Haven't been here in a while, sold the lifan today.

[mdsuave13]

So after a year of ownership with no problems (minus the titling of the bike) i have to say that i sadly sold the lifan. I decided to upgrade to an 08 KLR650 as i really would like to do more long distance riding. Now that money is more available, i am able to do that.

I have to say that i had a great time with the chinabike, and it will be missed.

[Jim]

I think they are probably all good choices, the KLR seems like a great bike for the price, and looks great.

[AZ200cc]

You decided to step Waaaaaay up...Going to be a huge differance. :D

[mdsuave13]

i know.. i had to triple take my lifan sitting on the persons trailer as it rolled off into the sunset.. luckily a very nice lady purchased it to ride with her BF (assumed) he has a dr650 and he does mostly fire roads. She just wanted to share in the experience with him i think.

I referred her to here, her name is kelly, i dunno if you will see her on here though.. didn't seem like an internet savvy person.

I am excited to get the new bike though, i feel that last season on the lifan got me warmed up for something bigger and faster and better for long distance, although i will miss the lil guy for bombing around town, and getting looks of jealousy and admiration from all the people in cages. (don't worry, i kept the mohawk helmet for the new one :lol: )

[mdsuave13]

http://justinwells.250free.com/bikepics/front%20side%20skid.JPG

[Jim]

It was a good looking bike, whats the mohawk helmet?

[mdsuave13]

my Zamp Moto-x helmet has a huge red mohawk on it, it gave me looks galore :)

I have to keep it, i'll match my red KLR just fine :) plus i like the non visor Motox helmet for street riding anyways (i just wear motorcycle oakleys to keep the bugs and stones outta my eyes.

[n8zuz]

Where's the XR650L in that poll?

[culcune]

Good to see you back, but why no posts for the last 10 years or so? I could have registered that sucker in AZ for you...What was the final official word from the DMV, and where did you buy it from?

[MATT]

I just purchased a drz 400s. I gotta say it is a pretty mean machine. Wheelies are definately not a problem and the suspension is sweet. The 400 will suposedly do between 95 and 100 and it also weighs a 100 lbs less than the klr(400lbs is way to heavy to much of anything offroad). I would definatly consider the 400 its quite a leap from the lf200gy5

[fatboy250]

How many miles did you end up with after a year?

Jason

[mrhyak]

I was just wondering why all of the choices are 650's? I'd consider the 400's if you plan to do much trail/off-road stuff since I hear the 650's are pretty heavy.

Good luck.

[45_acp]

I like the DR650, but it is mostly my personal opinion. Good luck!

45_acp.-

[gyjoe]

Here's a little info on both:http://multisurfacemotorcycling.com/index.htm

[fatboy250]

I like the DR650, but it is mostly my personal opinion.

Same here.

[mdsuave13]

Good to see you back, but why no posts for the last 10 years or so? I could have registered that sucker in AZ for you...What was the final official word from the DMV, and where did you buy it from?
Bought from T-motorsports (one of the places on the press release from lifan american)

Haha, i got it tagged and titled, it took nearly all of march 2007 to do so. I must have spent like 10 trips worth of time to get it squared away. I rode it all last summer and into the winter.

I think my end mileage was like 2800km's or so. I had absolutely not a SINGLE pro... well actually i did have 1. the fork lock fell off.. but F it, i bought a pad lock that i put thru the rear disc with an alarm (xena). I sold it for 900 dollars, although the bike looked as good when i sold it, as when i bought it. Suprisingly i did nearly use up all of the back tire, it needed to be replaced when i sold it.

My new bike is a green 08 KLR650. I love it, i can actually ride long distances (on the HWY!!!) and although it is heavy in the dirt, its much more refined for long rides over a DRZ400... My buddy has one, i wouldn't consider the KLR and the DRZ even close to being in the same class. The DRZ is more like a faster chinabike, where-as the KLR is like a slower bandit that has knobby tires. Plus the tractor engine has so much low end grunt, you can shift from 1st to 5th and pretty much skip all the other gears for cruising. Its a very nice upgrade for what i needed (cheap commuter that i can ride anywhere, and including long distance touring)

I love the new bike, its WORLDS nicer for what i use the bike for, although i do miss the little 200 and its unique..... everything. I loved talking to people about it, getting lots of looks, stares, etc about it. I will get another chinabike when they get a 350 or 400 cc bike going on in the US. (something like a DR350 would be totally perfect to compliment the offroad side of riding, and the KLR will do my street and touring duties, until i can afford an even nicer bike.)

