Hawk 250cc fuel type?

Jimmie · 01-06-2021, 04:41 AM

Now I'm not sure how true this is but my friend has a hawk also he told me he got a manual with his bike and you are only supposed to use premium unleaded? Is this true? He claims 87 will mess the engine up long term.

franque · 01-06-2021, 06:15 AM

He's wrong, the cheapest 87 you can find is perfectly fine. If it's going to sit for a while, add some fuel stabilizer, but otherwise, whatever's cheapest besides E85 (don't use that), will burn fine.

tknj99 · 01-06-2021, 06:43 AM

I think the only time that premium will be called for is if you do performance work to the engine such as port/polish the head, cams, increase compression and/or increase timing

**JerryHawk250** · 01-06-2021, 07:38 AM

87 is all that's needed unless like tknj99 stated performance mods have been done. Main thing is run ethanol free fuel. Ethanol will deteriorate the fuel lines and gum up the carb and fuel lines as it absorbs moisture. I've been working on outboard engines and small engines for a very long time. I've seen what ethanol can do. It ain't pretty.

Wild Dog · 01-06-2021, 08:08 AM

Maybe he got a manual that was meant for Europe. In most countries is quite hard or impossible to find 87 fuel.

Here for example 87 was banned 10 years ago, they went to 96 "regular" to 99 "premium".
Then they had to change 96 to 93, because a lot of older or cheaper cars had issues with 96 ron.

So if you come to Argentina you will only find 93 or 99 fuel. If you check any manual made for Argentina, they will either say 93 or 99 ron.
But if you check any manual made for Brasil, they will list more fuel options, because they have ethanol fuel.
In fact some of the cars made in Argentina and Brasil are made to use up to E100 fuels.

But down the road, you shouldn't have any problem using 87 ron fuel on a CG 250.

franque · 01-06-2021, 08:31 AM

It's not RON in the States, it's R+M/2. A little bit of ethanol won't hurt, I've only ever run E10 because that's what available. You might want to change the fuel line, but I have run just stuff available at the auto parts store without a problem. E10 isn't the end of the world.

**JerryHawk250** · 01-06-2021, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by franque

It's not RON in the States, it's R+M/2. A little bit of ethanol won't hurt, I've only ever run E10 because that's what available. You might want to change the fuel line, but I have run just stuff available at the auto parts store without a problem. E10 isn't the end of the world.

Yes, most definitely replace the fuel lines.
Also If you live in a dry climate it usually isn't an issue with moisture. Living along the coast with high humidity the ethanol is like a sponge and soak up the moisture.

Wild Dog · 01-06-2021, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by franque

It's not RON in the States, it's R+M/2.

Then even better, because from what i'm looking at, 87 R+M/2 should be around 91.1 RON.

Back in the early 80s and 90s people used 87 RON with the CG engines

culcune · 01-06-2021, 11:59 AM

When I was daily commuting year round in southwest Arizona on my TMEC 200 (I had two of them, back to back for approx. 2 years each one) and TGB scooter I just payed the extra cash and put in 91. I cannot state one way or another with certainty that it did, or did not, behave better with the extra octane. I never ran either bike with the 87. I can say, it did not hurt any of the bikes putting in the higher octane

China Rider 27 · 01-06-2021, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

87 is all that's needed unless like tknj99 stated performance mods have been done. Main thing is run ethanol free fuel. Ethanol will deteriorate the fuel lines and gum up the carb and fuel lines as it absorbs moisture. I've been working on outboard engines and small engines for a very long time. I've seen what ethanol can do. It ain't pretty.

I second that! Used to be, my lawn mower would sit over the winter and every spring it would not start and I'd have to take apart the carb. There would be this white jelly substance in the bottom. Started using ethanol free fuel, although I have to go 15 miles to get it, and it starts on the first pull now after sitting all winter. All I run in my small engines and the motorcycles.

Megadan · 01-06-2021, 06:16 PM

I think this recent reply of mine on a different thread also applies here. http://chinariders.net/showpost.php?...8&postcount=18

TxTaoRider · 01-06-2021, 07:24 PM

Just to throw something else out there to think about.

