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Old 01-03-2025, 04:43 PM   #16
Dusman   Dusman is offline
 
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Ugh….I had heard that Georgia was horrible for some Chinese bike registrations.


 
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Old 01-03-2025, 09:01 PM   #17
Thumper   Thumper is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Harry Dawg View Post
Update on the bike.
...
...
...
It seems as though ZUMA / X-Pro did not do their due diligence before offering this motorcycle for sale in the U.S. market.
...
I am sorry your state is blocking your efforts to register and plate. Some states are well known on this website to be problematic. Massachussetts, New Jersey come to mind, but there are others. CA is only concerned with EPA issues, and recognize the distributors and allow many Chinese bikes on the road.

XPro does acknowledge this, and we do have a section dedicated to this issue:
https://www.chinariders.net/forumdisplay.php?f=116

Here is one of the threads started regarding GA:
https://www.chinariders.net/showthre...hlight=Georgia

This is what is stated on the Paladin page on the XPro website:
"There are some good chance for this dirt bike to be registered for on road use in many states, please check with your local DMV for details, we do not make any gurantee on this."

The Storm DLX 250 page on the XPro website clearly states "Off road use only."

Again, I am sorry to hear about your problems with your motor vehicle folks, but it is not exactly fair to blame XPro. They sell lots of pit bikes too. The assumption is that not all states will let you ride these bikes on the road. Insurance is actually pretty easy to get if you just choose liability only. Mine costs less than $40 per year. Try Geico.
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Old 01-03-2025, 09:52 PM   #18
Mumen Rider   Mumen Rider is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Harry Dawg View Post
Otherwise, I am stuck with a dirt bike that can only be ridden at ORV parks.

You can register it in Montana or South Dakota under a business. Dirt Legal and 1dollarmontana both offer that service if you don't want to do the paper work yourself. You don't pay sales tax in Montana and the plate is permanent. I've seen two stroke Yamaha Raptors on the street here in Florida with Montana tags.


 
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Old 01-05-2025, 10:26 PM   #19
It's Chinesium   It's Chinesium is offline
 
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That's an absolute shame you are having issues with registering/licensing it. I have had good experiences working with the merchant regarding the paperwork in the past (powersportsmax). Best of luck.

OP, great job on your YouTube video, by the way. Thank you for providing additional content regarding the DLX 250. I look forward to your next (subscribed)!


 
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Old 01-06-2025, 01:42 AM   #20
slithica   slithica is offline
 
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Don't call insurance companies, do it online only. You would be better off getting it titled in another state.


 
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Old 01-06-2025, 07:08 AM   #21
Thumper   Thumper is offline
 
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Originally Posted by slithica View Post
Don't call insurance companies, do it online only. You would be better off getting it titled in another state.
You can try, but unfortunately, the VIN won't be recognized in an online session. Most of these bikes are not on the list of approved models so the online method fails to match a known bike. You have to call and speak to a human.
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Old 01-06-2025, 10:14 AM   #22
slithica   slithica is offline
 
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Geico and progressive both don't care that the vin doesn't match the white list.



Geico let me insure it, it just asked me online like 3 times to verify it. I clicked, yup that's it and it allowed it.


Progressive allowed it but gave me a call just to ask if I was sure that was correct. I said yes and it was fine.



I can't speak for the others but I doubt it's much different.


 
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Old 01-06-2025, 10:37 AM   #23
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I insured with Geico. When you enter the VIN online, it is not recognized. This was the case for Bashan Storm, three Templar X and my new Palladin. If this happens to you... I called and read the information to a Geico rep online and successfully added them (different dates over three years). I was able to cancel online when I sold the Bashan Storm, and two Templars.

I don't know how it accepted what is basically an invalid VIN online. Were you asked to call???

On the positive side, my one year premium was $34 for the Bashan Storm, $36 for the Templars and Palladin. Financial responsibility only (liability). Insanely low for a 250cc/300cc bike. That's $3 per month!


Quote:
Originally Posted by slithica View Post
Geico and progressive both don't care that the vin doesn't match the white list.



Geico let me insure it, it just asked me online like 3 times to verify it. I clicked, yup that's it and it allowed it.


Progressive allowed it but gave me a call just to ask if I was sure that was correct. I said yes and it was fine.



I can't speak for the others but I doubt it's much different.
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Last edited by Thumper; 01-06-2025 at 09:08 PM.
 
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Old 01-08-2025, 07:35 PM   #24
Harry Dawg   Harry Dawg is offline
 
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Thanks for all of the comments y'all.

After sitting on it for a week, I agree that I should have read the fine print more closely. I just saw so many people have no issues registering these that I assumed this was some sort of legal jargon to get around EPA standards.

My point of contention with X-Pro / Zuma is that they didn't register with the NHTSA. Being that they sell sports bikes (like the 250 Roadster) for use on highways, I figured they would have thought to tick this box before bringing a product to market.

