United Motors DTF 200 [Archive] - ChinaRiders Forums

knothead

03-15-2008, 11:52 PM

I made the mistake of going by the local Kawasaki shop again. I just couldn't quit thinking about the UM enduro, so I went back for a test ride.
Everything about the DTF is leaps and bounds ahead of my Lifan. The frame is not even in the same league, it's a full frame and is double gusseted in high stress areas. The suspension has gobs of travel and is very compliant although the forks are not adjustable. Looking at the front wheel alone there are several things I saw that I liked. A large front hub laced with straight pull spokes, a huge front wave rotor and a twin pot calliper (same on the rear). The engine looks the same as my GY-5's, but behaves differently. It pulls much harder from idle and doesn't drop off after 7000 rpms like my bike does. The full exhaust is stainless steel, has an approved spark arrestor and makes a better noise than my Lifan's. I also like the digital dash. It's also a very tall bike, I'm 5'11" and had to tip sideways to get one foot flat on the ground. I didn't run the bike as hard as I run mine, but I think the top speed would be somewhere around 70mph.
I didn't buy the bike, but I think I just might. The problem I foresee is deciding between the street and trail or the 17" shod SMF motard version. Even with knobbies the DTF out handled my Lifan hands down, I plan on taking the SMF for a spin next.

I have said I won't get another 200, but the differences between the UM and Lifan are pretty big, enough so that I'm actually thinking about shelling out the $2700....

TeamCheap

03-16-2008, 05:07 AM

MATT

03-16-2008, 04:55 PM

based on that picture it looks like the same counter-balanced engine that is in my gy5. 2700 seems quite steep for a churched up lifan.

TeamCheap

03-16-2008, 06:40 PM

Did you look at the one in my link?

United Motors of America 2007 DTF200 - MSRP $2,499 (Now Only $1,995)

That is a local dealer to me and I may just go look at one sometime next week just to get out of the house.
Yeah that price is about $700 more each than we paid for ours but that has a better warranty and hopefully better overall quality.
I dont plan to buy one but I would like to take a good look at one.

knothead

03-16-2008, 07:10 PM

So your talking about one of THESE (http://www.csaperformance.com/shop/showcaseproductdetail.htm?ID=-79814&Brand=-1330&Type=1514)?

At the price here at this dealer I might just go look at one although I myself would prefer to just get a serious bike like a drz400s instead.

That's the bike! I agree with you, I'd much rather have the DRZ, but I can pay cash for the DTF (after I sell my Yamaha) and have some change left over. The DRZ costs $6000 (twice the price of the DTF). I really think the UM would be a good bike despite not having the bells + whistles of a Japanese bike. Like I say, it is leagues ahead of my Lifan and the other Chinese bikes I have seen.

I had originally visited the Kawasaki shop to compare the UM 250 sportbike to the new '08 Ninja 250. I kept trying to ignore the DTF sitting in the parking lot, but broke down and went over to it. (I had a chance to ride one of the UM V2S 250-R's and was really impressed with it as well.)

knothead

03-16-2008, 07:20 PM

based on that picture it looks like the same counter-balanced engine that is in my gy5. 2700 seems quite steep for a churched up lifan.

The similarities end with the engine, flat out, the two bikes don't really compare. If the DTF was just a polished version of the GY-5 I wouldn't have paid any attention to it. Just the size alone should be enough to tell the bikes aren't the same. The DTF dwarfed my GY-5 when sitting next to it.
The ride of the bike is really the part that got me... it's long legged and just soaks up the bumps that jar my kidneys on the Lifan. (I rode the DTF on my normal route home, so I had a good comparison.)

TeamCheap

03-16-2008, 07:29 PM

That dealer is selling the 07 DTF for $1995 which I feel is a good price from a dealer and 1/3 the cost of a drz400.

I guess I'll really have to make an attempt to get out there and look at one.
I say it's a local dealer but they are still about a 45-60 minutes drive one way from my house but atleast it's out in the country.

Maybe I'll go out this saturday.

SamM

03-16-2008, 11:21 PM

I believe it's made by Zongshen.

