Has anyone lowered a KPX 250?

[Rule6]

The Yamaha TTR 230 and Honda CRF 230 both have a similar shape to the link on the KPX. So far I have not found any measurements for those links yet. If anyone knows, just post it here.

[Thumper]

Originally Posted by Rule6

Attachment 31788


Now to search the web for a lowering link that will work.

Very good. Now we're talkin.

Real specs. You have just broken new ground!

[Rule6]

Thanks Thumper! When I checked with Kouba Links, he of course never heard of a KPX 250, and did not appear eager to learn about them. It would be great if Lifan were to produce a link. Cheers!

[Rule6]

The link in place...

[Rule6]

Does anyone out there have a Yamaha TTR 230 or Honda CRF 230? If so, would there be any chance that you could measure the lower link at the bottom end of the rear shock? So far I have not found any measurements online, and I would rather not purchase one just to measure it. Thanks to all involved in Chinariders.net! Lots of great info here.

[mark hall]

I did. 32" seat height is possible with Stock wheels/tires if you drill another hole in the shock AND Add an inch to the bottom link. The bottom link on the KPX250 is mild steel.. so just cut it and weld in some new 1/4" steel. Welds like a dream with MIG. If a Really nice 34" height is acceptable with stock wheels/tires, leave the shock in the stock hole and just add the inch. That's where I ended up, ample travel.. turn in with street tires is AWESOME! Also you can lower the front 2 full inches if you get a handle bar set back kit and diddle the triple clamp. The USD forks have a full 2" of adjustment lower. I may see if I can nab another inch lower with internal mods.. That w/the real super moto 17" wheels should be ideal. Use the stock KPX hubs, but get 17" Hoops/rims ($275 Ebay) that take 8 gauge/4mm thick spokes and buy the spokes to lenghth ($100 2 wks ship). Pretty easy to respoke the stock hubs for 17" hoops. I'd like to compare mine to a KLX300 SM at over twice the price if anybody has one near annapolis MD?

[mark hall]

I have pics of my mods to the lower bracket and drilling the lower link. I would like to add a KPX250 Super Moto Conversion forum if possible? Maybe under Jerry's awesome content somewhere?

[mark hall]

Koubla and adjustable screw bearing end assemblies probably won't work right depending on how the bearings work when bolts torqued. The stock design is actually pretty sophisticated with sealed roller bearings at every joint.. IMO far easier to just weld in an extra inch between the two holes. Best to check the clearance through out whatever travel you end up with before you weld it up. The whole rear suspension assembly MIG welds beautifully.. it's cast Steel, not cast iron. Pics of mine coming..

[Rule6]

Originally Posted by mark hall

I did. 32" seat height is possible with Stock wheels/tires if you drill another hole in the shock AND Add an inch to the bottom link. The bottom link on the KPX250 is mild steel.. so just cut it and weld in some new 1/4" steel. Welds like a dream with MIG. If a Really nice 34" height is acceptable with stock wheels/tires, leave the shock in the stock hole and just add the inch. That's where I ended up, ample travel.. turn in with street tires is AWESOME! Also you can lower the front 2 full inches if you get a handle bar set back kit and diddle the triple clamp. The USD forks have a full 2" of adjustment lower. I may see if I can nab another inch lower with internal mods.. That w/the real super moto 17" wheels should be ideal. Use the stock KPX hubs, but get 17" Hoops/rims ($275 Ebay) that take 8 gauge/4mm thick spokes and buy the spokes to lenghth ($100 2 wks ship). Pretty easy to respoke the stock hubs for 17" hoops. I'd like to compare mine to a KLX300 SM at over twice the price if anybody has one near annapolis MD?

Sorry it has taken so long to get back on here, We just got power back last night.

I am very glad to hear that you were successful in lowering the bike. My wife is getting comfortable riding on the road, though it does bring her some challenges. She is eager to do some off-road riding, but I would rather lower her bike first.

Thank you for doing the work and posting it here! Maybe I will buy a new stock link and do the surgery on it.

[Rule6]

Originally Posted by mark hall

Koubla and adjustable screw bearing end assemblies probably won't work right depending on how the bearings work when bolts torqued. The stock design is actually pretty sophisticated with sealed roller bearings at every joint.. IMO far easier to just weld in an extra inch between the two holes. Best to check the clearance through out whatever travel you end up with before you weld it up. The whole rear suspension assembly MIG welds beautifully.. it's cast Steel, not cast iron. Pics of mine coming..

True about the Koubla links. I was hoping I could find one that was close enough to modify. Your solution is very much to be considered. Looking forward to seeing the photos!

[mark hall]

Thanks for the thumbs up.. Got the 17" rims, spokes and tires for the super moto.. plus the spoke threading tool just in case. Decided I'd wait to respoke the wheels over the winter.. having way too much fun on tubed street stock size tires (90-21 front and 12-18 rear) and lowered. The best way I figured out was to extend the stock bottom link.. it has perfect ball bearings and spacers.. low friction and perfect alignment. If you go Koubla link style, the two links are totally seperate, some possibility of binding plus there is parallogram movement possible.
Two issues so far:
1. Ran Out of Gas with 3 bars left!! I guess I need the second two inch drop on the front by switching to 17" front from 21".
2. Front end brake dive.. Not really a problem.. just would rather a bit less. I actually like the non-adjustable front shock valving.. near perfect damping, just too much movement. Two possibilities: Cut the spring, and/Or increase the viscosity of the shock oil. I will need to dissassemble the shocks to see what's possible with spacers and spring winding and end configuration. Otherwise I may try taking out some of the stock shock oil and replacing with 20 weight shock oil.
Love this bike.. street tires made ALL the difference! I'm actually a VG driver.. just didn't know it with the Dual nothing tires. Pushing 1200 miles!

