BlakShadow
The Masshole
Yes, I know I just got my Shadow ACE 1100, but I've also been pondering a dual sport for a while. I admit it, I'm afraid of the dirt, mainly because all of my spills so far have been in dirt. I've since learned to use less front and more rear brake in such conditions, but it doesn't make the fear go away. What better way to get over it than to try a bike made for such conditions and go for it?
The problem is that even used dual sports are pretty pricey where I live - at least $3000, regardless of make, model, age, or mileage. That's as much or more than I paid for my Shadow. I can't afford to spend that much again on a beater bike, especially when a few dollars more can buy me a new one (which I also can't afford).
Then I came across the Hawk 250. It's basically a Chinese ripoff of the Honda CRF250L. Now I know, general consensus seems to be that Chinese bikes are shit. But then I look at a price tag of just over $1300 from many sites. That's a fraction of what I can find a used dual sport for, on a NEW bike!
Sure, I wouldn't expect Japanese quality, but for the price, it's mighty tempting. I have a number of Chinese ham radios, and while they're not quite as well made or easy to use as the mainstream Japanese brands, they all work fine, and cost far less. Then again, I don't throw my ham radios down dirt roads and trails, either.
What do you think?
The problem is that even used dual sports are pretty pricey where I live - at least $3000, regardless of make, model, age, or mileage. That's as much or more than I paid for my Shadow. I can't afford to spend that much again on a beater bike, especially when a few dollars more can buy me a new one (which I also can't afford).
Then I came across the Hawk 250. It's basically a Chinese ripoff of the Honda CRF250L. Now I know, general consensus seems to be that Chinese bikes are shit. But then I look at a price tag of just over $1300 from many sites. That's a fraction of what I can find a used dual sport for, on a NEW bike!
Sure, I wouldn't expect Japanese quality, but for the price, it's mighty tempting. I have a number of Chinese ham radios, and while they're not quite as well made or easy to use as the mainstream Japanese brands, they all work fine, and cost far less. Then again, I don't throw my ham radios down dirt roads and trails, either.
What do you think?
