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Old 07-30-2020, 09:42 AM   #1
RK97   RK97 is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
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Bike-curious

At the risk of boring everyone, my motorcycle history is:

2nd gen Kawasaki EX500
Honda F2
Honda 600RR
Honda nighthawk
Suzuki katana 750
Honda XR100

I took all but the nighthawk and katana to race tracks, with the F2 and 600RR being designated track-only toys. I out-paced my budget, had a kid, and got the XR100 for kart track mini supermoto racing. Had a second kid, and sold it almost 4 years ago.

Presently shopping chinese bikes as a cheap way to have a little in-town toy that i can also ride on a kart track if i want to be an uncompetitive backmarker.

Apollo DB36 deluxe is what i am leaning toward, primarily due to the 17” wheels, which provide the best tire options. Open to advice on other bikes that can be easily fitted with 17’s

Ride safe.


 
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Old 07-30-2020, 10:35 AM   #2
JerryHawk250   JerryHawk250 is offline
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Welcome Aboard! How can anyone be bored when it's all about motorcycles. lol
I have the Venom X22R 250. One of the main things l liked about it was that parts like pistons, cams, cylinders and heads for the CRF230F will swap right over to it. I'm getting ready to pre-order the New 2020 Venom Ghost 250 which uses the same engine. Another bike would be the MotoMax 250 sold by Peace Sports Atlanta. Only problem i see right now is fining anything in stock on most of these bikes.
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2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper
2023 Venom Evader
2022 Lifan KPX250
2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (Sold)
2004 Honda ST 1300
2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold)
Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster
2016 Cazador180 XL
2014 Coolster150
JerryHawk250.com
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Last edited by JerryHawk250; 07-30-2020 at 11:11 AM.
 
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Old 07-30-2020, 08:39 PM   #3
culcune   culcune is offline
 
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The Apollo would probably suit your intended use. The Motomax 250 would as well, and you could probably get away running the stock tires. But, how tight is the go-kart track. I am thinking more minis. Lifan's KP Mini has a 150cc engine, and there are photos of them race-prepped and stripped of their street equipment on slicks if one of the dual-sports is too large.
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Old 07-31-2020, 12:16 PM   #4
RK97   RK97 is offline
 
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Moto Max 250 is also on my list, but costs a bit more than the Apollo can be found.

A heavy 250 will be sloth-like on the kart track, but I’m not planning to race it, or be competitive if i do. I have raced XR/CRF 100’s at Circleville raceway park (CRP) and at the “Wilson circuit” at Pittsburgh ‘international’ raceway.

CRP is cheaper, but PIRC is closer, and it’s a faster track, so better suited for more than 100cc power.

That said, the 100s are good for over 50 mph top speed there, with proper gearing. The Chinese 250’s are heavy and underpowered... but i would pay $1200-$1600 for a race ready older CRF100. A few hundred more for a street legal brand new China ride seems very worth it to me.


 
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Old 08-03-2020, 05:17 PM   #5
RK97   RK97 is offline
 
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...now looking hard at the Tao hellcat. I can street it and also
Race it in the stock grom class.

It’s cheaper, and will fit in my garage easily. Searching where i can buy online...


 
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Old 08-03-2020, 05:46 PM   #6
JerryHawk250   JerryHawk250 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RK97 View Post
...now looking hard at the Tao hellcat. I can street it and also
Race it in the stock grom class.

It’s cheaper, and will fit in my garage easily. Searching where i can buy online...
It's about the same everywhere. You might find a small mom and pop place that might have one or two in stock. But If you have to wait i would look at the Venom X21RX. It has most of the upgrades such as carb plug and CDI. Plus it does come with a one year bumper to bumper warranty that will get honored. These guys are top notch in my book. The bike will be delivered to your door and will come with MCO and bill of sale so no waiting. I was able to register my last bike the next day. https://www.venommotorsportsusa.com/...=9847926095916
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2024 Linhai 300 ATV 4x4
2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper
2023 Venom Evader
2022 Lifan KPX250
2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S (Sold)
2004 Honda ST 1300
2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold)
Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster
2016 Cazador180 XL
2014 Coolster150
JerryHawk250.com
My YouTube Channel


 
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Old 08-03-2020, 06:34 PM   #7
RK97   RK97 is offline
 
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Well, i found a website that claims to have them in stock. $1300 to my door, with lift-gate fee, etc. i found it elsewhere for less, but on 8-week backorder...

So now, i wait.


 
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Old 08-04-2020, 10:31 AM   #8
RK97   RK97 is offline
 
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Well shit...

Customer service from saferwholesale (despite the questionable reviews) was very responsive, and told me Tao is moving 3 factories right now. They are not expected to have inventory in stock until 2021.


 
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Old 10-06-2020, 05:00 PM   #9
kirbo7106   kirbo7106 is offline
 
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If I were looking for a Grom Like Vehicle, I would look hard at Venom Motorsports. Most of these Chinese motorcycle dealers are hit or miss. Venom seems to really have follow up after the sale. I’ve had some bad experiences with 3 different dealers.

Keep us posted on what you decide to get.

Enjoy the Ride!
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Old 08-04-2020, 10:31 AM   #10
RK97   RK97 is offline
 
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They cancelled my order. Never charged my card.


 
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Old 08-04-2020, 05:04 PM   #11
f15sim   f15sim is offline
 
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Well that certainly explains the lack of Tao Motors product in the US. Makes one wonder why they had to move three factories though.


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Old 08-05-2020, 08:35 PM   #12
Murdabenne   Murdabenne is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by f15sim View Post
Makes one wonder why they had to move three factories though.

Lots of flooding in the region. That big dam may require more flood plain, so the government is forcing entire towns to move.


 
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Old 08-06-2020, 09:43 AM   #13
f15sim   f15sim is offline
 
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Ugh. Well that sucks.


g.
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Old 09-16-2020, 12:45 PM   #14
RK97   RK97 is offline
 
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Update: I went and found a $1300 SV650 race bike. That’s in the garage, and just needs brakes bled and rear wheel aligned to ride this Saturday at Nelson Ledges

...and i just impulse ordered a Boom Vader on amazon, in stock. Should arrive 10/2.


 
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Old 09-16-2020, 01:09 PM   #15
f15sim   f15sim is offline
 
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Got a link to the Amazon page for that Boom Vader? The only thing I've seen is Lifan KP Minis...


tnx.


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