[NinjaSICKthirtysix]

To put my 2 cents in. I owned a brand new 2021 tt250 in 2021 obviously. I no longer own it, for no other reason than I had to sell it. Wish I still had it, but recently have been looking to get another. I then came across the Lifan 250, and the extras it has over the tt250 made it more attractive to me, mainly it being a real 250cc, and the addition of a 6th gear. I was psyched for it until I saw the seat height. Really depressed me because I had flashbacks to my tt250. When my tt250 came I unboxed it but didn't remove the tie down straps and sat on it and was thrilled I could flat foot it!! UNTIL.... I removed the tie down straps and boy did it stretch it's legs UP. With my boots on I was on the very tips of my toes, to where I had to lean on my right foot to feel more stable when on it. I don't like that, and it didn't give me any confidence when riding through tight trails or any off road riding in general.
BTW, having just looked at the seat height for the tt250 and the lifan 250, the lifan 250 states 35 inches and the tt250 states 33 inches. Seeing how I was on my toes on the tt250 I am now so bummed out about the additional 2 inches on the lifan 250. I don't understand why they are so high, especially being from China when traditionally Chinese people aren't much taller than 5'8 on average.
But it really comes down to inseam, which my inseam is 30 inches.

That being said, on my tt250 I did all the usual things first like raise the Forks as much as possible, and adjusted the front and rear suspension to its lowest setting. It didn't really make a difference, not worth the loss in off road capabilities anyway.
I should mention also that I ordered my tt250 with knobby tires, not the standard dual tires they come stock with. The knobbys were awesome and made the bike look so bad ass, but probably added a solid inch to its height. And if I got a lifan 250 I would want the knobby tires, which would only worsen the height issue for me.
So after a month with the tt250 I dropped nearly $300 on the aftermarket seat that is said to lower the height by about 2 inches. I was confident that would be the answer. The seat was amazing quality in case you're wondering, and gave the bike a unique look. I actually got alot of compliments on it. However, what wasn't great about it was that in an effort for the company to achieve a maximum lowering height it made it so that your balls were basically smashed against the fuel tank. It was slightly sloped forward so it was not possible to adjust your seating position when riding sliding yourself back a bit to be in the middle of the seat to avoid being pushed up against the tank, I kept sliding forward. It changed the ergonomics obviously, in terms of the way your legs and feet were repositioned on the pegs, being all the way forward instead of your legs and feet being aligned perfectly with the foot pegs, the new seat had it so your body was ahead of your foot pegs, i.e. your feet were behind the center of gravity. Also, with the stock handlebars, being pushed forward onto the tank made my arm positioning on the bars awkward, and to remedy it I had purchased a pro taper Handlebar and bar risers to align myself better.

Bottom line was that because of the seat height being as high as it was and me being as short as I am, it made the experience go from wonderful to uncomfortable.

The only thing I can think of other than major modifications to the suspension or smaller radius tires overall would be to find boots with the thickest soles available.

I originally looked at getting a KTM in the very beginning and went to my local shop that had KTM, I remember walking over to it and immediately knowing there was no way I'd be able to touch the ground, as the seat was up to my waist!! It was something like 37 inches!!

Anyway, as of now I have realigned my sites on the Lifan Xpect, as the seat height shows 32.7 inches. I think with tall enough boots, and slightly adjusting the suspension I MIGHT be okay.
It also seems like the seat itself is super cushy and I think a good half inch or more of seat material can be removed.

I have to say I am bummed out about it though, as it being only 200cc. I really REALLY wanted the experience of a real 250cc dual sport.

I also plan on using it for my primary vehicle and will be doing highway riding at times. I don't know what the top speed on the Xpect is, but if it can achieve atleast 65mph, even if I have to change the sprockets I'll be satisfied. My tt250 was capable of 65mph and stable even with the knobbys

I forgot to mention regarding the lower seat on the tt250, I STILL was not able to flat foot it. I was still on my toes, but admittedly it WAS ALOT closer to being flat footed than it was prior where I was literally like a ballerina on my very tippy toes hahaha

[TominMO]

I had an Xpect and sold it to get the KPX. At 65 mph the Xpect feels unstable; too light. I would not recommend it for highway use. That was about its max speed, and I had geared it up two teeth in front, from 15 to 17.

[mark hall]

In my opinion, if you're going highway, the KPX is pretty much maxxed out power/stability wise at 65/70.. Even lowered 2+ inches and street tires, just doesn't feel that stable. I'd do it for a couple/few exits, but that's about it. Got a Trailer Hitch bike carrier for long trips..

[TominMO]

Originally Posted by mark hall

In my opinion, if you're going highway, the KPX is pretty much maxxed out power/stability wise at 65/70.. Even lowered 2+ inches and street tires, just doesn't feel that stable. I'd do it for a couple/few exits, but that's about it. Got a Trailer Hitch bike carrier for long trips..

Agreed, it's not a long-trip bike. Not that it couldn't be done, but still.