Local Shop sells 2 - Which One to Get?

Christina Rae · 11-06-2023, 07:21 AM

Hello!
Brand new here, and brand new to the sport, so yay me!

I am looking for a dual sport to commute to work mostly. 9 miles each way, on back roads of MA, no faster than 55. With the occasional "Oooh, look at that wicked fun fire road in NH!" Nothing serious. I am not a wrench turner by any means, I hire people to fix stuff for me! My car, my Boat! HA!

I want to get my first bike, but because of family, bills life, my boat and classic car, I need to keep it affordable, which is what attracted me to the China Bikes!

So, there is a motorsports dealer in my area that actually stocks ( meaning, they can always get them) and sells THREE different kinds...the TAO TAO TBR7D and the BMS Enduro, and Vitacci Raven.. I've checked them online and they seem pretty much the same.

They said they upgrade the Carbs and some other parts even before they put them on the showroom.

Yes, I will pay a little more for a fully assembled and checked over bike, but still under 2500! But the piece of mind knowing it was done RIGHT is worth it to me!

Of those two, which one would you recommend and Why?

Thanks!

Thumper · 11-06-2023, 08:59 AM

You are lucky to find a local shop that sells, and therefore will service (!) these Chinese bikes. Lucky! But, I don't think that they are basically the same. Ask them who makes the BMS. Is it Bashan? Those front forks are inverted, which means that they are stiffer and this will be a more stable ride, particularly in the woods, but also at speed on the road.

Maybe ask their opinion. Personally, I suspect that the BMS is a better bike. I bought a TBR7 and we had lots of issues with it. The left footpeg actually fell off the first time I swung a leg over the bike! The snorkel (rubber intake/air filter housing) was glued in crooked, causing a major fold, impeding air flow. The battery was the wrong size, didn't fit, and a couple of other problems. Sold it.

My first Chinese bike was a Bashan Storm. My son rides it now. Very durable and comfortable. It has the inverted front forks.

**JerryHawk250** · 11-06-2023, 10:02 AM

I would go with the BMS Enduro. Bashan make a good quality bike.

McQueen216 · 11-06-2023, 10:22 AM

Neither will do you wrong; they are different bikes built around different engines. The BMS is on a CG250 which is a classic Honda engine design. One I love.
I see the comments from others about reasons to run from / not head to the TBR7, but I have always liked / ❤️ the classic Honda engines (I own three, and just two actual Hondas) and came close to risking my marriage earlier this year when there was a BMS for sale not too far away at a fire sale price.

[EDIT - Shoot. I own three Hondas. I have a frame for a ‘74? Honda CB500 in the back of the garage. No title, so… does that even count?]

Christina Rae · 11-06-2023, 10:28 AM

Thanks for the replys so far! See my updated post. That dealer told me can also get the Vitaccia Raven.

He orders them, Builds them, Tests Them, Upgrades and then sells.

**JerryHawk250** · 11-06-2023, 10:41 AM

The BMS enduro will be the better bike with the USD forks. The Raven has the thin forks like the Hawk.

Christina Rae · 11-06-2023, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

The BMS enduro will be the better bike with the USD forks. The Raven has the thin forks like the Hawk.

I do like the BMS. Good point. They also have KAYO available. Looks like only option there is a T4?? A bit more $$ but very nice looking

**JerryHawk250** · 11-06-2023, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christina Rae

I do like the BMS. Good point. They also have KAYO available. Looks like only option there is a T4?? A bit more $$ but very nice looking

The Kayo is definitely an upgrade and higher quality.

Christina Rae · 11-06-2023, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

The Kayo is definitely an upgrade and higher quality.

are those street legal though? Their website says "Competition Use only"

Christina Rae · 11-06-2023, 01:17 PM

I've pretty much narrowed it down to :

Lifan or BMS
Both are available through dealers near me

Thumper · 11-06-2023, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christina Rae

I've pretty much narrowed it down to :

Lifan or BMS
Both are available through dealers near me

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christina Rae

I do like the BMS. Good point. They also have KAYO available. Looks like only option there is a T4?? A bit more $$ but very nice looking

Yup, the Kayo T4 230 has nice specs, and getting more and more distributors in the USA. SOHC Zongshen 6 speed engine, standard enduro design. Kayo uses good component sources, and dealership support is good to have.

Once you've sat on them (or ridden them) you know that the BMS has a lower comfortable seat and controls are easily accessible, and the T4 is an enduro with a flat high seat (and frame geometry).

Your choice. Don't be afraid of a carburetor. Be afraid of an EFI system failure. Kidding... it is rare

bigdano711 · 11-07-2023, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christina Rae

I've pretty much narrowed it down to :

Lifan or BMS
Both are available through dealers near me

If it helps, I just bought my Hawk 250 in July, and I love it. If I had it to do over again, and a little more money, I would go with the Lifan KPX 250, hands down.

Christina Rae · 11-08-2023, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdano711

If it helps, I just bought my Hawk 250 in July, and I love it. If I had it to do over again, and a little more money, I would go with the Lifan KPX 250, hands down.

Its looking more like its going to be a Lifan. Unless I can pony up a few more dollars and go for the KAYO.

