Nice looking Sport bike I saw today,Nicer than HBrd 250

[kens97sto171]

It is made by Tank.. called the Topline Khaos. I was out on the Roketa Dual Sport today, stopped to fuel, and he was sitting at the pump next to me.

To be honest I thought it was a Ninja 250 at first, It is a really nice looking bike. We got to talking and he said it was a 250cc Twin Cyl engine air cooled, IT IS IN FACT A TWIN, not just fake twin with dual exhause.. It had twin carbs, and exhaust. Dual disks up front, and drum in back. It had a seat big enough for two, and a nice low 29inch seat height, and a 4 gal gas tank. It had a remote with alarm and remote start... He fired it up, and it sounds great, no mechanical noises, the mufflers make it very quiet, at first I thought it did not start when he hit the starter button. He bought it locally at Omni Motor Toys. They have a dealer in town, but also have a vendors area at the local indoor "Flea Market" called Traders World. He said he paid $2200

Only problem I can see is its a TANK!! and some others have reviewed this bike and could not get parts or service.. So that is a negative for sure.
http://www.tradersworldmarket.com/frames.html

There dealer address is:
Omni Motor Toys
3203 W Galbraith Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45239
(513) 741-8697

http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/powersportsdlr/images/polarisoutdoors/VP751924_2.jpg
http://www.tank-sports.com/image/news/2006-11-08/topline-scout.jpg
http://www.tank-sports.com/products/vision/toplinekhaos.html
http://www.tank-sports.com/products/vision/toplinekhaos_spec.html

So before buying that Hi-Bird 250, I would definatly look at this.. since its 2cyl engine, it should be very smooth, He said at 70mph he is turning 7000RPM, with a redline of 8500 RPM, top speed is supposed to be 80MPH, He said he was getting about 70MPG too.

[SpeedSouth]

That is a nice looking bike with some deffinate similarities to the Ninja. As you say though, it's a Tank, who has earned themselves a poor reputation for parts supply.

Just to compare w/ the numbers you mentioned, my 250 runs 7k at 60mph in 6th gear, with a redline of 13k (14k on the older models, but they reduced it in recent years due to problems at sustained high rpm's). I rarely rev up to even 11k....and she's still peppy at 90mph (even with my fat butt in the saddle).


Personally, at $2200, I'd hold out for a good used Ninja, or try to find (dare I say it?) an American Lifan 200 deal. And to be honest, with the prices listed for the Lifan's new, it would have to be a real deal to be worth consideration, IMO.



That black one does look good though. Not a fan of the blue and gray.



Edit: I forgot to mention, part of the appeal of that Hi-Bird is the sub-$1300 sticker price shipped. At $900 less than the tank, one should expect a compromise in performance.

[kens97sto171]

I agree with you on waiting for a nice used Ninja 250.. the Ninja 250 is a GREAT bike.. It was the bike I had planned on getting when I first was looking, Got the Roketa 200 cause it was REALLY cheap new $900.. But then got a nice 85 Honda VF500 instead of the Ninja 250 when I did finally upgrade... Unfortunalty I cant really ride a crotch rocket anymore, the riding position hurts may wrists and elbows, so I sold the VF500.

I am looking for a bigger bike, But think I may go for a scooter now... not sure thou.. May look again at a Ninja 250... The riding position is a little more upright than my VF500 was... at least the older Ninja 250..The new one is a georgeous bike, but more aggressive riding style.

If you don't know about it already, this forum is a great place for the ninja 250. Site is currently down due to power failure.
http://forums.ninja250.org/

Have a good one.

Ken

[SpeedSouth]

Not to skew the thread too far off coarse...but they have some risers out for the Ninja now that raise the bars about an inch and a quarter.

And I agree.....that site is the "China Riders" of the Ninja 250 world. Tons of info. :)
(That's a compliment, Frostbite...please don't ban me! :P )

[kens97sto171]

Heck I dont mind going off topic.. If its something cool or fun to discuss, it works for me...
I will do some serious thinking before I get my next bike.. I really do like the idea of a scooter.. not haveing to shift. I really like to ride at a more relaxed pace now... But the Ninja 250 is about the best bang for the buck out there....