[mdsuave13]

I like the DR650, but it is mostly my personal opinion.

Same here.

I had the option of getting a used 07 klr with 200 miles, an 08 dr650, the 08 klr, and a new 08 DRZ400.

The 400 was out before i even rode it. I didn't like the seat, and it was not going to be good for 2 up or even any highway riding at all.

The dr is plain ugly, although it is a bit more powerful then the 07 klr. The 08 klr has more power then the 07, and the DR, bit is heavier also.

The 08 klr was much more refined and seemed like much more bike for the price. the Dr shows its age, just like the 07 klr did. I am assuming that the DR will be redone shortly to keep up with the new KLR.

I love the new KLR, its fantastic, worlds better then the previous one, if you ride 50/50 on pavement, and its much more comfy for long rides (very little vibes, wind protection, comfier seat, more compliant suspension, ohhh and the brakes WORK!!!)

[theENIGMATIC]

I think the newer model KLR is some what over-rated, I searched for an older model 99-00 year for a bit and they were good....but I decided to go with a new Chinese bike instead, the newer model KLR goes up in price but nothing really changes on the bike except the appearance, dont get me wrong awesome bikes but just a little expensive compared to a Chinese bike....plus Im not a speed demon, so I refuse to pay more for horsepower, if I could legally ride my bike over 100 KMPH then mabey I would go for a bigger bike, but Im really just a commuter, congrats on the purchase, how much did you get for the Lifan if you dont mind me asking? 8)

[SamM]

Posted by: mrhyak
I was just wondering why all of the choices are 650's? I'd consider the 400's if you plan to do much trail/off-road stuff since I hear the 650's are pretty heavy.

Good luck.

The 650 is much better for streetriding. The 400cc bike will do it but if you are going to tour the 650 is the smallest bike that will do it well. For trailriding the 400 is the better choice for sure. If possible getting both is the better option.

mdsuave13,
I also got a new 2008 KLR650 recently. My wife bought it for me for Christmas. I got the red one. My bike is being rebuild to suit my needs a little better. Most of the stcok controls have been sold off and new Moose Racing parts are being installed. I have an on-going thread in the Misc section. A buddy of mine turned me onto the new KLR last year. I decided to part out my 2005 KTM 950 and get the 650 for daily commuting and touring. Here's a pic!

The KLR is not as high-maintenance as the 950 was. The oil changes are much easier and it does not require expensive parts. In fact, even with everything I am doing to mine, I have much less in it than just the extras for my 950. The extras cost a fraction of what the extras for the 950 cost. I had $1600 in two sets of mufflers for the 950 and both sets were junk!

I'm very happy with the KLR and should have it ready to ride next week. It's still cold here so I'm not in a hurry!

SamM

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/4991/cimg0311zt0.jpg

[mdsuave13]

very nice SamM

I have about 200 miles on my new KLR. Its fantastic, although compared to the lifan, its so heavy off road, that its almost scary!

I just have to get used to it, but its worlds better on the street.

I may just get another lifan for single track and whatnot.

[mdsuave13]

The new bike and the HID's that i've already thrown in to it.(the lights are WORLDS apart from the chinabike)


http://lh3.ggpht.com/mdsuave132/R_bZVqVSf0I/AAAAAAAAAWA/aCQ5VFVj_Ms/first%20pics%205.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/mdsuave132/R_f936VSgJI/AAAAAAAAAZo/dSOYUU6ResM/klr%20hid%20install%2017.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/mdsuave132/R_gYyaVSgMI/AAAAAAAAAaY/lFVmNwQLDso/klr%20hid%20install%2020.jpg

[tcs]

Hold out for a Jialing JH600 (http://www.jialing.com.cn/newjl/en_web/600_sx01.html)!

No, seriously, love the '08 KLR650 - great bike!

tcs

[Savage]

Movin' on up to the eastside.
I prefer the looks of the older ones for some reason. The new ones look like a bird from the front. They're both SO COMFY to sit on.

[culcune]

Hold out for a Jialing JH600 (http://www.jialing.com.cn/newjl/en_web/600_sx01.html)!


"No hindrance but conquer!" (your own citizens :lol: )

[lego1970]

Good for you. I'd love to have either the 07 or 08 KLR's but I can't get good financing for one because my credit took a pretty good hit last year. I can get one of those high intrest rate revolving loans, but it then doesn't offset driving the fuel gulping truck everyday. I can't sell the truck because it's in good condition, paid off, and I need it for work from time to time. I think I'm about to get either a hi-bird250 or a GY-5. Anyway enjoy your KLR, those are nice.