SamM

kens97sto171

03-16-2008, 11:39 PM

[quote
I had originally visited the Kawasaki shop to compare the UM 250 sportbike to the new '08 Ninja 250. I kept trying to ignore the DTF sitting in the parking lot, but broke down and went over to it. (I had a chance to ride one of the UM V2S 250-R's and was really impressed with it as well.)[/quote]

Just to let you know the UM 250/650 are made by or with licence from Hyosung...If you can find a Hyosung dealer near you, you might get a better deal...here are some pics of the Comet 250/650, GT250/650. I ahd heard that the Ninja 250 made more power and is lighter... But the Vtwin engine in the Comet, might be more pleasant for around town... also the ergonomics are different.

Hyosung's URL
http://www.hyosungmotorsusa.com/default.asp

Comet 250
http://www.dancewithshadows.com/images/comet.jpg
GT 250
http://www.autosbikes.com/content/uploads/2007/04/gt250r-1.jpg

Comet 650
http://www.epfguzzi.com/hyosung/GT650BLUE.jpg
GT 650
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2005models/2005-Hyosung-GT650Rd.jpg

I got to sit on both the Comet 250, and the Ninja 250... Both are a bit to agressive a riding postion for me now, But the new 09 Ninja is REALLY light feeling.

Have a great day.
Ken

mrhyak

03-16-2008, 11:51 PM

I have a friend who rides a KTM D/S and his kids both ride XR90's. He doesn't think much of China bikes in general, but he does admit to kinda liking the United Motors bikes (he has seen some on D/S rides) and said if he ever did consider any Chinese bike it would be a UM. I've never seen one in person to compare, but the pic's look good.

knothead

03-17-2008, 12:06 AM

For just riding around I lke the positioning of the Ninja a bit better. Plus the Kaw has a large following and better support. The prices are within $100 of each other. If I don't get sidetracked by the DTF, I will get the Little Ninja. Darn thing handles very very well and has plenty of power. My TDM has close to 80hp and 78 ft/lbs torque... seldom ever have a chance/need to use it. I really don't mind trading the HP for MPG either!
The UM/Hyosung 650 is the same price as the Suzuki SV 650... I wouldn't even consider NOT getting the Suzuki in favor of the 650GT. But, I refuse to go into debt, so I'm sticking to bikes I can have completely paid for before I ride away from the showroom. My short list is the Ninja 250, DTF (or SMF) 200, or the used 2002 KLR 650 they have. I'm going ta ask about the $1995 price... if I can get the DTF for that price it will cinch the deal and I'll have a new DTF.

olds_cool

03-17-2008, 01:57 AM

Hyosung makes excellent bikes. I came VERY close to getting the Comet GT250 until I went with the crappy Tank 250 2i. Good quality, good power. In any event, I was visiting my sister about 3 weeks ago and I rode her husband's DTF. Man, that is one great bike! Hauls butt, handles well, good fit. My next new bike will be a Hyosung...for sure!

Suprsignet

03-17-2008, 06:53 AM

Hyosung's are Korean bikes and are not made in China. The bikes don't look bad, but I've never been on one. I wonder if they come with a free kimchi fridge

SamM

03-17-2008, 11:38 AM

The Hyosung Company is Korean. That doesn't mean everything they sell is made in Korea. They have a partnership with UM and sell some of the same bikes. They source parts and I'm sure some of their bikes from China. Some of the UM bikes use Zongshen engines. Mostly the dualsport bikes. Chinese labor costs are very cheap even when compared to Korean labor costs.

SamM

Suprsignet

03-17-2008, 07:28 PM

Sam I'm aware of this. Apart from living in China for a few years I spent 3 years living in Korea, learninng Korean and trying my best to understand the culture.

I would aagree that some sourcing might be done from CHina bbut you have to understand that the cultural mind set behind a Chinese company and a Korean company are really quite different. While both countries don't like doing their own R&D on a lot of products (samsung does a lot of work in computers, but we;re talking about bikes and cars here, right?) The Koreans try to do it in a different way. The best way to discribe it would be in Korea, Koreans build stuff as cheap as humanly possible (sourced from china or not) but try as hard as they can to make it look like something expensive.

