Bought the XPro Templar X250
 

For anyone considering buying who wants a closer look. First impressions, I think the quality of these versus the Hawk 250 platform seems fantastic. A shame this 6-speed Zongshen engine does not have a kick start as I've enjoyed that on the TT250.

Delivery was interesting. It was very quick to show up (ordered April 9th Sun, arrived April 13th Thurs) and did not require me to be home to accept delivery, which came as a surprise because the shipper did not communicate their intent, but it worked out perfectly.

https://i.ibb.co/hDbrXBM/New-X250-Pics-1.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/0DWYXGm/New-X250-Pics-2.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/rbgLNvz/New-X250-Pics-3.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/5Bsqh70/New-X250-Pics-4.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/MRMyGh4/New-X250-Pics-5.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/NTmZ6Js/New-X250-Pics-6.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/zSPMD3v/New-X250-Pics-7.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/NyVjZ1g/New-X250-Pics-8.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/0JvrNhT/New-X250-Pics-9.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/XJvc5cS/New-X250-Pics-10.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/FgzjZ1f/New-X250-Pics-11.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/RHXPnFD/New-X250-Pics-12.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/F0rqtKj/New-X250-Pics-13.jpg

Congratulations, Those are really sharp looking bikes.

Who did you purchase it from?

Amazon seemed a safe bet, and 0% financing made it possible sooner rather than later.

Those keys are really something.

https://i.ibb.co/SrymgxY/x250profile...andnew14-1.jpg

a lot like Honda 4 wheeler keys

OOOoooo. Fully adjustable suspension on an enduro platform with a ZS172FMM 20hp engine.

You will be pleased ;)

Nice Blue bike :tup:

Don't worry. You won't need a kick start. You might want to get a replacement battery at end of season (80 CCA battery). Check the Resource Guide for info...

you can't deny the templars are nice looking bikes!

https://i.ibb.co/qnX3TZP/tx250-1.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/9bMDBYn/tx250-2.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/4WqW4d8/tx250-3.jpg

Today was the first ride on the TX250, and I feel like I've discovered the meaning of life. This feels like it's a great height seat for me (I'm 5'8", plus I wear MX-style boots), but wouldn't want an inch more. Ground clearance is amazing and it has some real power! Even when you're in sixth gear it doesn't feel gutless.

But importantly, it feels like a true dirt bike. All I knew was the TT250 up until this point, and this really makes that feel like a scooter. The sound of it idling is a really nice rumble and I'm in love.

I did receive the MCO that said OFF ROAD MOTORCYCLE but they're sending me a replacement that'll allow me to register it hassle-free. Nevada's cool enough to let you plate real dirtbikes if you get them inspected by a dealer or mechanic, but I'm fine choosing the simple route.

I did not adjust valves and perhaps that is why the idle sometimes is really high, sometimes low enough to stall. Tried adjusting the idle screw up a good ways and down a good ways, but it's just inconsistent. I did have to reroute the throttle cable a bit to stop it from getting tugged when turning right.

seems like the best bang for the buck!

There a few things to check for this issue:

1. Definitely take the time to set the valve clearance:
https://www.chinariders.net/showpost...4&postcount=23

2. Remove the carb and rejet it
https://www.chinariders.net/showpost...59&postcount=4

3. When you remove the carb to rejet (and drill the airscrew-4. below), remove the intake plenum/"manifold". It probably has no gasket. There is a compatible gasket someone found (I am not sure where this is posted). I will look for it, It should be in the Templar X resource thread!

4. When you have the carb out, also drill out the airscrew cover. It is a flat round plate on the right side just above float bowl seam height, behind the slide height screw (the idle adjust screw). Try a clockwise adjustment on the airscrew once you have uncovered it (enriches when you turn clockwise). Anywhere between half turn and two turns might be right-mine is at ~3/4 turn.

Getting the carb sealed up against the head, and jet properly with airmix adjusted, and getting the valves at ~0.0015 to 0.002" will make a huge difference in how stable and responsive this engine idles and runs!