I see them all the time at this local salvage place.. called Racers Edge 411... They are located in Bethel Ohio. They have good deals on bikes that are salvage, but usually its very lite damage. They also sell clear title bikes. Right now they dont have any 250's.. But they show up in bursts then get sold...
http://racersedge411.com/

[SpeedSouth]

I think there's at least 2 salvage bikes on ebay...I know one is yellow, and in Alabama...seems like there's a blue one listed also, with less damage.



I don't mind the off-topic discussion either, but I can understand how a thread that goes off-topic can waste the time of members looking for specific information....and the Ninja 250 isn't made in China. :D


I don't mind shifting, in fact I like it...but seating position and seat height are important to me, since I'm vertically challenged.

[kens97sto171]

Iand the Ninja 250 isn't made in China. :D

At least not YET !!!! :roll:

I don't mind shifting, in fact I like it...but seating position and seat height are important to me, since I'm vertically challenged.

There was a time I loved rowing thru the gears.. But 2 years as an over the road trucker.. rowing thru 10 un-sychronized gears ALL DAY !! got old pretty quick...
I am also vertically challenged. But the 250 is a perfect fit for me..the VF500 was too.. I just cant sit with any real weight on my wrists... starts to hurt after 45 min or so....might have to look into those handlebar risers.

Heres a pic of my VF500, God I loved that V4 engine... Made a really nice noise.
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u268/kens97sto171/VF500.jpg



And a short vid of it... sound sucks.. just a cheap digi cam.
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u268/kens97sto171/th_P1010093.jpg (http://s170.photobucket.com/albums/u268/kens97sto171/?action=view&current=P1010093.flv)



This is WAY off topic.. but since we already are off topic a little... thought you would like to see this.
My home away from home for 2 years of my life.
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u268/kens97sto171/MyTruck.jpg



And a short clip of me rowing thru the gears pulling an empty trailer. You can here that MASSIVE turbo a little. Camera was on the dash.
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u268/kens97sto171/th_Acceleratingdowntherampemptytrailer.jpg (http://s170.photobucket.com/albums/u268/kens97sto171/?action=view&current=Acceleratingdowntherampemptytrailer.flv)



Another one.. showing the tach, speedo... sorry its jumpy, but steering, with my knee, holding the camera in my left hand and shifting with my right.., not to mentions watching the ROAD!! made me kinda busy. I missed 5th gear..OOPS.. you will only count 9 shifts bcause we start out in 2nd gear unless your starting on a steep grade or your loaded REALLY heavy!!
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u268/kens97sto171/th_BobtailRowingthrutheGrears.jpg (http://s170.photobucket.com/albums/u268/kens97sto171/?action=view&current=BobtailRowingthrutheGrears.flv)


A nice video on Youtube showing the shifting.. He does not use the clutch except to start off.. It is a standard H pattern.. But with "two" gears in each spot. There is actually a transfer case on the Diff that switches to High or Low depending on the position of the switch on the shifter.. you can see him flip it up for the "high side" R is reverse High and Low.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=PS49sIOAr5g

Gear positions.

RL/RH 2/7 4/9


1/6 3/8 5/10


Hope you enjoy them..

Have a good one.

Ken

[tcs]

I'm told that the Kawasaki Ninja EX250 has been contract built by Kymco in Taiwan for the past several years.

In addition to Tank, Baja Motorsports offers the Vision twin cylinder sport standard you saw.

http://www.bajamotorsports.net/Moto/bv250.htm

tcs

[yurkia]

put some knobbies on it and through it in the mud pit. then we'll see if its a decent bike.

[maf119l]

quote]

There was a time I loved rowing thru the gears.. But 2 years as an over the road trucker.. rowing thru 10 un-sychronized gears ALL DAY !! got old pretty quick...
[/quote]
Uh-oh,a pumpkin wagon. :D I had a '94 600 ninja that my dad liked riding but he had the same problem.He had arthritis and could only ride it a short time.I never rode it much,so i traded it in for a Johnny Pag 250 spyder chopper.

