Bike-curious

RK97 · 07-30-2020, 09:42 AM

At the risk of boring everyone, my motorcycle history is:

2nd gen Kawasaki EX500
Honda F2
Honda 600RR
Honda nighthawk
Suzuki katana 750
Honda XR100

I took all but the nighthawk and katana to race tracks, with the F2 and 600RR being designated track-only toys. I out-paced my budget, had a kid, and got the XR100 for kart track mini supermoto racing. Had a second kid, and sold it almost 4 years ago.

Presently shopping chinese bikes as a cheap way to have a little in-town toy that i can also ride on a kart track if i want to be an uncompetitive backmarker.

Apollo DB36 deluxe is what i am leaning toward, primarily due to the 17” wheels, which provide the best tire options. Open to advice on other bikes that can be easily fitted with 17’s

Ride safe.

**JerryHawk250** · 07-30-2020, 10:35 AM

Welcome Aboard! How can anyone be bored when it's all about motorcycles. lol
I have the Venom X22R 250. One of the main things l liked about it was that parts like pistons, cams, cylinders and heads for the CRF230F will swap right over to it. I'm getting ready to pre-order the New 2020 Venom Ghost 250 which uses the same engine. Another bike would be the MotoMax 250 sold by Peace Sports Atlanta. Only problem i see right now is fining anything in stock on most of these bikes.

culcune · 07-30-2020, 08:39 PM

The Apollo would probably suit your intended use. The Motomax 250 would as well, and you could probably get away running the stock tires. But, how tight is the go-kart track. I am thinking more minis. Lifan's KP Mini has a 150cc engine, and there are photos of them race-prepped and stripped of their street equipment on slicks if one of the dual-sports is too large.

RK97 · 07-31-2020, 12:16 PM

Moto Max 250 is also on my list, but costs a bit more than the Apollo can be found.

A heavy 250 will be sloth-like on the kart track, but I’m not planning to race it, or be competitive if i do. I have raced XR/CRF 100’s at Circleville raceway park (CRP) and at the “Wilson circuit” at Pittsburgh ‘international’ raceway.

CRP is cheaper, but PIRC is closer, and it’s a faster track, so better suited for more than 100cc power.

That said, the 100s are good for over 50 mph top speed there, with proper gearing. The Chinese 250’s are heavy and underpowered... but i would pay $1200-$1600 for a race ready older CRF100. A few hundred more for a street legal brand new China ride seems very worth it to me.

RK97 · 08-03-2020, 05:17 PM

...now looking hard at the Tao hellcat. I can street it and also
Race it in the stock grom class.

It’s cheaper, and will fit in my garage easily. Searching where i can buy online...

**JerryHawk250** · 08-03-2020, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RK97

...now looking hard at the Tao hellcat. I can street it and also
Race it in the stock grom class.

It’s cheaper, and will fit in my garage easily. Searching where i can buy online...

It's about the same everywhere. You might find a small mom and pop place that might have one or two in stock. But If you have to wait i would look at the Venom X21RX. It has most of the upgrades such as carb plug and CDI. Plus it does come with a one year bumper to bumper warranty that will get honored. These guys are top notch in my book. The bike will be delivered to your door and will come with MCO and bill of sale so no waiting. I was able to register my last bike the next day. https://www.venommotorsportsusa.com/...=9847926095916

RK97 · 08-03-2020, 06:34 PM

Well, i found a website that claims to have them in stock. $1300 to my door, with lift-gate fee, etc. i found it elsewhere for less, but on 8-week backorder...

So now, i wait.

RK97 · 08-04-2020, 10:31 AM

Well shit...

Customer service from saferwholesale (despite the questionable reviews) was very responsive, and told me Tao is moving 3 factories right now. They are not expected to have inventory in stock until 2021.

RK97 · 08-04-2020, 10:31 AM

They cancelled my order. Never charged my card.

f15sim · 08-04-2020, 05:04 PM

Well that certainly explains the lack of Tao Motors product in the US. Makes one wonder why they had to move three factories though.

g.

Murdabenne · 08-05-2020, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f15sim

Makes one wonder why they had to move three factories though.

Lots of flooding in the region. That big dam may require more flood plain, so the government is forcing entire towns to move.

f15sim · 08-06-2020, 09:43 AM

Ugh. Well that sucks.

g.

RK97 · 09-16-2020, 12:45 PM

Update: I went and found a $1300 SV650 race bike. That’s in the garage, and just needs brakes bled and rear wheel aligned to ride this Saturday at Nelson Ledges

...and i just impulse ordered a Boom Vader on amazon, in stock. Should arrive 10/2.

f15sim · 09-16-2020, 01:09 PM

Got a link to the Amazon page for that Boom Vader? The only thing I've seen is Lifan KP Minis...

tnx.

g.

RK97 · 09-22-2020, 02:27 PM

It’s here. I believe i ordered it 9/8.