Also, change the oil immediately if you haven't already. The original oil is probably substandard. Some people call it "shipping oil". Rotella T4 10w-40 is one option (Walmart has it). ~1.1 quart

Thanks Thumper. I did at least change out the shipping oil before even starting the bike. I'm hoping to not have to learn to work on a carb in the near future. And on that note, I commuted today (26 miles round-trip) on the Templar X aka CB250F. The idle remained consistent!

Shifting up still likes to be difficult at times, a big deal on the road since you quickly get into 6th gear, but I assume this should improve as the miles increase (currently 46). Haven't adjusted valves yet, though she does start up effortlessly.

I can't get over how MEAN this thing sounds, and it looks badass, too! The graphics on one side had some big air bubbles that needed popping upon arrival but a small price to pay for a bike that kicks so much ass for so little cash.

Today's adventure
 

https://i.ibb.co/X3K1LPh/Watch-Mod-1.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/8XpxZL3/Watch-Mod-2.jpg
"Watch mod" - Big digits that are SUPER visible outdoors (more so than the gauge cluster)

https://i.ibb.co/Zxnvjws/TX250-1.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/7RgLsh1/TX250-2.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/wpW33qc/TX250-3.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/BqHzFt1/TX250-4.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/wCgCsTK/TX250-5.jpg
Though my pictures look like I was having a tame stroll, I took the X250 on routes that the TT250 would have struggled due to ground clearance and suspension. Absolutely loving this upgrade, feels like a real dirt bike. Of course the first gas station I go to, someone wanted a wheelie. One of these days I'll have to post some video of me having fun out there, since I'm typically recording.

This weekend I've checked a lot of things off the Templar To-Do List. It's at 444 miles.

• valve adjustment # this SUCKS compared to Zongshen's 229cc engine
• oil change
• air filter replaced
  Maxima Racing Oils AFR-2401-00 ProFilter Ready to Use Dual Stage Foam Air Filter, Single, Green + K&N Air Filter Oil
• headlight replaced # hi-beam is lo-beam, but looks like a consistent and concentrated pattern!
  H4 LED Headlight Bulb Motorcycle w/ Angle Eye Daytime Running Light 9003 Hi/Lo Beam 25W 3200LM Custom Chips High Bright 6000K Conversion
• battery replaced

Some pictures:
https://i.ibb.co/XttFHKB/Templar20231029-8.jpg
High beam:
https://i.ibb.co/PD9D83H/Templar20231029-7.jpg
Low beam: (lifts up & splits the beam into 2 beams)
https://i.ibb.co/vYGtM9B/Templar20231029-6.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/DpRy36H/Templar20231029-5.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/YhmvQXZ/Templar20231029-4.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/ckpfgSk/Templar20231029-9.jpg

Interesting bulb. But that high/low thing would bug me. I'd have to pull the plug and swap two wires. So you have a link to the exact bulb you bought? Google bring up multiple choices.

It is the very first result when searching that exact string on Google or DuckDuckGo, or view HERE!

The high-beam and low-beam reversal is just due to an upside down mounting of the light, but I believe the beam just didn't seem to aim as well when right-side up. Either way, I decided to mount it however it would stay in place. Sadly, it still didn't.

The original black plastic ring for the headlight bulb has a broken tab, and the metal one coming with this light does not secure it in the slightest. Purchased a set of 2 plastic LED adapter rings that I'll try out this evening as otherwise I'm not sure how the hell to secure a headlight on the Templar. Bought a set of metal clips intended for motorcycle headlights, but none fit. I can see the appeal of buying an entire replacement LED housing but I hope to make this work.

Thanks for the info on the headlight. I copied and googled the description you posted and sure enough, it showed up an exact match on Amazon. $17.39 after my State tax added. Not bad! I will wrangle with the bulb securing issue later this Winter after my Fall projects are done. I have a head to port as well. Lots to do this Winter!

The Hi/Lo bean button has never made sense to me because neither seems like a high beam :shrug:

I'm happy to have helped, and I was able to secure the light correctly if that gives you hope! Super glue for the metal ring that came with the light because the light kept popping off the ring, then I was able to bend one of the motorcycle headlight clips I bought in a way that would hold the ring in place with light attached (my original clip was previously bent to hell when fitting one of those LED bulbs with the bulky fan in back).

