JerryHawk250's Lifan KPX250

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by lprewitt

Thanks so much for the quick response. Did you have to drill out the inside of the KPX bars to get it to work after the bar weights were removed?

No sir, they were a good tight fit.

[Discoveror]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

For those who just happen to pick up the KPX 250, I entered the bike information on gear commander just in case you decide to swap sprockets. https://www.gearingcommander.com/


The specs state max hp @ 7500 rpm's which I think is low because the bike pulls hard to up around 8500-9000 rpms which was evident as my top speed run so far was 76 mph was at around the 8500 rpm mark.

First gear looks great for off-road i.e. ~2,000 - 4,000 rpm for 5 - 10 mph.


6th gear looks short for sustained highway use i.e. ~6,700 rpm @ 60 mph; that would be really spinnin'.

[Discoveror]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

once on the bike the rear shock has enough sag to where I can almost flat foot it.

Jerry, absent suspension travel and spring rate specs, would you measure the static vs. mounted sag?


Thanks SO much ...

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by Discoveror

Jerry, absent suspension travel and spring rate specs, would you measure the static vs. mounted sag?


Thanks SO much ...

I'll see if i can get you that this week.

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by Discoveror

First gear looks great for off-road i.e. ~2,000 - 4,000 rpm for 5 - 10 mph.


6th gear looks short for sustained highway use i.e. ~6,700 rpm @ 60 mph; that would be really spinnin'.

Some here have opted to using a 39 tooth rear sprocket. I never really planned on using the bike as strictly street bike. It will see more back road and off road riding.

[Discoveror]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

I'll see if i can get you that this week.

thanks SO much, Jerry; you're a prince among paupers!


YouTube offers videos on correctly measuring sag; they seem to consistently agree that static sag (from just the bike's own weight on its suspension) should be ~10% of the suspension travel. With a rider (and ALL gear), sag should be ~30% of the suspension travel. Of course, Lifan specs don't declare front/rear suspension travel, either.



Why do I ask? Many (most?) major motorcycle manufacturers seem to offer VERY soft suspensions (to appeal to new riders?); the Honda CRF300L/Rally is most noted for WAY too soft suspension ... which bottoms out with anyone heavier than a Leprechaun aboard, especially going more than softly over bumps etc. ... and which must be replaced/fitted to rider weight (BIG $bucks$ ... maybe $2,000?) for anyone heavier than said Leprechauns.


In gear (full space suit), I weigh about 220 pounds (6'2", 35" inseam); with any travel gear it could easily reach 250 pounds, I'd guess. Having to re-spring/rebuild a motorcycle suspension changes the total cost of ownership, $CONSIDERABLY$.

[lprewitt]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

No sir, they were a good tight fit.

Well, since I already had the Acerbis hand guards, I decided to install them. Many hours later with trips to hardware store, hand wringing frustration, and some drilling, I finally got them installed. I'll send along some pictures shortly.

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by lprewitt

Well, since I already had the Acerbis hand guards, I decided to install them. Many hours later with trips to hardware store, hand wringing frustration, and some drilling, I finally got them installed. I'll send along some pictures shortly.

I probably would of done the same. If it doesn't fit, you need a bigger hammer.

[lprewitt]

Here our some pictures after the install. Sorry, no video of the install. It would have been ugly.

[JerryHawk250]

Looks good!

[lprewitt]

Now I'm almost ready for the yearly trip to Arizona..... this time with the KPX250. Time for some desert riding.

[Jay93]

Hey guys! I ordered some of the MRELC 7/8” shorty levers for my kpx. Do you guys have any tips for installation? I’ve never installed levers before other then the stock ones. I’m particularly wondering about the brake side as these come with a new reservoir. Do I just unbolt the brake line from the old reservoir and reattach to the new one and fill it with dot4? As always thanks a million for everyone’s help for a noob!

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by Jay93

Hey guys! I ordered some of the MRELC 7/8” shorty levers for my kpx. Do you guys have any tips for installation? I’ve never installed levers before other then the stock ones. I’m particularly wondering about the brake side as these come with a new reservoir. Do I just unbolt the brake line from the old reservoir and reattach to the new one and fill it with dot4? As always thanks a million for everyone’s help for a noob!

That's pretty much it. Just bleed the brake system just to make sure it free of air bubbles. Brake vacuum pump from Harbor Freight works great for bleeding them out.

[JerryHawk250]

Here's my KPX and Hawk comparison video.

[JerryHawk250]

Thanksgiving morning Mod. I installed the wind deflector this morning.