This isn't specific to the Storm 250, as the exact error code returned by the DMV software was "Error Text 7: Manufacturer is not registered with NHTSA for sale or importation in the U.S. for use on U.S. roads. Please contact the manufacturer directly for more information."

Of course the tax assessor told me the only thing I needed was MSO, proof of insurance and a bill of sale. After they ran the VIN I find all of this out, which I had no way to know before purchasing the vehicle.

As far as the other items, I could probably get around these if the VIN would clear the DMV / NHTSA blocker.

PSM would not print me an alternate MSO with the "Manufactured For Highway Use" text. Whatever, they are the dealer / importer and aren't the manufacturer, so I wouldn't expect them to.

I did read shooterman's post, but it sounds like he did not have the issue with the DMV Error 7. I am assuming this was because his MCO had "Chonhqing Haosen Ltd." as the manufacturer v.s. Zuma on mine. His was also a Hawk 250 and not an X-Pro, and he is in a neighboring county, so that also could have something to do with it.

To that last point - GA seems to allow one to register a vehicle in a county they don't live in. So, I am thinking about trying my luck at the more rural Fannin county DMV and registering it to my grandma's address.

The Montana LLC pathway didn't seem cost effective, and I don't want the added tax complications.

Anyways, enough of the tax talk.

I took the bike out on it's maiden voyage last weekend!

My other buddy has a WR250, and we loaded the bikes on the trailer and took them to a near by "forested area". I know you technically need a tag to ride on roads in forested areas, so of course we went to private property. That being said, if I were to ride the bike on forest area roads, I have insurance and all of the DMV paper work, so I may have been willing to roll the dice on the $50 ticket for no tag.

I actually much preferred the Storm to the WR250. The Yamaha shifter was sloppy, and I could barely catch a gear without lifting the shifter 6" (granted it's a well used bike).
The display was not nearly as nice (no gear indicator). It was also much taller, so I didn't feel as comfortable on it.

The advantages of the WR250; the seat was much more comfortable, and the fuel injection gave it much better cold start manners.

We put down about 40 miles, and the bike ran very well. Some slight backfiring and trouble idling at first start, but once it warmed up it was fine. (28 Degrees outside)

We did some single track and light enduro riding, and it preformed like a little donkey. I was very proud of it. Where ever I pointed it, it would go. That was all fun and games, splashing through mud holes and riding some rock gardens, but eventually we needed to ride some hard pack to get to a lookout.

I came around the blue side of the mountain and hit a 100' patch of ice. The bike slid out from under me and I laid it down, skidding to a halt at the end of the ice sheet.
Unfortunately the gear shifter sheared off, and my new bark buster cracked.
Thankfully I had my new Byker riding gear on, and I barely felt a thing.

After weighing my options, I decided it was unsafe to try and ride and my buddy went to get the truck and trailer. So there I was, stuck on the top of a mountain for 2 hours in the freezing wind. I built a campfire and used the bike and a log as a wind jam. Curled up and ate some peanuts and a Coors Light my buddy left me.

He got back right around sun down, and we loaded up the bikes and headed home.

Lessons learned... Always carry spare parts! I had the tools, but no replacement parts.

In hindsight, I probably could have got it started in 3rd gear and rode back to the trailer, but I didn't want to chance it and wasn't thinking clearly.

So this weekends projects are;
1. Fixing the shifter lever
2. Plastic welding the bark buster and re-adjusting the clutch lever.
3. Putting the new gas tank on
4. Adjusting valve lash (try and improve start up manners and just good to be thorough)
5. Adjust chain tension (developed quite a bit of slack on the first ride, and was clunking on acceleration)

I will be making a YT video on this, so special shoutout to @It's Chinesium for your support and viewership! I always find it interesting to connect with forum members on other social media channels by happenstance.

At some point I want to get some saddle bags for it, as well as a tank bag. Just to have some part and tool storage, and have somewhere to put my paper work.

I am looking at the Keimoto brand on Amazon. Thinking this will be a "budget build" of sorts where I try and do everything as cheap as possible using Amazon parts.

Also, can anyone tell me how to post pictures? I know it's possible as I see other users posting stuff.

Anyways. That's it for now. Hope everyone has a good week, and will get to go riding this weekend!


 
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Old 01-09-2025, 10:01 AM   #25
Dusman   Dusman is offline
 
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Location: NC
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Storm 150 photos

Hi Harry Dawg,

Attached is a few photos of my blacked out Storm 150 DLX.
Mods: aftermarket folding shift lever, 16t front sprocket; Mikuni VM26FL, UNI pod filter, wider intake ID to match the Mikuni’s ID, RK 428HD chain, license plate LEDs, handguards, added a gel pad to the seat pan, and truck bed liner paintjob. I love this little thing. Given the modularity of this little guy and how light and maneauverable he is, I just can’t justify purchasing really any version of a Japanese dual sport since they just don’t make micro dual sports like this at this weight.
Future mods planned: Tusk impact rims, ZS212 engine, & maybe a DNM rear shock. Then I’ll be done.
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Old 01-09-2025, 12:02 PM   #26
Harry Dawg   Harry Dawg is offline
 
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I think I finally figured out how to post a photo!