07-30-2020, 09:42 AM	#1
RK97 Join Date: Jul 2020 Posts: 42	Bike-curious At the risk of boring everyone, my motorcycle history is: 2nd gen Kawasaki EX500 Honda F2 Honda 600RR Honda nighthawk Suzuki katana 750 Honda XR100 I took all but the nighthawk and katana to race tracks, with the F2 and 600RR being designated track-only toys. I out-paced my budget, had a kid, and got the XR100 for kart track mini supermoto racing. Had a second kid, and sold it almost 4 years ago. Presently shopping chinese bikes as a cheap way to have a little in-town toy that i can also ride on a kart track if i want to be an uncompetitive backmarker. Apollo DB36 deluxe is what i am leaning toward, primarily due to the 17” wheels, which provide the best tire options. Open to advice on other bikes that can be easily fitted with 17’s Ride safe.
	1

07-30-2020, 10:35 AM	#2
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,552	Welcome Aboard! How can anyone be bored when it's all about motorcycles. lol I have the Venom X22R 250. One of the main things l liked about it was that parts like pistons, cams, cylinders and heads for the CRF230F will swap right over to it. I'm getting ready to pre-order the New 2020 Venom Ghost 250 which uses the same engine. Another bike would be the MotoMax 250 sold by Peace Sports Atlanta. Only problem i see right now is fining anything in stock on most of these bikes. __________________ 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 Last edited by JerryHawk250; 07-30-2020 at 11:11 AM.
	1

07-30-2020, 08:39 PM	#3
culcune Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yuma, Arizona Posts: 9,035	The Apollo would probably suit your intended use. The Motomax 250 would as well, and you could probably get away running the stock tires. But, how tight is the go-kart track. I am thinking more minis. Lifan's KP Mini has a 150cc engine, and there are photos of them race-prepped and stripped of their street equipment on slicks if one of the dual-sports is too large. __________________ "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
	0

08-04-2020, 05:04 PM	#10
f15sim Join Date: May 2020 Location: Graham, WA Posts: 118	Well that certainly explains the lack of Tao Motors product in the US. Makes one wonder why they had to move three factories though. g. __________________ Proud owner of 80-0007. https://www.f15sim.com - The only one of its kind.
	0

08-06-2020, 09:43 AM	#12
f15sim Join Date: May 2020 Location: Graham, WA Posts: 118	Ugh. Well that sucks. g. __________________ Proud owner of 80-0007. https://www.f15sim.com - The only one of its kind.
	0

07-31-2020, 12:16 PM	#4
RK97 Join Date: Jul 2020 Posts: 42	Moto Max 250 is also on my list, but costs a bit more than the Apollo can be found. A heavy 250 will be sloth-like on the kart track, but I’m not planning to race it, or be competitive if i do. I have raced XR/CRF 100’s at Circleville raceway park (CRP) and at the “Wilson circuit” at Pittsburgh ‘international’ raceway. CRP is cheaper, but PIRC is closer, and it’s a faster track, so better suited for more than 100cc power. That said, the 100s are good for over 50 mph top speed there, with proper gearing. The Chinese 250’s are heavy and underpowered... but i would pay $1200-$1600 for a race ready older CRF100. A few hundred more for a street legal brand new China ride seems very worth it to me.
	0

08-03-2020, 05:17 PM	#5
RK97 Join Date: Jul 2020 Posts: 42	...now looking hard at the Tao hellcat. I can street it and also Race it in the stock grom class. It’s cheaper, and will fit in my garage easily. Searching where i can buy online...
	0

08-03-2020, 06:34 PM	#7
RK97 Join Date: Jul 2020 Posts: 42	Well, i found a website that claims to have them in stock. $1300 to my door, with lift-gate fee, etc. i found it elsewhere for less, but on 8-week backorder... So now, i wait.
	0

08-04-2020, 10:31 AM	#8
RK97 Join Date: Jul 2020 Posts: 42	Well shit... Customer service from saferwholesale (despite the questionable reviews) was very responsive, and told me Tao is moving 3 factories right now. They are not expected to have inventory in stock until 2021.
	0

09-16-2020, 12:45 PM	#13
RK97 Join Date: Jul 2020 Posts: 42	Update: I went and found a $1300 SV650 race bike. That’s in the garage, and just needs brakes bled and rear wheel aligned to ride this Saturday at Nelson Ledges ...and i just impulse ordered a Boom Vader on amazon, in stock. Should arrive 10/2.
	2

09-16-2020, 01:09 PM	#14
f15sim Join Date: May 2020 Location: Graham, WA Posts: 118	Got a link to the Amazon page for that Boom Vader? The only thing I've seen is Lifan KP Minis... tnx. g. __________________ Proud owner of 80-0007. https://www.f15sim.com - The only one of its kind.
	0

09-22-2020, 02:27 PM	#15
RK97 Join Date: Jul 2020 Posts: 42	It’s here. I believe i ordered it 9/8.
	0