Suggestions on a dual sport

[Coloradogoose]

Hoping for some feedback on the bikes I'm looking at. I live in Colorado and ride anywhere from an elevation of 6,000 feet up over 13,000 feet. It's all dirt roads and rocky 4x4 passes. I tend to stay away from singletrack. I've owned a CRF250L, and while I loved it, I just can't justify the expense on something I won't ride all that often.

I currently ride a Goldwing, a Royal Enfield Himalayan, and a Lifan KPM200. The Himma is set up for ADV riding with hard boxes, so I'd rather lean more towards the dirt side with this bike. I plan to do some overnights, but I have a good rackless softbag setup I can use. Being able to go 65 MPH for 10-15 miles at a time would be appreciated, but not a deal breaker. I can ride to my rides here so no trailering this bike. I still need it to tractor at slow speeds, so torque is a plus. I'd like to stick close to $2000 if possible.

The bikes I've considered and my thoughts so far:

Templar regular, X, or M. : I like the suspension adjustability (X) and the 249cc engine. Carbed, which has caused problems at elevation in my old Super Sherpa. Also, it's not DOT approved from what I can see, and I haven't found a thread where anyone from Colorado has gotten one registered.

Brozz 250 Recon: Seems like a pretty tough bike at a good price. Carbed, which can be a problem with elevation changes.

Hawk: lots of user info out there. EFI, which is good for elevation. Feel like the early ones were hit or miss on quality. Has that gotten better? DOT approved.

CSC TT250: I mention this one because I did look into it, but with shipping, fees, etc, it ses to be a bit high priced for not offering EFI. (I realize that's good for some, but I really like EFI at elevation). Is the quality that much better to be worth saving a bit longer?

Anything else to look at? I've always worked on my own bikes but appreciate little quality improvements between companies. I'd love any thoughts from anyone. I am also well aware this is a cheap Chinese bike, so just hoping for what will be the best out of the options but not perfection.

[Thumper]

If you need EFI, the Lifan KPX250 is a good choice. It might be more street oriented than you want, but you are asking about dual sport...so it would be the obvious choice.
Nick Chen can send you a Kamax KMX450NCE DDP for about $4800 (at your door). Find it at Alibaba. It has full lighting/horn, Delphi EFI, makes about 50+ hp but ask Nick if he can send it with a MCO that states "motorcycle" for vehicle type. It has the liquid cooled ZS194MQ-P engine (sweet!). Other (smaller, 250cc) enduros like SSR, GPX, EGL, etc are carbed.
https://www.kamaxgroup.com/item/kmx450nce

It all depends on whether or not your want an enduro/dirt bike that can be plated, or a dual purpose (more street-friendly). Yes, Templar IS DOT approved, including the tires (noted on the tires, paperwork and the crate). I have fully legal lighting on my Templar X (insured and plated in Missouri) but it is carbed, like the CSC and other Templars, as you noted.

You may be disappointed in a Hawk if you are expecting performance close to the Honda you've owned. But maybe it would be good. I'd look into it is price is a real important factor. Otherwise, go with the Lifan.

[JerryHawk250]

I 2nd the Lifan KPX250. Yes it does cost a little more than the Hawk but higher quality than the Hawk. Quality wise the KPX is just as good and slightly better than a KLX230.

[flopsweat]

I can only comment on the TT250, it's the one and only bike I've owned. You probably won't be getting it up to 65mph unless it's downhill, I've fairly consistently found on flat road with no wind that it's a max of about 60-63mph with the throttle wide open, which sounds like it mirrors most other's experience. The carb is quite easy to get to for changing jets, that was one of the first things I did, and I'd imagine there's a sweet spot for those mountain elevations (I'm at IL-level so I wouldn't know). There is a chance we may actually be moving out to Colorado next year so I was wondering the same thing of how I'd have to switch up my jetting. Being a total rookie, I personally like fiddling with the carb to gain a better understanding of what's going on, but I can definitely see the benefit of having an EFI at higher elevations, especially with huge changes in a single day's trail ride.


Sounds like you've got a good handle on bike maintenance, and one of the big selling points of CSC is their customer service and vast library of tutorials and spare/aftermarket parts. That's why I went with them, cuz I knew nothing coming in. That said, if I had waited a year and a half while stalking these forums, I would have gone with the new KPX250 as well. A true 249cc engine with EFI alone would have been worth it.

