HHH Apollo Thunder 250 DLX RFN Dirt Bike
HHH premium quality products
The Apollo Thunder 250 DLX RFN is a full-size, off-road-only dirt bike built for trail and track riding. It carries a Zongshen 250-class 4-stroke engine, a manual clutch with 5 speeds, 54 mm adjustable inverted forks, an adjustable rear shock, and 13.5" of ground clearance on a double-beam steel frame. At 233 lbs, it's the lightest and most off-road-focused 250 in our lineup.
- 250-class Zongshen air-cooled, single-cylinder 4-stroke (223cc)
- 16.1 hp at 7,000 rpm, 17.5 N·m torque at 5,500 rpm
- PZ28 carburetor, 9.9:1 compression, CDI ignition
- 5-speed manual transmission with clutch, chain drive
- Electric start with kick-start backup
- 54 mm adjustable inverted forks with 200 mm (7.9") travel
- Adjustable rear mono-shock
- Hydraulic disc brakes front and rear
- 80/100-21 front and 100/90-18 rear knobby tires
- 13.5" ground clearance, 35.8" seat height
- DLX headlight for low-light riding
- 233 lbs net weight
- Ships 70% assembled, with free shipping, liftgate, residential delivery, insurance and a delivery appointment included
Zongshen 250 Engine and PZ28 Carburetor
The Thunder is sold as a 250. Its Zongshen single-cylinder engine displaces 223cc, with a 65.5 × 66.2 mm bore and stroke. A 9.9:1 compression ratio, higher than the 9.0:1 found in most budget 250-class dirt bikes, helps it make 16.1 hp at 7,000 rpm and 17.5 N·m at 5,500 rpm. The result is a crisp engine that likes to rev, with enough mid-range torque to lug up loose climbs in second gear.
A PZ28 carburetor feeds the engine. It's a widely used, easy-to-tune carb, so jets, parts and upgrade guides are everywhere. For a bike that sits between rides:
- Run it on fresh fuel.
- Turn off the petcock after riding.
- Drain the float bowl before storing it for more than a few weeks.
Electric start gets you going with a button press. The kick starter is there when the battery is low after a long day at the track.
5-Speed Manual Clutch
The Thunder uses a conventional hand clutch and a 5-speed foot shifter. That's the setup you'll find on every full-size race dirt bike, and it gives you complete control:
- Clutch feathering lets you meter power precisely on technical climbs, roots and rocks.
- Five gears span slow trail crawling through open fire-road speed.
- Chain drive makes gearing easy to change. Swapping sprockets can trade top speed for more low-end pull, or the reverse.
If you're moving up from a semi-automatic pit bike, practice clutch control on flat ground before hitting technical trails.
Adjustable Inverted Forks and Rear Mono-Shock
Suspension is where the Thunder DLX separates itself from entry-level 250s:
- Front: 54 mm adjustable inverted forks with 200 mm (7.9") of travel. Inverted forks put the stiff, large-diameter tubes at the top, near the triple clamps. That reduces flex under hard braking and over jumps, so steering stays precise.
- Rear: an adjustable mono-shock on a swingarm. Adjusting it front and rear lets you tune the ride to your weight and terrain: firmer for jumps and fast whoops, softer for rocky, rooty trails.
With 13.5" of ground clearance, the frame and engine sit high above logs, rock steps and ruts. That's 5 inches more than a typical dual sport.
21"/18" Motocross Wheels and Hydraulic Brakes
The Thunder runs the full-size motocross wheel pattern:
- 21" front with an 80/100 tire: rolls over obstacles and bites into turns.
- 18" rear with a 100/90 knobby: puts traction down on dirt, sand and loam.
Hydraulic disc brakes at both ends deliver strong stopping with one- or two-finger pressure on the lever, and keep consistent feel in mud and water. The rear foot brake gives fine control on steep, loose descents.
Frame, Size and Rider Fit
The double-beam heavy-duty steel frame is built to take repeated jump landings and trail impacts.
- Dimensions: 79" long, 32" wide and 45" tall, on a 52.8" wheelbase.
- Seat height: 35.8". That's full-size motocross height, best suited to adult riders about 5'8" and taller.