Used an online image re-sizer (Adobe) to conform to MB limitation on this site.

Sounds like you have done some work to your storm Dusman! Nice looking bike.

I don't think I will go crazy with this one, as I want to see what kind of longevity and performance I get out of one of these in factory form.

However, I am very interested in your seat modification. The factory seat has about as much cushion as a 2x4, so if you can share more info on the gel pad that would be great.
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Old 01-09-2025, 01:52 PM   #27
Dusman   Dusman is offline
 
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Nice photo of the DLX250 around the ole’ campfire! For the seat cushion mod, I just carefully removed the seat cover, put the gel over the seat and marked it with a sharpie, then cut it with a box cutter, removed the protective plastic from the adhesive side of the gel, then carefully refitted the seat cushion cover back on and re-stapled it back in place with a staple gun using T10 staples. It’s worked great! Here’s a link to the gel I used:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...e?ie=UTF8&th=1


 
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Old 01-09-2025, 05:44 PM   #28
It's Chinesium   It's Chinesium is offline
 
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I enjoy my KEMIMOTO handlebar bag. Fits a phone, keys, knife. GAWAF is similar but a little bigger. Installed both, both work well for my rough trail riding. I do not trust phone mounts for my riding, so it goes in here.

I personally got thick yoga matt, and marine fabric that was antifungal/antibacterial and stapled it. There are a few videos out showing how to do what
DUSMAN has described above. Many ways to achieve your goal. I made mine way wider and taller, which was night and day. I am no longer doing full squats to go from sit and stand, lol.

I ordered a bolt kit that was compatible with my model, so I have critical replacement bolts with me at all times.

I made a small tool kit as well, that I take on the trail, but also use to repair the bike, so I know I always have all the tools I need with me. Extra shift lever is one of my spare parts, hahaha. Big zip ties! Highly recommend!!! A few other odds and ends.

Regarding the YouTube thing, I didn't notice you were the same person for a few. Took a bit for the username realization to dawn on me. Good luck with the content! Glad you seemed to have been enjoying the rip on the bike until the incident.


 
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Old 01-27-2025, 12:37 PM   #29
Harry Dawg   Harry Dawg is offline
 
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Good news on the registration.

I tried my luck at another tag office, and they got me in and out with no grief!

Although the same NHTSA error message popped up, they did some sort of manual over ride and got me a plate. Their only question was "What color is the bike, and how many cylinders does it have."

Not to keep beating a dead horse, but all that is required to fix this for other customers is for X-Pro to submit (2) single page forms to the NHTSA data base, which they flat our refused to do. I looked and there are home builders that are registering their vehicles with the NHTSA, so surely a brand the size of X-Pro would entertain this. It would literally take 5 minutes, but I guess not and it's not really my problem anymore.

Anyways, $153 later and I am ready to hit the road! Just in time too, as the weather is going to be in the 60's all week.

On the topic of road riding, I took it for a spin on the main road and it's a little squirrely at speeds over 40/50. I did notice that the front wheel was not perfectly rounded upon initial assembly, and there is a possibility I offset the rear wheel during chain tensioning.

I am going to order a spoke wrench and chain alignment gauge tool and preform inspection and maintenance, and then I'll re-evaluate road performance.

One thing to note, I almost think it would be worth it to get a model with counterbalanced engine, as this thing feels like I am riding a chainsaw lol. Definitely a lot of vibration... I'm not really hard up about it, as I knew this model was a bit unrefined going into the purchase.

I also got the new Rutu shifter lever installed after the ice spill. I actually prefer the factory shifter, as it sits a little closer to the foot peg. You kind of have to reach for the new shifter. I am only a size 8 though, so someone with a larger foot would probably have no issues.

On a different topic, I was riding the bike around the yard yesterday and hit a patch of wet leaves, leading to the bike coming out from under me and the brake lever cutting the s*** out of my ankle. I am lucky I didn't break my ankle, as the bike came down on top of my leg as I was trying to hop off it. I was wearing sneakers like a dumb a**, so lessons learned there.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good set of riding boots that won't break the bank? My buddy said to go with a double hinged model, but at $400 they are a little out of my budget.

I am more concerned with impact protection and ankle support than off-bike walking comfortability, so I am leaning towards an MX boot over an adventure boot.

On the topic of accessories, I got my Kemimoto handle bar bag installed. Fits a few tools and my paperwork perfectly. Definitely a good addition.

I am also interested in their saddle bags, but I don't know if they will fit given the lack of side support and the exposed exhaust on the Storm- https://www.amazon.com/kemimoto-Moto.../dp/B0925PKLRQ

Ok. That's it for now. Going to do my maintenance this week so I can hit the trails Friday-Sunday : )


 
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