Choosing first bike

[aronusa]

Ive pretty much whittled it down to either a Lifan KPX 250 EFI, or an Orion rxb 250l EFI , they both seem pretty similar but maybe geared towards different things? Im leaning more towards the offroad so I think thatd be the Orion, any suggestions?

[JerryHawk250]

Both good bikes. The Orion RXB 250l EFI is better setup for off-road. Just be aware that RXB only has EPA approval for off-road use only but most have been able to get registered and tagged in there state. Just check with the DMV before buying. The KPX 250 is EPA approved for highway use and can handle off-road as well. Also the RXB is listed as "*COMPETITION USE ONLY" and only comes with 6 month warranty which is void when used in competition racing. The KPX does come with a 2 year/12000 mile warranty that is backed by American Lifan and dealers such as Venom Motorsports.

[Hunnicutt]

Welcome to China Riders! Please read through JerryHawk250's thread: https://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=31083


I've spent a lot of time drooling over his KPX250. If I were in the market for a new bike, I'd SERIOUSLY consider one. It is the best equipped dual sport on the market today. The 6th gear and fuel injection make that bike an excellent choice for on-road runs. From what I've read, it runs like a dream off-road.

[IdahoRider]

I'm at 2100 miles since I got my KPX 250 3.5 months ago. Its been great for the mostly road riding I've done and does fine on dirt and gravel roads. The Orion would be a better choice if you're doing 70% or more technical off road and mostly day trips. I chose the KPX for the better warranty, 3 gallon fuel tank and since more road oriented. Fortunately I haven't had any significant issues with the bike and plan to set it up and use it as a light ADV bike.

[Thumper]

I am in agreement with Idaho Rider, but only because the KPX 250 doesn't have knobbies. That is easily rectified. If you are willing to spend the extra ~$1000, and you want EFI, then get the KPR. But if you are serious about the off road thing, you will need to switch tires when you get it. Dual sport tires are OK but they will wash out (especially the front end) pretty easily, and you do NOT want to have that KPX on it's side!

There are many great choices out there for the KPR since it has standard full sized wheels. Even some "dual sport" tires are more aggressive than the ones that come on the bike. Some are covered here, but people here will have additional excellent suggestions :tup:

https://www.rideadv.com/ride-adventures-tour-and-rentals-blog/best-dual-sport-tires

[tknj99]

Some are covered here, but people here will have additional excellent suggestions :tup:

Queue the music.... Templar X :clap:

[aronusa]

My wife has a polaris atv that we occasionally ride two up on, I was thinking a more off road capable bike would let me ride trails with her. Im not really seeing what the lifan kpx has over the newest orion rxb250, except maybe a more comfortable seat, bigger gas tank and better gauges, which are all positives for on road use Id think. Very hard choice they both seem such a good value for the money though.

[Thumper]

Queue the music.... Templar X :clap:

TK! I am talking about tires for the KPX 250 !!

Not that I disagree......:hi:

[tknj99]

I know.. it was hard to resist though.. I should get kick backs the way I plug this bike to people not in the know, especially when asked what is that bike and where do I get one (PSM I'm talking to you lol)

[JerryHawk250]

My wife has a polaris atv that we occasionally ride two up on, I was thinking a more off road capable bike would let me ride trails with her. Im not really seeing what the lifan kpx has over the newest orion rxb250, except maybe a more comfortable seat, bigger gas tank and better gauges, which are all positives for on road use Id think. Very hard choice they both seem such a good value for the money though.
Depending on what type terrain you will be riding on the dualsport tires may be okay. On hard packed dirt you will be okay. If wet or sandy conditions you will need a good nobby tire. Even some of the stock nobby tires that come like on my Hawk weren't good in the sand and still had to buy better tires.
Kenda 760's are real good on soft sand and mud.

[Megadan]

^ The Kenda Trakmaster 2's (k760) is probably one of the best budget off road dual sport knobby tires on the market. Definitely a worthwhile upgrade to either bike

[aronusa]

Depending on what type terrain you will be riding on the dualsport tires may be okay. On hard packed dirt you will be okay. If wet or sandy conditions you will need a good nobby tire. Even some of the stock nobby tires that come like on my Hawk weren't good in the sand and still had to buy better tires.
Kenda 760's are real good on soft sand and mud.


Jerry, I noticed in your videos of your KPX that your oil cooler didnt take up the oil screen spot, is that exclusive to the KPX or all the true 249cc 6 speeds?

[JerryHawk250]

Jerry, I noticed in your videos of your KPX that your oil cooler didnt take up the oil screen spot, is that exclusive to the KPX or all the true 249cc 6 speeds?
Yes that is correct, the Zongshen engine doesn't have the oil ports and would require you to use the oil screen port. The KPX also has a conventional oil filter plus the oil screen.