In China people are happy just to make something that is cheap and looks cheap.

I was actually suprised to see Hyosung selling bikes outside of Korea last year. As Korea, like China has a certian dislike of motorcycles and motorcycles in Korea in general are greaty frowned upon.

coleary15

03-17-2008, 08:06 PM

ok i wanna get the smf-200 but my dad hates my roketa b/c it falls apart...is the smf that much better?

knothead

03-17-2008, 08:06 PM

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't remeber ever seeing a Hyosung street/trail, only v-twin street bikes and some scooters. As a matter of fact; they don't list any off-road capable bikes on their website.

http://www.hyosungmotorsusa.com/

I know United Motors is a Florida (?) based importer. The DTF/SMF is definately Chinese built, albeit the best I have seen so far. Actually, I have the seeking suspicion that the UM's frame was made at the same plant that my Lifan's frame was made... don't ask my why, but they just LOOK like they were.

As far as buying a UM/Hyosung street bike, why? The prices are so close to their Japanese counterparts it just doesn't make sense. The new Ninja 250 has several advantages over the UM 250 as the SV 650 does over the GT 650. At least the UM dirt bikes have a decent price advantage and the engines are shared with their cheaper Chinese brothers.

knothead

03-17-2008, 08:12 PM

ok i wanna get the smf-200 but my dad hates my roketa b/c it falls apart...is the smf that much better?

Long term? I dunno. But from riding and a side by side comparison I'd say it is a much better bike. There is a strong possibility that I'll get one and I've only had my Lifan since July.

coleary15

03-17-2008, 08:42 PM

ive had my bike since january of 2007 and ive already spent about $210 just on parts that break and that includes a rim and most of it is spokes and i have yet to get a new shock...

culcune

03-17-2008, 08:44 PM

coleary, the warranty is better than the Jap/Euro equivalents. It seems to have the "stuff" but it is expensive for a Chinese bike. It must be pretty good because UM has an exclusive deal with Skyteam--you can't get a Skyteam branded bike in the US (not sure of other countries that carry UM, such as Central and S. American countries) anymore.

knothead, hyosung has a enduro, but it hasn't been pushed too much here. They might have dropped it just recently in the US, but I have seen it on their site at some time. My guess is that it could never compete against the Chinese bikes in price here.

katoranger

03-19-2008, 01:11 PM

ive had my bike since january of 2007 and ive already spent about $210 just on parts that break and that includes a rim and most of it is spokes and i have yet to get a new shock...

It sounds like you have ridden in pretty hard though. I new rim and spokes for a honda would have been much more.

Allen

TeamCheap

03-22-2008, 04:03 PM

OK so we went and looked the (UM-DTF200-$1995) (http://www.csaperformance.com/shop/showcaseproductdetail.htm?ID=-79814&Brand=-1330&Type=1514) at labaron's (local dealer that I linked to) and the bike is very nice from what I could see of it, it was packed in with several other machines.

The first few things that I noticed right off was the CB engine and the complete frame that should make for a solid bike.
The welds were at worst as good as the best welds on my CL and then better.

The salesman told me it was titled for offroad use only but it did have the blinker, horn switch so maybe he was wrong or maybe they just havnt gotten that model DOT approved yet even so making it street legal would be very easy.

It did have knobby tires and I didnt see if they were DOT or not but I'd change them out for a bit better dualsport tire anyway.

One of the coolest things is it has a computer dash much like the vapor.

If I were looking for an inexpensive bike right now I'd seriously consider one of these.

culcune

03-22-2008, 05:45 PM

Mike, the DTF is the off-road model, the DSF is the dual sport--nearly identical, but subtle differences.

TeamCheap

03-22-2008, 06:03 PM

yeah your right i got the UM models all mixed up but the DTF is very close to being a street legal bike.

Very subtle differences because the DTF looks almost streetable but that is the only model they had at that dealer.

I liked it a lot.
I would like to weld in a front frame section and redo the mounts like the DTF has on our bikes.

