Is the Hawk 250 enough?

Stealthy · 07-26-2016, 12:09 AM

I've seen everything out there on the aftermarket carbs, sprokets, exhaust, oil coolers and other upgrades...but with or without those modifications is this bike enough?

How long can you actually ride this in one sitting. Is 2 hours on highway/country roads at 40-60 too much? How about 6 hours of mixed use riding?

Out of the box is this powerful and reliable enough for daily commuting about 25 miles? (All pavement, 25-45mph)

I really want one, but don't know if I'm asking too much. It would be about a 1.5 to 2 hour backroad cruise to miles of offload trails. Could this bike go there, hit the trails, and make it home all in a weekend?

What's the most wear and tear you have put on one of these?

Thanks for any help/info - this is a great site packed with great info!

--
Stealthy (I'm new 7/25/16)
Current bike: Dirt Only 89' Honda CR125 2 stroke

BlackBike · 07-26-2016, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stealthy

I've seen everything out there on the aftermarket carbs, sprokets, exhaust, oil coolers and other upgrades...but with or without those modifications is this bike enough?

How long can you actually ride this in one sitting. Is 2 hours on highway/country roads at 40-60 too much? How about 6 hours of mixed use riding?

Out of the box is this powerful and reliable enough for daily commuting about 25 miles? (All pavement, 25-45mph)

I really want one, but don't know if I'm asking too much. It would be about a 1.5 to 2 hour backroad cruise to miles of offload trails. Could this bike go there, hit the trails, and make it home all in a weekend?

What's the most wear and tear you have put on one of these?

Thanks for any help/info - this is a great site packed with great info!

--
Stealthy (I'm new 7/25/16)
Current bike: Dirt Only 89' Honda CR125 2 stroke

On my last run I did exactly as you said with around 220 gps miles and 55mph speeds for extended stretches with Temps in the mid to upper 90 at the end of day.6-7 hrs It was the blown out rear spoke that ended it. (Probably my fault for not checking the spokes). It's either your butt or the gas station that makes you get off.

hertz9753 · 07-26-2016, 01:02 AM

The Hawk has about the same power as a late 70s or early 80s Honda XL or XR 200/185. your CR 125 has about twice the HP but it is not a very good trail bike because it will always want to go fast. I still have my KX 125 but I needed something that I could just drive out of my driveway and ride. Don't listen to the other guys the red one is the fast one.

pcspecialist · 07-26-2016, 01:20 AM

red is fast, but, green is faster

hertz9753 · 07-26-2016, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcspecialist

red is fast, but, green is faster

That's what my green bike says. I had the cylinder shipped off to US Chrome for recoating and the local KTM dealer rebuilt the engine and jetted the carb. It likes to hit trees in the woods.

http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....5&postcount=15

w0ss · 07-26-2016, 10:04 AM

I find the hawk fine for 40-50 for an hour ride. That is about as far as I have gone. I have replaced the stock grips and tossed on a seat cover, Both helped a bunch. For me I wouldn't think anything of riding 2 hours on this thing. It does start to get a bit buzzy after 50 but that will depend on what gearing you have.

Sport Rider · 07-26-2016, 10:13 AM

I do a 20 mile-each-way commute on mine. my speeds vary from 25 up to 55. I have the stock 45 rear sprocket and the 17 on the front. 55 mph is running pretty high, but it's capable. at your 45 speed, my setup would be nice for you. I've done several hour rides on two-lane back roads and forest service roads that were groomed gravel and speeds of about 25-35. I found the bike was terrific in those circumstances. There's not a ton of power, but I find it fun to ride.

wilserchinarider · 07-26-2016, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sport Rider

I have the stock 45 rear sprocket and the 17 on the front.

I thought the Hawk stock rear sprocket was 50t? I recently changed to a 45t and it makes a world of difference, and am actually thinking of going lower, perhaps to a 40t as the bike still seems to have enough low end grunt for my needs. I also live near the coast and it is relatively flat.

