Orion RXB-250L H.O. -v- Lifan KPX 250

[Piglife]

I am looking for another bike-been riding my modified Hawk 250 for 3 years now and still loving it; just wanting a little more...oomph. Especially when packing luggage, which is far to difficult on the Hawk, especially with an upgrade exhaust.

Anyway, I have been spec'ing the new Orion RXB 250L H.O. It seems like a pretty solid built bike, more aluminum, 249cc and 24HP. The price at OrionPowerSports.com is $3299.00 and it arrives fully assembled. It's a bit more than I was anticipating and then I stumbled across a YT video by Motocheeze about the Lifan KPX 250 and also saw JerryHawks YT video of the side by side comparison between the Hawk and the KPX 250. Both spoke very highly of the KPX 250 and I was impressed as they advertised the bike for around $2800.

Then, I went to VenomSports.com and the KPX is listed for $3199.00 and on Amazon they are $3699.00
In my inexperienced and ignorant opinion (not ever owning a KPX 250 or Orion) it seems to me that an all steel frame, swing arms, and rims w/ only 20HP just isn't worth $3199.00. I get that the KPX is superior to the Hawk but it does not seems to be superior to the Orion which is only $100 more and comes fully assembled???

Does anyone have an opinion on this? Possibly owners of either of these models?

Thanks very much for any input, trying to make the correct decision w/o wasting money.
-Piglife

[thedakotakid]

If you wait and watch, there are sales from Venom on the KPX250. The new Orion has definitely more features; I would like the adjustable shocks. I think the KPX has aluminum rims too

[TominMO]

I would not consider fully assembled to be a deal maker or breaker. Either way, you should check every nut and bolt on the bike when you get it, adding Loctite where useful.

You're gonna have to wrench on these bikes yourself, to at least some degree. You should immediately change the oil and check valve clearances. It is very common for Chinabikes to have valves that are too tight from the factory.

I would add, look at the features on both bikes and decide which one fits your plans for it. Do you want/need the knobbies and more-adjustable suspension of the Orion? Is the bike going to be used a lot in the dirt or just occasionally, with more pavement riding? Buy the bike you really want, AKA BOCO (buy once, cry once), to avoid regrets and second-guessing. If necessary, wait a couple months to save up the extra few hundred dollars.

[JerryHawk250]

The bikes are pretty much equal. It's going to depend on how you plan on riding. More Off road or street. For me, the KPX was the better option as i do more street riding than off road. It will handle trail riding with no problems. Then main difference will be that the KPX comes with a 2 year/12,000 mile parts warranty. Both American Lifan and Venom provide after sales support. Right now you can use the TAX100 discount code to get $100 off. If you mention that JerryHawk 250 sent you to them and that you're a member of chinariders.net, They usually throw in some extras along with the bike. They are a sponsor of this forum.

[thedakotakid]

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

The bikes are pretty much equal. It's going to depend on how you plan on riding. More Off road or street. For me, the KPX was the better option as i do more street riding than off road. It will handle trail riding with no problems. Then main difference will be that the KPX comes with a 2 year/12,000 mile parts warranty. Both American Lifan and Venom provide after sales support. Right now you can use the TAX100 discount code to get $100 off. If you mention that JerryHawk 250 sent you to them and that you're a member of chinariders.net, They usually throw in some extras along with the bike. They are a sponsor of this forum.

I should have mentioned it! Oh well, so long as the bike gets here with no birth marks