That's true, the Hawk is actually a very good and reliable motorcycle. Mine is 4 years old now and still runs like new, no problems with it. Oh yeah and it does off-road trails really well too.
Change the oil often, get a high quality Japanese o-ring chain, 45t rear sprocket, and open up the exhaust or put on aftermarket exhaust. These zongshen bikes are actually pretty reliable and cheap to work on! I've had lots of fun on mine!
Very wise suggestions. All of with I'm doing to my Appollo 250. But since I'm only riding it on dirt I will be going with a 48 T Sprocket. I don't need to go 70 on dirt.
Dad's got one as an island bike and it's over 10k and been mechanically reliable (bunch of speedo cables until he gave up on those) . It was one of the original CSC TT250's when they were $1800. It's not going on 6-7 years old. Pretty cheap transportation for that price. Welds are all holding up with no visible cracks.
I bought the hawk in 2016 and after i did the most popular mods from motocheez my bike has been a good and fun bike for the 1400$ i paid for it now after 5000 miles later it still rides like new
@the bear 65 I don't think it's street legal in Canada. The CSC TT250 should be street legal in Canada. It cost a little more it's carbureted but the engine is counterbalanced.
the hawk 250 is the farthest thing from "the worst motorcycle in the world". it has to be the best deal on 2 wheels. its sort of like the hipoint of the motorcycle world. its reliable, and it does what it was intended to do.
My brother bought a cheap moped/scooter about 12 years ago. The manual had some very confusing translations in there as well including "do not anger the moon".
I grew up riding Hodakas in the 70s and 80s. I think this Hawk beats the crap out of a Combat Wombat, and if I remember correctly, the Wombat 125 retailed for about $700 in 1978. That's $2,800 in 2021 dollars. The Hawk looks like a good value for 2k. I think I'll grab one.
Yes, but let’s keep this in perspective. The Honda CRF 250L has a displacement of 249.6. The Yamaha XT250 is actually 249. In my opinion a 20cc+ round up is pretty bold in this class of bike.
My Honda Shadow 600 was actually a 549. Should have been called a 550 but like you said it is a common tactic to round up. Sometimes way up. These guys doing motorcycle reviews is a joke a bad one too.
Probably better to get a used Honda. You can always resale a used Honda. Good luck trying to get someone to buy your used Chinese bike.... Granted if it lasts that long without breaking.
I’ve made around $6,000 buying these for 1400 and selling them for the 2000 or 2500 dollar range. I add some upgrades and make sure everything runs good before I sell.
I love my Hawk! & I have 2 of them. Both 2020 X-pro's (carburetor)-if you enjoy working on or modifying your own machines in a fun way (not a broken down kinda way) and don't have plans to race off table tops at 70mph while doing back flips this is a fantastic bike! I am an enthusiast and also have Japanese bikes-the Hawk is not a Japanese bike, nor does it claim to be. It is a fun commuter/trail rider that is very reliable.
It's very common, including with japanese bikes, to scale up the size (e.g. 239cc sold as a 250). In fact, Polaris will actually understate the displacement (e.g. 450HO is actually 500cc). So, the number is just where the OEM wants to position the machine.
What Is Funny is All Japanese Bikes Are MADE in China Now Too. Hell Suzuki built a Huge Factory in China in 2007. Plus All Bikes Not Built in China All Use Parts From China since All these Companies are global companies. Hell Honda Had Lifan From China Making Some Honda Parts for them Ever since the 80's and they are considered one of the Best. U better Put down your Phone too Cause that was made in China too since All Apples and Even Samsung are since Samsung's cost too much too put together in Korea. Just Wait China is The Leader Now Just like Japan was in the 80's and 90's yet I remember Everyone Saying Cheap Japanese junk About their stuff in the late 70s and early 80s and Now its All the Most loved and collected stuff. China is Already Becoming Too expensive to Build stuff there and Companies Like Apple Are Setting up huge buildings sites in India. Lol You Think China Is Bad Wait until everything is Made in India or Some Shithole in Africa since All these companies are looking for places that they can set up shop Have people Work for ten cents a day and Countries that Have Little or No Regulations so they Can save Money on whatever Waste their factory makes since they can just dump it outside or in a river in places like India or parts of Africa.
Funny thing about these? They use a ton of cloned or perhaps factory second Honda parts. I was looking at one as a weekend toy, and research provided some info, cheap, very, but there's plenty of Chinese Honda clones (predator 212 being well known) and most work decent
I bought one used 1 year old 1 week ago w 500 miles . I love it. Wanted too get back into riding mostly off road after 26 years of not riding . I wasn’t sure if I was going to like riding again . So didn’t want a huge outlay. And everything used enduro dual sport 250 cc was starting $3500 . Can’t go wrong at this price point
Since you are a nube let me explain. The motorcycle manufacturers have ALLWAYS played fast and loose with actual displacement versus claimed displacement. Often they are not very close like yours 229 vrs. 250. THE WORST example that I know of was my 2006 Kymico 200cc schooter which had an actual displacement of 156cc. The only manufacturer that I know that doesn't do this is Harley Davdson.