How far and how long you prefer to ride a small displacement motorcycle is really up to you, Spud has ridden his Zong Sierra 200cc like 70,000 miles including long weekend tours of several hundred miles. As said above, 30 - 50 MPH is the sweet spot for bikes this size IME, with about 40 MPH "just right".

SeerAtlas · 07-26-2016, 12:51 PM

mine likes to run just about long enough to make it to the next bar

farmbath · 07-26-2016, 09:14 PM

Rode mine 50 miles today(county roads) and my butt was numb!

kohburn · 07-27-2016, 06:44 AM

commuted in to work today on the TT250 with a 17/43 sprocket setup and was hitting 65 with traffic. I think 250 gets the job done. It also keeps me from being tempted to pass so many cars like I do on my 650.
30 miles each way speeds ranging from 35 to 65 no problems.

ckrug4 · 07-27-2016, 10:25 AM

I can do an hour or two pretty easy. Hands get a little numb after an hour. I recommend some new/modified grips. I ride to work often, 20-25 miles round trip 30-60 mph, no problem, mid to upper 90's. Locktite everything and keep oil clean. Good to go stock but the mods add a little more fun.

pcspecialist · 07-27-2016, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kohburn

commuted in to work today with a 17/43 sprocket setup and was hitting 65 with traffic. I think 250 gets the job done. It also keeps me from being tempted to pass so many cars like I do on my 650.
30 miles each way speeds ranging from 35 to 65 no problems.

You should point out that you are riding a TT250 and not a Hawk. 17/43 on a Hawk would be way too tall, even 17/45 was a little too tall on my Hawk and I'm playing around with 16/45 now. Once I've confirmed my tach is correct, I'll get back with RPMs at 60MPH, but, I can tell you the RPMs seem plenty low doing 60MPH with the 16/45 combo.

Stealthy · 07-27-2016, 07:46 PM

Thank you for all the helpful feedback on this!

It's really nice to know that this bike will be able to perform and hold up to what I want to do. I really thought I would need an oil cooler, and more to not kill this thing with a few hours of riding. I will definitely alter the hand grips and seat to address the comfort issues. I'll probably address sprocket, carb, and exhaust mods, in that order, after a good couple weeks of breaking in.

If anyone has any advice on this bike or its assembly, let me know. I'm concidering just paying the shop the $175 to assemble it for me. The way, they can be responsible for any problems. I'm mechanically inclined, but I'd hate to miss something major and wreck the bike instantly.

SeerAtlas · 07-27-2016, 07:53 PM

man there are lots of threads containing that which you seek in the DualPurpose category here. also, check youtube for the MOTOCHEEZ vids on the hawk

good bike, I have two and like them a LOT.

07-26-2016, 12:09 AM	#1
Stealthy Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 11	Is the Hawk 250 enough? I've seen everything out there on the aftermarket carbs, sprokets, exhaust, oil coolers and other upgrades...but with or without those modifications is this bike enough? How long can you actually ride this in one sitting. Is 2 hours on highway/country roads at 40-60 too much? How about 6 hours of mixed use riding? Out of the box is this powerful and reliable enough for daily commuting about 25 miles? (All pavement, 25-45mph) I really want one, but don't know if I'm asking too much. It would be about a 1.5 to 2 hour backroad cruise to miles of offload trails. Could this bike go there, hit the trails, and make it home all in a weekend? What's the most wear and tear you have put on one of these? Thanks for any help/info - this is a great site packed with great info! -- Stealthy (I'm new 7/25/16) Current bike: Dirt Only 89' Honda CR125 2 stroke
	0

07-26-2016, 10:04 AM	#6
w0ss Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 231	I find the hawk fine for 40-50 for an hour ride. That is about as far as I have gone. I have replaced the stock grips and tossed on a seat cover, Both helped a bunch. For me I wouldn't think anything of riding 2 hours on this thing. It does start to get a bit buzzy after 50 but that will depend on what gearing you have. __________________ Hawk 250 with following performance mods: 17t, Mikuni with 110/25, Uni filter, Exhaust.
	0

