03-01-2011, 01:39 PM | #16 |
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Tejas
Posts: 834
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Yeah, My KLR is for street duty only. Too pretty to get scratched up in the trails. I want a dedicated dirt bike for some serious trail riding in the National Forest in Conroe TX. I'm getting a cheap trailer to tow it.
Doc's "Dirt Rat" idea is intriguing. I see XR "parts bike" on Craigslist. Maybe I can have my own Honda-Lifan hybrid. Doc, how difficult was the heart transplant procedure? Any welding involved?
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03-01-2011, 02:12 PM | #17 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
Posts: 14,761
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It was really fairly easy and borderline fun. Bolt in, no welding. I got the donor bike for free, $357 for a new Lifan engine, and another $250 or so for the battery, air filter, bearings, chain, sprockets and plastic. So about $600 all told.
You can read all about it here: http://www.chinariders.net/modules.p...wtopic&t=10776 http://www.chinariders.net/modules.p...wtopic&t=10906
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03-01-2011, 03:06 PM | #18 |
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Terrell and Grapevine Tx.
Posts: 1,585
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just stay away from the 84 and 85. Different engine than china type.
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03-01-2011, 03:22 PM | #19 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
Posts: 14,761
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True.
There are also several threads in the Photo and Ride Report Section featuring The Dirt Rat if you are interested.
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03-01-2011, 04:43 PM | #20 |
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Altamont, Kansas
Posts: 15,103
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I would look for a late 80s early 90s xr200r. The lifan is near bolt in.
Parts for the xr200r are easy to find too.
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03-02-2011, 02:41 AM | #21 |
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Victoria British Columbia
Posts: 51
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IMO
Honda XR's rock. Great stable platform, good easy parts distribution. Yes there will be the nay-sayers in the group, chances are everyone has had a problem with something and that's what they remember. I grew up on Xr's, beat the crap out of them, barely serviced them and was never left stranded. Now I've got a Gio x 31-250 A china 250 is a little less than a Jap 200, but come's with electric start The Gio's suspension SUCKS, it's just telling you "I'm gona break in half if you jump me" It has a 3-4 litre fuel tank with no reserve |
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03-02-2011, 11:38 AM | #22 |
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Tejas
Posts: 834
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I know most Chinabike suspension sux. I had a Hi Bird (GY2 Lifanoid). But I've seen lots Youtube video of people jumping their Gios and having a good 'ol time. So I got the impression they've better suspensions. I guess I'm wrong?
If I can't find a decent XR for a good deal, what is the best China dirt bike in the USA for around $1500 or less, brand new? I guess I could get a Qlink and strip all the lights off and put knobbies on it.
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03-02-2011, 12:35 PM | #23 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
Posts: 14,761
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If you can't find an XR get a Q. I don't know where you live relative to Grapevine but if it's not far you can save shipping.
The lights add all of a pound or two I guess so you may as well leave them. Put some Dunlop knobbies on there and let her rock. The fact it will be plated will add convience, and resale value and I would only view that as a positive.
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03-02-2011, 02:10 PM | #24 |
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Tejas
Posts: 834
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I'm near Houston, one of the biggest city in America, and it doesn't enough have a Qlink dealer. The nearest Qlink dealer is like 100 miles away in Jasper. Grapvine is like 300 miles away.
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03-02-2011, 02:21 PM | #25 |
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Tejas
Posts: 834
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I found a Craigslist Roketa DB200A like-new with $500 asking price. It has 19" front and 16" rear wheel. I recall my Hi Bird had bigger wheels. Is this Roketa meant for adult or child? I'm an adult, 5'8".
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03-02-2011, 02:33 PM | #26 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
Posts: 14,761
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I don't think you'd be happy with those wheel sizes.
Jasper is close enough. Pay for a buddy's gas to drive you there and ride Q home. Have a blast!
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03-02-2011, 02:34 PM | #27 |
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Terrell and Grapevine Tx.
Posts: 1,585
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Who sells the Qlink in Grapevine?
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03-02-2011, 02:52 PM | #28 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
Posts: 14,761
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Isn't that where they are based?
4055 Corporate Dr. STE 200, Grapevine, TX 76051 Dealer Relations: (972) 539-2800 Dealer Relations: (866) 415-6655 Consumer Relations: (866) 626-8073 (817) 796-2232 Dealer Support: info@qlinkmotor.com Consumer Service: consumer@qlinkmotor.com
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03-02-2011, 04:21 PM | #29 |
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Terrell and Grapevine Tx.
Posts: 1,585
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They might be there. I dont think it is a dealership though. I will try and go by there tonight or this weekend and have a look.
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03-02-2011, 04:29 PM | #30 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Southeastern Washington desert
Posts: 14,761
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Cool. Do a recon. :P
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