Blasphemy? - or - is it Treason!

[Beerslayer]

Confession: I have been trying to make something out of my GY200 that it is not, a bike that is capable on road and trail [notice, I did not say 'street and trail'].

I have spent about half again what I paid for it on chains, sprockets, tires, etc. I am still not comfortable with it on the road. On the trail, it really shines though.

Last week I made the mistake of riding a KLR 650 and a BMW F650 GS, and F650GS Dakar, in that order. It was just too much to take. The BMW just felt planted on the road, and curb hopping, speed bumps, STEEP, loose, gravel road [on a Dakar], it was fantastic.

I have never felt comfortable or confident on pavement on my GY200.

I brought home a F650gsl last Thursday. It is not a bike for single track, jumping and bashing around, but for 2 up dual sport, it fits the bill.

I think if there was a china bike with similar displacement, I would have bought that, but there isn't.

Does that mean I can't post here anymore?

I still love my GY200. Maybe I can trailer it behind my BMW to the dirty spots. With a cargo capacity of 425 lbs, I can just about strap it to the back rack.

[stixx3969]

I think we all understand. I also think the real appeal of these China Bikes
is most of us can get one for cash on hand with no payments. I know exactly what I've got and I go easy on my Rokata simply because I bought it to save gas. Thus far it has worked flawlessly for that but I don't push it real hard because I don't want to constantly work in it.
One day I plan to get something bigger as well so I wouldn't feel to bad If I were you. Enjoy .

[fatboy250]

Beerslayer,
I hear where you're coming from. I'm just counting down the days, months, years? until I know I've gotten all the good out of mine. I plan to have it for parts for my Dad's. I know that I will want to go a similar route, but with a streetable XR650R. Until then, I'm just curious to see how far this little china bike will go. I'm at a little over 4300 miles and I ride it every day to work and every weekend for play. I'm just glad I was able to make a small investment into something that has convinced me to "go bigger". Until then, I'll just ride it like I stole it :lol:

[ambassador]

Beerslayer,
Congrat's on your new Beamer!!! I think we all understand, I too am looking for an XR650 and I'm sure I'll have one before summer gets here... My GY-5 has given me the the bug to ride again and for that it has served its purpose and it gets me outta the house.... How cool would it be to post some pics of the Beamer with a milk crate strapped to the back, Ha, Ha.....

[ACD]

You are only in trouble if you stop posting. This is a China Bike Website but it is a lot friendlier than any others. I say use both and keep posting. Congrats on the Beamer. I am trying to convince a certain importer that I know casually through ScootDawg to develop a 400-650 class true adventure touring machine for sale in the US. He is currently developing such an engine for ATV's and UTV's. I told him that I think the market would bear such a machine providing he could do it under $4000.

Aaron

[ob1]

It really isnt fair to compare the chinabikes to the BMW/KLR/XL's.

Chinabikes are budget oriented bikes with reasonable roadworthyness and trailworthyness. It you want to do either or both well, go with the big boys. But, if you dont, you'll get by, and still be enjoying life!

A Big Mac and a filet mignon both cure hunger pangs...

[CathastrophiX]

I think if there was a china bike with similar displacement, I would have bought that, but there isn't.

But there is! I can´t find the link, but the bike was wery similar to the F650.
Congrats to the new bike (I have owned a F650, drove it for 4 years and crashed it twice) they are nice, but too heavy for offroad use.
Visit the "chaingang" website for forums and tech stuff.

Keep an eye on the spoke tension and check for engine oil leaks!

[PolygonFla]

Just like you, I got away from cycles for a while. I bought my china bike to see if it was some thing I would like again. I wanted something to ride when the car is being serviced and uses a small amount of gas when I want to have fun.

I have had my eye on a KLR650 and I won’t be surprised if one shows up in my garage soon. My friends with sport bikes keep inviting me to ride with them on weekends and frankly I just don’t want to embarrass them or myself by trying to keep up.

My bike does just fine going to and from work and for quick runs to the store. On Sunday I found out that it does emergency stops well too. On my little China bike I know I am invisible, I’m just not sure how much more visible I would be on a 650.

[CathastrophiX]

Found the link (It´s a 600cc):

http://www.jialing.com.cn/newjl/cn_web/600_sx01.html

You Americans can even buy it!:
http://www.jialingusa.com/productos/sport/jh600.html

Seems like Honda is involved?:
http://world.honda.com/JialingHondaMotors/

Jialing:
http://www.jialing.com.cn/newjl/cn_web/images/sx_07.jpg
BMW:
http://home.swipnet.se/clajo/bmwf650.jpg

[frostbite]

Does that mean I can't post here anymore?

Don't sweat it. I'd have a new KLX250 tomorrow if I had the cash.

On the street, a 200cc DS is never gonna equal all the other bikes you looked at.

