What is the best epa/dot approved china dualsport?

silverman1 · 10-05-2007, 11:46 AM

A while back i was considering the american lifan gy-5, but i have recently read some information on a 250 cc HI-BIRD dualsport, that comes in at 100.00 dollars less shipped, plus you get a little more omph for your cash, Does anyone know if the engine is counterbalanced? What has been anyones experience with parts availability. From what i understand parts are fairly easy to get for the gy-5, and it has a conterbalanced engine. I would appreciate any information!

culcune · 10-05-2007, 11:56 AM

I would lean towards the GY-5, but if you have a little more money to spend, the new Qlink XF200 looks like a winner, although its a motard. I would consider the Jetmoto, too. If you really want a Hi-bird, contact Tom at RPM as he sells them, or used to, and he could give you the ins and outs.

red2003 · 10-05-2007, 11:58 AM

That's a good question. To my knowledge the Lifan is one of the few, if not the only China DS that's EPA/DOT. My Roketa is neither. Not sure on the Hi Birds, but member RPM is a hi-bird dealer. I'm sure he knows. If you are buying off eBay or the like, don't trust what they say. My Roketa was purchased from a liscensed dealer in GA who sold it on eBay clearly marketed as DOT and EPA approved. Luckily Vermont DOT didn't care and tagged it anyway, but I feel like I got lucky.

madmanjustice · 10-05-2007, 01:42 PM

i believe that all the chinese DS and scoots HAVE to be DOT and EPA approved or they cannot sell them in the US. Not all of the Chinese manufacturers are willing to got through the hassle to get the approval so the ones that don't, don't sell to the US.

kczukiman · 10-05-2007, 01:51 PM

I purchased my 250 Hibird from Tim at vbikeusa.If Tom can't help you maybe Tim can..Good Luck

red2003 · 10-05-2007, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmanjustice

i believe that all the chinese DS and scoots HAVE to be DOT and EPA approved or they cannot sell them in the US. Not all of the Chinese manufacturers are willing to got through the hassle to get the approval so the ones that don't, don't sell to the US.

Nope. You can go right to the epa website and search for approved vehicles. Roketa is no where to be found. These bikes come over in huge shipping containers and never even get opened until they get drop shipped to your door step. The DOT has no idea what's in the crates. DOT/EPA vehicles are clearly marked "DOT/EPA approved" on the frame. No such markings on my bike.

Q · 10-05-2007, 03:21 PM

Here in Oregon one would not be able to license a bike without the EPA certificate. I don't know about other states. This is what the certificate looks like.

Q

buymore · 10-05-2007, 04:20 PM

Did you check for the name GOLDENVALE for Roketa? Goldenvale is the importing compnay on my paperwork and mine has an Ohio Approval.

mazotto · 10-05-2007, 06:46 PM

My brother and I bought 2 Roketa's in California a few months ago. Put them together, regsitered them in Northern California and are enjoying every minute ridding them. They came out of the crate DOT, EPA and C.A.R.B approved. We ride them around town and off road. What a deal and what a bike for the money.

ejcycles · 10-06-2007, 09:31 AM

Hi silverman1
HiBird does not have a counter balanced engine. Tom @ RPM is was not really a Dealer for HiBird he just got them in from a distributor he deals with. Roketa... Good luck getting any parts from them. American Lifan has the only counter balanced 200cc engine out there and has the True American Warranty.

justinkr58 · 01-10-2008, 03:32 AM

I asked VBIKEUSA personally on ebay for the 250cc they are selling and Tim said the motor is balanced , it he wrong?

ejcycles · 01-10-2008, 07:30 AM

I would like to see this!

justinkr58 · 01-10-2008, 03:18 PM

if you look at the pics close you can see that it is an OHC motor but I dont know if that means it is balanced.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...189883318&rd=1

also that exhaust looks aluminium and a lot better than the one on the 200cc bikes.

katoranger · 01-10-2008, 03:24 PM

I don't see the counter balancer bulge on the lower front of the engine. I don't think the balancer would be a deal breaker for me.

Exhaust does look better.

Allen

pumpkin · 01-10-2008, 04:52 PM

yall think i could put that 250cc engine in a lifan in place of the 200cc?