The octane on the pump is the minimum it can be legally. So if you get 86 octane you could be pumping 86 up to whatever their highest octane premium is.

My dad used to work at a gas station and said he's watched them fill all three of the station tanks with the same gas.... Lol

Road Gaper · 11-10-2021, 04:21 PM

Is this the same for the Tao TBR7?

HiveGuys · 11-13-2021, 01:22 AM

I've only had my TBR7 for about four months, been using premium from day one. I use premium almost exclusively in all bikes, cars, trucks, saws, blowers, generators (I think that's it

At different points in time, with different rigs, I was meticulous about tracking mileage in each rig between Reg, Mid-Grade, and Premium; it's been clear to me for years that we get better mileage with Premium -- enough so that it pays off to spend extra for it.

The performance increase has been more of a "feel" (no dyno tests). But if I didn't feel it, or record the higher mileage, I would save my money.
(Note: none of our vehicles or engines "require" premium)

Back to the TBR: installed an E3 spark plug, use premium fuel, changed front sprocket to a 17 (stock 46 rear), drilled the carb jet out (new jets didn't arrive until after a bike trip, and the stock 88 wasn't going to cut it). The smallest bit I had worked out to a 140 jet size -- I'm sure that's way bigger than anyone would recommend, but...the bike runs great. I hit 65 mph without fully wide open, and wide open creeps past 70. Doesn't appear to run rich.

I also use Seafoam as a stabilizer in the cans that get stored.

Until I get less mileage and "feel" less power, I'm staying with the premium. You should experiment and make the call according to your results.

Hope that helps!
mh

JFOlivier · 11-13-2021, 09:39 AM

I have a 2020 X-Pect and run it on Ehtanol free gas I get from a local marina which is regular gas of the lowestrating. Now I can remember in the mid 1960's working for the South African govt and riding around in Chevy or Ford pick up trucks allrunning on the lowest grade of gas and when accelerating the engines would rattle some and we called it pinking and it was due to the gas as the pickups were designed to run on a higher octane gas. Now I get a similar rattle when accelerating through the gears on take off and I think this also could be pinking so I will try the higher octanes and see if the rattle goes away.

01-06-2021, 04:41 AM	#1
Jimmie Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 37	Hawk 250cc fuel type? Now I'm not sure how true this is but my friend has a hawk also he told me he got a manual with his bike and you are only supposed to use premium unleaded? Is this true? He claims 87 will mess the engine up long term.
	0

01-06-2021, 06:43 AM	#3
tknj99 Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Central VA Posts: 1,258	I think the only time that premium will be called for is if you do performance work to the engine such as port/polish the head, cams, increase compression and/or increase timing __________________ 2024 Zuma Storm 150 DLX 2019 Beta 430 RRS 2018 VStrom 1000 XT Former China Bikes: Tao DBX1, Brozz 250, CSC RX4, Titan DLX, Templar X
	1

01-06-2021, 07:38 AM	#4
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,562	87 is all that's needed unless like tknj99 stated performance mods have been done. Main thing is run ethanol free fuel. Ethanol will deteriorate the fuel lines and gum up the carb and fuel lines as it absorbs moisture. I've been working on outboard engines and small engines for a very long time. I've seen what ethanol can do. It ain't pretty. __________________ 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
	2

01-06-2021, 11:59 AM	#9
culcune Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yuma, Arizona Posts: 9,035	When I was daily commuting year round in southwest Arizona on my TMEC 200 (I had two of them, back to back for approx. 2 years each one) and TGB scooter I just payed the extra cash and put in 91. I cannot state one way or another with certainty that it did, or did not, behave better with the extra octane. I never ran either bike with the 87. I can say, it did not hurt any of the bikes putting in the higher octane __________________ "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
	0

01-06-2021, 06:16 PM	#11
Megadan Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 8,020	I think this recent reply of mine on a different thread also applies here. http://chinariders.net/showpost.php?...8&postcount=18 __________________ Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124
	2

01-06-2021, 06:15 AM	#2
franque Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Marseille, France -> Conakry, Guinea Posts: 1,481	He's wrong, the cheapest 87 you can find is perfectly fine. If it's going to sit for a while, add some fuel stabilizer, but otherwise, whatever's cheapest besides E85 (don't use that), will burn fine.
	2

