|
![]() |
#1 |
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 14
|
Best Chinese Bike So Far!
I had a 2017 HAWK 2 250, an SSR Razkull clone and now the 2019 Lifan X-Pect 200 EFI and I have to say this is by far of better build quality and performance!!
I am so impressed with this bike both on and off road. I will post some videos soon showing what this thing can do. I am honestly embarrassed for people who drop 6k on Hondas and the like... and I own a 2017 Kawasaki Z650, i’m all for the big 4 but damn, this thing is amazing. I’m 215 + a 7lb pack and I can cruise at 65 mph and top out at 67 (gps verified - 2) with stock gearing and I haven’t bottomed out once on gnarly terrain!! |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Yuma, Arizona
Posts: 9,048
|
The two complaints people here on Chinariders had (without seeing one in person, riding one, or owning one) were the spaghetti noodle thin forks and the rear drum. I am planning what to get for my 4th Chinese dual-sport, and am heavily leaning to this one due to Lifan stepping up the quality control, not to mention I will be primarily commuting 33 miles a day round trip year round (southwest desert--very HOT summers), so don't want anything too fancy. Forks and drum brake do not really bother me for my intentions, although I will desire to explore Arizona trails here and there now that I moved back here for good. I will probably throw on a 17 countersprocket to maximize my road capabilities. I know that Caesar of Small Engine Velocity has gotten a higher top speed out of the 3 Lifans he has. He bought his own KP Mini 150 and was able to get about 70 mph stock out of it, 82 top speed on the KPR 200, and if I recall over 80 on the Lycan 250. All are above what Lifan claims. They claim 70 for the X-Pect, and I am guessing yours is not even fully broken in. Caesar has not done a top speed run on the X-Pect as of yet, as far as I can tell. Disclaimer--Caesar is something like 130 pounds, so that might have something to do with his top speeds. Anyway, I look forward to video and reports of your experience with this bike.
__________________
"They say that life's a carousel, spinning fast you got to ride it well..." TGB Delivery Scooter 150 TMEC 200 Enduro--carcass is sadly rotting in the backyard Last edited by culcune; 10-09-2019 at 07:21 PM. Reason: Adding in more points several times |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 | |
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 14
|
Quote:
Having 450 miles on this now, I can honestly say it’s gotten even better! As for the spaghetti noodle front shocks, I don’t know what kind of springs they used but at 6”1’ 215lbs I can’t bottom this thing out. I recently went to 20 weight fork oil just because- better is always better- and now I can jump this thing like a champ!! As for the rear drum, yea this was a downside for me that was over ridden by the EFI, but I must say, it works well. Wet or dry, when I adjusted the pedal it is legit. Having good experience with Chinese bikes, I can say this is one legit dual sport. On and off road! |
|
![]() |
![]() |
#4 | |
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 32
|
188 mile trip for Thanksgiving 2020 94 miles both ways
Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
#5 | |
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Yuma, Arizona
Posts: 9,048
|
Quote:
__________________
"They say that life's a carousel, spinning fast you got to ride it well..." TGB Delivery Scooter 150 TMEC 200 Enduro--carcass is sadly rotting in the backyard |
|
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: ChCh , NZ
Posts: 2,265
|
From what I have seen the GPX bikes are pretty dam good..
far the best build quality I have seen in a Chinese bike by a long way... A few pics I took at the Suzuki dealership in Khon Kaen , Thailand earlier this year... Would like to turn the Legend into a scrambler.. Even has the fitting for the higher handle bars mounts... .