07-26-2016, 12:51 PM	#9
SeerAtlas Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 770	mine likes to run just about long enough to make it to the next bar __________________ Seer's First LAW-"FLY THE PLANE!", fail that, and nothing else matters. 12th Law- Consider what marvels you might do if only you had tomorrow to live over again. Third Law-When someone tells you some thing "Can't Be Done", what they're really saying is They can't do it!!14th Law-Just because something "IS", doesn't necessarily mean it SHOULD be.. Eighth Law-The only true personal security is anonymity.Ninth Law-Humans tend to learn very little when speaking.10th Law-Some lives ARE worth taking
	1

07-27-2016, 06:44 AM	#11
kohburn Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Coastal NC Posts: 537	commuted in to work today on the TT250 with a 17/43 sprocket setup and was hitting 65 with traffic. I think 250 gets the job done. It also keeps me from being tempted to pass so many cars like I do on my 650. 30 miles each way speeds ranging from 35 to 65 no problems. __________________ -whatever you do, just be awesome. - 2008 Kawasaki Versys - 2016 CSC TT250 Last edited by kohburn; 07-27-2016 at 01:30 PM. Reason: clarify it was on a TT250
	3

07-27-2016, 07:53 PM	#15
SeerAtlas Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 770	man there are lots of threads containing that which you seek in the DualPurpose category here. also, check youtube for the MOTOCHEEZ vids on the hawk good bike, I have two and like them a LOT. __________________ Seer's First LAW-"FLY THE PLANE!", fail that, and nothing else matters. 12th Law- Consider what marvels you might do if only you had tomorrow to live over again. Third Law-When someone tells you some thing "Can't Be Done", what they're really saying is They can't do it!!14th Law-Just because something "IS", doesn't necessarily mean it SHOULD be.. Eighth Law-The only true personal security is anonymity.Ninth Law-Humans tend to learn very little when speaking.10th Law-Some lives ARE worth taking
	0

07-26-2016, 01:20 AM	#4
pcspecialist Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 583	red is fast, but, green is faster
	3

07-26-2016, 10:13 AM	#7
Sport Rider Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Mooresville NC Posts: 2,033	I do a 20 mile-each-way commute on mine. my speeds vary from 25 up to 55. I have the stock 45 rear sprocket and the 17 on the front. 55 mph is running pretty high, but it's capable. at your 45 speed, my setup would be nice for you. I've done several hour rides on two-lane back roads and forest service roads that were groomed gravel and speeds of about 25-35. I found the bike was terrific in those circumstances. There's not a ton of power, but I find it fun to ride.
	1

07-26-2016, 09:14 PM	#10
farmbath Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 45	Rode mine 50 miles today(county roads) and my butt was numb!
	1

07-27-2016, 10:25 AM	#12
ckrug4 Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 21	I can do an hour or two pretty easy. Hands get a little numb after an hour. I recommend some new/modified grips. I ride to work often, 20-25 miles round trip 30-60 mph, no problem, mid to upper 90's. Locktite everything and keep oil clean. Good to go stock but the mods add a little more fun.
	1

07-27-2016, 07:46 PM	#14
Stealthy Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 11	Thank you for all the helpful feedback on this! It's really nice to know that this bike will be able to perform and hold up to what I want to do. I really thought I would need an oil cooler, and more to not kill this thing with a few hours of riding. I will definitely alter the hand grips and seat to address the comfort issues. I'll probably address sprocket, carb, and exhaust mods, in that order, after a good couple weeks of breaking in. If anyone has any advice on this bike or its assembly, let me know. I'm concidering just paying the shop the $175 to assemble it for me. The way, they can be responsible for any problems. I'm mechanically inclined, but I'd hate to miss something major and wreck the bike instantly.
	0