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I think the idea of "Better" suspension really depends on where we are talking exactly.
I can make the standard hawk thin noodle forks out perform the cheap chinese USD forks for about $120ish. Fork valves and a fork brace solve most of the shortcomings and improve their performance beyond the standard cheap USD units the DLX comes with. The only real advantage they then have is rigidity during a crash.
The rear suspension is a wash between them IMHO because they use the same crappy rear swing arm. I would upgrade to the brozz arm on either bike.
520 chain? Non issue. Most standard hawk guys end up replacing the original chain anyway, and at least one or both sprockets to re-gear. Costs about the same to convert to 520 as it does to upgrade the 428 setup.
Beyond the EFI and those front forks, they share most of the rest of the same parts. The DLX does come with a better stock exhaust system, I will give it points there. Gauge cluster too.
Then there is the issue of mod tuning. Carb bike can be easily setup for any number of mods without running into the limitations of the ECU, which as far as I know, runs a open loop fueling at higher RPM and throttle positions, meaning it cannot adjust the AFR like it can when in closed loop during lower revs and throttle positions. In essence, it can go lean, and can't correct itself. So now you have to figure out some form of fuel control, and that can get expensive.
Meanwhile, I can be there with my $10-20 in jets and be done with it.
Plus I will never have to deal with trouble shooting the electrical in general, or deal with potentially disasterous issues with the electronics if I give my bike an accidental swim.
Tinkering with one of these carbs is about as easy as blowing your nose. Plus, tinkering is necessary, even on the "good" ones, at some point.
The DLX is great for somebody that just wants a bike they can ride that performs decently.
The Regular Hawk is more like a kit bike to build into whatever you fancy. Leave it stock, to crazy like me and mod every part of it until it is the bike you always envisioned.
Neither is really "better" from where I sit, just different.
Just my 2 cents.
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