10-05-2007, 11:46 AM	#1
silverman1 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 42	What is the best epa/dot approved china dualsport? A while back i was considering the american lifan gy-5, but i have recently read some information on a 250 cc HI-BIRD dualsport, that comes in at 100.00 dollars less shipped, plus you get a little more omph for your cash, Does anyone know if the engine is counterbalanced? What has been anyones experience with parts availability. From what i understand parts are fairly easy to get for the gy-5, and it has a conterbalanced engine. I would appreciate any information!
	0

10-05-2007, 11:56 AM	#2
culcune Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yuma, Arizona Posts: 9,035	I would lean towards the GY-5, but if you have a little more money to spend, the new Qlink XF200 looks like a winner, although its a motard. I would consider the Jetmoto, too. If you really want a Hi-bird, contact Tom at RPM as he sells them, or used to, and he could give you the ins and outs. __________________ "They say that life's a carousel, spinning fast you got to ride it well..." TGB Delivery Scooter 150 TMEC 200 Enduro--carcass is sadly rotting in the backyard
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10-05-2007, 11:58 AM	#3
red2003 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Northern Vermont, USA Posts: 1,230	That's a good question. To my knowledge the Lifan is one of the few, if not the only China DS that's EPA/DOT. My Roketa is neither. Not sure on the Hi Birds, but member RPM is a hi-bird dealer. I'm sure he knows. If you are buying off eBay or the like, don't trust what they say. My Roketa was purchased from a liscensed dealer in GA who sold it on eBay clearly marketed as DOT and EPA approved. Luckily Vermont DOT didn't care and tagged it anyway, but I feel like I got lucky. __________________ First Chinabike: 2006 Roketa RSX200E Current Chinabikes: 2023 Titan DLX & 2022 Lifan KP Mini w/ 210cc BRT kit, 22 RWHP!
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10-05-2007, 01:42 PM	#4
madmanjustice Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 135	i believe that all the chinese DS and scoots HAVE to be DOT and EPA approved or they cannot sell them in the US. Not all of the Chinese manufacturers are willing to got through the hassle to get the approval so the ones that don't, don't sell to the US. __________________ 2005 Roketa rat bike - The Ratketa 1982 Yamaha Maxim 750 The Ratketa Restoration Project The Ratketa Blog
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10-05-2007, 04:20 PM	#8
buymore Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 28	Did you check for the name GOLDENVALE for Roketa? Goldenvale is the importing compnay on my paperwork and mine has an Ohio Approval. __________________ 2007 Roketa DB-05 200 2004 Suzuki Eiger 400 4x4
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10-05-2007, 01:51 PM	#5
kczukiman Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Independence,Missouri Posts: 1,049	I purchased my 250 Hibird from Tim at vbikeusa.If Tom can't help you maybe Tim can..Good Luck
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10-05-2007, 03:21 PM	#7
Q Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bend, Oregon Posts: 348	Here in Oregon one would not be able to license a bike without the EPA certificate. I don't know about other states. This is what the certificate looks like. Q
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10-05-2007, 06:46 PM	#9
mazotto Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 15	EPA DOT approved My brother and I bought 2 Roketa's in California a few months ago. Put them together, regsitered them in Northern California and are enjoying every minute ridding them. They came out of the crate DOT, EPA and C.A.R.B approved. We ride them around town and off road. What a deal and what a bike for the money.
	0

10-06-2007, 09:31 AM	#10
ejcycles Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 11481 State Route 44 Mantua, Ohio 44255 Posts: 1,112	Hi silverman1 HiBird does not have a counter balanced engine. Tom @ RPM is was not really a Dealer for HiBird he just got them in from a distributor he deals with. Roketa... Good luck getting any parts from them. American Lifan has the only counter balanced 200cc engine out there and has the True American Warranty. __________________ Thanks, Bruce @ Endless Journey Cycles "Phone Calls Only" ~330-274-0098~ Hours: Tue.-Fri. 10:00-6:00 Sat. 10:00-4:00 EST. Dealer for: Lifan, Crossrunner ATVs. http://www.endlessjourneycycles.net
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01-10-2008, 03:32 AM	#11
justinkr58 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: mn Posts: 183	I asked VBIKEUSA personally on ebay for the 250cc they are selling and Tim said the motor is balanced , it he wrong?
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01-10-2008, 07:30 AM	#12
ejcycles Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 11481 State Route 44 Mantua, Ohio 44255 Posts: 1,112	I would like to see this! __________________ Thanks, Bruce @ Endless Journey Cycles "Phone Calls Only" ~330-274-0098~ Hours: Tue.-Fri. 10:00-6:00 Sat. 10:00-4:00 EST. Dealer for: Lifan, Crossrunner ATVs. http://www.endlessjourneycycles.net
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01-10-2008, 03:18 PM	#13
justinkr58 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: mn Posts: 183	if you look at the pics close you can see that it is an OHC motor but I dont know if that means it is balanced. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...189883318&rd=1 also that exhaust looks aluminium and a lot better than the one on the 200cc bikes.
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01-10-2008, 03:24 PM	#14
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	I don't see the counter balancer bulge on the lower front of the engine. I don't think the balancer would be a deal breaker for me. Exhaust does look better. Allen __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
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01-10-2008, 04:52 PM	#15
pumpkin Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Westover wv Posts: 443	yall think i could put that 250cc engine in a lifan in place of the 200cc? __________________ 06 american lifan 200 gy-5
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