2018 Hawk 250-Initial Review

FunkyChina · 09-14-2018, 06:52 PM

Hello everyone!

I'm new to Chinese motorcycles. The Hawk 250 is my first. Historically, I've owned and ridden a Honda-most recently a 1998 Honda Superhawk. About a year ago, we move to an acreage off of about 1.5 miles of gravel. Riding a road bike on gravel was not an option so I sold the Superhawk.

I'd been looking at dual sports for quite some time. But dropping four grand for a used bike wasn't very palatable. Then, I stumbled across the Hawk.

A brand new, 250cc dual sport for less than fourteen hundred bucks? This got my attention. So, I researched the bike and found this forum. Without knowing the registration landscape in my state, I was a little concerned about taking the plunge. But, I thought, if I couldn't register it, I could still ride it around the acreage and teach my kids how to ride. So, I took the plunge.

Two weeks ago, I placed my order with txpowersports out of Texas. I hadn't yet read the strings about reputable wholesalers, but my transaction was completed with out a hitch. The bike arrived in about a week after I ordered it. All parts were accounted for and assembly was a snap. I used loctite on all the hardware I had to install. I changed the oil and I filled the battery with the solution provided. Then put in a little gas and turned the key. I was astounded by the fact the green "N" lit up. Could this actually work? I held my breath and hit the start button.

It actually tried to fire up! My excitement increased and I put the choke on 1/2 and tried it again. Same response. OK, I thought, this puppy's going to start. I tried it again and gave it a little gas. Boom! It started. Then died. I tried it again and held the throttle steady. It stayed running! No smoking, no hesitation, just a smooth purr of the engine. I left it running for a few minutes. Shut it off and fired it up again. No problems. So, I took it for a spin.

25 miles later (I don't think the speedometer is accurate), I pulled back into the garage and shut off the engine, thrilled by the fact that I was back on a bike, on gravel, for less than $1400.

Today was my second ride. I put on another 40 miles and was pleased as punch. Smooth-running, no vibration and I'm still alive-and so is the bike. So, is it worth $1400? Every single penny. Do you have to do some work on it to get it highway-worthy? Without a doubt. Out of the box, however, this bike provides a clean and fun experience on a budget. Will it last 10 years? I doubt it. But, maybe I'll be surprised. Who knows. Either way, if I can commute a couple of times back and forth to work with this little beast, I'll be a happy camper.

I give this bike two thumbs up. If you're considering the Hawk, take the plunge. You'll be impressed.

**JerryHawk250** · 09-14-2018, 07:00 PM

Oh, you've only started. Hang around here and start reading. You will be like the rest of us around here looking for your next mod. Lol. These are fun little bikes to tinker around with. Best bang for the buck. My hawk will be two years old next month. I love it

kirbo7106 · 09-14-2018, 07:23 PM

Welcome to the forum! I think a lot of us arrived here the same way. I was looking for 250 Dual Sport, but didn’t want to pay $5,000 for a new one. I started looking for a good used one, but nothing decent was available for under $2,500. Even then, it required a lot of work and money to fix.

Glad you found us! Keep us posted on what you decide to do to your new Chi-Honda!

Enjoy the Ride!

Cravin01 · 09-14-2018, 07:44 PM

I share the same story also, With the care given to these bikes by some of our members I have no doubt that more that a few will last 10yrs, The bikes history is about simplistic dependability for third world countries so 10 yrs might be a piece of cake state side.

I just upgraded my carb to a Chinese Pumper carb that goes for $26 and it works flawlessly, Now my bike fires in 1 kick and I get tickled every time she come to life. yes I do have a starter but that isn't as fun now.