[Thumper]

KPX 250 with a set of Kenda Trakmaster 760s sounds like an excellent set up. The only thing that concerns me is dropping the bike :D

For me, the whole idea of a dirt bike is not worrying about falling over. KPX is too nice :tup:

The Templar bike are so inexpensive that I don't think twice about falling over, wiping out. It frees up my chance-taking urges when I am off-road. As long as I am not aiming for a tree or big rock, I can just go for it! And I have dumped the 5 speed many times. It is remarkably unscathed!

[tknj99]

I was in a local Honda/Kawi dealer recently to pick up sprocket bolts for my son's bike and got to see a few shiny new KLR650's.. so sweet and tempting for a bit over 6k but wow its heavy, on-par for the adventure bikes, but feels like 200lbs over the TempX, wouldn't be so fun to be whipping around gravel and hard-pack with that heft nor fun if you dump it.. my only gripe with the enduro bikes is height, makes them easy to tip over in slow maneuvers, i would consider lowering the rear but then that would introduce other issues probably like bottoming out..

[JerryHawk250]

I wouldn't worry about dropping my KPX. It still a lot cheaper than a klx230. Lol. Knock on wood I haven't dropped it yet. The old Hawk is a different story. The bike will take a hit before I do. :lmao:

[Sport Rider]

I was in a local Honda/Kawi dealer recently to pick up sprocket bolts for my son's bike and got to see a few shiny new KLR650's.. so sweet and tempting for a bit over 6k but wow its heavy, on-par for the adventure bikes, but feels like 200lbs over the TempX, wouldn't be so fun to be whipping around gravel and hard-pack with that heft nor fun if you dump it.. my only gripe with the enduro bikes is height, makes them easy to tip over in slow maneuvers, i would consider lowering the rear but then that would introduce other issues probably like bottoming out..

my only problem with currently available chinese bikes is the performance needed to do backroad adventure touring. I like an enduro style front end and am not a fan of the close-in fender on ADV bikes like the CSC models or even the RE Himalayan. I'm really pining for the KLR these days. I'm looking for something that would traverse the western side of the TAT as a guideline. gotta be able to carry gear.

sorry to the OP for hijack. :)

regarding the original question, sounds like you should go with the Orion as long as you have a firm butt. otherwise, the KPX will be better for long hours in the saddle.

[Thumper]

I was in a local Honda/Kawi dealer recently to pick up sprocket bolts for my son's bike and got to see a few shiny new KLR650's.. so sweet and tempting for a bit over 6k but wow its heavy, on-par for the adventure bikes, but feels like 200lbs over the TempX, wouldn't be so fun to be whipping around gravel and hard-pack with that heft nor fun if you dump it.. my only gripe with the enduro bikes is height, makes them easy to tip over in slow maneuvers, i would consider lowering the rear but then that would introduce other issues probably like bottoming out..

You can lower the Templar by drilling new holes above the original lower mounting position on the rear shock.

If you dial up some preload on the shock before re-installing it, it will NOT compress the shock as much in bumps/landings, so it prevents you from hitting the fender. This is because you are effectively shortening the travel (tighter spring won't compress as far). I did this, and it does NOT get any closer to the fender... I compressed the spring by about 1 inch, which, it turns out, was more than needed. About 3/4" would suffice.

Look at posts #12 and #13 in this thread

https://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=31860

So to the OP asking about which first bike to buy, the Templars can be lowered. Some others can as well. Jerry's KPX 250 is already on the lower mounting bole on the rear shock. I guess it can't be lowered without replacing the rear shock, or perhaps with lowering doglegs for the rear shock linkage. Longer doglegs usually lower the bike, but no one here has attempted to lower their KPX.

[Thumper]

My wife has a polaris atv that we occasionally ride two up on, I was thinking a more off road capable bike would let me ride trails with her. Im not really seeing what the lifan kpx has over the newest orion rxb250, except maybe a more comfortable seat, bigger gas tank and better gauges, which are all positives for on road use Id think. Very hard choice they both seem such a good value for the money though.

The Orion RBX 250L already has the right tires. If you want to ride off-road, I always prefer knobbies. I'd rather slow down on corners on the road than fall over in the dirt all the time! The dual sport tires on the KPX look just like the same tire that comes on the TBR7, Bashan Storm, etc. They are fine on the road, but the blocks are too close, too wide, and too shallow to bite into the berm. They just keep washing out.

If you buy a KPX, you will just have to get some new tires for it to follow your pal through the quad trails, and follow your own diversions into the single tracks around the trail :tup:

The RBX might allow some lowering. It depends on what the rear shock mount (lower) looks like). The strategy needs room above the existing mount on the lower part of the shock to allow a second mounting position to be drilled. You can at least set the front forks up and inch in the triple clamps.

Jerry sez the alternative mounting position is already on the lower option on his KPX (as shipped). This is what it looks like on the lower shock mount (first pick). There are TWO positions available on this rear shock for two different seat heights. Maybe someone can post a picture of the KPX rear shock mounting to show this.

https://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=31860