Here is the low and high beam, with correct bulb orientation:
https://i.ibb.co/cY4bhyG/IMG-1760.jpg https://i.ibb.co/f0V3MSX/IMG-1761.jpg

The plastic rings I bought were too small in diameter, so I used nothing but what came with the bulb and then the retaining metal clip which you can likely use the one that originally came on the headlight.

I'd say a clean light output. I have the beam adjusted I believe to almost its lowest but may need to aim it up now; I'll see when i go out into the desert after dark.

Well... alright, I learned some things this evening.

First, about the headlight bulb. I don't have much to compare to, but at least compared to just having a more car-centric LED in there where the light scatters all over the place, the beam pattern is in fact somewhat defined and focused by comparison. But the light is not quite as bright or focused as I'd ideally have; I think it's still limited by that stock housing as there is a lot of light bleed around it. I think the low beam, at least, is enough to be safe and has a clean upper edge that can be aimed right where you want it.

When the high beam activates, you are almost no better off than if you had just shut off the headlight entirely. I do not say this as an exaggeration. Over the long stretch of completely dark, 2-lane road, I was able to detect a hint of a beam somewhere out there... but it was so far up, I'm surprised a UFO did not flash some high beams right back at me. I only could detect a glimmer of the high beam due to a moment of it catching trees in the distance.

The amount you would need to aim your headlight down to compensate, I believe your regular beam would be on the ground at all times. I do wonder if, though it would reverse the hi and lo beams, maybe this type of headlight truly would work better upside down in our Templar headlight assemblies. I'll stick to pondering on that one rather than messing with it further.

Ramblings of an unrelated nature
Let me tell ya that even if you hear gasoline sloshing, and even if your trip meter is only showing 84 miles, if your motor-sicle seems to need a bunch of choke for no reason, starts having electrical issues like the headlight going on and off along with turning on its own high beam, ride your ass to a gas station because the Templar X has NO USABLE RESERVE when you switch that petcock over to it, and no matter how unlikely it seems, YOU ARE OUT OF FUEL!

I may have accidentally cleared the ol' trip meter at some point, and I guess the sloshing may have been more of a light splashing? What I do know is all issues vanished once I walked the motorcycle to the gas station and filled it up. Then I finally went riding around to test the stupid headlight before riding back to the house. Wasn't gonna abort this mission just because I fell for the old, "It ain't got no gas in it," trick.

https://external-content.duckduckgo....e12&ipo=images

https://i.ibb.co/jgDnJMP/IMG-2021.jpg https://i.ibb.co/3mDnSPR/IMG-2023.jpg

I had a couple fantastic rides today. First was on the Templar where I am now on a sprocket and chain combination that feels like a Goldilocks setup for my street cruising and desert thumping needs: 14 tooth front, 42 tooth rear, x-ring chain. Previous setup was 13t front, 42t rear, with an o-ring chain.

It was a very cool day but warming up was quick once I got to the fun stuff. I pondered how fortunate I am to be out riding comfortably during winter.

Having a short break at home before switching back to the trusty TT'250' which is still on an o-ring chain, it was jarring to feel the decrease in power output. Can't remember the sprocket sizes but it is geared taller than stock with a common, middle-ground sprocket combo. Topping out at 5th gear on the street and a bonus of some open-throttle bogging from the carb did leave you wanting more. By the time I got into the off road stuff again, though, the motorcycle was well warmed up in its happy habitat, and I started having just as great of a time as I did back before the Templar stole the show.

The suspension really just can't compare, of course, and my stock not-so-knobbies are ready for replacement, but the TT250 still has its benefits. Super quiet by comparison, which can be refreshing when you're looking for a more relaxed or stealthy ride, something not so XTREME! Though they look very similar in dimensions while parked, sitting on the TT250 does feel substantially lower & more maneuverable. I don't even prefer the Seat Concepts seat anymore because it feels too low for me.

In contrast to the Templar, it's a scooter with dirtbike dreams. That kick-starter, though, will always be a great buddy to keep around.

I think I saw a unicycle in your garage in the uncrating pics. Cool :tup:
I just sold mine. Knees aren't as good as they used to be.