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#1 |
Join Date: Sep 2024
Posts: 3
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Hawk-X 250 vs DLX vs Lifan KPX
Hi,
I'm facing some decision paralysis at the moment. I'm hoping maybe someone has some advice for a new rider who was hoping to get into offroading in general. I've been doing tons of research on these bikes, almost pulled the trigger on a Hawk 250 until I did a little more research and realized this was a rabbithole with more nuance than simply "Buy 1600 dollar bike and take it off-road". I would like a bike but also one that I could own to keep. I tend to not throw away my purchases, ever. For a little background, I had started this journey at a dealer looking at new Japanese name brand dual sports. Unfortunately dealers and the used market have seem to have lost their minds where I live. $5000 for a 5 year old DRZ400 with 10K miles is typical where I live on the East Coast and CRF250s going for well over $6000. The most affordable bikes I can find is the KLR 650. A 480 lbs adventure bike that would likely not play well with an inexperienced, short rider of 5'6" stature and 29 inch inseam weighing a meager 142 lbs. I'm fearful that the first time I take it off-road, it would crush me like an ant. I want this experience to be fun and be something I don't regret if I happen to spend money on one of these bikes and decide that it was never for me after all. Which is hard to do when the dealer is quoting me $5200 for a used KLX230. Which lead me to the Hawk 250. tl;dr: I'd like a bike that has some premium parts to it but isn't priced ridiculously expensive. The Hawk-X was my first decision until I learned the DLX is made of mostly higher-than-average parts compared to the regular 250. But then, I learned of the Lifan KPX, a model going for 2.7K on TXPS that apparently rides and feels very similar to the CRF250. Since I'm not really sure which one to go with, I'd like a little advice if someone has it. I'm fine with a wrench, so changing a carb is not something I fear. But things like fixing shoddy, slender forks or having to hold a bike together with loctite is not something I am familiar with. Any suggestions? EDIT: The idea of biting the bullet on a KLR 650 and just taking my licks is also not off the table, just something I am not sure is a good way to start. |
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#2 |
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 2,579
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Lifan KPX 250 and Templars are TALL dirt bikes. You would not want that
Look into Bashan Storm 250 DB-08. It was my first Chinese dual sport. Counterbalanced dependable CG250 engine, inverted front forks, comfy seat. It has a decent luggage rack too. I sold mine when I got. Templar X, but it was running great when I sold it.
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-NOS 2020 KTM 250SX (2-stroke motocross) |
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#4 |
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 2,579
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Here is 1st my post on the Storm
https://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?p=355615 The inverted forks are nice. I did get a Tusk folding greashift lever for it. The rack is strong and pretty wide. I really recomend this bike. Bashan has not changed it at all. A seller in Kentucky used to have the Storm (Don Hopper?). Jeff at Peace Sports had the Bashan Recon and Brozz, but I don't think he sells them anymore. The Recon is NICE. These two bikes used to be essentially the same as the Storm, but Jeff had them outfitted with 18"/21" wheeles/tires. But they were not $1500 anymore, and unavalable now.
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-NOS 2020 KTM 250SX (2-stroke motocross) |
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#6 | ||
Join Date: Sep 2024
Posts: 3
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Quote:
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I've only seen the Storm mentioned but never seen an in-depth look at it, so it's another added to the list. There are not a lot of dealers around where I am at who carry these types of bikes, so I would have to find one who ships to South Georgia. Another to the list, I've never heard of this one. 5 speed with fuel injection and better parts makes it seem like it's a slightly better version from the Hawk EFI? Thanks for the heads-up, I didn't know that about TXPS or who Manny even is. Which other dealerships are his? Is Venom an okay place to shop? |
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#7 |
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: Nevada, USA
Posts: 99
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Maybe the regular Templar, non-X/M, would be a good choice because it's shorter, but still very capable of any terrain and easy to pick up.
I started with the TT250 based on the Hawk 250. Dealership-assembled and quality controlled as with all CSC bikes, and it was easy to get my hands on parts within 2-3 days as I damaged them. Suspension on it is adequate for simple off-roading. Airing down tires makes a big difference but I'd still rather be on my Templar X for any rough stuff. The Seat Concepts seat does make the height very low so if you go with any Hawk-style motorcycle, I recommend getting that accessory. I felt confident slowly navigating uneven terrain or getting the bike out of a tricky spot. Rare that a foot ever had to dangle. On the street it would do great with more power, not saying this as a speed demon but just in a realistic sense. To really keep up with street traffic (50-60mph) you need to change the gear ratio but this cuts down on the hill climbing you can do off road. Depends on your definition of off road, and the terrain you face. I don't have experience riding on other terrain except desert stuff but with how it feels lifting a 300lb motorcycle a few times, I wouldn't touch something like a KLR650 unless my off roading was on easy dirt roads.
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Templar X 250: 14t / 42t, Nibbi PE30 |
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#8 | |
Join Date: Sep 2024
Posts: 3
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I saw people talking about the templar and the templar X, most of what I could find on it tells me that it is not a street legal bike. I don't know if that's accurate, but I'm yet to see a video or a picture with a license plate on it, and XPro's site lists it as a dirt bike for off-roading only. Is that accurate? |
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#9 | |
Join Date: Aug 2023
Location: Florida/N.Carolina
Posts: 12
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#10 |
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 257
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For the price of a Lifan KPX, you might as well get a Honda XR150L.
It's lighter, lower seat, and has the same 75MPH top speed, It's a bit more expensive and more simple in design, but, it's a Honda. Lots of people taking it off road, have replaced the skinny rear tires with a wider tire, and are quite happy with the performance. Not made for jumping or doing stunts, but enough power to do the trails. The last thing you want is a nearly 500LBS bike falling on offroad terrain, so I never bought the KLR for that purpose. If you do want a bit more power than the Honda, my second option would be a KLR 300. It just has a tad more torque, better if you plan on going over roots, branches, small diameter fallen tree trunks, rocks... Personally I would go for the lightest weight bike you can get, and the smallest CC for what you're using it for (like, if you do occasional short 1 mile highway exits, the 150 will be ok; but if you do regular 5-10+ mile highway rides, you'll want a 300-400cc bike. |
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#11 |
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 1,619
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Manny is the owner and chief scumbag of txps and all the other companies he owns ,not sure what they all are but if your buying something from Dallas ,Arlington or pretty much anywhere in Texas make sure you ask us first .Venom has about the best name out there and you can expect good service from them .
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