I’m in an argument and I need some information.

[Boatguy]

I have searched the forum and I could not find the answer. But I know that you guys already know this off the top of your head.

What Honda motorcycle from yesteryear is the one the Lifan xpect is cloned from?

Or the Hawk? I’m in an argument and I need some information to help defend our bikes. Ha ha.

It’s one of those typical Chinese bike arguments and I want to explain that many parts are interchangeable. But I don’t remember what Honda bike it is.

[Wild Dog]

The OHV is a clone of the CG engine, that up cc to 150, 175, 200, 230, 250 and "300"

Honda never sold a CG bigger than 125cc. There is a CG 150 but it's OHC and it's actually a cb 150 but they stuck with the CG 150 so people could be familiar with the name, then they changed the name to CG Titan then to just Titan.

The CG 125 was also used in the Honda Bross which was later renamed to Honda Xr 125l. They were superseed by the Honda XR150 which uses the same cb engine. than the Titan.

These motorcycles don't need to be defended, they are what they are a cheap and reliable mean of transportation.
Some of these motorcycles sees more use in a single day than most of the premium overly big motorcycle due the simple fact that they are favoured among deliveries.

[Boatguy]

Thank you!

Unfortunately, the motorcycles do need defending once in a while.

[TominMO]

It's just as valid to buy a vehicle on price as on features, reputation, or quality. If the car you buy is just a grocery-getter and commuter, all you need is something that runs, and has a heater and maybe A/C, which all cars have now anyway. Throw in a radio too. All 90% of people need is a Kia Rio or similar. Most people don't even need a car with towing capacity.

Same with motorcycles. Your interests, tastes, agenda and budget are only your business. Screw the snobs.

[Hunnicutt]

I desperately wanted a KLR300 to start out my journey into dual sport motorcycle riding. The price point was rather high, considering I planned on buying a bike for myself and one for my wife. I can't afford $7,500+ for one, let alone 2! I stumbled across the Hawk 250 with a quick Google search for Chinese motorcycles. I figured there had to be something comparable to the KLR300 at a price I could swallow. When I ran across this forum, I read dang near every post in the Dual Sport section. I learned A LOT and determined the TT250 suited my needs to a T (pun intended). I ended up buying 3 TT250's for the price of 1 KLR300!! I got 3 great motorcycles that fit my criteria, and I joined a supportive community of fellow China Bike Riders!!!

[tknj99]

My son's friend kept referring to our bikes as fake Chinese bikes until he saw my Templar X in person and watched me shoot a roost on him lol

[Thumper]

It seems like the quality issues are up front now for the most part, from quality control and build screwups. Once you get through the shakedown period and replace any bad parts, the Bashan Storm and Zuumav Templars are solid bikes (from experience, just on these bikes).

I can't say the same for the TBR7 we got for my son, which had badly twisted intake, luggage rack that was nearly impossibly misaligned/badly welded, a left foot peg weld that broke off (!) the first time I swung my leg over it, a battery that was about 3/8" too tall for the battery compartment, and a few other less significant issues like an abysmally cheap gear shift lever. What a steaming pile that was. I know others have had better luck with TBR7.

Once all of those problems were fixed, the TBR7 was OK. But we sold it. My son likes the Bashan Storm better. Stiffer frame and front forks (inverted), better looking and it has the Tusk DSport rear tire and front knobby too. Also, I had already gutted the cat, drilled the exhaust and rejet accordingly, so it is more fun off road. The 15W oil in the inverted forks also made a big difference. I got him a folding shift lever and new sprocket for his birthday.

One thing we can't say is any different than owning a Japanese dirt bike: we buy stuff to upgrade, maintenance and fix them (from spills/accidents). Some things never change!

[JerryHawk250]

Well I compared my KPX250 with the KLX230 at my local dealership. The KPX is a better build with heavier duty forks and swingarm. The frame on the KLX was nice though. Price wise between the two the KPX was a better deal.

[Magician16]

Originally Posted by TominMO

It's just as valid to buy a vehicle on price as on features, reputation, or quality. If the car you buy is just a grocery-getter and commuter, all you need is something that runs, and has a heater and maybe A/C, which all cars have now anyway. Throw in a radio too. All 90% of people need is a Kia Rio or similar. Most people don't even need a car with towing capacity.

Same with motorcycles. Your interests, tastes, agenda and budget are only your business. Screw the snobs.

I've got 2 Chinese motorcycles, and I've got less money in the two than I could have bought used up Japanese bike for. I can go anywhere on my magician that my buddies riding KLX's can, although the clearance is sometimes a problem. My buddy and I switched bikes for awhile, and I dumped the KLX because I couldn't touch the ground on either side without sliding off the seat. That maneuver is easy when you're 40, but not so much at 70.


As far as cars, I would love to be able to buy a pickup like they were in the 70's with no bells and whistles.

[Oldenslow]

A man getting in to an argument should have the facts before he begins. But if you're arguing that the Chinese bikes are as good as the Japanese bikes they copy, you'll be laughed out of town, anyway...

[Wild Dog]

Originally Posted by Oldenslow

A man getting in to an argument should have the facts before he begins. But if you're arguing that the Chinese bikes are as good as the Japanese bikes they copy, you'll be laughed out of town, anyway...

But these motorcycles are not a copy of a KLR60 or XR650 or some high end models like a yz250

They are copying a XR150, XR190, XR250 (LATAM), XTZ 125, XTZ250, KLX 230

When compared to those motorcycles, that are made in china even if they are japanese brands, they are not a far cry from them.

If you want to comapre them with a super tenere, then yes you are going to get a good laugh.

[TominMO]

We need some people to take some really long trips on various Chinese bikes to check out their reliability and durability. Can't be me unfortunately.

[JerryHawk250]

We do have a member and his family on here that did a 10,000 mile trip around the US on a Hawk.

[Wild Dog]

Originally Posted by TominMO

We need some people to take some really long trips on various Chinese bikes to check out their reliability and durability. Can't be me unfortunately.

Every single day these engines and motorcycles are being used by millons of folks that need a cheap means of transportation.
Not for the "cool" factor or to wear a jacket with a nice "MC something" but to be able to feed their family.
Some of these engines can see 300,400 km per day with no real issues, being used as deliver

When bike and beards got his hawkesque motorcycle, he was expecting to have a good video, where everyone could laugh at the chinese motorcycle "ohh look it broke at 10 miles, LOL"...
He had to drown the motorcycle and even after the engine was drained, it was still running.

These are not motorcycles to brag about or anything like that. These are working horse for folks with low income that need something to work with.

They are like a Ford Fiesta, they are not powerful, they are not big, they are not even nice looking. Their engine a little zetec rocam 1.6, you can get out of them 800.000 km with no real problems.

[Boatguy]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

We do have a member and his family on here that did a 10,000 mile trip around the US on a Hawk.

And I’m already pushing 6000. Haven’t been riding very much lately. Been really busy with a project.

I wouldn’t hesitate to hop on this bike and drive all the way across the country right now. On the TAT even.