New Lifan Street Bike

[wheelbender6]

Lifan plans to import a 200cc street bike to the US.
Though only 200cc, its water cooled and has a compression ratio of 11:1.
The link may not work with any other browser than windows explorer.
https://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles...-ar176656.html

[prismways]

That's a nice looking bike. I still like my small ride. But who knows how I will feel about it in a year. Been eyeing the CSC RC3.

The one thing I like about my bike is that it is small enough where I can park it on the sidewalk like a scooter. Very useful in the congested Boston area.

[prismways]

Interesting:

Vader Dimensions:
71"x30"x41"

Lifan KPR dimensions:
81.1″ x 29.9″ x 43.5″

CSC RZ3 dimensions:
78.74" x 33.46" x 44.02"

The Lifan's dimensions might make me jump ship on the Vader!

[Skin Mechanic]

Originally Posted by prismways

The Lifan's dimensions might make me jump ship on the Vader!

I'd think twice before making the plunge. As the owner of a fully faired sport bike I can say from experience; Removing fairings to do any engine work gets old REALLY fast. The fun part is reinstalling the fairings, especially aligning the bolt holes in the belly pan Another thing to consider is the turning radius. Because the steering assembly is surrounded by fairings, the bike handles like a battleship at lower speeds.

[prismways]

haha. very good points! I will actually try and go to see one in a nearby dealer to see what the actual size is and what it would look if I had to remove the lower fairings.

for now, I am having lots of fun with my Vader!

Originally Posted by Skin Mechanic

I'd think twice before making the plunge. As the owner of a fully faired sport bike I can say from experience; Removing fairings to do any engine work gets old REALLY fast. The fun part is reinstalling the fairings, especially aligning the bolt holes in the belly pan Another thing to consider is the turning radius. Because the steering assembly is surrounded by fairings, the bike handles like a battleship at lower speeds.

[culcune]

Originally Posted by prismways

Interesting:

The Lifan's dimensions might make me jump ship on the Vader!

Originally Posted by Skin Mechanic

I can say from experience; Removing fairings to do any engine work gets old REALLY fast.

American Lifan has a non-fairing version

http://americanlifan.com/motorcycles/kp200/

As far as jumping ship on the Vader, if you want to keep it 'mini' Lifan has that covered, too: 150cc vertical thumper, 5-speed--should out-Grom a Grom!

http://americanlifan.com/motorcycles/kp-mini/

[wheelbender6]

That KP mini appears to have a shorter wheel base than the Kymco Spade, but the KP is lighter and will cost less.

[culcune]

Originally Posted by wheelbender6

That KP mini appears to have a shorter wheel base than the Kymco Spade, but the KP is lighter and will cost less.

I was not aware of the Spade! Looks like they beat Lifan to the US market. Ironically, the Spade looks like the Lifan Pony 100 from a few years back (which was a near-clone of a recent Honda bike, the Honda Ape which was not sold in the US).

[prismways]

I am really liking that non fairing KP200!
6 speed manual. Sounds great!

Originally Posted by culcune

American Lifan has a non-fairing version

http://americanlifan.com/motorcycles/kp200/

As far as jumping ship on the Vader, if you want to keep it 'mini' Lifan has that covered, too: 150cc vertical thumper, 5-speed--should out-Grom a Grom!

http://americanlifan.com/motorcycles/kp-mini/

[wheelbender6]

They are selling the new 200cc Lifan bikes on my local craigslist in Houston.
"2017 AMERICAN LIFAN BRAND NEW! FINANCE BAD/NO CREDIT APPROVE $499 DOWN - $2695 (HOUSTON) "
https://houston.craigslist.org/mcd/6203522818.html

[culcune]

Great to see someone finally selling them even if the photos are subpar, LOL. They have had their EPA certification for several months now, and more recently have their certification for the mini, and their new 150cc scooter shown once again on their site. Interesting that they chose not to go through with California's CARB certification process since they are headquartered in So. California.