[sheadouglas]

Beerslayer,
I feel your pain buddy. I test drove a Kawasaki KLR 650 last week and it was the first time I had ever ridden anything over a 200cc bike.(my lifan) It was the ride of my life. I just couldnt get myself to spend what they were asking, but dont let me find something in my price range. I still love my Lifan. The Kawasaki seems too big for the type of riding that I do. I guess I'll never know! :roll:

[gyjoe]

Not to worry, Beerslayer. Most of us lust after other bikes as well. In my case I had been wanting a CF Moto V3 Chinabike for the street until I found a late model Honda 750 for less, which was a no-brainer. It is nice to have something that will easily handle any highway out there. But lately, of course, I have been drooling over a Suzuki V-Strom 650. I guess that's why they call it a disease. But there is no substitute for the little GY200. I will never give it up as long as it will take me places.

[FMYStreetRacer]

i've been thinking about getting a dr-z400sm for a couple months now. if i could get some cash saved up i'd buy one. right now my house is sucking every penny out of me though :cry:

[blimpman]

Great post ! I re-started my riding career by buying a big bike for off road.. a KLR650. It will go anywhere that a rider can take it. For me, the tight single track is too tough to ride on a 425lb bike. If I was stronger and a better rider, sure... I've seen guys ride the big dual sport bikes in many places you would not believe.

So I bought a smaller, lighter, more nimble bike to ride those kind of trails. The Lifan GY20-5. It will climb like a goat and squeeze between the trees and be light enough to ride the tight trails trails all day. Fun times for sure.

The bigger bike is so I can strap my tent, sleeping bag, camping gear and a few days worth of stuff on the back and ride across this country, hitting all the great dirt roads along the way.

If I would be cured of MBD, and only have one bike to my name.... It would not be over 250cc and 270lbs. A street legal dual sport bike. Something like a Kawasaki KLX250S or a Yamaha XT225 ( wait ... I have one of those...) :lol: Yea, it's a disease....

[RookieBiker]

I've been lusting after a 650 GS or Dakar for a while now. Afraid to ride one, that I may really come to dislike my little china bike and can't really aford the BMW right now - those suckers really hold their value. But I would love to hear more about how you are liking yours, particularly how it handles off road. I'm sure it is killer on the street.

[culcune]

But lately, of course, I have been drooling over a Suzuki V-Strom 650. I guess that's why they call it a disease. But there is no substitute for the little GY200. I will never give it up as long as it will take me places.

Here, here!! I had planned to sell my Jetmoto for $250 with a blown engine. I had a few interested parties that fortunately came too late, or offered me too little (see my post under "misc." "ok sir, I will give you $250 to take the bike off my hands...") and with my finances improving a bit, I will get that darn engine after all. I figured, there is never a reason to sell one of these bike, unless it is going to help you just a bit. So with that in mind, the Alpine/Jetmoto will stay with me. However, I have been very intrigued by the V-Strom, and that looks like (one of) the last bikes I will ever need. However, having once owned a DR-250s, I wouldn't mind having a DR-650s. Then, of course, I want a quad--a Chinese one would fit the bill for me, and then...well you get the picture. The V-Strom is my fantasy bike, but I would settle for a UM/Hyosung "naked" 650, or at least a UM SMF200; Bruce do you have any in orange?

[mdsuave13]

i really wanted a kl650 for a long time, i rode one, what a fat pig, its no faster then a chinabike, but just bigger and oafier...

i will get a klx400 or something like that if i upgrade, or a ktm superduke... :)

[chipyting]

I'd buy that BMW in a heartbeat, they are beautiful. Truth be told, I wouldn't take my Roketa on a long trip, no way. The BMW, I would with no hesitation. The Chinabikes are fun and great for short trips and dinking around and if you crash it and total it, you're only out a grand or so. They are great bikes for the money. I really want a R1200C. Talk about beautiful! Have fun with it!

[mdsuave13]

hey at least you can use the chinabike to pick up your 12 packs :)

that rear rack is great for it!

[sheadouglas]

i really wanted a kl650 for a long time, i rode one, what a fat pig, its no faster then a chinabike, but just bigger and oafier...



I think that Blimpman can back me up on this one. I rode a KLR 650 and that son of a gun ran 90 mph with throttle left. I do think they are faster than my Lifan. You gotta hang on when you pinn the throttle back on that bike!

[blimpman]

i really wanted a kl650 for a long time, i rode one, what a fat pig, its no faster then a chinabike, but just bigger and oafier...



I think that Blimpman can back me up on this one. I rode a KLR 650 and that son of a gun ran 90 mph with throttle left. I do think they are faster than my Lifan. You gotta hang on when you pinn the throttle back on that bike!

Truth is this... The only limitation with *most* bikes are the riders....

As for the KLR, I'll never in a 100 years ride that bike to it's limits... It's a great bike for the price and for what it's designed for.

[dlunt]

I gotta jump in here too!