2017hawk250 · 11-06-2023, 02:43 PM

how tall are you? do you have any motorcycle experience? id go sit on a couple of them and see how comfy you feel...

enduro bikes for the most part are pretty tall... im 5'9" and my hawk is a pretty tall bike for me...

Christina Rae · 11-06-2023, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2017hawk250

how tall are you? do you have any motorcycle experience? id go sit on a couple of them and see how comfy you feel...

enduro bikes for the most part are pretty tall... im 5'9" and my hawk is a pretty tall bike fore me...

yea, I need to go and do more of that. I went and saw a kawasaki KLX230 at a local shop, and they told me it would be fine for me. I'm 6 ft 2.

I have zero motorcycle experience. Ok ,maybe not ZERO, I did ride one once when I was kid on my cousins farm...I was maybe 10!

But, I have ridden a few Quads in the day.

11-06-2023, 07:21 AM	#1
Christina Rae Join Date: Nov 2023 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 49	Local Shop sells 3 - Which One to Get? Hello! Brand new here, and brand new to the sport, so yay me! I am looking for a dual sport to commute to work mostly. 9 miles each way, on back roads of MA, no faster than 55. With the occasional "Oooh, look at that wicked fun fire road in NH!" Nothing serious. I am not a wrench turner by any means, I hire people to fix stuff for me! My car, my Boat! HA! I want to get my first bike, but because of family, bills life, my boat and classic car, I need to keep it affordable, which is what attracted me to the China Bikes! So, there is a motorsports dealer in my area that actually stocks ( meaning, they can always get them) and sells THREE different kinds...the TAO TAO TBR7D and the BMS Enduro, and Vitacci Raven.. I've checked them online and they seem pretty much the same. They said they upgrade the Carbs and some other parts even before they put them on the showroom. Yes, I will pay a little more for a fully assembled and checked over bike, but still under 2500! But the piece of mind knowing it was done RIGHT is worth it to me! Of those two, which one would you recommend and Why? Thanks! Last edited by Christina Rae; 11-06-2023 at 10:25 AM.
	0

11-06-2023, 08:59 AM	#2
Thumper Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Kansas City Posts: 2,295	You are lucky to find a local shop that sells, and therefore will service (!) these Chinese bikes. Lucky! But, I don't think that they are basically the same. Ask them who makes the BMS. Is it Bashan? Those front forks are inverted, which means that they are stiffer and this will be a more stable ride, particularly in the woods, but also at speed on the road. Maybe ask their opinion. Personally, I suspect that the BMS is a better bike. I bought a TBR7 and we had lots of issues with it. The left footpeg actually fell off the first time I swung a leg over the bike! The snorkel (rubber intake/air filter housing) was glued in crooked, causing a major fold, impeding air flow. The battery was the wrong size, didn't fit, and a couple of other problems. Sold it. My first Chinese bike was a Bashan Storm. My son rides it now. Very durable and comfortable. It has the inverted front forks. __________________ -2022 5 speed Templar X Orange, OEM 51T rear sprocket, 14T front sprocket -NOS 2020 KTM 250SX (2-stroke motocross), less than 10 hours on it
	1

11-06-2023, 10:02 AM	#3
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,555	I would go with the BMS Enduro. Bashan make a good quality bike. __________________ 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
	1

11-06-2023, 10:22 AM	#4
McQueen216 Join Date: Aug 2022 Posts: 217	Neither will do you wrong; they are different bikes built around different engines. The BMS is on a CG250 which is a classic Honda engine design. One I love. I see the comments from others about reasons to run from / not head to the TBR7, but I have always liked / ❤️ the classic Honda engines (I own three, and just two actual Hondas) and came close to risking my marriage earlier this year when there was a BMS for sale not too far away at a fire sale price. [EDIT - Shoot. I own three Hondas. I have a frame for a ‘74? Honda CB500 in the back of the garage. No title, so… does that even count?] __________________ SYM Wolf Classic 150 - SOLD Triumph T100 SE RE Scram411 Honda CB350 Honda CL450 Tyrion the Pit Bike Last edited by McQueen216; 11-06-2023 at 10:25 AM. Reason: I may own more Hondas than I was previously acknowledging
	1

11-06-2023, 10:41 AM	#6
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,555	The BMS enduro will be the better bike with the USD forks. The Raven has the thin forks like the Hawk. __________________ 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
	1

11-06-2023, 10:28 AM	#5
Christina Rae Join Date: Nov 2023 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 49	Thanks for the replys so far! See my updated post. That dealer told me can also get the Vitaccia Raven. He orders them, Builds them, Tests Them, Upgrades and then sells.
	0

11-06-2023, 01:17 PM	#10
Christina Rae Join Date: Nov 2023 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 49	I've pretty much narrowed it down to : Lifan or BMS Both are available through dealers near me
	3

11-06-2023, 02:43 PM	#14
2017hawk250 Join Date: Sep 2017 Posts: 19	how tall are you? do you have any motorcycle experience? id go sit on a couple of them and see how comfy you feel... enduro bikes for the most part are pretty tall... im 5'9" and my hawk is a pretty tall bike for me...
	0