Which engine?

[Gramigno]

Hi.
I'm learning about Chinese bikes and I have many questions,


I'm locking for a 250cc, 4 strokes, chain timed ohc, single cylinder, carburetor fitted , possibly with balancing shaft, which I don't know the name for English, it's a secondary shaft that rotates in the opposite direction of the main shaft and helps diminishing the vibrations of the engine.


I would like it to be 250 because I'm an heavy fat 300pounds guy, I prefer it with carburetor cause it's more simple to adjust and repair than an EFI circuit for a normal non professional person, and I wrote on the Enduro section cause I think the only real work oriented .motorbike must be able to overcame every road condition, flooding included and if I properly understood in Panama rains very often and very violently and I can imagine sometimes the road will be a 1 foot deep river and I still will need to go through to make my delivery.





My first question is if you know if such engine exist and if it exists, in your experience which one is the most reliable?


Reading here I found out Jincheng and Zongshen are good manufactures but I'm sure you know this topic way better than I do!


Thank you very much for any answer


Cheers!

[delzy]

Try this one:


https://www.alibaba.com/product-deta...046778416.html


I ordered a 250 four valve and got screwed, so YMMV.

[Mumen Rider]

Just buy a PR250 or 300. If you want to get fancy buy a CB300RL.

Do not order from CQHZJ on Alibaba.

[XLsior]

https://gzbawo.en.alibaba.com/index....=1600989367791

[Gramigno]

Hi, I can't order from Alibaba, I will need to go to a shop and buy it,

And I wasn't able to properly explain myself because I wasn't locking for an engine but a dual sport or adv bike which already has this kind of engine fitted on.



Recently I discovered the Zongshen 250cc models named RX and TT
On paper they seems good but because here you have a ton of experience, maybe someone already bought and used them than swapped them for a better model which I still have never heard about.


I'm trying to understand which is the most reliable and long lasting 250cc Chinese dual sport or adv bike in your experience because it will be my work tool once I'll land on Panama and start working a s a rider, and then I'll have little time to make my own opinions, that's why I'm asking to share your experience if someone already have it

[rideoutadv]

Originally Posted by Gramigno

Hi, I can't order from Alibaba, I will need to go to a shop and buy it,

And I wasn't able to properly explain myself because I wasn't locking for an engine but a dual sport or adv bike which already has this kind of engine fitted on.



Recently I discovered the Zongshen 250cc models named RX and TT
On paper they seems good but because here you have a ton of experience, maybe someone already bought and used them than swapped them for a better model which I still have never heard about.


I'm trying to understand which is the most reliable and long lasting 250cc Chinese dual sport or adv bike in your experience because it will be my work tool once I'll land on Panama and start working a s a rider, and then I'll have little time to make my own opinions, that's why I'm asking to share your experience if someone already have it

I think I see what you're saying, you want to know which adv or dualsport bike to choose as a reliable, daily vehicle. You want it to be 250cc, 4 strokes, chain timed ohc, single cylinder, carburetor fitted, and counter balanced.

I also use a motorcycle as my daily vehicle to work, and I've been very happy with my little 200cc air cooled Lifan xpect, but it doesn't match what you're looking for here. I would point you in the direction of one of the Lifan bikes as they're known for being reliable especially the KPX which matches a lot of what you want, but it is not carbureted unfortunately.

[Thumper]

Gram,
Here's one potential answer: The Zonsen XMOTORS XM 250 DRAGON

This seems to have the 17hp version of the 167FMM (Overhead Cam, NOT pushrod). The pushrod engine is good, but the OHC 167FMM engine is more powerful.

See this motorcycle here:
https://xmotorspanama.com/listings/xm-250-dragon/

They have a less expensive model, but this one comes with rally lights and engine guard. This looks like an excellent bike. That engine is excellent. It is used on a Titan 250. 5 speed, street legal dual sport with rally lights if you run long on an adventure into dusk

[XLsior]

I'd be inclined to say that if you're in Panama the OHV pushrod engine will be more locally and readily accessible along with spare parts.


