I Think I'm Turning... Chinese?

"Justin Hughes" (justinhughes54)
11/29/2016 at 15:12 • Filed to: two wheels good, hawk 250, chinese bikes

I’ve been pondering trying out a dual sport for a while, but I can’t even find older well used models under $3,000 on Craigslist around here. Then I stumbled across the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , a Chinese bike available for around $1,300 - NEW. There are some hoops to jump through for road registration, but I think I’ve figured out how. I’ve been warned about Chinese quality - namely, the complete lack thereof. But I have a number of Chinese ham radios, and while not quite as well made or easy to use as their Japanese competitors, they’re my everyday workhorses and they do their job well for far less money. I’m thinking the analogy may carry over to the Hawk as well, though I realize I don’t generally throw my ham radios down dirt roads and trails.

The other main concern about Chinese bikes is the lack of support and parts availability. But there seems to be a strong following for the Hawk on the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! forum, and YouTuber !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! has made many how-to videos about maintenance and upgrades. Finally, there seems to be an actual dealer not too far from me, though I may still opt for the mail order route to save money. It arrives in a crate, and final assembly looks to be within my capabilities - and a chance to check every nut and bolt on the thing for tightness, grease the wheel bearings, etc.

Am I crazy? OK, I think we all know the answer to that question is an unequivocal yes, so I’ll rephrase - would it be crazy to pick up one of these for myself? This would be in addition to my Shadow, so if the Hawk breaks down I could still ride. It would definitely fall into the “project bike” category for me, despite being brand new.

DISCUSSION (27)

bob and john > Justin Hughes
11/29/2016 at 15:16

by all means go for it, but the VERY first thing you need to do is buy a whole new braking system (calipers, lines, and master cylinders) every singles cheap dirt bike from china as had one or more fail within the first few months, and the rear calipers are almost always seized.

For Sweden > bob and john
11/29/2016 at 15:17

Seized the means of production you mean

Justin Hughes > bob and john
11/29/2016 at 15:20

Good to know. I’ve heard that the brakes on these bikes aren’t wonderful, but no catastrophic failures, either. I’ll research that, though.

Chasaboo > Justin Hughes
11/29/2016 at 15:30

“Am I crazy?”

Hell yes you are, and apparently you have a death wish.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Justin Hughes
11/29/2016 at 15:35

Just buy three. You’ll get a discount and have parts for the first two times it breaks!

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > For Sweden
11/29/2016 at 15:35

This is better than Oppo deserves.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Justin Hughes
11/29/2016 at 15:36

Warning sign #1: A brick supporting the kickstand? Are you willing to carry a brick with you everywhere you go so your bike doesn’t fall over?

Warning sign #2: I’ve seen thicker axles on a bicycle.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Justin Hughes
11/29/2016 at 15:37

Or you could just come pay me a visit, and take home one of these

http://rockford.craigslist.org/mcy/5870822949.html

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/mcy/5891554668.html

http://rockford.craigslist.org/mcy/5869313066.html

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/5893741867.html

http://southbend.craigslist.org/mcy/5824572341.html

Personally, I vote for either the Honda or the teal KLR with the dope retro graphics. haha

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > bob and john
11/29/2016 at 15:40

THIS!!!!! Brakes typically are the things I see failed on these. Or the seals are leaking on the suspension.

Nonster > Justin Hughes
11/29/2016 at 15:44

I know a guy who bought one recently, but I don’t think he’s on Oppo. I’m copping this from the local FB group

Thought I’d update the group on my TT250 that I ordered this summer. I’ve put about 700 miles on it so far, biggest issue is a carb tuning problem with an intermittent hesitation around 3/4 to wide open throttle. Should be able to work that out though. Gearing is also a little tall for the street but a rear sprocket can fix that. The petcock didn’t work in reserve but a call to CSC had a replacement shipped to me in a couple of days for free.

