop-shipped from RPS's warehouse in Texas. Not necessarily to bug RPS, but perhaps they can put your mind at ease and let you know of the status of your 'twins' such as "yes, they are ordered, and waiting for pickup as we speak..." Adam Renkleff is a stand-up guy, and while your order is between you and ASPCUSA, again, Adam might be able to put your mind at ease as to where, on his end, your order is. __________________ "They say that life's a carousel, spinning fast you got to ride it well..." TGB Delivery Scooter 150 TMEC 200 Enduro--carcass is sadly rotting in the backyard
	1

01-19-2017, 11:32 PM	#14
culcune Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yuma, Arizona Posts: 9,035	RPS is the US distributor for the Hawk. They do not sell directly to consumers. Adam Renkleff, who works for RPS, is a member here. Your twins will come from RPS. It is just a matter of a truck picking up your bikes and getting them to you. __________________ "They say that life's a carousel, spinning fast you got to ride it well..." TGB Delivery Scooter 150 TMEC 200 Enduro--carcass is sadly rotting in the backyard
	1