Not as powerful as OHC but the CG250* has more chugabilty low down tractor factor...


The reliability of the CG pushrod engine is why it pretty much powers and moves the people of the '3rd' world on a global scale.


If the CG engine fails you should have no issue finding a replacement anywhere in the world.


If you want more refinement and a little more power up top then yes more options are available and also interchangeable to an extent.


These options should be available in Panama with little searching, but will likely come under different brand names though will be more or less the same bikes as other Chinese dual sports offerings elsewhere...


I only posted the alibaba link to show some of the engine alternatives and manufacture names.


But all the engine cases will likely be stamped with 16X-17X FMM/FMN/FML eg 167FMM

[Thumper]

OP states that he wants a chain drive OHC engine in the first post. I did some searching. Panama isn't exactly a big country. Choices will be limited. If OP is lucky he will find a dealership with something besides expensive Triumph and other high end road bikes and "Adventure" bikes for less than $10,000

The X Motors (Zongshen) 250 (link in previous post) is for sale, at a dealership! I don't think you need more spare parts for an OHC engine versus a pushrod engine. Inverted forks, extended windshield, hand guards, engine guards? Wow. All this in a Zonshen dual purpose bike that looks very similar to Hawk, Bashan Brozz, etc. It is also readily available...all for under "$2000" Panama currency. Just checked, and $1 USD = $1 Panamanian Balboa.

OP will have to determine what that means, but compare that to name brand motorcycles I found available in Panama, and the Zongshen 250 is a GOOD value!

[Gramigno]

Originally Posted by Thumper

OP states that he wants a chain drive OHC engine in the first post. I did some searching. Panama isn't exactly a big country. Choices will be limited. If OP is lucky he will find a dealership with something besides expensive Triumph and other high end road bikes and "Adventure" bikes for less than $10,000

The X Motors (Zongshen) 250 (link in previous post) is for sale, at a dealership! I don't think you need more spare parts for an OHC engine versus a pushrod engine. Inverted forks, extended windshield, hand guards, engine guards? Wow. All this in a Zonshen dual purpose bike that looks very similar to Hawk, Bashan Brozz, etc. It is also readily available...all for under "$2000" Panama currency. Just checked, and $1 USD = $1 Panamanian Balboa.

OP will have to determine what that means, but compare that to name brand motorcycles I found available in Panama, and the Zongshen 250 is a GOOD value!

I was wrong, I do apologize,

Because it's a work tool, it could be anything, I said OHC because I didn't know that OHV maybe even more reliable, I said 250cc just because I'm very heavy and I thought with a smaller engine the bike wasn't able to move me,, and I said Zongshen just because I thought that brand was very reliable, but if I'm example Lifiag that I read here for the first time has prove as well good I'm interested in it too and so on.
I'm reading pretty much everything I find on this forum and the more I learn, the more I realize I still know nothing on this topic.



The other thing like been simpler, off road capable,, durable, reliable, with good mpg was correct, I still think it

[Thumper]

Originally Posted by Gramigno

I was wrong, I do apologize,

Because it's a work tool, it could be anything, I said OHC because I didn't know that OHV maybe even more reliable, I said 250cc just because I'm very heavy and I thought with a smaller engine the bike wasn't able to move me,, and I said Zongshen just because I thought that brand was very reliable, but if I'm example Lifiag that I read here for the first time has prove as well good I'm interested in it too and so on.
I'm reading pretty much everything I find on this forum and the more I learn, the more I realize I still know nothing on this topic.



The other thing like been simpler, off road capable,, durable, reliable, with good mpg was correct, I still think it

The Overhead Cam engines are just as reliable (Zongshen). Just keep good oil in them, and don't abuse these little engines/transmissions and they will run well for many many miles.

