Inital impressions of my new-to-me Qlink XF200

beardo · 10-13-2010, 11:33 AM

New guy to this forum. Just picked up a pre-owned 2008 XF200 last night. I traded a guy an old kawasaki street bike that I had been trying to sell for some time for the qlink. He needed a street bike, and I wanted a dp type bike. Read a lot of good things about the Qlinks, so I figured, why not. A bit about me first. I have been street riding for 12 years and riding full time for the past 6, ie year round, every day I can. I have had more bikes than I care to admit. I have bike a.d.d. I have everything from american, to european, to japanese. Every type, dual purpose, sportbike, motard, cruiser, standard, you name it. Old and new. So I have plenty of experience to go on when evaluating this bike. Here are the few bikes I drew from when first laying eyes on the qlink to my ride home, which was 100 miles back; 72 XL250, 08 CRF230L, 07 DRZ400SM. And away we go...

My thoughts from first laying eyes on the bike:

The good-Overall, as a whole, it looked pretty good, from first glance. I remember being in south Florida about ten years ago when the first wave of chinese, street legal bikes hit the local shops. While on one hand, I was excited to see very affordable bikes available to Joe Average, I was still one of them, the quality was woefully missing! Its bad enough that the brackets and fasteners where of pot metal and looked like they would break in a good wind, but the cases and heads themselves looked equally bad and weeping oil on the showroom floor. Hey, I thought only Harleys did that!

So, the fact that this Qlink looked the part right off the bat, was of a great relief to me. The major parts of the bike look to be of quality. The frame, engine, wheels, heck, even the suspension, look good to go.

The bad-Still with the cheep fasteners and some brackets. I realize that Qingqi makes these bikes to a point, but they make so many of them, that you would think they could do something about the minor components. I can deal with the instruments reading in kilometers, but no trip? I could do without the gear indicator for a trip.

The ugly-The mirrors, body work, and my personal gripe, the throttle tube. The mirrors and body are self expanatory, but the throttle tube is ratioed way too slow. I dont want to have to double grip to get the bike going like it should, so even bofore I rode the bike, I knew it was going to be a problem.

So, overall, Im pleased with the way it looked. The bike had 2,969 km (about 1845 mi) when we took off to do the paperwork.

The ride-Pretty much what I was expecting, slow, light and handles like a motard. Right off the bat, I have my first dislike...the very notchy transmission. I know I was spoiled with the CRF230L. A very fine machine, first rate quality, but since this XF200 had basically a DR200 motor in it, I was scratching my head as to why it felt like it did. It was comparable to my old 72 XL250, a bike made almost 40 years ago! It doesnt feel as if there is anything wrong with it, just very notchy.

The motor carburates cleanly, if a bit slowly. I wasnt expecting much from a small four stroke, so no surprises. This particular bike is bone stock, so while Im going through it, I'll be rejetting with a Uni or Moose filter. May have access to an FMF at the dealer that I work part time at, so if I can squeeze 3 horses to the wheel, Ill be happy.

Stock gearing is going to be good for the dirt, but is way too low for the street. Topping out at 60 mph is a good way to get run off the road, or just plain run over.

I mentioned the mirrors. I have some from another bike that I hope to be putting on, provided the threads match up. I have a bunch of H4 55W bulbs, so one will be going in as well.

So, all in all, I have had the 100 mile ride home last night and the ride into work this morning to figure that it will serve a purpose commuting and very light off-road duty. Replacing major parts shouldnt be a problem, and minor things like body work, as it breaks, will be replaced with aftermarket bits.

Barnone · 10-13-2010, 12:54 PM

beardo,
Welcome and thanks for your impressions of the XF200. I have a leftover 2009 in the crate on the way that should be here this week.
BTW are you also known as bierdo of after market XT225 fame?

beardo · 10-13-2010, 03:04 PM

LOL nope. Its always been just beardo...

FastDoc · 10-13-2010, 03:35 PM

Welcome and thanks for the report. I am a fellow motorcycle addict, I don't know how many I have now, much less how many I've owned.

Like you I have and enjoy my Q very much. Thank you for the report. You will find it to be a fun and reliable dualsport with modest performance and great reliability.

beardo · 10-13-2010, 07:47 PM

Question, where can I find specs for this bike? I most certainly need valve specs and oil capacity for this weekend.

SpudRider · 10-14-2010, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beardo

Question, where can I find specs for this bike? I most certainly need valve specs and oil capacity for this weekend.

Thank you for the report, Beardo.

I own a Zong, so I will defer to the QLink owners to answer your questions.

