Hi Bird 250 Enduro

[zundapp2]

Have received, assembled, & preped my first China bike (a Hi Bird 250 Enduro) and want to share my experiences.

Bike was purchased from Tim at V Bike in Oklahoma. Great dealer; very friendly, organized and responsible. Bike arrived undamaged in a timely manner and included the necessary documents for registration (I hope). There were no missing parts.

Quibbles which surfaced during assembly:

The chain is two links too short. With the wheel in the forwardmost position chain play (without rider) was about 10mm. Added one link and one master link to correct the problem. Plan to remove these extra parts after chain has stretched a bit.

Turn signal switch fell apart during first test ride. (The screw in the control lever backed out and the lever separated from the switch). I replaced the screw with a longer version and added a nut and lock washer. Problem should not return.

The horn was inoperative. Turned the adjustment screw out about 1/16 turn and all is well.

The owner's manual is for the 200GY and not the 250GY. Doesn't really matter though because the manual is not very good. There is no reference to the oil capacity in either the manual or on the engine. Had to measure the oil drained from the engine to determine capacity.

All of my quibbles are really petty and insignificant. None would have prevented me from making the purchase.

In summary I am quite pleased with the dealer and the bike. Both have so far exceeded my expectations. I am looking forward to hours of enjoyment with both the bike and the China Riders forum.

[ScottFla]

I looked for a web site for VBike, all I could find were listings on cycletrader.com. The picture listed for the 250cc enduro looked like a regular lifan enduro, is this really a 250cc engine?

[Gasoline]

Many bikes in those cc has trimsets which can make them at least up to 50cc larger and in some cases more so the engine might be the same, dunno though, just passing some facts about other machines.

[zundapp2]

The data plate indicates an engine displacement of 248cc. The certificate of origin indicates 20 HP. I think it's a 250.

If I were smarter I would add some photos of the engine to this post. But I'm not that smart. I can say the outer engine covers do not resemble those I have seen on the LiFan 200s.

[Gasoline]

Ok, if it doesn't look the same as the 200s then it's probably modified (by factory), completely new design or as I said above, what I meant wasn't that your engine is trimmed, I meant that they can use the same blocks for a larger engine and yes, they can stamp another cc on it as well.

The thing is, if it doesn't look the same and you got the manual for the 200... I would call the seller and as for a correct manual.

[zundapp2]

Hi Gasoline,

Yes, I agree with all you say about making engines larger. That may or may not have been done with the Hi Bird; I'm really not certain. If it was made from a smaller displacement engine it probably wasn't the current LiFan 200 engine. I believe Hi Bird also sells a 200 Enduro and I think that engine may be LiFan.

[zundapp2]

For photos of the Hi Bird 250 go to eBay item 220188496341. If someone can ID the engine it would be a big help for me.

[ScottFla]

Yeah, 20 hp sounds about right for a 250cc engine, my Kymco 250cc rates out at 19hp. Just noticed you're near me in Ocala, I'm in Tallahassee. You signed up on all the other dual sport forums for our area?

[Gasoline]

To bad there aren't any closeups by the gearshifter... those numbers there are the id for the engine.

[zundapp2]

The markings on my engine are 169FMM*87600247*

[Gasoline]

Ok then, those I've never seen before so my theory might go right down :)

I got 169FML on my 200