Thinking about a Lifan KPX 250

[pistolclass]

I still have my 2015 hawk 250. I ride it on the trails of NH. I got my wife and son brand new Hondas, a Crf110 and a crf125. They are the pinnacle of quality and engineering, however I just can't justify $7,000 for. CRF300L for me.

This leaves me to look at china bikes again. For under 3k I can buy a Lifan KPX250. Fuel injected, 6 speed. I have a few questions for the community:

1) is there a better china Enduro for about 3k? Fuel injected is a must.
2) am I being stupid, should I just buy the CRF300L? My wife keeps telling me to just buy the Honda. She loves her bike, it is amazing in every way.... But $7,000 for a toy is a bit steep, especially when a $3,000 bike will do the job.

Thank you in advance

-Tony

[JerryHawk250]

Buy the KPX. It's every bit as good as a Honda. It will make the Hawk feel like junk, and i like my Hawk. lol Also the KPX comes with a 2 year warranty. Between Venom and American Lifan, the after sales support is great. Right now they offer a discount. Use the discount code Wintersale100 and get $100 off. https://www.venommotorsportsusa.com/products/venom-kpx250-250cc-dual-sport-motorcycle-fuel-injected-street-legal

[XLsior]

If you were to go $ for $ All honda offers at the same price as the KPX250 is the 'NEW' Honda XR150L...



Also in the USA you have the Kawasaki KLX 300 which out of the box I would say is the better bike compared to the Honda CRF300...


Modern day Honda is not that impressive...Much like Japanese industry in general they got grandfathered into a midday nap of economic stagnation.


China and India are going to overtake the Old horses who are stuck feeding in the old trough.

[Christina Rae]

If you were to go $ for $ All honda offers at the same price as the KPX250 is the 'NEW' Honda XR150L...



Also in the USA you have the Kawasaki KLX 300 which out of the box I would say is the better bike compared to the Honda CRF300...


Modern day Honda is not that impressive...Much like Japanese industry in general they got grandfathered into a midday nap of economic stagnation.


China and India are going to overtake the Old horses who are stuck feeding in the old trough.

How would you compare the KLX against the Lifan?
if looking to save a little money, is the Lifan just as good as the KLX?

[XLsior]

Lifan is the upper quality bracket of Chinese engine manufactures. I have not seen or ridden either KLX/CFR/KPX in person. I mostly ride restored rust buckets.


For the beginner the KPX is better value. For the more experienced rider or the kind of person who values a brand service center then the Kawasaki or Honda



Ask yourself which bike are you ok with dropping on the ground and replacing parts for...that'll likely be determining factor.

[JerryHawk250]

How would you compare the KLX against the Lifan?
if looking to save a little money, is the Lifan just as good as the KLX?

To compare apples to apples, (which i have road both) The KLX230 and KPX are similar. The KPX has a stronger swing arm. 223cc vs 250cc. Standard forks vs USD forks. $5,000 vs $2,900. Quality are pretty much the same.

[pistolclass]

Ask yourself which bike are you ok with dropping on the ground and replacing parts for...that'll likely be determining factor.

They are all dirt bike and are meant to be dropped on the ground. I'm not so much worried about the money, just want to make sure the Honda is worth 2.5x the KPX.... And so far I don't think it is.if the Honda was $1000 more ... No brainier but it is nearly $6500 out the door.

Tony

[XLsior]

The main reason you would go with any of the major brands is service center support.



If you are mechanically minded and don't mind wrenching or 'voiding warranty' then the China bikes will represent better value for money.

[buzz]

Iff i had the money,its a no brainer Honda

[TitusvilleRmiles]

you cannot compare this to a Honda ....cmon . Its a lot of bike for the money. I have the KPX 250. you get what you pay for.

[XLsior]

at the same price you can compare the KPX250 to the Honda XR150L.

[Megadan]

you cannot compare this to a Honda ....cmon . Its a lot of bike for the money. I have the KPX 250. you get what you pay for.

You can compare anything to a Honda. It's comparing the two, not equating the two. Most people here would have to admit that the Honda is going to be of superior quality and technology to any Chinese bike, even the better ones.

The point of comparing a CRF300L to a bike like the KPX250 is to weigh the pluses and minuses of each. The KPX is roughly half the price, if not a bit less, OTD. The question for most people is, do you get double the bike for twice the money? The Honda will have better overall quality - especially long term - as well as better resale (value and ability). The Honda makes 8hp more and will have a much better EFI system and programming. The Honda will have much better suspension for off road riding especially, and will have way more aftermarket support.