I would really check out the Zongshen 250 when you get there (if I was you). $2000 is a LOW price, and I really think it will be just as good as Hawk, Templar, and other bikes you hear about on this website.

[Gramigno]

Originally Posted by Thumper

The Overhead Cam engines are just as reliable (Zongshen). Just keep good oil in them, and don't abuse these little engines/transmissions and they will run well for many many miles.

I would really check out the Zongshen 250 when you get there (if I was you). $2000 is a LOW price, and I really think it will be just as good as Hawk, Templar, and other bikes you hear about on this website.

I will, mate!
It's a great value for money, but because I'll check every single bike available in town before making a decision I'd like to get some more advices, and to learn as much as possible about the topic, in this way I hope to recognize the single bike even rebranded and have a little bit of knowledge to get the best one for the job

[Gramigno]

Thanks very much!
I thought oh was simply better, but if in your experience the other one is more reliable I'm open to any useful suggestion,
After all that's why I'm here, to learn from more experienced riders.
If we were talking about big Jap 4inlone CBRs I should know everything because I use to ride the o for years, or about 90s Africa Twin model, I could provide good advices and experience, but about small Chinese engines for a 50miles 365 day a year use I'm unashamed to say I know absolutely nothing
This will be my great adventure, leaving Italy and jump into the unknown trying a new job I a new country with a new tool.


The Zongshen found by Thumper should be a great solution but I don't know them as manufacturer so I have no clue if they make solid machines or not.


Maybe the other solution, I think it's called OHV in English, is a better one.


I'm open to any ideas, please tell everything you know about the manufacturer you have chosen, maybe there is a bulletproof bike somewhere and I si.ply don't know it exists.


Never mind OHV or OHV, it's a work tool, it doesn't have to perform fast, just to last, to have the easiest maintenance possible and a vast availability of spares in case something get broken.


I like very much the Dragon, if it had the conventional fork it will be perfect because in my experience, the inverted, in Italy we call them upside down, when a sea get broken empty itself in a very short time and with the traditional forks it takes way more time and you are able to finish the journey or the work week waiting for the spare to came to dealer.


Than everyone for the help you are giving me, I really appreciate!

[Gramigno]

Panamanian coins is called Balboa, but it's not printed, they use the US Dollar as currency

[Thumper]

You might find other brands once you get to Panama

What I have heard about USD forks is that a seal leak weeps at first. The fork tube gets wet and it gets worse with use. It is not catastrophic unless you are in a motocross race (extreme shock travel!). Even then you can limp home. Meanwhile, the unsprung live section is lighter and performs way better. USD forks are way stiffer, the heavy part is moved to "unsprung" weight in the triple clamps. This is way better for handling and safety. Worth having, which is the main reasonwhy all manufacturers are using them. A pair of seals will cost you under $20 and you can have them ready to go. Fork seal technology has gottn very good, but you can replace the seals every two or three years if you are worried about failure. It might get hard to buy conventional forks except for low end bikes.

Regarding the Zongshen brand, they've been making motorcycles and motorcycle engines especially for a while now, and they have partners in the business that they supply those engines to. They even allow branding (put their logo on the Zonshen engine!). Chances are, the frame, swingarm, suspension and everything is just as good or better than other Chinese bikes.

And it is a deal at $2000. If there is a failure, or you want an upgrade, all of these Chinese bikes are made with compatible design. Parts are available. Like my Templar X, this is a LOW priced dual sport. And it is sold at a dealership, so you would have at least some support (we don't get that for most of these brands). Regarding the choice of either OHV or OHC, both work well. OHC performs better, tighter tolerances on valve clearance.

I have nothing to gain here. I am not selling anything. But I would buy one if it was available here! Panama probably has limited variety, seems mostly the big name brands. This is the only Chinese brand I found, and it is available at a brick and mortar dealership! If you find another alternative Chinese bike in Panama, it would be interesting to know.

Maybe go and drive one when you get there. And talk to the dealer. Find out about service, warranty. Then decide.