Shopping for second china bike

DSAdventures · 11-14-2022, 02:17 AM

Hello, new here but not new to the sport. Currently have a KLR 650 and street legal CR500r. Use to have a Chinese Trail 70 with a 90cc lifan motor, not bad for what it was. Now I am looking to add a Hawk or Templar to the stable. This forum definitely has some great expertise, hopefully I can contribute when I get the next bike. I will have a few questions coming in the sub-forums. Looking forward to being able to contribute to the forum when I get some more bike specific experience.

**JerryHawk250** · 11-14-2022, 08:47 AM

Welcome aboard!
My vote is for the Lifan KPX250. I own a Hawk. The KPX is a far better bike all around. Check Venom Motorsports out. They have a $100 discount on them right now.

TominMO · 11-14-2022, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

Welcome aboard!
My vote is for the Lifan KPX250. I own a Hawk. The KPX is a far better bike all around. Check Venom Motorsports out. They have a $100 discount on them right now.

+1

DSAdventures · 11-15-2022, 03:55 AM

Thanks guys...I have a healthy thread going for a Templar X vs Hawk debate where I lay out more of what I am trying to do. Working my way up the learning curve:-)

Jwrider · 12-14-2022, 07:57 PM

I have a Lifan X-pect, but I,ll say the new Kpx 250 is on my short list for next bike. I,ll keep X-pect for my son to ride, nice bike, runs great.

CheapThrills · 12-16-2022, 04:52 PM

I picked up a Boom Vader Gen 2, I ride that around with the engine screaming and feeling like I am going 200+/hr, while cars line up behind me waiting to pass.

Texas Pete · 12-16-2022, 05:10 PM

My ultra simplistic view might help. The threads will bring you up to speed the best but if you get stuck in the weeds, here is a 10,000 foot view:

Hawk, one of the first bikes on the block. Lot's of owners, and well documented by now. Safe bet if you want everything to have been done by someone and give you a path to follow and a well known bike. One of the tribal elder gray beards of the bikes. Many of the other bikes of various time on the market are often compared to Hawks and are similar in some ways, different in others.

Templar X, of of the newer bikes on the block. A lot more upgraded parts than Hawk, some massively so like the frame, etc. Less well documented, though the templar threads here have added a lot of parts documentation in just the past few days. A lot of bike and large quality upgrade over Hawk et. al. for the same price range as the Hawk et. al. bikes.

Lifan, one of the best quality China brands quality wise. May not have the same upgraded parts as a Templar and get as much bike but what you get is good quality and you can get a good warranty etc.

11-14-2022, 02:17 AM	#1
DSAdventures Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Seattle Posts: 32	Shopping for second china bike Hello, new here but not new to the sport. Currently have a KLR 650 and street legal CR500r. Use to have a Chinese Trail 70 with a 90cc lifan motor, not bad for what it was. Now I am looking to add a Hawk or Templar to the stable. This forum definitely has some great expertise, hopefully I can contribute when I get the next bike. I will have a few questions coming in the sub-forums. Looking forward to being able to contribute to the forum when I get some more bike specific experience.
	1

11-14-2022, 08:47 AM	#2
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,726	Welcome aboard! My vote is for the Lifan KPX250. I own a Hawk. The KPX is a far better bike all around. Check Venom Motorsports out. They have a $100 discount on them right now. __________________ 2024 Linhai 300 ATV 4x4 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (Sold) 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
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12-16-2022, 04:52 PM	#6
CheapThrills Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Lehigh Valley Area Posts: 166	I picked up a Boom Vader Gen 2, I ride that around with the engine screaming and feeling like I am going 200+/hr, while cars line up behind me waiting to pass. __________________ - My 3 Bikes: 1. TaoTao TBR7 (My TBR7 Upgrades) 2. Boom Vader (FYI: My Boom Vader Upgrades) 3. 1978 Suzuki SG750 --------------------------------------------- Testing a YouTube Channel
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12-16-2022, 05:10 PM	#7
Texas Pete Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 612	My ultra simplistic view might help. The threads will bring you up to speed the best but if you get stuck in the weeds, here is a 10,000 foot view: Hawk, one of the first bikes on the block. Lot's of owners, and well documented by now. Safe bet if you want everything to have been done by someone and give you a path to follow and a well known bike. One of the tribal elder gray beards of the bikes. Many of the other bikes of various time on the market are often compared to Hawks and are similar in some ways, different in others. Templar X, of of the newer bikes on the block. A lot more upgraded parts than Hawk, some massively so like the frame, etc. Less well documented, though the templar threads here have added a lot of parts documentation in just the past few days. A lot of bike and large quality upgrade over Hawk et. al. for the same price range as the Hawk et. al. bikes. Lifan, one of the best quality China brands quality wise. May not have the same upgraded parts as a Templar and get as much bike but what you get is good quality and you can get a good warranty etc. __________________ 2022 1/2 Templar X 250 - 6 gear model - 13 Front / 40 Rear Sprockets - #42 / #120 Jets - 1mm thick nitrile O-ring needle shim (removed) - Kenda K761 Dual Sport Tires - Sedona Standard Thickness Inner Tubes - Stock OEM battery, carburetor, spark plug still going strong - https://youtu.be/dhAYEKH-jFQ Texas Pete's Templar X 250 Torque Specifications Sheet Texas Pete's Engine Displacement Calculator Texas Pete's Tire and Rim Compatibility
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11-15-2022, 03:55 AM	#4
DSAdventures Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Seattle Posts: 32	Thanks guys...I have a healthy thread going for a Templar X vs Hawk debate where I lay out more of what I am trying to do. Working my way up the learning curve:-)
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12-14-2022, 07:57 PM	#5
Jwrider Join Date: Jul 2022 Posts: 26	I have a Lifan X-pect, but I,ll say the new Kpx 250 is on my short list for next bike. I,ll keep X-pect for my son to ride, nice bike, runs great.
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