Personally, I think one could be quite happy with either bike. If I could afford the Honda and/or I planned to use the bike in a manner where reliability was king, then I would probably spend the money on the Honda. That said, the KPX has proven to be a reliable machine. I would say you get 65 - 70% of the bike for 45-50% of the cost. If money is a bit tight, the KPX is a great option.

[red2003]

I still have my 2015 hawk 250. I ride it on the trails of NH. I got my wife and son brand new Hondas, a Crf110 and a crf125. They are the pinnacle of quality and engineering, however I just can't justify $7,000 for. CRF300L for me.

This leaves me to look at china bikes again. For under 3k I can buy a Lifan KPX250. Fuel injected, 6 speed. I have a few questions for the community:

1) is there a better china Enduro for about 3k? Fuel injected is a must.
2) am I being stupid, should I just buy the CRF300L? My wife keeps telling me to just buy the Honda. She loves her bike, it is amazing in every way.... But $7,000 for a toy is a bit steep, especially when a $3,000 bike will do the job.

Thank you in advance

-Tony

How about the crf250f? Isn't that the obvious choice to go with the 110 and 125?

[Thumper]

Looks like a lot of fun for a "base price" of $4999. I wonder how much it will truly cost? No lights. Not even a DRL or brake light. Maybe you want a strictly off road dirt bike. 5 speed, not 6. It would be a great trail bike. It is fuel injected. Nice torque curve, and torque comes on early, smooth delivery.

[TitusvilleRmiles]

OK, I see where your coming from.

[carlN]

I think it boils down to how much are you going to use the bike.. if you are the type that does 5-7K a year depending on where you live and how long you can ride during that year the honda, yamaha might make a better long term ride vs the lower cost, cheaper to repair just as fun to ride actually a 20 yrs old honda in many cases bike.

I have been looking at older yamaha XT 250 which is equivalent to the KPX or the honda CRF300 and they run 3500 for a 2010 XT to 4200 for a 2010 CRF.. the prices of used bike is like used pickup trucks STUPID..

to me a KPX at 2900 shipped to me 2yr warranty but some what buggy ECM's are a better long term deal.. easy to repair, easy to mod, and lots add ons to boost rider enjoyments.

[BugSpatteredJacket]

What did you choose in the end?

I was in a similar boat but couldn’t justify the $9500 CAD OTD for a KLX300 and a similar price for the CRF300. Thus, I pulled the trigger on the KPX this evening not least of all because I am new to Off Roading and hence, not even sure if it’s my thing. I’ve always done pavement or basic dirt roads.

Used prices for JAP bikes is equally out to lunch at this point. Lifan has been around for 25 years and have a great reputation. If I decide I love it than I’d likely drop $9.5k on the CFMoto 450 MT Ibex instead of the CRF or KLX tbh given that they are the same money.

Companies like Kove, Lifan, and CFMoto are going to help open up the market to younger riders as well which is a good thing.

[FLIP]

If you were to go $ for $ All honda offers at the same price as the KPX250 is the 'NEW' Honda XR150L...



Also in the USA you have the Kawasaki KLX 300 which out of the box I would say is the better bike compared to the Honda CRF300...


Modern day Honda is not that impressive...Much like Japanese industry in general they got grandfathered into a midday nap of economic stagnation.


China and India are going to overtake the Old horses who are stuck feeding in the old trough.
I have the Honda XR150L. And sure the quality is good .And the KPX250 is 95% the quality of the XR150L. The big plus is the modernized components and many upgrades that the KPX250 offers .
Price in Ontario Canada was $4783 can. Assmembled and Shipped to my house .
I was the first to get insurance in Ontario
Through Wawanesa as the underwriters had never heard of a KPX250. Good to go.
It is a tall bike, but I have figured out how to lower it . Tip 1 the rear adjustable shock has a 1 inch of lowering available . 2 the seat sits on rubber pads this can be removed or cut down . 3 the seat can be shaved down . 4 the top bolt hole of the rear shock can be move up but requires some cutting and bolting a steel plate to strengthen the new higher bolt hole .
Caution if wedding all electronics must be remove to avoid damage. I also got some thick sole boots lol .