I rode a Honda XR650L last year and fell in love with the power.
In December I chanced on a Suzuki DR650 in fantastic shape and good price.
You need to hold on to the handlebars if you going to go full throttle on one of these 650's! No they are not sportbikes, but they are a lot more than 200cc's.
It tops out around 100.
I haven't had a chance to ride a KLR650 but it is in the same category.
I do about 65-70% street riding so the DR is great on the street and does pretty good off road, just remember it isn't a pure MX bike. :)

The current newstand version of Rider magazine has good test between the 3 Japanese 650 ds's.
I still like my China bike very well but it is going to be sold this spring.
(can't afford mdb)
But if money wasn't an object, there would be KTM in the garage. Well, it would be actually in the garage infrequently. :wink:

Now I forgot who started this thread...but anyway, congrats on the BMW.!

[Ferrit]

Congrats on the new bike!! They are a great bike that has been around the world and back.

As a rider of over 40 years and having ridden bikes from 50cc to 1200, including thousands of miles on a KLR my one snippet of wisdom would be this:

"You can fit the bike to the ride or the ride to the bike."

A KLR or Dakar will blaze a path from coast to coast on any road in any condition. The Chinabikes will also blaze a trail from coast to coast but in a more leasurely fashion, sticking to the two lanes and the dirt paths. I don't think that I am alone in thinking these bikes will go the distance and as evidence I will direct you to one of my favourite threads on AdvRider:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=201349

Best of luck with the Beemer and I look forward to meeting you on the road or trail someday,
G.

[SamM]

Well, I must also jump in on this one!

Last week, I went with a buddy when he purchased his new Lifan America GY-5. It was a great buying experience. I enjoyed it and I'm glad I went along!

These bikes just seem to be too cool to me for some reason! I can't get them out of my mind and I can't explain it. My next purchase is going to be something else but... I will have one of these soon. I love doing something with nothing. Now, don't think for a minute that means that I think these bikes are nothing. Let's face it though, a grand isn't much to spend on a bike! If I can get a new motorcycle that can be ridden daily for $1000, then that is a good situation. I have a couple different bikes and I'm adding another one in a month or so. My main ride is a KTM 950 Adventure S. It's a great bike and I like it a lot. It's a BLAST to ride but it doesn't do everything. I have no intentions of replacing my KTM with a China bike but I want one to add to my ever growing fleet. If I wasn't right in the middle of slamming all my money down to pay my Yamaha WR off, I'd already have one! My next bike will be a high mileage commuter that gets decent fuel economy. It will be my daily driver. The KTM is not the best bike for that! It's a trip bike. The China bike that I'm looking at will be just a fun bike, a play bike for me and a bike to let friends and family have low cost fun on. I tend to go overboard with mods on some of my bikes. But as I said, it's going to be a fun bike. Of course like all of you, I think most bikes are fun so that won't be much of a stretch. These are fun machines! Can wait!

These are also great starter machines. My daughter has a Yamaha TT-R that has just been sitting for 2 years. It may have one tank of fuel run through it. I could have saved myself quite a bit of money, if I would have got her a 125cc China bike first. She promises we'll ride more this year. I hope so!

Anyway, I see a great demand for bikes like these. I love it!

[gyjoe]

These bikes just seem to be too cool to me for some reason! I can't get them out of my mind and I can't explain it.


Most of us know the feeling!

[sheadouglas]

You wanna be a cool boy dont you

[SamM]

You wanna be a cool boy dont you

That must be it! :lol:

[Akonababe]

We looked at the XT225 before we bought our bikes, but the bottom line was we got two chinabikes for less than the price for 1 XT225. The bikes run great and we are older and the lighter bike is just more fun. And just at the right speed for this island.
Ride hard and have FUN!!!!

[Beerslayer]

Thanks Guys. What little time I've had to ride it has been great, but the weather is real nasty right now so I go out to talk to it and pet it every time I get a beer out of the fridge in the garage... Which is often. The tires aren't broken in and it would be real easy to downshift going around a corner on wet city street and end up with it on top of me.

I still like my GY200, it is great fun to ride. I really liked the look of the KTM 950 too, but it was soooo much more money. I already went a bit overboard.

Well, time to get another beer and pet the beemer!

[deputygene]

I want a low mileage DR 350 with a big gas tank. If not, then a DR 650 will have to do.

[mdsuave13]

i read somewhere that the xr650 and the ds650 were MUCH quicker then the klr, and i hope so, because the klr felt like a big hog to me, not much quicker then my lifan, i mean, it has more top end, but its still way underpowered, plus the thing needs a stepladder to get on in, and im 6'3"...

i still want to ride a ds650 and see what its like, cause i've heard they are mighty speedy for such a big bike..

i still think the drz400/klx400 is the way to go.. about the same hp as the 650 with less size and weight.. not very comfy for a cross country ride tho...

[Beerslayer]

Everything I hear about the DR650 is that they are a great bike with the exception of the seat. You won't sit down on it for any length of time. That's fine for a dirt bike as you are standing up a lot but for a DS bike it's not OK. The usual fix is to buy a Corbin seat or else take frequent rest breaks.