Hawk 250 Advice for 15 yr old

Ten41 · 09-29-2021, 12:56 PM

I have a 15 yr old who has his mind set on a Hawk 250 (carb version). The main reason is price - it is within his savings.

I will point out that we homeschool, so he is my go to guy for motor repairs; chainsaws, 6hp motors (think lawnmower, rototiller, etc..), classic VW beetle, and a little on my Kubota tractor (this one I watch like a 'Hawk').

Name brands (such as Honda, Suzuki, etc.) are too pricey, even used for him right now.

Do you think that he can handle the Hawk 250 and its maintenance? I can help, but I want to make sure he takes the responsibility on this.

Thanks for your responses. I know this forum is filled with people who have been there done that, so I really appreciate your comments.

Thomas

braindead0 · 09-29-2021, 01:26 PM

I'd be more concerned about handling a 250cc bike for a first bike. How tall is he, how physically fit.. any previous riding experience?

Maintenance should be fairly easy, main shortcoming of these bikes IMO is lack of service manuals.. youtube videos and online resource only go so far (and all too often offer contradictory information).

Bruces · 09-29-2021, 01:40 PM

The Hawk is perfect for him .

Ten41 · 09-29-2021, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by braindead0

I'd be more concerned about handling a 250cc bike for a first bike. How tall is he, how physically fit.. any previous riding experience?

Maintenance should be fairly easy, main shortcoming of these bikes IMO is lack of service manuals.. youtube videos and online resource only go so far (and all too often offer contradictory information).

He is 6'1", light weight for height (about 140 lb), fit, wiry type strong (works on our family farm and other places).

No previous riding experience with dirt bikes, goodly amount with 4 wheelers. I would break him in slowly to the 2 wheel riding whatever he ended up with.

Ten41 · 09-29-2021, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruces

The Hawk is perfect for him .

Thanks for your input Bruces!

TxTaoRider · 09-29-2021, 03:55 PM

At 6'1" the hawk will be great. And it's not too powerful to learn on. I hope you and your boy have great times with it.

braindead0 · 09-29-2021, 05:11 PM

Definitely sounds like a good fit, with ATV experience he'll already be used to throttle and vehicle movement. And at his size and fitness a 300# bike shouldn't be too much to handle.

JohnC · 09-30-2021, 09:43 AM

I agree, he sounds like a really candidate for a Chinese bike. These bikes should fit him well. And being able to do maintenance is a must. Definite yes.

John

XLsior · 09-30-2021, 04:38 PM

6'1, 15 year old...holy growth spurt batman.

He might need to shave/add the seat foam to sit a bit further back for a healthier riding posture and long term comfort.

Ten41 · 09-30-2021, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TxTaoRider

At 6'1" the hawk will be great. And it's not too powerful to learn on. I hope you and your boy have great times with it.

He will, the only problem is that then one of his older brothers wanted one, and then another older brother, and then me. Snowball effect at work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by XLsior

6'1, 15 year old...holy growth spurt batman.

He might need to shave/add the seat foam to sit a bit further back for a healthier riding posture and long term comfort.

Actually, each subsequent child has been taller than me. I kid that the last child will be 9'.

Thanks to everyone for the help!

culcune · 09-30-2021, 08:55 PM

I understand the Raven 250 is a near-identical Hawk but manufactured by Bashan. It could be argued that Bashan is a bit higher quality than the RPS Hawk. Same prices as the Hawk has gone up a few hundred dollars. Depending on the riding, the Raven comes stock with 17/46 gearing, whereas the Hawk is 15/56 (I know the rear is 56, don't quote me on the countersprocket). Most everyone has either upgraded the Hawk's carb to a (fake) Mikuni (generally found on Amazon in the $30 range) while a few have dived into the stock carb to re-jet. The Raven's carb is decent right out of the box. Also, depending on what state you are in, and the idea is to plate it, the Raven is EPA/DOT certified, while the Hawk is technically certified as 'off-road dirtbike' by the EPA. Over half the states do plate them, however, as they are considered 'converted dirt bikes'. I know Arizona will plate them, no problem.

The Hawk is a good bike, so either way, you cannot lose, as far as quality goes.

2LZ · 10-01-2021, 02:31 PM

I love it. Home schooled, taught how to wrench, saves his own money. You go, dad!

Ten41 · 10-18-2021, 09:39 PM

Thanks for all of the replies previously. Two of the boys scored pretty well in Hawk arena. I finally got them to stop riding and take a picture for me.

