River Rat

[FastDoc]

Took The Dirt Rat to the riding area by the river today. The bike is running great, and it makes quite the hillclimber! It's not that its powerful (it's not ) but it does get that power to the trail effectively. I went with my buddy Ron. I was able to get up anything he could get up on his ATV.

A couple of shots of The Dirt Rat by the Columbia River.

AMAZING day today. Almost 70 and sunny!

[Weldangrind]

Great photos Doc.

Can your bike pull the front wheel easily?

[FastDoc]

Yup :P

It can also take small jumps, something I don't subject Q to.

[SpudRider]

Thanks for posting the nice photos, Doc. The high temperature today reached 45 degrees Fahrenheit in my part of Idaho. :roll: I lived just south of you in Hermiston, Oregon, for two years. Sometimes I miss the warmer weather along the Snake River in the Inland Empire, but I know I would surely miss the Mountains in Idaho if I moved from here.

Spud

[FastDoc]

I may have better weather, but you sure have better mountains, at least close by. We've each got it good, just a bit diferent. The Kalifornians have the weather and the mountains. Bastards. :P

[2LZ]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

I may have better weather, but you sure have better mountains, at least close by. We've each got it good, just a bit diferent. The Kalifornians have the weather and the mountains. Bastards. :P

Anytime yer down this way Doc.....you're more than welcome to stay with us lucky bastards!
Weather's been awesome here in the last few days but waning fast. Was cold and wet....then had a 5 day snap to mid 70's, cooling off and getting wet again here soon.

Doc.....how does the '83 resurrected, Lifan hybrid, Dirt Rat... compare to the newer Q, overall? That's a 'shootout' I'd like to read!

[TurboT]

Originally Posted by 2LZ

Doc.....how does the '83 resurrected, Lifan hybrid, Dirt Rat... compare to the newer Q, overall? That's a 'shootout' I'd like to read!

My guess is it's all in the suspension.

[FastDoc]

Off road, The Dirt Rat would leave Q like it was tied to a tree. The Dirt Rat has much better off road suspension, with about 1/3 more travel. Being off road only it does not have to carry the weight of street equipment. Also my Q is stock and choked by its restrictive muffler, catalyst, air injection, and airbox. The Dirt Rat breathes 100% freely, so I think it makes about 15% or so more power than Q.

Q is geared for the road as well as the dirt, The Dirt Rat is geared to pull and climb but would top out about 55 vs. the 65 plus Q could pull. Also, being street legal makes Q about 10 times more versatile. I can ride right past a cop on Q on a public road. Can't do that on The Dirt Rat 8O !

Q has much better brakes, better on road suspension and handling on road, and is faster in terms of top speed and is much quieter. The Dirt Rat really has a bark. It thinks it's a 400 :P .

It's not an apples to apples comparison. Even though both are (semi) China bikes (Q being really a Suzuki and The Dirt Rat being powered by a Lifan), they are not very similar.

[FastDoc]

I've not ridden Q once since restoring The Dirt Rat. :!:

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

I've not ridden Q once since restoring The Dirt Rat. :!:

I'm thinking Q is beginning to feel unloved, Doc. :(



Spud

[FastDoc]

I was thinking of taking Q to work tomorrow.

[Weldangrind]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

I've not ridden Q once since restoring The Dirt Rat. :!:

I think that answered the shootout question.

It would seem that the Dirt Rat is just more fun off road. Despite being lower compression than a stock XR200R motor, I'll bet it pulls like a tractor.

[2LZ]

Thanks for the review Doc!
Ya know.....I thought of that about an hour after I posted.

The Q is a nice quality, mild duty, dual purpose that does it's job extremely well for the money.
The Dirt Rat is pure dirt, heavier duty frame and suspension and purposely built more for heavy thrashing.

Two different rigs. Remind me never to drink and type...... :oops: 8O 8)

[FastDoc]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

I think that answered the shootout question.

It would seem that the Dirt Rat is just more fun off road. Despite being lower compression than a stock XR200R motor, I'll bet it pulls like a tractor.

I only got to ride the bike a mile or so with the original engine before it siezed. Literally being on it's last breath it was not very powerful so I don't know what it was supposed to feel like. I can say that this Lifan OHC runs VERY strong for a 200, and as soon as it's fully broken in I intend to wring it out. I've been limiting myself to about 1/3 power so far.

[FastDoc]

Originally Posted by 2LZ

Thanks for the review Doc!
Ya know.....I thought of that about an hour after I posted.

The Q is a nice quality, mild duty, dual purpose that does it's job extremely well for the money.
The Dirt Rat is pure dirt, heavier duty frame and suspension and purposely built more for heavy thrashing.

Two different rigs. Remind me never to drink and type...... :oops: 8O 8)

It was a great question, 2LZ .

Today is BEAUTIFUL out, cool and sunny. I rode The Mighty Q to work, That's something I can't ever legally do on The Dirt Rat.

FWIW I'm tossing around the idea of piping and rejetting and desmoging Q...