OH I was told but will believe it when I see it that UM will have a 400cc in the spring of 09 but like I said I'll believe it when I see it.

knothead

03-22-2008, 06:39 PM

Has anyone found these bikes availible shipped? I'm not making any headway on price with the local dealer. I'd buy one for $1995, but not the $2995 they are asking.

culcune

03-22-2008, 09:27 PM

Try www.cbxman.com They ship these things assembled, with gas, and ready to ride for about $250 shipping, plus a usually discounted purchase price.($100 shipping if you live in a 150 mile radius). They don't show any of the 200 UM's, but I think they have them if you call or email them.

knothead

03-22-2008, 11:22 PM

erod

03-23-2008, 09:10 AM

I bought a 2007 dsf200 last summer. It has given me PROBLEMS. I would not recommend these bikes to someone i like. To make matters worse my dealer is not helpful. (What good is a warranty if you can't get the parts?)
1) left turn indicator never worked. I need a new console - but they are on back order.
2) bike was not assembled properly - I had to take it back to have the electrical done again.
3) the rear brake will sometimes engage by itself. I have to pull over and let it cool off before I can go again.
4) the bike has 700 miles on it and I already need a new front bearing.

If I had it to do over again I would buy a drz400. My advice about the UM 200's - stay away - far away. :oops:

tcs

03-23-2008, 10:34 AM

As far as buying a UM/Hyosung street bike, why?

The Hyosung Avatar 650 cruiser is more than competitive with the Honda VLX (now discontinued, BTW), Kawasaki Vulcan 500 and Yamaha's Star V Star 650.

The Hyosung GV250 is a better bike (IMO, and that of Motorcycle Cruiser magazine) than the Star V Star 250 (formerly named the Yamaha Virago 250, and before that, the Route 66) and the Honda Rebel.

The Hyosung Comet 250 standard is embarassingly better than the more expensive Honda Nighthawk 250.

tcs

tcs

03-23-2008, 10:36 AM

The salesman told me it was titled for offroad use only but it did have the blinker, horn switch so maybe he was wrong or maybe they just havnt gotten that model DOT approved yet...

More likely the bike isn't EPA.

tcs

TeamCheap

03-23-2008, 12:39 PM

Actually is was just my mistake mostly since I get the UM models all mixed up but that bike is just their dirtbike model and the only one that dealer has left out of 3 and I was told they are just trying to clear it out (it's an 07)

But he also said that of the 3 they had one of the guys got his street legal by adding a few items and getting it inspected and cetified then registered for the road.

Adding the few things like mirrors, blinkers and a horn and changing to DOT tires wouldnt be any big deal to do and would still be less than $2800.

That dealer is in a small little town, I'm talking the town is a one light intersection and they also had several machines of all brands in for servicing, nice mellow country type atmosphere.

culcune

03-23-2008, 11:59 PM

If I had it to do over again I would buy a drz400. My advice about the UM 200's - stay away - far away. :oops:

That doesn't sound good. However there was a guy who told us about the bad experience he had with his Honda cruiser, although the dealer stepped up and fixed it.

I wonder if your experience has more to do with the dealer than the brand? You should take a drive and visit UM as they are located in Florida.

We have all heard about problems with all brands of bikes, but this one is so much more expensive than the average Chinese bike (ironically for the warranty!! :roll: ) so it does not bode well for them.

I have been leaning towards the Qlink XF200 (motard), and your experience, and the so far so good experiences of people with the Qingqi product are keeping me interested in that bike.

erod

03-24-2008, 08:12 PM

You can't deal directly with UM. I tried. They make you go through a dealer.

You're right, I'm sure part of my problem is the dealer. He was the only one even remotely close to me. (The dealer is in Jacksonville)

But for a brand new bike, it had WAY too many problems.

calrider

06-01-2008, 01:09 PM

I rode a UM DSF200 around Colombia for 5 weeks 2-up. It performed well. Just the usual China Bike stuff. Bad electrical connectors, loose bolts, a couple of spot welds (heat shield on exhaust) that broke. Overall, though, it was reliable and fun. Was the equivalent of about US$2800 in Colombia.

Here's the ride report.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=301156