They were able to get to 2020's, one with 90 miles, and one with 60 miles for $1300 each. I figured that was a reasonable deal for a 19 and 15 yr old.

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buzz · 10-19-2021, 08:04 PM

nice buy, just please be careful. Your going to enjoy this so much.

09-29-2021, 12:56 PM	#1
Ten41 Join Date: Sep 2021 Posts: 24	Hawk 250 Advice for 15 yr old I have a 15 yr old who has his mind set on a Hawk 250 (carb version). The main reason is price - it is within his savings. I will point out that we homeschool, so he is my go to guy for motor repairs; chainsaws, 6hp motors (think lawnmower, rototiller, etc..), classic VW beetle, and a little on my Kubota tractor (this one I watch like a 'Hawk'). Name brands (such as Honda, Suzuki, etc.) are too pricey, even used for him right now. Do you think that he can handle the Hawk 250 and its maintenance? I can help, but I want to make sure he takes the responsibility on this. Thanks for your responses. I know this forum is filled with people who have been there done that, so I really appreciate your comments. Thomas
	0

09-29-2021, 03:55 PM	#6
TxTaoRider Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Flower Mound Texas Posts: 904	At 6'1" the hawk will be great. And it's not too powerful to learn on. I hope you and your boy have great times with it. __________________ 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"
	1

09-30-2021, 08:55 PM	#11
culcune Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yuma, Arizona Posts: 9,056	I understand the Raven 250 is a near-identical Hawk but manufactured by Bashan. It could be argued that Bashan is a bit higher quality than the RPS Hawk. Same prices as the Hawk has gone up a few hundred dollars. Depending on the riding, the Raven comes stock with 17/46 gearing, whereas the Hawk is 15/56 (I know the rear is 56, don't quote me on the countersprocket). Most everyone has either upgraded the Hawk's carb to a (fake) Mikuni (generally found on Amazon in the $30 range) while a few have dived into the stock carb to re-jet. The Raven's carb is decent right out of the box. Also, depending on what state you are in, and the idea is to plate it, the Raven is EPA/DOT certified, while the Hawk is technically certified as 'off-road dirtbike' by the EPA. Over half the states do plate them, however, as they are considered 'converted dirt bikes'. I know Arizona will plate them, no problem. The Hawk is a good bike, so either way, you cannot lose, as far as quality goes. __________________ "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
	1

10-01-2021, 02:31 PM	#12
2LZ Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Volcano, Ca Posts: 7,112	I love it. Home schooled, taught how to wrench, saves his own money. You go, dad! __________________ "Light a fire for a man, and you heat him for a day. Light a man on fire, and you heat him for the rest of his life." 2007 Suzuki DRZ400S (SM convert) 2009 Q Link XP 200 1967 BSA B25 250cc Starfire 2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411 1948 Royal Enfield Model G 350
	3

09-29-2021, 01:26 PM	#2
braindead0 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 89	I'd be more concerned about handling a 250cc bike for a first bike. How tall is he, how physically fit.. any previous riding experience? Maintenance should be fairly easy, main shortcoming of these bikes IMO is lack of service manuals.. youtube videos and online resource only go so far (and all too often offer contradictory information).
	1

09-29-2021, 01:40 PM	#3
Bruces Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 1,705	The Hawk is perfect for him .
	2

09-29-2021, 05:11 PM	#7
braindead0 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 89	Definitely sounds like a good fit, with ATV experience he'll already be used to throttle and vehicle movement. And at his size and fitness a 300# bike shouldn't be too much to handle.
	0

09-30-2021, 09:43 AM	#8
JohnC Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Southeast Michigan Posts: 100	I agree, he sounds like a really candidate for a Chinese bike. These bikes should fit him well. And being able to do maintenance is a must. Definite yes. John
	0

09-30-2021, 04:38 PM	#9
XLsior Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Australia Posts: 1,635	6'1, 15 year old...holy growth spurt batman. He might need to shave/add the seat foam to sit a bit further back for a healthier riding posture and long term comfort.
	1

10-18-2021, 09:39 PM	#13
Ten41 Join Date: Sep 2021 Posts: 24	Thanks for all of the replies previously. Two of the boys scored pretty well in Hawk arena. I finally got them to stop riding and take a picture for me. They were able to get to 2020's, one with 90 miles, and one with 60 miles for $1300 each. I figured that was a reasonable deal for a 19 and 15 yr old.
	2

10-19-2021, 08:04 PM	#14
buzz Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Dayton Pa. Posts: 1,035	nice buy, just please be careful. Your going to enjoy this so much.
	0