- Weight: 233 lbs. Light for its class, so it's easier to throw around in corners and pick up after a spill.
The 1.7-gallon tank is typical of motocross-style bikes. It's plenty for track sessions and shorter trail loops. For long trail days, carry extra fuel or plan a route back to your truck.
Built for Off-Road Only
The Thunder 250 DLX is an off-road motorcycle. It has no turn signals, mirrors, horn or license plate mount, and it is not street legal.
Ride it on private land, designated OHV trails and motocross tracks. Many public OHV areas require a spark arrestor and an off-highway vehicle registration or sticker, so check your state's rules before riding public land.
Thunder 250 DLX vs. Our Dual Sport 250s
| Feature | Apollo Thunder 250 DLX | Hawk X 250 / Eagle 250 |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Off-road trail & track | Trail + street (dual sport) |
| Street-legal equipment | No | Yes (lights, signals, horn) |
| Front suspension | 54 mm adjustable inverted forks | Conventional dual forks |
| Ground clearance | 13.5" | 8.3" |
| Net weight | 233 lbs | 265–280 lbs |
| Power | 16.1 hp | 14.1–16.1 hp |
| Fuel tank | 1.7 gal | 3.7 gal |
| Seat height | 35.8" | 35.4" |
Choose the Thunder for motocross-style riding, jumps and technical trails. Choose a dual sport if you need to ride on the road between trails.
Specifications
| Spec | HHH Apollo Thunder 250 DLX RFN |
|---|---|
| Engine | Zongshen 250-class, 4-stroke, single cylinder, air-cooled (223cc) |
| Bore × stroke | 65.5 × 66.2 mm |
| Compression ratio | 9.9:1 |
| Carburetor | PZ28 |
| Max power | 16.1 hp @ 7,000 rpm |
| Max torque | 17.5 N·m @ 5,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual with clutch |
| Starting / ignition | Electric + kick / CDI |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Front suspension | 54 mm adjustable inverted forks, 200 mm travel |
| Rear suspension | Adjustable mono-shock |
| Brakes | Hydraulic disc front and rear |
| Tires | 80/100-21 front, 100/90-18 rear |
| Fuel capacity | 1.7 gal |
| Seat height | 35.8" |
| Ground clearance | 13.5" |
| Wheelbase | 52.8" |
| Net / gross weight | 233 / 279 lbs |
| Dimensions | 79 x 32 x 45" |
| Crate size | 69.2 x 16.9 x 34.6" |
| Frame | Double-beam heavy-duty steel |
Assembly, Delivery and Warranty
The Thunder ships 70% assembled in a metal crate. Typical remaining assembly includes:
- Handlebar
- Front wheel
- Front fender
- Number plate
A qualified technician should complete final setup, then check:
- Suspension settings for your weight
- Chain slack
- Brake feel
- Tire pressure
- Oil level
Every order includes:
- Free shipping
- Liftgate service
- Residential delivery
- Shipping insurance
- A scheduled delivery appointment
Warranty: 30 days on replacement parts. Labor and returns are not covered.
Apollo Thunder 250 DLX: Questions Answered
Is the Apollo Thunder a real 250?
It's a 250-class dirt bike with a 223cc Zongshen engine, typical for bikes marketed as 250cc. It makes 16.1 hp.
Is it street legal?
No. The Thunder 250 DLX is an off-road motorcycle for private land, OHV trails and tracks.
What does "DLX" mean?
DLX is the deluxe trim. It adds a headlight for low-light riding to the standard Thunder 250's inverted forks and hydraulic brakes.
Who is it for?
Adult riders about 5'8" and taller, intermediate to experienced, who are comfortable with a manual clutch. Beginners should start on a smaller or semi-automatic bike.
Can I adjust the suspension?
Yes. Both the 54 mm inverted forks and the rear mono-shock are adjustable, so you can set the ride for your weight and terrain.
How much fuel does it hold?
1.7 gallons. That's typical for motocross-style bikes, so carry extra fuel on long trail rides.
How much assembly is needed?
It ships 70% assembled. The handlebar, front wheel, fender and plate remain, and a technician should complete setup.