[JerryHawk250]

Something else about the KPX250. It has a 6 speed transmission and does have a 2 year/12000 mile parts warranty. American Lifan and dealers like Venom Motorsports do stand behind the products. Venom has a end of year sale going on right now. Use the discount code December2022 and get $100 off. https://www.venommotorsportsusa.com/...d-street-legal

Belmonte Bikes has $200 off with the Discount Code: Holidays200
https://www.belmontebikes.com/produc...d-street-legal

[TominMO]

Agreed on the Lifan KPX. You ain't gonna find a good EFI bike (which you need for the riding you describe) for around $2K. Bite the bullet and get a high-quality bike. Buy once, cry once.

[Sport Rider]

throw in a little extra cash and get the KPX250. it's a good step up from the baseline economy bikes like the Hawk and other similar mounts. I'd really prefer to find something in the 300 to 400 range just because of the power output. Just depends on what you want to do with it, of course.

[Hap]

If you do want to stay around the $2000 mark. I think the Templar X would be perfect for what you want it for. You would have to rejet the carburetor and probably get a little smaller rear sprocket. But once you got the carb tuned in. I believe you would be golden. And for about $2200 delivered. Just my opinion.

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by Hap

If you do want to stay around the $2000 mark. I think the Templar X would be perfect for what you want it for. You would have to rejet the carburetor and probably get a little smaller rear sprocket. But once you got the carb tuned in. I believe you would be golden. And for about $2200 delivered. Just my opinion.

The Templar X technically is not street legal. It's a shame because it is a nice bike for the price.
Going by the OP's screen name Colorado my be one of those state that might be difficult to get registered. Also in his situation EFI will be the best route for him.

[McQueen216]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

...EFI will be the best route...

Not a whole lot of options, really.


Lifan X-PECT EFI DLX, RPS Hawk EFI DLX, X-Pro Hawk DLX, Lifan KPX250 - I think - are what would apply here. And I think those are are 5/5/5/6 speed. Sound about right?

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by McQueen216

Not a whole lot of options, really.


Lifan X-PECT EFI DLX, RPS Hawk EFI DLX, X-Pro Hawk DLX, Lifan KPX250 - I think - are what would apply here. And I think those are are 5/5/5/6 speed. Sound about right?

I forgot about the Lifan X-PECT. That would be another option and would be closer to the $2000 range.

[Coloradogoose]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I hadn't really considered the Lifan due to price, but it does look like a nice ride.

An honest question for anyone who knows, is it really worth almost double the Hawk DLX? I know the engine should be much better. Is the rest of the build that superior? The pricing is going to make it a stretch for sure, and considering I'm splitting my time around several bikes I just want to make sure it's worth the extra money. It'll be a while until I can scratch together enough to make that purchase though.

I've dealt with carbed bikes around here in the past, and I'll do it again if I have to, but just in the county I live in we have elevation changes from 4,600 feet up to almost 13,300. My Himma and KPM are EFI and it's nice to not deal with the sputtering. They do lose power as I get higher simply due to less oxygen to burn, but they still run well.

[JerryHawk250]

I can't speak for the DXL model as I've never seen one up close. I own both, a 2016 Hawk and the KPX. Quality wise the KPX is far more superior than the Hawk. I did a comparison video between the two. I also own a Kawasaki Vulcan S and confirm the quality of the KPX is just as good as the Vulcan S. I've also looked at the Kawasaki KXL230 and the KPX is a much better build than the KLX for way less money.

[Megadan]

Lifan build quality and material quality is the next step up from the Hawk DLX, which is just a polished up regular Hawk. The Hawks are good bikes but have plenty of weaknesses too due to the cheap price point. The rear swing arm and wheels being 2 areas they really suffer in regards to durability when pushed hard off road. Once you iron them out they aren't too bad though. All of the Hawk style bikes also suffer from limited suspension travel, including the TT250 (also a bit better than the Hawk in terms of quality) with less than 7 inches of travel front and rear.

The KPX also has a better engine with more power and with a 6 speed transmission.

In short, you do get what you pay for.

[TominMO]

I bought the X-pect and quickly sold it to get a KPX. I didn't like the hump in the seat which kept me really forward. Also it's only 14 hp and too light for highway use. Plus odd tire sizes, limited choices.