[olds_cool]

Well, as the resident Tank Vision 250 2i Topline Khaos (longest bike name???) expert (some of you know I have an '07 bought in 12/06), I can only say....STAY AWAY FROM TANK BIKES!!!

Problems, problems, problems with the bike. TOO MANY TO LIST. I would go into the trying to get parts and reaching Tank, but that would be an even LONGER list.

Had to do SO much work just to get it to run right and be a SAFE bike.

Anyway,here's my bike after some MAJOR mods:

http://s304.photobucket.com/albums/nn194/olds_cool63/Customized%20Tank/?action=view&current=fin.jpg

All plastic and the tank are done in Rhino liner. Fairings are chopped. Has shorty straight pipes on it. Has small turn signals where the mirrors used to be. Has bar-end mirrors. Has a REAL fuel cut-off switch now. Has iridium plugs. NEW tires to replace the crap that came with it. Gonna do the jets and make an undertail kit for it soon. Gonna make a rear seat cowl since I dumped the rear pegs. Gotta change the fork oil...it's like cooking oil in there! Bike clunks everytime I stop because the forks bottom out!

Oh..did I mention the TONS of Locktite to keep the bike from falling apart and parts from falling off while riding? Don't laugh...really happened!

Yes, it's a nice LOOKING bike, but not worth the hassle if you'd rather be out riding!

Nuff said!

olds_cool

DONT BE A SQUIDIOT! 8) [/img]

[panamarandy]

hey man, i saw this post and was gonna tell them they needed to talk to you, but you beat me to the punch.....LOL

[Qingdao]

I get a stiffy at the sound of a big turbo.

[kens97sto171]

I get a stiffy at the sound of a big turbo.

Yeah... Me TOO!!! I wish the video had better sound.. the big rigs really sound good when they are pullin a heavy load.

The Schneider truck I drove, and all the other Freightliner Century's use the 12.7 LITER Detroit 60 series engine. Power was turned all the way down by SNI to save fuel... But still 340HP, 1600lb/Ft of torque at 1200RPM. Turbo is pushin 30PSI

I have some pics from under the hood, of my truck.. I will try to find them.

Ken

[DesertDog]

I get a stiffy at the sound of a big turbo.

Yeah... Me TOO!!! I wish the video had better sound.. the big rigs really sound good when they are pullin a heavy load.

The Schneider truck I drove, and all the other Freightliner Century's use the 12.7 LITER Detroit 60 series engine. Power was turned all the way down by SNI to save fuel... But still 340HP, 1600lb/Ft of torque at 1200RPM. Turbo is pushin 30PSI

I have some pics from under the hood, of my truck.. I will try to find them.

Ken

hey ken when ever yur threw I-80 between SLC and Carlin in the day Tues thru Sat look for me i drive for Reddaway a USF company we run channel 36 , most of the time , Just ask for mark,
the other drivers know me well and laugh at me for trying to sell these china well made to perfection pieces of machinery.

the company cut our trucks way down too so dont run over me

[77formula]

I drive for Old Dominion and they just cut our trucks down to 65. we only had 69 before.

[longislandz]

here are a few 200 sports I found. I dunno about the quality of the longbo, but man doesn't it look fantastic ? the rsl is a good looking bike as well imo.
I already own a dual sport roketa, and I am pretty satisfied with the quality. But I may just keep looking for a jap sport, cuz i like to go fast and well just feel safer on a big brand.

[longislandz]

btw thats crazy about ODFL only runnin 65 trucks. They delivered my dual sport.

[longislandz]

http://www.brandsplace.com/0339-mc-09.html#3

http://www.lifan-motorcycles-wholesale.com/Lifan-GRX200/

http://www.motorsportus.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=105&ccSID=690e25237e667179afe9a8ec9c82e17f

There, these might help :lol: