Been shopping for used enduros lately

[Trebek]

I've been having such a good time with my Hi-Bird, I decided to give it to my son and find a used Japanese or European enduro for me. I did feel a bit guilty about this because I do like the Hi-Bird immensely.

But I weigh over 250 lbs, and the mountain range behind my house would allow me to access 1000's of miles of roads, some of which go to very high altitudes and I felt I needed a more reliable machine.

After searching many many bikes (dirt bikes and enduros are plentiful here in Utah) and test driving a few I've come to a few conclusions:

1. There is no better deal out there than a Chinese Enduro: Enduro's here command high prices. To convert a dirt bike costs a hell of a lot of money here since the government charges a few hundred as well as your conversion costs.

2. Used bikes for less than $2500 tend to be ragged out!

3. The new Highbird 200 frame is much more tall and substantial than most of the bikes in it's class.

4. To hell with it! I'm buying another HighBird 200 since there are no 250's around.

These bikes are way nicer than most people give them credit for. I'll be putting mine through some challenging riding this summer and send ya'll pics and details. This is a dirt-bike paradise up here...

[Savage]

True. That's why I bought mine. I was thinking an older used Honda, Yomama, or my Lifan. Figured both choices would need some tinkering, so I went with a new bike for less than an old one.
I'd like to find a good/cheap used KLR 650 but they're hard to find.

[Frog]

Same is true in the UK - I bought my Lifan with 150miles on it for the equivalent of a $1000 - the good thing was the first owner had done all the prep work religiously :D
He had plenty of cash and had bought one for him and one for his wife with a rosy vision of off-roading together - she tried it once and hated it.............

I looked at the second-hand Japanese offerings within my budget (about $1600) and every bike I looked at was very rough and needed at least a full set of consumables and a full service + some cosmetics to get up together. and then they would be decent 20,000mile bikes.........

Having looked at some small jap enduros I think the lifan is also a nicer bike! Mine does what I want fine (so far at least!); that want does not include big jumps.

People do seem to want 'a more reliable' bike when the chinese one they have has never broken down big time or a stronger one when the chinese one has not broken under their usage. We seem to anticipate disasters because we own Chinese bikes - I do think the bikes are better than their press -even that which we owners give them sometimes!

Frog

[Trebek]

I see what ya mean Frog. For street and trailriding purposes these bikes are great. Way better than what you can get for $2000 in used enduros from other countries. I had a Honda xr650l for my last enduro and the size of the 200 High-bird (the latest model with the upsidedown forks) doesn't seem too much smaller to me. The Honda didn't really have too much power by comparison to it's motocross counterparts. And didn't do wheelies in 4th gear.

For an Enduro the High-Bird works for me. If I wanted a motocross racing bike, I'd go with the other countries. Sheesh, I test drove an RM 250 the other day and it's power was mind-blowing to the point that it wasn't much fun for me. I just want a bike that can climb mountains and go the the grocery store, while enjoying the scenery and not doing bike-gymnastics. The High-Bird does all this for me and can get some good air at certain railroad crossings when the need arises.

I highly recommend the reputable Chinese bikes for enduro purposes.

[squire]

I checked on a couple enduros from the big 4 but didn't find any (even a 1992 TW225) that wasn't at less twice the price of my A.L. Lifan and both needed tires.
I know the Chinese bikes aren't the same quality but VALUE is what sells them.

[AZ200cc]

I have been looking for a Jap enduro and have had a hard time..If You find a bargain it's gone right after it's posted. Other than that I have found that the Honda's seem to be the highest priced used bikes out there. And in Cycle Trader You'll see a bike for sale and on the next page a dealer will be selling a new version for less than the guys is selling his used Bike 8O :? Go figure

Bargains from China

[alonzo]

I am going to have a hard time buying a jap bike after riding this one. I rarly see a road where I can top out this bike all most all the riding I do is in town driving.