__________________
09 XT660R ... 06 TTR250 ... 80 Montesa H6 125 Enduro... 77 Montesa Cota 348 MRR "Malcom Rathnell Replica"... Current resto projects.. 81 Honda CT110... 80 Kawasaki KL250A1... 11 Husaburg TE125 enduro... "sold" along with another 31... Lifan 125 Pitbike.. "stolen" ... KIWI BIKER FORUM...... http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/content.php All the best offroad rides in NZ... http://www.remotemoto.com/ E-mail... xtpete1@gmail.com |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 14
|
I was referring to dual sports but yea they look pretty sweet
|
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Yuma, Arizona
Posts: 9,048
|
Right now, we have Pitster Pro enduros and dual-sports made by Kayo (they have a GPX lineup in the US which used to be a separate line of bikes, but on their website the Pitsters and the GPX bikes are now mixed together; heck, their Kayo-mfg. XTR 250 has GPX graphics) and soon, the US distributor for Kayo (not affiliated with Pitster, so this will be interesting) will release 3 dirt bikes/enduros here in the US under the Kayo name, including one called the XTR 250! The problem with Pitster is they are generally off-road oriented--too off-road oriented according to one member who does not post here but still posts videos on youtube. He said he would not commute on his bike because of the twitchy suspension as well as the seat is very uncomfortable. He has thrown on a cushion on his seat which has helped, and has said his bike is rock-solid quality and starts everytime (Chinese engines in general tend to do this), so there is a plus, but his bike is too off-road according to him, which he considers a negative. He rides with sponsored semi-pros on top dollar bikes, so I am sure he feels inferior and wants to move up to a name brand bike, but he has proven the Pitster as a solid bike.
__________________
"They say that life's a carousel, spinning fast you got to ride it well..." TGB Delivery Scooter 150 TMEC 200 Enduro--carcass is sadly rotting in the backyard |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 8,100
|
A bit of time adjusting the front and rear suspension to optimize the chassis under load (rider weight) would likely solve that. Both damping, rider sag, and then minor adjustments in the height of the forks to optimize the trail on the front. If I had to guess the rear probably needs more rebound damping and either the rear shock or forks need a change in spring rate and/or preload.
__________________
Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124 |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 | |
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Yuma, Arizona
Posts: 9,048
|
Quote:
__________________
"They say that life's a carousel, spinning fast you got to ride it well..." TGB Delivery Scooter 150 TMEC 200 Enduro--carcass is sadly rotting in the backyard |
|
![]() |
![]() |
#11 | |
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Argentina
Posts: 756
|
Quote:
So you have a Chinese 223cc 4T made engine and you want to race a Japanese 125 2T with a nice expansion chamber?? Of course they are going to be ahead of you. Those motorcycle were made to be used in races. The chinese 223 4T was not. The choices are simple, you either understand the drawbacks of your engine and you ride it for what it is.. Or you save money and get a machine that will be able to compete with your friends. About the serious stuff, these chinese motorcycle can take the challenge but at their own pace.. My Toyota Hilux 2.8 with a nice set of 700x16 could take you everywhere you wanted of course at a slow pace... |
|
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Yuma, Arizona
Posts: 9,048
|
Lifan has a good engine in their 198cc liquid-cooled/fuel-injected KPR 200 and KP200 they sell in the US. They will soon be selling their KPM 200, a café-style bike with this same engine, and also sell a KPT 200 adventure style bike that they chose NOT to sell in the US, sadly for many of us. If they wanted to make a true game changer, rather than simply throwing on fuel-injection to their venerable air-cooled 163FML engine, they SHOULD have thrown their above mentioned 200 with fuel-injection/liquid-cooled (did I mention a 6 speed?) into a dual-sport. Of course, upside down forks and a rear disc would have rounded out the package. Keep in mind that their 200 engine in their street bikes is California certified, whereas the X-Pect 200 dual-sport is not. Like you said about bigger bikes, they are planning on larger engines for the US, but should continue with the 200 liquid-cooled/FI in a California-legal dual-sport when they release their larger bikes.
__________________
"They say that life's a carousel, spinning fast you got to ride it well..." TGB Delivery Scooter 150 TMEC 200 Enduro--carcass is sadly rotting in the backyard |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 | |
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 14
|
Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Yuma, Arizona
Posts: 9,048
|
Sadly it is not. I just moved from the L.A. area, and called American Lifan directly who confirmed the X-Pect is not. They were originally trying to go that route, so a lot of online dealers ran with it and put it in their ads. However, Turbopowersports out of Orange County also confirmed this with me and said they would take out the CARB legal print in their ads when I spoke with them several months ago.
__________________
"They say that life's a carousel, spinning fast you got to ride it well..." TGB Delivery Scooter 150 TMEC 200 Enduro--carcass is sadly rotting in the backyard |
![]() |
|
![]() |
![]() |
Tags |
lifan, xpect |
|
|