Funny thing is, this might actually be one of the best disaster/bug out bike options. It's cheap and disposable, efi, electric start and kickstart, simple maintenance and repairs - and its own hidden tool kit lol, has headlight cutout stock and a very big fuel tank for a small dual sport. Hmmmm....
My brother got one last year, and it's a great little dualsport. I spent a little more and got the Lifan KPX 250. Both are dependable, and we have a blast on the Hatfield and Mccoy trails with no problems.
I had the base model, not a bad bike at all I also have done tons of reviews on the hawk. One guy has over 6,000 miles on one since he bought it. The engine is super reliable.
I bought my Hawk last year and absolutely love it! My buddy who only rided Honda's took it out as soon as we finished putting it together and was absolutely amazed! Kicking himself he just spent 6k on a used Honda Dirt bike when he said this was much more fun to ride! I'm a big guy and it fits me perfectly and has plenty of power! I got my liscense last summer and my Hawk has been a perfect starter bike for me!
From a Mechanic's perspective. The Hawk 250 is a $1,500-$2,200 (depending on model) lookup Hawk 250 Enduro 10,000 review 15,00 mile review. People who actually know how to maintain, prep the bike and keep it in good shape. I had a 2008 Tao Tao Titan 150, Made it 8,400 ish miles. 2 grand for a known to be reliable Enduro. Sure made in China, so is my Holzfforma G660 that redlines at 15.6 K it's modified 106cc engine produces 8.4 HP. That beats my Husqvarna 372 XP, 592 XP, and my Stihl 027 super. And if your worried about a part failing/breaking on you. Just order Aftermarket Performance Parts. I haven't owned a Hawk myself, only ridden on one a couple of times.
I actually gotta say your wrong when you said there is no used market... there is and they normally sell for more than they are new. At least from what I've seen online and how they sell. Mostly because the "kinks" have been worked out and the bike being assembled.
I have the higher class version of this bike. The CSC TT250. I use and abuse this bike on the trails. I have dropped it down hills, on rocks, and revved it out hard going up hill. The only complaint I have is the weight. All steel makes it a bit heavy. That is the only thing I don't like, otherwise this type of bike is great. Had mine since 2019.
If price is the biggest consideration, then yah, for a brand new Dual Sport as your 1st bike, here you go. I would suggest the TW200 for your 1st NEW Dual Sport if the price does not scare you away. As an experienced rider however, I prefer the KLX250. :)
Just bought my 4th “Cheap Chinese Moto en Paraguay” the Kenton Dakar 200. We have found them to be quite reliable over the long term - the Kenton GL 150 I bought in 2016 now has more than 20,000 miles on it as a daily driver since 2018. For the commuting that Paraguayans do they’re great. I’ve taken the GL 150 on longer trips wide open for hours. No problems except for when I broke the rear rack on a dirt road and had to find a welder one town back. Kenton claims 9001 certification at the factory and the quality control is pretty good but I have found some obvious design and assembly flaws. Even when you crash the bike does really well. You might not do well but the bike slides no problem.
Most bike manufactures round up regarding engine cc for marketing purposes. On one of my Italian bikes, the actual displacement is 1064cc but the graphics scheme shows it as an 1100. They could have called it a 1050 which would have been more honest but I'm sure someone decided 1100 would sell more bikes. Doubt any bike manufacturer out there uses actual displacement for marketing and graphics. Otherwise most would sound weird and random. Ducati sometimes rounds closer to the actual engine displacement but even then they'll round to numbers that graphically look better.
Almost no motorcycle on the market from any manufacturer will have the exact displacement of the model name. Try defeating that ignition shield with a magnet, just put one over that hex socket and try flipping it open. A lot of the "features" covered are standard on any bike, and not exactly selling points. That rear swing arm is standard on most bikes.
I live in California where Amazon will not ship the HAWK, so I've just been watching YT videos. I'm intrigued with just how popular these are around the world. I saw there are entire HAWK riding clubs in the Philippines, and so on. It almost looks like HAWK is the new Harley Davidson ; the bike everybody loves to work on because it's quirky and that is appealing to some. I think the Headlight Off is pretty cool if you're in the woods and want to ride low profile for whatever reason.
While I must admit I haven’t bought or rode a dirt-bike in a decade... when I did Honda’s were the very best, most reliable, absolutely bulletproof dirt bike ever. They were easy to start, performed remarkably, and held together through the roughest treatment imaginable.
I can’t tell you how ridiculous it is that I would struggle to pay less for a ~midrange road *bicycle* nowadays. And, it’s not as if those aren’t almost always entirely made in China also 🤦♂️
Haha yeah I have a road bike thats 1600$ myself... I was a bike mechanic and have worked on a 10,000 bike. Theres a lot of doctors in my area that own 5k+ bikes and barely ever use them...