I had an old rd400 before this bike, I spent an equal amount of time hunting for parts, trying to tune the dang thing and riding.

before that I had a 77 cb360. with a very poor charge system. that was always on the fritz.

I did all the proper break in proceedures for this bike, kept the maintaince up, and so far have only lost one bolt.

These bikes are not as good as a jap bike as far as quality. However reliability and value I feel that japan has been defeated.

[warrior91]

8) value!
That is exactly the word I am looking for to describe China bikes.
My next bike is going to be a china bike....unless I can find a Honda 300 or 350 fourtrax 4x4 for less than $2000! :roll: :?:

[Trebek]

True about the quality not being quite as good as the Japanese counterparts. But they can be made reliable and acceptable. The Chinese continue to improve every year. Kind of like comparing a BMW with a Chevy Malibu. Both are reliable, the BMW has tighter tolerances and a better finish. The BMW also costs 3 times more...

[IronFist]

alonzo
"before that I had a 77 cb360. with a very poor charge system. that was always on the fritz. "

So did my 72 cb350, but now my recharge system is hot! I'm running an electric vest off the bike, and concidering an mp3 player and powered speakers for long rides. Oregon Motorcycle parts, Tony. They make homemade rectifiers that rock! 22$

these babies are way better than the jap companies want you to believe. I have nearly 5000 km on mine and it runs great. I just went for a 60 mile ride this afternoon into the countryside and it didn't miss a beat. Other than being saddle sore, I am not worse for wear either. :D

I said when I bought it, if it lasts a year I'll get my moneys worth out of it. I'm almost half way there and the bike still runs great and does not smoke or burn oil or anything.

BUT, I have to change oil every 500 or 600 miles. After about 800 the oil is pretty well used up. I figure 500 to 600 should be safe.

anyway just my two cents (1 cent ?)

[duck]

Oil change every 800km or miles? 800 miles would be premature, 800km would be nutty premature :).

I'd suggest putting in the magnetic drain plug and synthetic oil....1500 mile changes.

-duck

yeah I may be changing too frequently, but I feel it is a simple task and easy and quick insurance for my motor. I don't have a magnetic drain plug and I've tried synthetic it seems to last longer. Not everyone will agree with my maintanence schedule, but this is my only form of transportation at the moment and I would rather take 15 minutes to change the oil than get in the habit of procrastinating about it.

[warrior91]

True enough on the freq.oil changes in some circumstances.


On road I would try a 4000km per oil.
off road ...500 miles is totally propper.
I change the oil in my quad every 5 tankfulls (800km)whether it needs it or not...more likeley it is over due by that point if I giv'er.
I drive it to the screws. through mud, sand, dust,rocks.
The airfilter gets washed usually after every ride as it is coated in dust/debris.
Between pushing the motor off road and normal wear, you must contend with water,mud,sand breathing in the motor as well.
Dust off ashphalt and pavement dosn't count...

I try to change it(yami) right after a ride if I am submerging the motor in water. I am rebuilding the motor from the ground up this summer for the first time. 8) it still runs strong but burns the oil faster than I can change it now... :roll: Oil change is the cheapest fix for any vehicle to give it the chance to run forever.
My kids China bikes are getting a 3-4 tank of fuel per oil change rotation.

[Poet_and_Madman]

Hey Trebek, I also live in Utah and am wondering where you plan to purchase your hi bird. I don't know whether to go locally or internet.

[Trebek]

Hey Trebek, I also live in Utah and am wondering where you plan to purchase your hi bird. I don't know whether to go locally or internet.

I got mine from Anam Motors, no hassles, fast shipping, good bike, $1200.
V-Bikes carries them as well and is known for excellent communication (see the forum about dealers).

The assembly part was a little tricky, the older model in the manual is considerably different than the Hi-bird I recieved. I am just a fair mechanic and managed to get it together with a little help from this forum.

If you can get one locally for $1200 you might want to go for it, but you would lose the opportunity to get to know the bike. I wouldn't buy one with any miles on it because you don't know whether it was broke in correctly.