09-09-2022, 07:16 PM
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#1 |
Join Date: Sep 2022
Posts: 17
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$2k-ish street-legal dual sports with aluminum rims?
Hi all,
I'm shopping for a 250 around $2k or so... I've decided one deal-breaker for me is steel rims. Steel rims make me sad... underpowered bikes spinning up heavier wheels...:( Most of the options around $2000 have black rims. A few are indicated as steel on websites, but most don't mention if they are aluminum or steel... Bikes that intrigue me are: Brozz Recon Templar M or X Hawk DLX Raven 250XL Lifan X-pect 200 The KPX250 looks good, but a few more $ than I'm wanting to spend... Any suggestions which 250s have aluminum rims in my modest price range? Thanks! Joe |
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09-09-2022, 07:26 PM
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#2 |
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Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: De Soto, MO
Posts: 1,871
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X-pect has steel rims, and it ain't no 250 in the power dept neither. The Templar seems to be the current bang-for-buck 250.
Edit: On Amazon it says the Templar X has alloy wheels.
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2021 Lifan Xpect--sold 2022 Lifan KPX 1972 Honda CT90--The Carrot 1969 Honda CT90--The Tomahto Cheesy is the WDK (workplace drama king). Now retired. Nope, back in the saddle. Climate: The Movie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A24fWmNA6lM How our government really works https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjadCd0VRBw Question all authority.....think for yourself |
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09-09-2022, 09:00 PM
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#3 | |
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Join Date: Sep 2022
Posts: 17
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2012 V-Strom 650 Adventure 2022 Lifan KPX250 |
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09-09-2022, 10:06 PM
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#4 | |
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Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: De Soto, MO
Posts: 1,871
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I just bought that Coleman MadDog seat pad, as recommended by Jerry.
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2021 Lifan Xpect--sold 2022 Lifan KPX 1972 Honda CT90--The Carrot 1969 Honda CT90--The Tomahto Cheesy is the WDK (workplace drama king). Now retired. Nope, back in the saddle. Climate: The Movie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A24fWmNA6lM How our government really works https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjadCd0VRBw Question all authority.....think for yourself |
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09-09-2022, 10:24 PM
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#5 | |
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Join Date: Sep 2022
Posts: 17
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Quote:
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2012 V-Strom 650 Adventure 2022 Lifan KPX250 |
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09-10-2022, 08:07 AM
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#6 | |
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Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: De Soto, MO
Posts: 1,871
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Quote:
I got the KPX because Lifan is a top Chinese brand and I trust EFI, which is also basically maintenance-free. The only downside of EFI is that it is harder to adjust the fuel-air ratio from its stock EPA settings to optimum power (14.3:1), which is simple on a carb. For EPA compliance, you tend to get around a 12:1 ratio from the factory, whether carb or EFI.
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2021 Lifan Xpect--sold 2022 Lifan KPX 1972 Honda CT90--The Carrot 1969 Honda CT90--The Tomahto Cheesy is the WDK (workplace drama king). Now retired. Nope, back in the saddle. Climate: The Movie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A24fWmNA6lM How our government really works https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjadCd0VRBw Question all authority.....think for yourself |
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09-30-2022, 03:38 PM
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#7 |
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Join Date: Sep 2022
Posts: 17
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Adding to this thread in case anyone else has the same question in the future...
After searching a while, the only three Chinese 250cc dual sport / enduros I found with aluminum alloy rims were the Templar X, the RBX-250L, and the KPX250. I ordered the Lifan KPX250 from Venom Motorsports, it should arrive next week. Of the three the KPX looks to match what I'm looking for the best. I'm old so seat comfort is important to me, I'll be riding 80% on the street, and I like EFI. I also like that it has a proper oil filter.
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2012 V-Strom 650 Adventure 2022 Lifan KPX250 |
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09-30-2022, 03:54 PM
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#8 | |
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Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Houma, La.
Posts: 11,562
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Quote:
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2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel |
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09-30-2022, 04:13 PM
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#9 |
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Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Central VA
Posts: 1,258
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The Templar X says aluminum wheels but not sure as they are black and look very similar to my former Titan DLX wheels, correct me if I'm wrong though..
Also, the Templar X is fairly comfortable.. ive ridden for hours and whenever my butt is feeling it i can just stand up which is very confortable on the big pegs.. and the seat can be easily worked on to add gel cushioning under the pad for a few bucks. I'm satisfied with it as is since it's not a long distance touring bike but it's an option if ever needed.
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2024 Zuma Storm 150 DLX 2019 Beta 430 RRS 2018 VStrom 1000 XT Former China Bikes: Tao DBX1, Brozz 250, CSC RX4, Titan DLX, Templar X |
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10-01-2022, 08:48 AM
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#11 |
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Join Date: Aug 2022
Posts: 175
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Mine was delivered two days ago and was delivered in perfect condition. They are good about keeping you up to day on the shipping and delivery status. The delivery driver (here in Idaho) said he's delivered quite a few of the crate bikes.
After going through the bike I only found two issues. A cross threaded bolt holding on the plastics and a dead LED turn signal. I ended up having an extra bolt and was able to chase the frame threads. I replaced the turn signals with a smaller set I was planning to install anyway. I changed the oil right away and was going to replace the plug, but its already an NGK and was gapped perfectly. The air filter was bone dry so I sprayed with some foam oil. Going to install an O ring chain this morning then get out and ride this weekend. |
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10-01-2022, 09:19 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 2,323
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10-01-2022, 10:04 AM
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#13 | |
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Join Date: Sep 2022
Posts: 17
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The impression I have is the the Templar X has alloy rims, while the Templar M and Titan have steel wheels. A quick check with a magnet would verify if steel or aluminum... Ultimately I opted for the KPX250 for the probably more comfortable seat, more road focus, EFI, proper oil filter, and Venom's reputation. Whatever improvements I could make to a Templar X seat I can do the the KPX250 seat. I'm in my 60s, and my body hurts. Comfort is important to me. Some people prefer carbs, I prefer EFI. Every other motorcycle I've owned, going back decades, has had a proper oil filter. People on the forum here seem to have uniformly good experiences with Venom, Powersportmax seems to be hit or miss. I'd rather support the better retailer where I can... All this being said, if I had a stricter budget, or planned on riding more trails, etc, I would have opted for the Templar X...
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2012 V-Strom 650 Adventure 2022 Lifan KPX250 Last edited by joefj1200; 10-10-2022 at 09:27 AM. |
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10-02-2022, 11:25 PM
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#14 |
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Join Date: Aug 2022
Posts: 175
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I changed the oil and filter after 7 miles using Motul 15w-50 synthetic blend oil, put on an O ring chain and rode 150 miles this weekend. The seat is as comfortable as I would expect a dual sport seat to be, shifting is nice and smooth, and the chain is still in perfect adjustment. I rode at elevations between 2500 ft to almost 7000 ft and the engine ran flawlessly.
I emailed Venom about a dead turn signal I discovered on Thursday but then followed up to tell them that I decided to replace all four turn signals that I like better so I didn't need a replacement. Tonight I got an email from "Kenny" saying that they were able to find a replacement and are sending it to me anyway. Both the bike and Venom, have been awesome so far. I'm now glad the local dealer I had wanted to buy a Royal Enfield Scram from sucked so bad or I wouldn't have the KPX. |
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