Dirt Roads with my Hawk.

[Vtunimog]

so far I have put about 350 miles on my Hawk and really enjoy it. I finally took a few hours and put my front tire on the correct rotational direction and replaced the really weak tube with a good quality tube. Made me feel much more secure riding.



I drove about 50 miles of dirt roads in my area in the Manchester area of Vermont. I had a fantasic ride on the Mt. Tabor National Forest Service Road (about 15 miles of dirt ) including some branch roads I explored. Never a miss with my Hawk. My only complaint was that the rear shock feels a bit soft, I am not lightweight but at 185 I shouldn't feel as though one good rut or hole will make me bottom out.



I have to admit I still don't feel super secure on paved primary roads except for short distances. I was able to hit 60+ on one long stretch but felt as though I was definitely pushing the engine a bit. I have to say I have changed the oil twice now once when I got it and again at 100 miles. I am running the Amsoil Dirt Bike synthethic, i noticed the engine runs smoother a little less vibration and seems to be a bit cooler running.



If anyone is ever in the Killington Vermont area with their hawk let me know there are tons of backroads and Class 4 roads to enjoy.

[pete]

i asume you mean 185lbs not 185kgs...

185lbs is 84kgs... the suspension should be ok for your weight
even though you are at the top of it's range...
wind the pre-load up to it's highest setting...

keep in mined suspension should not sit at the top of it's travel
has to have movement in both directions ... up and down...


.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by pete

i asume you mean 185lbs not 185kgs...

185lbs is 84kgs... the suspension should be ok for your weight
even though you are at the top of it's range...
wind the pre-load up to it's highest setting...

keep in mined suspension should not sit at the top of it's travel
has to have movement in both directions ... up and down...


.

Hawks don't have adjustabe preload on the rear shock. They also have a dual rate spring that means they never sit at the top of their range of travel. They sag at least 20mm under their own weight if not more.

The stock Hawk rear shock isn't terrible, but it isn't great either. It lacks a little in the compression damping department, and the dual rate spring eats up a good bit of travel once the rider is on the bike. The secondary rate of the rear shock is fairly hefty and really comes into play the last couple inches of travel. I weigh a it more than you and I have come close to bottoming mine out a couple of times, but I only ever did once after cresting a pretty good rise at about 45mph, which basically unloaded the suspension for a moment.

I have been on the lookout for a suitable shock from an OEM, but the Hawk uses a somewhat odd ball length at 320mm center to center with eyelets at both ends. Most bikes either have shorter or longer shocks, or the wrong end on one side of the shock.

[Vtunimog]

Originally Posted by pete

i asume you mean 185lbs not 185kgs...

185lbs is 84kgs... the suspension should be ok for your weight
even though you are at the top of it's range...
wind the pre-load up to it's highest setting...

keep in mined suspension should not sit at the top of it's travel
has to have movement in both directions ... up and down...


.

Thankfully 185 lbs not Kg.

[BitcoinDood]

Originally Posted by Vtunimog

If anyone is ever in the Killington Vermont area with their hawk let me know there are tons of backroads and Class 4 roads to enjoy.

I'm thinking about heading up to Vermont in a month or so. Do you know of any links or maps of the Class 4 roads available to ride in the state? I've been trying to plan out a trip, and would love to ride through as much of the state as possible off road.