Lifan xPect No Mods, No Major Maintenance Experiment Thread

[China Rider 27]

CSC should take that NC450 with six speed and put it in a dual sport around 300 lbs with a price at $5000 I think would be worth a hard look.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by Boatguy

I’m glad you’re back here! You were very helpful with all my n00b questions getting this bike.

But yes, this is exactly it.

I just want to get off redline near top speed.

But also, I weigh nothing so my little Xpect could easily do 65 with me on it. That’s all I ask. Just 10mpg more so people don’t get too upset with me. I think another gear would help a lot with that.

I never really left, just don't have much to add and busy making life happen. I just peak in from time to time and browse about. I only comment when I feel I have something to add that hasn't already been said.

[K W]

Hey guys, I only weigh a buck fifty and I've realized that we are dealing with physics, 14hp can only push against the wind so much. Meaning, the bike is only going to go so fast until the wind resistance/wieght etc. limit it to a finite number. Until then, it's a heck of a lot of fun. 2500 miles on my 2020 Xpect and I have my own electrical issues, however I do love the bike.

[Boatguy]

Originally Posted by K W

Hey guys, I only weigh a buck fifty and I've realized that we are dealing with physics, 14hp can only push against the wind so much. Meaning, the bike is only going to go so fast until the wind resistance/wieght etc. limit it to a finite number. Until then, it's a heck of a lot of fun. 2500 miles on my 2020 Xpect and I have my own electrical issues, however I do love the bike.

I weigh about the same and I run out of RPMs before I hit top speed. You run out of power before you hit scary RPMs?

[GlennR]

The bikes with the water-cooled, 6 speed, Zongshen NC250/300 are able to hit 80 and can cruise at 65 mph for as long as your butt & hands can endure the vibes. The obvious problem is that they aren't available on a cheap bike. I don't think they're offered in a bike with an MSRP under $5,000.

I lucked up and picked up a Kayo K6 when Pitster Pro was liquidating their rebranded version for $3,000. That was a great deal & I'm glad that I was able to pick one up. But, $5,000 is just too much for these bikes. If a brand could offer a bike with the NC250/300 engine for $4,000ish it would make the decision to buy one much easier.

For some reason, the Chinese makers have created a big price gap between $2.5K to $5K, that we're struggling with here. Maybe they'll figure out how to produce a $3,000 bike that offers the performance levels we'd like to see. It seems like they need to use a 300cc air-cooled engine with a 6-speed.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by GlennR

The bikes with the water-cooled, 6 speed, Zongshen NC250/300 are able to hit 80 and can cruise at 65 mph for as long as your butt & hands can endure the vibes. The obvious problem is that they aren't available on a cheap bike. I don't think they're offered in a bike with an MSRP under $5,000.

The other issue with the NC250/300 powered bikes is that they are often only offered in more dedicated off road machines with smaller tanks and even worse seats.

I think what a lot of people here with Hawks/TBR7s/Brozz style machines would like to have is a bike with a full frame, big seat, and bigger traditional fuel tank like said bikes, but with that type of motor. Basically more of a street oriented style of dual sport (but not an ADV bike). Toss in some Fast Ace suspension with a bit more travel as well to make me happy.

As you said, the real catch is price. Even if somebody built a bike as I just described, it would probably clock in at 4k or more. Once you start getting into those price ranges and you can find good used Japanese bikes.

[Thumper]

Originally Posted by GlennR

The bikes with the water-cooled, 6 speed, Zongshen NC250/300 are able to hit 80 and can cruise at 65 mph for as long as your butt & hands can endure the vibes. The obvious problem is that they aren't available on a cheap bike. I don't think they're offered in a bike with an MSRP under $5,000.

I lucked up and picked up a Kayo K6 when Pitster Pro was liquidating their rebranded version for $3,000. That was a great deal & I'm glad that I was able to pick one up. But, $5,000 is just too much for these bikes. If a brand could offer a bike with the NC250/300 engine for $4,000ish it would make the decision to buy one much easier.

For some reason, the Chinese makers have created a big price gap between $2.5K to $5K, that we're struggling with here. Maybe they'll figure out how to produce a $3,000 bike that offers the performance levels we'd like to see. It seems like they need to use a 300cc air-cooled engine with a 6-speed.

The California Scooter Company (CSC) has a distributor here with an 2021 SR300 on sale for $4211. This is the last day of the sale. I have been sorely tempted. The only thing holding me back is, well, most of you already know!
It is $3500 for the street legal XF250X. They still have stock on both models, but the SR300 is what makes me sweat.

[GlennR]

Originally Posted by Thumper

The California Scooter Company (CSC) has a distributor here with an 2021 SR300 on sale for $4211. This is the last day of the sale. I have been sorely tempted. The only thing holding me back is, well, most of you already know!
It is $3500 for the street legal XF250X. They still have stock on both models, but the SR300 is what makes me sweat.

Does it have the new DOHC head? If you need a nudge, that would do it for me.

[culcune]

Originally Posted by Thumper

The California Scooter Company (CSC) has a distributor here with an 2021 SR300 on sale for $4211.

Not trying to be 'that guy' but rather so anyone interested wouldn't get confused and get lost looking for one on CSC's website, you meant SSR, I believe

http://www.ssrmotorsports.com/store/dirtbike/sr300s.php

Beautiful bike, and Asiawing has been around a long time producing these bikes with near-ish brand-name quality.

[Boatguy]

3000 miles. All is well.

Stock chain is S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G out though. May be time for a new one soon. Stock tires are getting noticeable tread wear in the middle. Especially the rear.

I’m actually at 3500 miles but forgot to update. Will update at 4000.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by Boatguy

3000 miles. All is well.

Stock chain is S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G out though. May be time for a new one soon. Stock tires are getting noticeable tread wear in the middle. Especially the rear.

I’m actually at 3500 miles but forgot to update. Will update at 4000.

I think this is about how many miles Jerry got out of his stock Hawk chain before it started to finally give up the ghost as well. Not a bad run for a chinesium chain.

[Boatguy]

Originally Posted by Megadan

I think this is about how many miles Jerry got out of his stock Hawk chain before it started to finally give up the ghost as well. Not a bad run for a chinesium chain.

Interesting data point. Good to know.

On my old road bikes I used to change the sprockets and chain all at the same time. Advisable on these bikes too?

Time for an oil change too. And maybe some new tires pretty soon.

Valve clearance has apparently been set properly by my dealer during setup. Might be time to take a look at the manual to check on some services intervals.

[Boatguy]

OK, I’m coming up on the 6000km (4000 mile) big maintenance overhaul as indicated by the users manual.

It involves inspecting a lot of stuff. Replacing some things. I think I need an opinion from the group on if this overhaul will count against my record-breaking attempt. I might do things like check the valve lash, replace tires and tubes, replace chains and sprockets, maybe replace the spark plug, tune up the spokes, and I sure would like a bigger gas tank if they make one.

This is a whole bunch of maintenance work. If I do this, is my thread toast? Should I be just riding this thing into the ground?

What do you all think?

[Britt]

Originally Posted by Boatguy

...
This is a whole bunch of maintenance work. If I do this, is my thread toast? Should I be just riding this thing into the ground?
What do you all think?

While the title of your thread does state 'no major maintenance', I don't think avoiding scheduled maintenance is really fair to any bike. To know how these bikes hold up, we really do need to follow their maintenance schedule. After all, you did the initial oil changes, right?

[Megadan]

Chain and sprockets are a normal maintenance wear item, just like brake pads