Beyond that it’s been great and I took it on its first off-road ride at Pike State Forest yesterday. Held up really well including a bit of a crash in the mud with no damage except a bent turn signal mount. Parts are cheap - a full exhaust and new carb can be had for less than $200 which I intend to do soon to liven it up a bit more. Even in stock form I’ve been happy though, fun to ride around town and country roads. Easy to maintain too, valve lash adjustment was straight forward and can be done without removing hardware aside from the valve cover.

Justin Hughes > Nonster
11/29/2016 at 15:47

Carb can be swapped for a Mikuni for under $40. Sprockets are cheap and easy too. It’s tempting.

Justin Hughes > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
11/29/2016 at 15:48

I do like that bright KLR. :)

Nonster > Justin Hughes
11/29/2016 at 15:50

Kinja'd!!!

Found a photo. He doesn’t baby it

Nonster > Justin Hughes
11/29/2016 at 15:53

it is pretty tempting. Especially if you aren’t trying to go ‘round the world and just want something cheap and fun for more local stuff

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Justin Hughes
11/29/2016 at 15:53

And it’s in South Bend, so you could pick up some new tires for the BRZ at Tire Rack while you’re there! ;)

Justin Hughes > Nonster
11/29/2016 at 16:01

Exactly. I’ve got my Shadow ACE 1100 for serious road trips and commuting. This would be just for screwing around.

Justin Hughes > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
11/29/2016 at 16:02

I could use some new tires...

Kinja'd!!!

fintail > Justin Hughes
11/29/2016 at 16:02

I mean, what’s the worst that could happen?

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Justin Hughes
11/29/2016 at 16:03

You could buy my Watanabes with some fairly fresh ZII Star Specs...

Also, think of all the deep dish pizza!!!

BobintheMtns > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
11/29/2016 at 21:30

Very, very true.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Justin Hughes
11/30/2016 at 04:49

DO IT!

DynamicWeight > Justin Hughes
11/30/2016 at 14:16

I am completely against this. A friend of mine that I follow on instagram bought one of these. An SSR 250. Looks exactly the same as the one you linked, down to the graphics. He is constantly writing posts about it breaking down. The latest is a massive oil leak.

Save up for and support quality engineering and manufacturing. You will be happier with it in the long run. Don’t participate in a throw away society.

Justin Hughes > DynamicWeight
12/01/2016 at 09:30

Sounds like a poor man’s Harley. *ducks*

DynamicWeight > Justin Hughes
12/01/2016 at 11:24

Sure, but the difference is Harley’s offer a somewhat unique experience that makes fixing them “worth it”. The chinese dirt bike is just a shitty dirt bike.

Justin Hughes > DynamicWeight
12/01/2016 at 11:27

Meh, I don’t know about unique. I ride a metric cruiser (Honda Shadow ACE 1100), and there’s plenty of American cruiser competition (Indian, Victory) these days as well.

Still, I’ve heard plenty of warnings like yours, and I’m listening. That’s partly why I don’t already have a crate in my garage.

DynamicWeight > Justin Hughes
12/01/2016 at 11:37

I had a 750 Shadow ACE for a couple of years, I’ve ridden an 1100. They are fine bikes, but they are not Harley’s. And I hate to say that, but it’s true.

I’m glad you’re listening. For dirt bikes I can’t say enough good things about Honda bikes in general, and the Yamaha WR250R in particular. Go spend your money there, you wont be disappointed.

Justin Hughes > DynamicWeight
12/01/2016 at 11:43

I put 500 miles on a rented Harley in two days, which is what really turned me onto the cruiser thing. They match my more relaxed riding style better than the UJMs and sport tourers I’ve had. No, it’s not the same as a Harley, nor is an Indian or Victory. But it’s a cruiser, which is good enough for me.

I’m a big Honda fan. I’m sad that even a used a CRF250L costs more than my 1995 Shadow. The WR is less since it’s older. Really it comes down to what I can find and afford.