09-14-2018, 06:52 PM	#1
FunkyChina Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Iowa Posts: 34	2018 Hawk 250-Initial Review Hello everyone! I'm new to Chinese motorcycles. The Hawk 250 is my first. Historically, I've owned and ridden a Honda-most recently a 1998 Honda Superhawk. About a year ago, we move to an acreage off of about 1.5 miles of gravel. Riding a road bike on gravel was not an option so I sold the Superhawk. I'd been looking at dual sports for quite some time. But dropping four grand for a used bike wasn't very palatable. Then, I stumbled across the Hawk. A brand new, 250cc dual sport for less than fourteen hundred bucks? This got my attention. So, I researched the bike and found this forum. Without knowing the registration landscape in my state, I was a little concerned about taking the plunge. But, I thought, if I couldn't register it, I could still ride it around the acreage and teach my kids how to ride. So, I took the plunge. Two weeks ago, I placed my order with txpowersports out of Texas. I hadn't yet read the strings about reputable wholesalers, but my transaction was completed with out a hitch. The bike arrived in about a week after I ordered it. All parts were accounted for and assembly was a snap. I used loctite on all the hardware I had to install. I changed the oil and I filled the battery with the solution provided. Then put in a little gas and turned the key. I was astounded by the fact the green "N" lit up. Could this actually work? I held my breath and hit the start button. It actually tried to fire up! My excitement increased and I put the choke on 1/2 and tried it again. Same response. OK, I thought, this puppy's going to start. I tried it again and gave it a little gas. Boom! It started. Then died. I tried it again and held the throttle steady. It stayed running! No smoking, no hesitation, just a smooth purr of the engine. I left it running for a few minutes. Shut it off and fired it up again. No problems. So, I took it for a spin. 25 miles later (I don't think the speedometer is accurate), I pulled back into the garage and shut off the engine, thrilled by the fact that I was back on a bike, on gravel, for less than $1400. Today was my second ride. I put on another 40 miles and was pleased as punch. Smooth-running, no vibration and I'm still alive-and so is the bike. So, is it worth $1400? Every single penny. Do you have to do some work on it to get it highway-worthy? Without a doubt. Out of the box, however, this bike provides a clean and fun experience on a budget. Will it last 10 years? I doubt it. But, maybe I'll be surprised. Who knows. Either way, if I can commute a couple of times back and forth to work with this little beast, I'll be a happy camper. I give this bike two thumbs up. If you're considering the Hawk, take the plunge. You'll be impressed.
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09-14-2018, 07:00 PM	#2
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,544	Oh, you've only started. Hang around here and start reading. You will be like the rest of us around here looking for your next mod. Lol. These are fun little bikes to tinker around with. Best bang for the buck. My hawk will be two years old next month. I love it __________________ 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
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09-14-2018, 07:23 PM	#3
kirbo7106 Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Holiday, Florida Posts: 672	Greetings and Congrats! Welcome to the forum! I think a lot of us arrived here the same way. I was looking for 250 Dual Sport, but didn’t want to pay $5,000 for a new one. I started looking for a good used one, but nothing decent was available for under $2,500. Even then, it required a lot of work and money to fix. Glad you found us! Keep us posted on what you decide to do to your new Chi-Honda! Enjoy the Ride! __________________ 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
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09-14-2018, 07:44 PM	#4
Cravin01 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Forney Texas Posts: 498	I share the same story also, With the care given to these bikes by some of our members I have no doubt that more that a few will last 10yrs, The bikes history is about simplistic dependability for third world countries so 10 yrs might be a piece of cake state side. I just upgraded my carb to a Chinese Pumper carb that goes for $26 and it works flawlessly, Now my bike fires in 1 kick and I get tickled every time she come to life. yes I do have a starter but that isn't as fun now. __________________ Visit me on YouTube at "Project Next"! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6KTCi2GVbfRDv-2XCqHhsg?view_as=subscriber 2017 Bashan Storm Keihen PZ30 Pumper Carb,115 main jet,35 pilot jet, gutted factory exhaust, Sambo Digital Speedometer,LED blinkers, H4 headlight,D.I.D X-ring chain 428,17/42 sprockets,UNI cone filter.
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