2007 Lifan vs American Lifan?

benkrupp · 07-26-2007, 08:26 PM

Hey... I bought a LF200GY5 (so I think) about a month ago and have been having some issues with the dealer that I purchased it from along with issues with the bike straight out of the box. Long story short (for now), can someone explain what the difference between Lifan (which is what I think I got) and American Lifan?

I called the American Lifan dealer in Texas and gave them my VIN and also noted that I have rear disc brakes. They told me that it was not an American Lifan bike (based on the VIN) and that the bike could not possibly have the "New Counter shaft Balance" because of the rear disk brakes (supposedly the new 07 with the counter shaft has rear drum brakes). Is there a way to confirm that I have a counter shaft balance by visually inspecting the bike? I know the bike has a push-rod motor as I have already attempted a valve adjustment to alleviate the hot motor clicking.

My bike has a sticker which states that it was manufactured in April, 2007... this is going to sound stupid, but is it still possible that I do not have the new 2007 design?

Any info would be much appreciated... and sorry if this is a very vague post (I'm just trying to figure out what exactly I have).

Thanks,
Ben

katoranger · 07-26-2007, 09:01 PM

Sounds like you have a grey market Lifan. The counter balance is a finned bulge on the lower front of the engine were it mounts to the frame. Also the engine should say Lifan on both sides and all the engine assembly bolts will have the American Lifan logo on them.

Allen

TheBrainII · 07-26-2007, 09:06 PM

Sounds like you got that what's called a "grey market" Lifan. If you have disk on the rear and older no-ballanced (without cooling fins on the bottom front of the gear case) you have the same setup as a 06 American LiFan. American Lifan will not support it because you did not get it from one of thier dealers. No factory warranty either unless it came from the seller. But, for the most part it's prob a real Lifan straight from the factor in China sold to a non AL dealer.

katoranger · 07-26-2007, 09:07 PM

There are plenty of grey market bikes here. Alot of them bought from t-motorsports with happy customers.

Allen

AZ200cc · 07-26-2007, 09:18 PM

What other issues Are You having?

mdsuave13 · 07-26-2007, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katoranger

There are plenty of grey market bikes here. Alot of them bought from t-motorsports with happy customers.

Allen

note* happy with product, maybe even thier service, but i know one thing, they will do anything they can to spend even 1 more dollar to get legit documents... read the registration issues in maryland by me to see what i'm saying..

katoranger · 07-27-2007, 09:27 AM

I read all about you troubles. It seems that they try to eek every last dollar of profit out. Alot of people have had no difficulty registering theirs too.

Just trying to make him feel better about his purchase.

Allen

benkrupp · 07-28-2007, 02:00 AM

Thanks for all the replies... Yeah, it appears that I have the finned bulge at the bottom front of the engine, but I have no Lifan logo on either side of the engine. I think the thing that is making me most uncomfortable about my purchase is the fact that Rabbit Scooters' (which I now read has been tagged as questionable/bad) "free life time technical support" can only give me a few answers to any of my questions (if you can even get through to them on the phone... ALWAYS busy). It's like they don't know what they sold me for sure and they don't know how to fix any problems with them?!?

But I'm going to leave that issue alone for now. Thanks again for all the replies, that answered some really nagging questions.

~Ben

katoranger · 07-29-2007, 09:12 AM

Have you been able to register it? What issues are you having?

Allen

07-26-2007, 08:26 PM	#1
benkrupp Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2	2007 Lifan vs American Lifan? Hey... I bought a LF200GY5 (so I think) about a month ago and have been having some issues with the dealer that I purchased it from along with issues with the bike straight out of the box. Long story short (for now), can someone explain what the difference between Lifan (which is what I think I got) and American Lifan? I called the American Lifan dealer in Texas and gave them my VIN and also noted that I have rear disc brakes. They told me that it was not an American Lifan bike (based on the VIN) and that the bike could not possibly have the "New Counter shaft Balance" because of the rear disk brakes (supposedly the new 07 with the counter shaft has rear drum brakes). Is there a way to confirm that I have a counter shaft balance by visually inspecting the bike? I know the bike has a push-rod motor as I have already attempted a valve adjustment to alleviate the hot motor clicking. My bike has a sticker which states that it was manufactured in April, 2007... this is going to sound stupid, but is it still possible that I do not have the new 2007 design? Any info would be much appreciated... and sorry if this is a very vague post (I'm just trying to figure out what exactly I have). Thanks, Ben
	0

07-26-2007, 09:01 PM	#2
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	Sounds like you have a grey market Lifan. The counter balance is a finned bulge on the lower front of the engine were it mounts to the frame. Also the engine should say Lifan on both sides and all the engine assembly bolts will have the American Lifan logo on them. Allen __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

07-26-2007, 09:06 PM	#3
TheBrainII Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: PA Posts: 129	Sounds like you got that what's called a "grey market" Lifan. If you have disk on the rear and older no-ballanced (without cooling fins on the bottom front of the gear case) you have the same setup as a 06 American LiFan. American Lifan will not support it because you did not get it from one of thier dealers. No factory warranty either unless it came from the seller. But, for the most part it's prob a real Lifan straight from the factor in China sold to a non AL dealer. __________________ Bone stock 2007 Lifan GY-5
	0

07-26-2007, 09:07 PM	#4
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	There are plenty of grey market bikes here. Alot of them bought from t-motorsports with happy customers. Allen __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

07-26-2007, 09:18 PM	#5
AZ200cc Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Show Low Arizona Posts: 2,889	What other issues Are You having? __________________ <br />2001 Suzuki DR200SE<br />1997 Suzuki RM250 YIKES<br />1995 Yamaha Breeze 125 daughters<br />1991 Honda XR80r Restored<br />maybe a 2003 Yamaha TTR90
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07-27-2007, 09:27 AM	#7
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	I read all about you troubles. It seems that they try to eek every last dollar of profit out. Alot of people have had no difficulty registering theirs too. Just trying to make him feel better about his purchase. Allen __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

07-28-2007, 02:00 AM	#8
benkrupp Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2	Coo Coo Thanks for all the replies... Yeah, it appears that I have the finned bulge at the bottom front of the engine, but I have no Lifan logo on either side of the engine. I think the thing that is making me most uncomfortable about my purchase is the fact that Rabbit Scooters' (which I now read has been tagged as questionable/bad) "free life time technical support" can only give me a few answers to any of my questions (if you can even get through to them on the phone... ALWAYS busy). It's like they don't know what they sold me for sure and they don't know how to fix any problems with them?!? But I'm going to leave that issue alone for now. Thanks again for all the replies, that answered some really nagging questions. ~Ben
	0

07-29-2007, 09:12 AM	#9
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	Have you been able to register it? What issues are you having? Allen __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0