Looking into Chinese dirt bikes

[Civire325]

Hey All-
Wanted to say thank you all for the vast wealth of knowledge posted on this site.

I got into riding in 2015 and crashed my first motorcycle (1999 Aprilia Pegaso 650) less than a year later after i panic braked when someone pulled out on me. At the time, i was told (cough cough) i was done with motorcycles, but she left the door open for a dirt bike.

Fast forward to 2024 - I've got 50 acres of woods in Maine, easy access to the state trails and a kid who likes "dirt motorcycles." I'm still doing my homework on these Chinese bikes and will absolutely have questions for you all. Thank you in advance.

(pic is cringe, please chuckle at my expense.)

[JerryHawk250]

Welcome aboard! Just ask away. I'm sure you will get plenty of answers.

[Crossbar]

.. yeah welcome! I used this site same as you before buying my first China bike. Lot's of knowledge from the members here.

[Sport Rider]

what's your budget?

[Civire325]

Originally Posted by Sport Rider

what's your budget?

My budget is around $1500 - 2k. The top of my list for now has been the XPro Hawk X, Vitacci Raven, BMS CRP, or the Templar line. I took my MSF course on a clapped out DR200, and was looking for a similar level of power/comfort. I realize these bikes are not going to be the same quality as a Japanese bike, and it'd be a project to get there.

[su98]

just look for a used one 250 cc is perfect for riding trails. Craigslist, marketplace, local flea markets. My 2016 CSC TT250 has been going strong for 4 years for me & was 1500 when I purchased in 2020 with a little over 700mi on the odometer.

[Sport Rider]

This templar with a 6 speed zong motor would be a good option.

https://www.powersportsmax.com/produ...kaAmX7EALw_wcB

This Hawk DLX would also be good but only a 5 speed.
https://xprousa.com/products/x-pro-h...36968304214176

[Thumper]

The 6 speed ZS172 engine in the Templar X is also counterbalanced. The carburetor will need rejetting, but the jets cost like $10 for a full set. This process is documented here in the Templar Resource guide (see post #4). Also has a short folding alloy gear shift, fully adjustable suspension and a much tougher and stiffer swingarm.

The Hawk DLX is EFI. No support from seller if there are electronic problems with EFI at any point, but most people don't have any issue other than running lean (not so good for an aircooled engine).

[J4Fun]

Thumper, I have a Hawk DLX and thinking that the bike will be fine with the EFI. Only time will tell down here in hot, humid FL. One thing I haven’t had to do is carb adjustments but I do have the Storm 150 DLX that does have a carb and it’s running well to. Lucky me so far on both bikes. My thoughts…

[Mumen Rider]

Originally Posted by J4Fun

Thumper, I have a Hawk DLX and thinking that the bike will be fine with the EFI. Only time will tell down here in hot, humid FL. One thing I haven’t had to do is carb adjustments but I do have the Storm 150 DLX that does have a carb and it’s running well to. Lucky me so far on both bikes. My thoughts…

The 150 DLX has a metal screen inside of the intake tract choking the engine on top of the catalytic cartridge inside of the muffler slowing the exhaust gas down. There is no point to EFI if you have a carburetor dialed in, these are not high performance engines(sadly).

[Thumper]

Originally Posted by Mumen Rider

The 150 DLX has a metal screen inside of the intake tract choking the engine on top of the catalytic cartridge inside of the muffler slowing the exhaust gas down. There is no point to EFI if you have a carburetor dialed in, these are not high performance engines(sadly).

Maybe EFI on these bikes is a response to emissions requirements as much as "no choke needed, just drive". EFI adjusts for altitude and temperature, and runs. Carburetors can be rendered difficult to modify, but they NEED to be tuned.

A dependable, tunable/adjustable EFI system would obviously be better, period.

[Civire325]

Hey all-
My first bike was about 4 other people's project and i was looking to start with a fresh- albeit chinese- slate.

Im getting hung up on the following considerations:
1. I'm 5'9" and 175lbs. my first bike had a seat height of 34" and it was top heavy. 36" seems real tall, so squishy shocks/ adjustable shocks/ shorter bike (tbr7/bashan storm/templar x?)
2. 250cc seems to be the right size. Dr200 was 20hp about 14 ft/lb. Templar x is there already, all hawks can get there
3. Inverted forks necessary? I like the way they look, but im a little hesitant to go EFI with the DLX because of the tuning. I have experience with carbs. Storm has em, Templar?
4. Seat- im 40, and i like a comfy seat. Id like to do casual riding on the trails, dont plan on jumping anything, but ill be 70%dirt 30%gravel. Condition of wife's approval likely to include zero asphalt. Templar seat looks like a 2×4 wrapped in pleather.
5. My long term goal of this is to do the TAT some day. it probably wont be this bike (Tenere!), but id like to try moto camping in Maine and do some overnight trips to get used to it. I want something i can put gear on.
6. Why does the Titan not get as much attention? Could i put gear on its tail? zong engine and inverted forks? Does the seat
feel comfortable?

Indecision and all, the theory-crafting is fun. I appreciate you all and hope youre all having a good weekend.

[Thumper]

Templars are Enduros, and they are TALL. So is the Titan. I lowered my Templar X. I like the seat. Not uncomfortable to me.

Nothing is "necessary". Inverted forks are much stiffer, good for handling, no heavier than standard forks.

Titan has an OHC version on the CGclone engine (233cc). I think 17hp instead of 15hp which the standard pushrod makes. It is an enduro frame, tall.

You need to look at the websites where these are listed/sold and go over the specifications. They have them. For instance... ALL Templars have a carburetor. They have the prices too!

[Civire325]

Oh, ive got a whole spreadsheet ive put together with dimensions and capacities (is that something i should share?) I just keep going back and forth on some of these. It looks like the Bashan bikes (Storm/Brozz) or the TBR7 are the best bets then. I cant seem to access Peace's page- are the Brozz Recon coming back?

[Thumper]

Peace Sports is gone. But you can still buy a Bashan Storm. Here is one vendor

https://www.killermotorsports.com/ba...dirt-bike.html