The first time I saw a Chinese DS was in Paris. It had all the modern design elements like: rising rate linkage, USD forks and plastic fenders. It didn't have any manufactures stickers on brakes or suspension and the finish wasn't what one would expect on an established marque. That engine size might be clue to origins - TT225. I saw a MASH bike with Honda bottom and Rotax top end design.
The number used in a model's designation is generally the displacement 'class' that the motorcycle fits into, it is rarely an indication of the motor's true displacement and has been that way since the dawn of motorcycling so no, 'DLX 250' is NOT false advertising.
The importer is Ricky Power Sports and finally they actually got the model an epa certification, its listed on the epa website, Chongqing Haosen Motorcycle Co., Ltd. is the manufacturer and Chongqing Liyang Jiayu Motorcycle Co., Ltd. makes the engine.
Really.... $2,000 would have purchased an AWESOME used Honda. And the Honda will still be running years after you give up looking for this things parts.
@@saltyfloridaman7163 - The only thing I’m sure about is that I’m not sure about much. I like Honda motorcycles, they are excellent machines. Beyond that… Dunno. 👍🏼😎
I like these bikes. Inexpensive, cool looks, and they run right out of the box! Assembling the thing is a great way to familiarize yourself with the machine. Fun stuff, I'm 60yrs., ridden everything raining or sunny; (MI.?) and I'm buying one! Thanks for sharing, J
Seems all bikes are labeled 125, 250 350, 450, 600, 650 as an approx. size category so a buyer can tell if it is close to fitting the rider. All my bikes and 4 wheelers are marked with the engine size lower than the actual model or label I should say. Just seems a little less confusing, after all a few CC's don't really make a lot of difference for an average rider.
Not bad for the money, but stay away from using that hokey key. The plastic cogs on the key head will definitely get worn down. If it won't open the little doorway to the keyhole, then you are not going anywhere til you bring the spare key.
This to people who have never rode a motorcycle on the street. I would suggest these to both learn to ride on the street and to find out if you even want to ride on the street on a motorcycle. You are naked out there on the street and nothing between you and the 4 thousand pound car next to you. I have see so many motorcycles sitting in people garage never being rode. And to tie up 5 grand into a motorcycle and then never ride it is a crime. But 2000 dollars isn't near as bad. So for a beginners bike I would recommend it.
The headline is a bit bogus. If you take a country like India, motorcycles are everywhere, 20 million a year sales Hero was tied to Honda for a long time. Hero sponsors a golf tourney in the US, planned to offer products but never did. The US is an anomoly because Japanese companies maintain high margins with little low end competition. A motorcycle is maybe $1000 US in India. Watch a video from, say, Taiwan and cycles are everywhere. Big question is whether Gen Z will embrace motorcycles, maybe the faster ebikes, in a big way since they face real economic challenges. I've built 4 ebikes and the quality of Chinese motors (they are almost all Chinese) is always improving. This channel is casual, low key, quite informative.
When I was in India nobody rode with their headlight on during the day (I think it was like that in Nepal as well). In India constantly had people reminding me my headlight was on! POssibly they don't ride with headlights on in China as well.
Millions of these are sold all over the world. They are very popular in Latin America and the Caribbean especially. Do a little research even if just on RU-vid and you will find thousands of happy owners who appreciate its low cost and understand that it will require additional maintenance and attention beyond what a full cost Honda or Yamaha would. There are Japanese origins in the copyright not respected origins in most all major parts of the bike. Its a Chinese Tao Tao.
i wouldnt say 250 is false advertisement. this is common with all manufacturers. 229cc being called a 250 is a little more than most but not surprising even if it was name brand. the old honda atc 200 3 wheelers for example were actually 192cc. I do however think 230 would be a more appropriate graphic for this bike but 250 sells better.
I paid 1200 for mine shipped to my house ragged it out for about 2 years never had a problem with it and I absolutely ragged it like I did not care about the bike at all
The cheesy thin wall bar stock with a couple bends in it looking rear swing arm is also industry standard even name brands. atleast it has been for the last 20 years
Would it be possible for someone to look at the Manufacturer Certificate of Origin and see if a horsepower rating is listed?. Most MCOs I have seen for street bikes do. Reason I ask is I am a bit curious because of how Amazon lists the horsepower as: "Max Horsepower: 11.5/7000 Kw/r/m" These Honda CG engine clones do make very modest power, but 11.5 seems way low. I suspect it actually is 11.5 kilowatts which is a tick over 15 bhp. Thanks for the good work and I look forward to more videos on this.
You should get a CSCTT250 to compare it to. Same price, comes from an actual company with very good customer service (as opposed to random garbage Amazon seller). Probably similar build, but maybe better, the CSC is built by Zongshen.
Funny how you got a lemon while others got good bikes with little issues. A duo sport is not a good first bike. There is no 250cc that is exactly 250cc. The Suzuki GSX250R comes close at 248cc. Just as 300cc are never truly 300cc. They range from 268cc- 270cc- 286cc-293cc. In order for them to be classified as a 250 or 300cc they need to meet certain standards.
