[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by JRust

Hello all, I'm looking for my first bike and stumbled upon the Templar X and subsequently this thread (which seems like a great community). The Templar X seems like a great platform with a true 250cc engine and 6 speeds. I've boiled it down to this bike or the Hawk 250 DLX. I am pretty mechanically inclined, but after reading through the thread, the carb adjusting and jetting seems a bit intimidating, though I do love to tinker. My main purpose for the bike will be off road riding around my 15 acres and commuting some days about 20 miles to work on 55 mph roads. Any help deciding is appreciated. Also, I'm about 5'10" 225 lbs. if that matters in choosing a bike?

The Templar X is a real nice bikes but be aware that the Templar X is only EPA approved for Off-road and not highway use. Like the standard Hawk 250, you can get registered in some states for road use so don't get upset if you get rejected at the DMV.
Another option if you want a bike that is street legal except in CA is the Lifan KPX 250. The bikes is a true 250cc engine with a speed (similar to The Templar) and EFI. Out the box with no mods the bike will run 70+ mph GPS. Mine has less than 300 miles and not even broke in yet and has briefly hit 76mph right before I backed off the throttle. Still needs more break-in miles put on it.