01-06-2021, 08:08 AM	#5
Wild Dog Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Argentina Posts: 756	Maybe he got a manual that was meant for Europe. In most countries is quite hard or impossible to find 87 fuel. Here for example 87 was banned 10 years ago, they went to 96 "regular" to 99 "premium". Then they had to change 96 to 93, because a lot of older or cheaper cars had issues with 96 ron. So if you come to Argentina you will only find 93 or 99 fuel. If you check any manual made for Argentina, they will either say 93 or 99 ron. But if you check any manual made for Brasil, they will list more fuel options, because they have ethanol fuel. In fact some of the cars made in Argentina and Brasil are made to use up to E100 fuels. But down the road, you shouldn't have any problem using 87 ron fuel on a CG 250.
	0

01-06-2021, 08:31 AM	#6
franque Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Marseille, France -> Conakry, Guinea Posts: 1,481	It's not RON in the States, it's R+M/2. A little bit of ethanol won't hurt, I've only ever run E10 because that's what available. You might want to change the fuel line, but I have run just stuff available at the auto parts store without a problem. E10 isn't the end of the world.
	1

01-06-2021, 07:24 PM	#12
TxTaoRider Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Flower Mound Texas Posts: 904	Just to throw something else out there to think about. The octane on the pump is the minimum it can be legally. So if you get 86 octane you could be pumping 86 up to whatever their highest octane premium is. My dad used to work at a gas station and said he's watched them fill all three of the station tanks with the same gas.... Lol __________________ 2021 Tao Tbr7 - "Lucille" Mods so far- Brozz swingarm, 21" front rim (Bridgestone Tw302 rear/Dunlop D606 front tires), Digital gauge cluster, pz30b pumper carb, after market hand guards, aftermarket brake and clutch levers, round fold away mirrors, Fly handlebars shortened slightly, 13t front sprocket 2009 Q-link Legacy 250 1982 Suzuki GS1100ES - "Jolene"
	0

11-10-2021, 04:21 PM	#13
Road Gaper Join Date: Oct 2021 Posts: 11	Is this the same for the Tao TBR7?
	0

11-13-2021, 01:22 AM	#14
HiveGuys Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: Milwaukie, OR Posts: 13	I've only had my TBR7 for about four months, been using premium from day one. I use premium almost exclusively in all bikes, cars, trucks, saws, blowers, generators (I think that's it At different points in time, with different rigs, I was meticulous about tracking mileage in each rig between Reg, Mid-Grade, and Premium; it's been clear to me for years that we get better mileage with Premium -- enough so that it pays off to spend extra for it. The performance increase has been more of a "feel" (no dyno tests). But if I didn't feel it, or record the higher mileage, I would save my money. (Note: none of our vehicles or engines "require" premium) Back to the TBR: installed an E3 spark plug, use premium fuel, changed front sprocket to a 17 (stock 46 rear), drilled the carb jet out (new jets didn't arrive until after a bike trip, and the stock 88 wasn't going to cut it). The smallest bit I had worked out to a 140 jet size -- I'm sure that's way bigger than anyone would recommend, but...the bike runs great. I hit 65 mph without fully wide open, and wide open creeps past 70. Doesn't appear to run rich. I also use Seafoam as a stabilizer in the cans that get stored. Until I get less mileage and "feel" less power, I'm staying with the premium. You should experiment and make the call according to your results. Hope that helps! mh
	0

11-13-2021, 09:39 AM	#15
JFOlivier Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Northern Neck of Virginia. Posts: 164	I have a 2020 X-Pect and run it on Ehtanol free gas I get from a local marina which is regular gas of the lowestrating. Now I can remember in the mid 1960's working for the South African govt and riding around in Chevy or Ford pick up trucks allrunning on the lowest grade of gas and when accelerating the engines would rattle some and we called it pinking and it was due to the gas as the pickups were designed to run on a higher octane gas. Now I get a similar rattle when accelerating through the gears on take off and I think this also could be pinking so I will try the higher octanes and see if the rattle goes away.
	0