Hawk-X 250 vs DLX vs Lifan KPX

[eatondirt]

These are some great posts, thanks again for everyone's input.

Originally Posted by culcune

Brand name bikes are the way to go once you have experience--even a year or two. My reasoning is even with the fact of resale value, once you go down a bunch of times, the cost to fix the bike with genuine parts adds up while the resale value goes down
Edit: The $4k KLX 230 seems like a good contender even with the near 35" seat height (vs. the usual 36" height found on most every bike). The $5k KLX 230 S has an even shorter seat, but it doesn't seem like that should justify $1k more (I admit I didn't read all the details besides that differentiating the two). Both are fuel-injected and have 6 speeds.

This is my thought as well, the S is what I'm getting quoted on in at the dealership, and when I saw the 5K price tag, I basically abandoned all hope of ever getting it even if it is almost the perfect height for short fellas like me.

I have seen it used nearby, but that gets me into the next problem I'm having;

Originally Posted by XLsior

I'd say if you can find a used Yamaha XT225 'serow' / XT250 or Kawasaki 'Super Sherpa'

A lot of my reasoning for looking into the Chonda market to begin with was because of my frustration with the used market. It's very common for me to call up someone with a used deal at the price I feel should be worth it just to ask "Is this title in your name" or "Is this a salvage title" and be told "No, and yes". Which is code for "It was never mine to try flipping on Facebook or Craigs List, but I was hoping you wouldn't notice".

An XT250, looking at my options, would run me about 4,400 used with 8K miles. I'm sure it's a fantastic bike, but 4.4K fantastic? That's why I think the people steering me toward the KPX or the XPECT may be onto something.

Originally Posted by Thumper

It is undeniable that EFI has some risk. A carburetor doesn't have sensors and complexity. EFI can require modification/adjustment if it is set up too lean, and a glitchy or failed sensor can take lots of testing to isolate and repair. Lifan is better about this, but no support if it is a Hawk.

Originally Posted by Do©Hawk

The China bikes are well worth what they cost. You'll get your money's worth out of it and then some. You can run a China bike til it turns to dust as long as you have the mechanical ability(not rocket science) and the testicular(or vaginal) fortitude to handle problems. Parts are available you just need to research harder to find the right ones.

You have the information to make an informed decision. You have to make it and own it. It won't be easy, but in the end, it will be yours. Good luck.

And these are more good points about them as well. I have experience with Carburetors and re-jetting carbs in small engines. I do not have much experience flashing EFIs to get better performance. Nor am I too familiar with any aftermarket equipment to do that for any of these bikes. An EJK For a Japanese bike costs $150 and will keep it tuned to any spec you desire for life, and AFAIK nothing like that exists for a bike like the KPX.

Though, I live practically at +300 feet of Sea Level, and this doesn't change until I get far away from where I'm going to be using it. I wasn't going to be using it as a commuter bike unless something catastrophic happens, so it was mostly going to be off-road recreational in and around where I live. So the default EFI settings may be just fine for me.

Originally Posted by bigdano711

Are you the type of person to change your own oil or take it to a Jiffy Lube? I'm guessing you're a Jiffy Lube kinda guy.
Not sure what you need to hear that hasn't been covered. Make up your damn mind and buy something. RIDE SAFE!

Nah, none of my vehicles would have lasted as long if I was a jiffy lube kind of guy. I service every single thing I own as much as I can without specialized tools. But I think I did make up my mind.

Originally Posted by Dusman

I have 2 Chondas and 2 Japanese bikes. My 2019 carbureted Hawk 250 has been a champ for the last 17,000 miles, but I’ve replaced nearly every major part on it such that the only thing that’s really OEM Hawk is the frame, and even that has been heavily modified with extra welds, bracing, etc. If you like tinkering, a carbureted Hawk 250 is great. If you want reliability, near Japanese quality, and minimal tinkering compared to the Hawk, go with a Lifan KPX250. It has a 35.6 inch seat height though, so that may be a factor; but, some people have lowered it an inch or so to make it tolerable for people like us who are vertically challenged (I have a 30” inseam, so I too have to be aware of the seat height issue).

I think this is the solution. Spend the little extra (It's not even that much extra) and get the Lifan and deal with the Seat Height issues. No having to argue with the DOT about MSOs and the like.

I think I've made up my mind in that case, Thanks everyone.

[bigdano711]

Nice. If it helps, my next bike will be a KPX250. Love the Hawk, will probably keep it for visitors like the brother-in-law to ride.


Not sure if I mentioned it, but if this is your first bike, PLEASE check out the Motorcycle Safety Foundation:


https://msf-usa.org/


They will teach you things that will save your life.

[eatondirt]

Originally Posted by bigdano711

Nice. If it helps, my next bike will be a KPX250. Love the Hawk, will probably keep it for visitors like the brother-in-law to ride.


Not sure if I mentioned it, but if this is your first bike, PLEASE check out the Motorcycle Safety Foundation:


https://msf-usa.org/


They will teach you things that will save your life.

Thank you! That's such good advice that I've already taken the MSF and got my endorsement. I'm going to be using whatever I buy to sign up for the advanced MSF courses that require you to bring your own bike.

[XLsior]

Depends on the used market.



Ever once in a while someone will sell a motorcycle in great condition at a low price just to liquidate it and make a fast buck...


Especially in difficult economic times...


The KPX250 and Templar X are great bikes and if there are enough them around the used market will have to adjust to compete...

[kyle]

Originally Posted by culcune

Okay--the $4k KLX as well as the $4.2k KLX with ABS are both 2023 models, vs. the $5k KLX which is a 2024 model.

My buddy though the same thing until he got to the dealer and saw the out the door price on a Kawasaki.. it's not just tax/tag/title. His 5k bike cost over 6k.. furthering the argument for Chinese bike pricing being at least straight foward.

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by kyle

My buddy though the same thing until he got to the dealer and saw the out the door price on a Kawasaki.. it's not just tax/tag/title. His 5k bike cost over 6k.. furthering the argument for Chinese bike pricing being at least straight foward.

Most of the dealers add the BS fees at the end. My local dealer lost two sale from me with the SB fees.

[culcune]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

Most of the dealers add the BS fees at the end. My local dealer lost two sale from me with the SB fees.

The quality of the Chinese bikes has really gone up, and the prices, even with the stimulus money causing inflation (and that was DURING COVID) of all Chinese motorsports, the current prices really haven't gone out of control. And the bikes we take for granted are much higher quality than the ones from 10 to 15 years ago, even though those ones cost about as much as they do now.

There are quite a few choices in the $2k range, and if you bump up your budget to $3k, you get into some great bikes, such as the venerable SSR XF250 or the more and more proven KPX250. Name brand bikes are a few hits and mostly misses as far as prices go. I have seen numerous posts (on this site and others) over the years from certain individuals who seem to find otd prices of big brand bikes for less than msrp (seemed to be in the Pacific Northwest, and east of there into states like Idaho and Montana). This was years ago, so I would be curious if those areas still have low, blow-out prices considering their real estate prices have gone super high--like where professionals like school principals have gotten hired and are living in RVs because their six-figure salary cannot pay for a house or even local rent--like Wyoming and Idaho and Montana. So, I am guessing the answer would be no to low big-brand bike prices nowadays.