However, you can also learn a lot of technical information regarding your QLink by reading the posts over at the MyChinaMoto.com forum.

Spud

FastDoc · 10-14-2010, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beardo

Question, where can I find specs for this bike? I most certainly need valve specs and oil capacity for this weekend.

Valves are .006-.008 exhaust and intake (there are some minor variations depending on the data source, but this is goo), oil it 1 liter 10W-40. Oil filter is a Fram 131 or equivilent.

beardo · 10-14-2010, 07:30 AM

FastDoc, thanks very much for the info. I will be going through the bike this weekend.

FastDoc · 10-14-2010, 11:34 AM

When you adjust the valves remove the breather tube and the horn bracket in addition to the tank. This will make it easier. MCM has an outstanding tutorial in the Maintenence section you may want to look at. Even if you've done this many times before it's still helpful.

Oengus · 10-16-2010, 07:20 PM

The valve clearance of the intake and exhaust valves are different.
Intake: 0.06-0.08
Exhaust: 0.10-0.12

That's from the service manual.

The stock jets are 122.5 main and 32.5 slow, they can be upped to 125 and 35 the Suzuki part numbers are
09491-25010 and 09492-35008 Its a Mikuni BS 28 carburetor.

The front sprocket is a 15 tooth and can be changed to a 16 then the ratio becomes 3.00 stock it is 3.20, if you have a 48 tooth rear some have 45. Sprocket Specialists part 550-16
http://www.sprocketspecialists.com/P...roductID=15639

I am going to make a trip one of these days to HMF
HMF Engineering 5111 West 164th Street, Brookpark, Ohio 44142
http://hmfracing.com/

I will buy the jets and then see if these people will make a muffler for the bike. http://hmfracing.com/

mizke · 10-16-2010, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oengus

The valve clearance of the intake and exhaust valves are different.
Intake: 0.06-0.08
Exhaust: 0.10-0.12

That's from the service manual.

The stock jets are 122.5 main and 32.5 slow, they can be upped to 125 and 35 the Suzuki part numbers are
09491-25010 and 09492-35008 Its a Mikuni BS 28 carburetor.

The front sprocket is a 15 tooth and can be changed to a 16 then the ratio becomes 3.00 stock it is 3.20, if you have a 48 tooth rear some have 45. Sprocket Specialists part 550-16
http://www.sprocketspecialists.com/P...roductID=15639

I am going to make a trip one of these days to HMF
HMF Engineering 5111 West 164th Street, Brookpark, Ohio 44142
http://hmfracing.com/

I will buy the jets and then see if these people will make a muffler for the bike. http://hmfracing.com/

question moved to the atv forum

SpudRider · 10-16-2010, 09:29 PM

Mike,

I'm sure the knowledgeable, helpful people in the ATV Forum know the answer to your question.

I encourage you to post your question in a new thread in the ATV Forum.

Spud

Barnone · 10-16-2010, 09:45 PM

Oengus,
That post was great. Answered my questions on my soon to arrive XF200.
Thanks,

