Chinese DS

[Savage]

I don't talk much about my bike here much because as we all know people easily judge and damn this or that without any real knowledge on the subject. Happens all the time on net forums. Anyway, my bike is a 200cc Lifan. So far it's been a great bike for me, once I got the "new virgin issues" taken care of. Most of the issues stem from the engines not being mounted solidly enough, which creates lots of vibes and wants to rattle the bike to pieces.
Here's some pics of it.

when i 1st got it


with my ktm i had for a week or 2 - needed too much work for me to want to screw with


had to test out the new trakmaster II at school creek


custom foot pegs


bar risers


For the Chinabike haters, the carb is made in Japan.
For the money, I'm very happy with it.

[Hayden]

So who sells those???


Hayden

[troy]

"For the money, I am happy with it."

And that is what matters. I read a conversation regarding the Chinese bikes and how people were bashing them. The best reply I saw was a wiser, older gentleman who said, "Yeah I remember similar conversations back in the 70's about those cheap Japanese bikes. Now we call them 'The Big 4'!"

[ajayhawkfan]

Where did you get it? I may be interested.

[Savage]

LOL, true. And isn't Kawasaki made in taiwan or somewhere else now? I'm not putting down, just mentioning it. I saw a vid on youtube of a new KLR owner who said he had to go through and locktight all his nuts and bolts, just like I did.
Actually for the money, I'm REAL happy with it because it was essentially free. Bought and sold a YZ and made enough on it to purchase this.

You can get them online or at a dealer from $1000-$1800. Supposedly there is the American Lifan brand and then there is a "grey market" Lifan, where the Lifan's are subpar (if that's possible, lol). I don't know if there's any truth to it or not. But I'm pretty sure after they get tighter importing laws that alot of the chinese powersport companies will go bye bye. Lifan seems to be one that's trying to set up networks and dealers like Honda did back in the day. I'm sure their products will improve and prices will go up. I plan to hold onto my "Honda Trail 70" for years.

[Savage]

Call AL and ask them who/where your local dealer is.
877-341-2933
We've got a dealer in Manhattan, but I would think you guys would have a closer one.


I've also got a clone PW50. It's called a PY50, but everything from the PW fits it exactly. I'm pretty sure Yamaha was in bed with one of the chinese companies bigtime. Ran the VIN and found out it was a 2002. It's awesome!

[Stu]

we apparently do not have a closer dealer than Manhattan, but that is OK. Lifan seems to have a pretty good rep on line compared to some of the others.

I do not think it is a valid argument to say that the Chinese bikes are where the Japanese manufacturers were in the '70s. There are too many variables. It is up the the Chinese manufacturers to stand on their own merits, not on what they might be compared to regarding other manufacturers.

I would like to see the Lifan. Who is the dealer in Manhattan? If the bike survived repeated bashings at School Creek it must have merit.

Stu

[safiri]

I'm pretty sure Yamaha was in bed with one of the chinese companies bigtime. Ran the VIN and found out it was a 2002. It's awesome!

From what I have read I believe the Chinese manufacturers have bought old tooling from the Japanese manufacturers and produce bikes from this tooling. [Something similar is the Ural made in Russia. Some say the Russian's took the tooling from the defeated Germans at the end of WW2, other stories claim the Russian's bought old tooling from BMW in the 1930s. Either way, the Ural is based on a 30's BMW boxer and looks like a BMW.]

Whether "old Japanese" or new Chinese I got nothing bad to say about your bike! It has two wheels and apparently handles off-road just fine. And the first time you dumped / scratched your new bike I bet the price you paid led to a lot fewer tears!

[Savage]

I agree. They could be using their old blueprints but they could be using B quality metal whereas Honda used A quality metal and welds.

Most of the time I just hop on it and cruise it out around the lake and such and then swing by the spillway and hit the trails for awhile and then go cruise some more. My bike gives me that little bit of freedom I need from house chores and such.

The new GY-5's have a counterbalanced engine so that is suppose to help the engine vibes. The dealer is Great Mileage Rides and the # 785-539-1122
It's no Honda or Yamaha but for the money, I really like it.

[troy]

...And the first time you dumped / scratched your new bike I bet the price you paid led to a lot fewer tears!

Yeah! Some idiots around here go out and spend a fortune on brand new, fancy-shmancy Huskies just to beat them up on the trail. What are you saying, safiri?! lol

[Savage]

You guys are cool with these cheap knockoff bikes. Thank you! Alot of "name brand" riders won't give them any respect. No different than my Harley riding brother who thinks every other brand of cycle just won't do. So sad. You've got to have an open mind.

[slimtrader]

I think it's a nice looking bike. If it does everything you want it to do why worry about what others say. I don't think it's the bike for me but neither is a harley. I don't think harley can rave about high quality or high performance for the money. You are buying a name and an image. Then there is the argument about trying not to buy chinese for ethical reasons, political and human rights issues and such. I buy chinese tools at harbor frieght when it's not a tool I will be using too often and want to save some money so I can't point any fingers.

[Savage]

Yeah it cracks me up when people can't grasp riding a chinabike, but EVERYTHING else they use is Made in China. Our PC's, clothes, tools, you name it.

Here's a chinabike that might be closer for you guys to check out in person. Looks like it has a counterbalanced engine too.

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/mcy/578171984.html

[Hank Moody]

Is that lead paint I see on the frame????

Do you know if they make a 650?

[Savage]

I learned not to ride it naked anymore. The red paint in the seat really irritates the...
If they made a >400, I'd have it. They just came out with a V-twin cruiser and a 400 4WD quad.

[will_kc]

Another company makes a weee strom clone.

http://www.blujay.com/item/Hyosung-GT65 ... 00-1539014

I wonder if there's a warning about swallowing the small parts or putting the plastic wrapper over your head....

[Savage]

I've heard Hyosung is basicly the same as Suzuki. I don't think they are a chinabike - some other country. I've heard they are much smoother than a chinabike. But they cost alot more too. I would rather buy the Suzuki.

[troy]

I would rather buy the Suzuki.

Exactly. At that price, I'll buy the real deal, thank you.

[Savage]

This little bike is getting me some good gas mileage!