10-13-2010, 11:33 AM	#1
beardo Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 20	Inital impressions of my new-to-me Qlink XF200 New guy to this forum. Just picked up a pre-owned 2008 XF200 last night. I traded a guy an old kawasaki street bike that I had been trying to sell for some time for the qlink. He needed a street bike, and I wanted a dp type bike. Read a lot of good things about the Qlinks, so I figured, why not. A bit about me first. I have been street riding for 12 years and riding full time for the past 6, ie year round, every day I can. I have had more bikes than I care to admit. I have bike a.d.d. I have everything from american, to european, to japanese. Every type, dual purpose, sportbike, motard, cruiser, standard, you name it. Old and new. So I have plenty of experience to go on when evaluating this bike. Here are the few bikes I drew from when first laying eyes on the qlink to my ride home, which was 100 miles back; 72 XL250, 08 CRF230L, 07 DRZ400SM. And away we go... My thoughts from first laying eyes on the bike: The good-Overall, as a whole, it looked pretty good, from first glance. I remember being in south Florida about ten years ago when the first wave of chinese, street legal bikes hit the local shops. While on one hand, I was excited to see very affordable bikes available to Joe Average, I was still one of them, the quality was woefully missing! Its bad enough that the brackets and fasteners where of pot metal and looked like they would break in a good wind, but the cases and heads themselves looked equally bad and weeping oil on the showroom floor. Hey, I thought only Harleys did that! So, the fact that this Qlink looked the part right off the bat, was of a great relief to me. The major parts of the bike look to be of quality. The frame, engine, wheels, heck, even the suspension, look good to go. The bad-Still with the cheep fasteners and some brackets. I realize that Qingqi makes these bikes to a point, but they make so many of them, that you would think they could do something about the minor components. I can deal with the instruments reading in kilometers, but no trip? I could do without the gear indicator for a trip. The ugly-The mirrors, body work, and my personal gripe, the throttle tube. The mirrors and body are self expanatory, but the throttle tube is ratioed way too slow. I dont want to have to double grip to get the bike going like it should, so even bofore I rode the bike, I knew it was going to be a problem. So, overall, Im pleased with the way it looked. The bike had 2,969 km (about 1845 mi) when we took off to do the paperwork. The ride-Pretty much what I was expecting, slow, light and handles like a motard. Right off the bat, I have my first dislike...the very notchy transmission. I know I was spoiled with the CRF230L. A very fine machine, first rate quality, but since this XF200 had basically a DR200 motor in it, I was scratching my head as to why it felt like it did. It was comparable to my old 72 XL250, a bike made almost 40 years ago! It doesnt feel as if there is anything wrong with it, just very notchy. The motor carburates cleanly, if a bit slowly. I wasnt expecting much from a small four stroke, so no surprises. This particular bike is bone stock, so while Im going through it, I'll be rejetting with a Uni or Moose filter. May have access to an FMF at the dealer that I work part time at, so if I can squeeze 3 horses to the wheel, Ill be happy. Stock gearing is going to be good for the dirt, but is way too low for the street. Topping out at 60 mph is a good way to get run off the road, or just plain run over. I mentioned the mirrors. I have some from another bike that I hope to be putting on, provided the threads match up. I have a bunch of H4 55W bulbs, so one will be going in as well. So, all in all, I have had the 100 mile ride home last night and the ride into work this morning to figure that it will serve a purpose commuting and very light off-road duty. Replacing major parts shouldnt be a problem, and minor things like body work, as it breaks, will be replaced with aftermarket bits.
	0

10-13-2010, 03:35 PM	#4
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Welcome and thanks for the report. I am a fellow motorcycle addict, I don't know how many I have now, much less how many I've owned. Like you I have and enjoy my Q very much. Thank you for the report. You will find it to be a fun and reliable dualsport with modest performance and great reliability. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

10-14-2010, 11:34 AM	#9
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	When you adjust the valves remove the breather tube and the horn bracket in addition to the tank. This will make it easier. MCM has an outstanding tutorial in the Maintenence section you may want to look at. Even if you've done this many times before it's still helpful. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

10-16-2010, 09:29 PM	#12
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	Mike, I'm sure the knowledgeable, helpful people in the ATV Forum know the answer to your question. I encourage you to post your question in a new thread in the ATV Forum. Spud __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	0

10-13-2010, 12:54 PM	#2
Barnone Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,354	beardo, Welcome and thanks for your impressions of the XF200. I have a leftover 2009 in the crate on the way that should be here this week. BTW are you also known as bierdo of after market XT225 fame?
	0

10-13-2010, 03:04 PM	#3
beardo Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 20	LOL nope. Its always been just beardo...
	0

10-13-2010, 07:47 PM	#5
beardo Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 20	Question, where can I find specs for this bike? I most certainly need valve specs and oil capacity for this weekend.
	0

10-14-2010, 07:30 AM	#8
beardo Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 20	FastDoc, thanks very much for the info. I will be going through the bike this weekend.
	0

10-16-2010, 07:20 PM	#10
Oengus Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 826	The valve clearance of the intake and exhaust valves are different. Intake: 0.06-0.08 Exhaust: 0.10-0.12 That's from the service manual. The stock jets are 122.5 main and 32.5 slow, they can be upped to 125 and 35 the Suzuki part numbers are 09491-25010 and 09492-35008 Its a Mikuni BS 28 carburetor. The front sprocket is a 15 tooth and can be changed to a 16 then the ratio becomes 3.00 stock it is 3.20, if you have a 48 tooth rear some have 45. Sprocket Specialists part 550-16 http://www.sprocketspecialists.com/P...roductID=15639 I am going to make a trip one of these days to HMF HMF Engineering 5111 West 164th Street, Brookpark, Ohio 44142 http://hmfracing.com/ I will buy the jets and then see if these people will make a muffler for the bike. http://hmfracing.com/
	0

10-16-2010, 09:45 PM	#13
Barnone Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,354	Oengus, That post was great. Answered my questions on my soon to arrive XF200. Thanks,
	0