Kayo T4 goes to 11

[culcune]

Well, the Kayo dirt bikes are finally released, and it appears that the mid-range dual-sport, the T4, has a 6-speed transmission. From what I understand and has been discussed here before, Kayo is, or might be, the OEM for some of Pitster Pro's bikes, so these should be the 'real deal' as far as high quality and very uncomfortable seats go It will only be a matter of time before someone gets one, joins us, discusses it a bit, and then disappears, like our Pitster XTR 250 members

https://www.ridekayo.com/t4-250

[franque]

They must be smoking something with those prices. GPX was selling for cheaper, with better specced stuff. Just the XTR 250 (which I'm pretty sure is the Kayo T4) is $400 cheaper. The FSE250E (which I think is made by another company IIRC), which is specced with better components than the T4, which it would compete with, is the same price! It's also based out of Carrolton, TX, which is in the DFW metroplex, so I wonder if Manny is involved.

[culcune]

I checked TXPowersports, and there are no listings for Kayo products, which is a good thing! I started the thread to show that there is now a 6-speed enduro/dual-sport available. As far as MSRP goes, I am guessing one would be able to get them less than the listed price. However, Turbopowersports in So. Cal. has the K6-R advertised at the MSRP price. I would prefer Pitster's FSE250E in that class of bike because it comes with all the street-legal stuff on it since I live in AZ and it would be easy to register here. As far as the Pitster XTR vs. the Kayo T4, I am fairly certain I would stick with the tried and true Pitster, but do admit I am intrigued by the 6-speed in the Kayo. There are a couple of Kayo videos from Nepal, which added to my interest, LOL, but could not find much from western countries.

[alex_in_az]

Originally Posted by culcune

Well, the Kayo dual-sports are finally released, and it appears that the mid-range dual-sport, the T4, has a 6-speed transmission. From what I understand and has been discussed here before, Kayo is, or might be, the OEM for some of Pitster Pro's bikes, so these should be the 'real deal' as far as high quality and very uncomfortable seats go It will only be a matter of time before someone gets one, joins us, discusses it a bit, and then disappears, like our Pitster XTR 250 members

https://www.ridekayo.com/t4-250

Looks good,but I'd drop another $1k and get a crf230 if I was spending that kind of cash

[franque]

Originally Posted by alex_in_az

Looks good,but I'd drop another $1k and get a crf230 if I was spending that kind of cash

I'd be inclined to agree with you, except for the bottom bucket, outdated components Honda is using on them. The suspension, for example, was outdated when they released those bikes in '03, and it hasn't been updated/improved. If they're using Fastace/SCZ suspension, it's a huge step up from what's on offer from Honda.

[Ina Ditch]

Originally Posted by alex_in_az

Looks good,but I'd drop another $1k and get a crf230 if I was spending that kind of cash

I have been noticing this with some of the chinese bikes, the prices on some are getting to close to the bikes we grew up knowing.

[Wild Dog]

Originally Posted by Ina Ditch

I have been noticing this with some of the chinese bikes, the prices on some are getting to close to the bikes we grew up knowing.

That's because they are using newer technology and somewhat better parts.

The K6 i posted is a SOHC 249cc 4 valves, EFI, water cooled, 30 HP. Yes still weaker than a CRF250R that has about 40hp.. But the K6 is half the price of a CRF250r

If you compare these chinese motorcycle to their japanese counterpart they are still cheap motorcycles.
But if you compare them to a chinese cg enduro, then yes they will be expensive.

[Megadan]

What you get from Honda would be the build quality. I do agree that the CRF230 is a budget bike with budget parts, but they are well built budget parts on a bike with such a long history that parts are cheap and plentiful. The downside is, the 230 also does not come as a dual sport.

In my opinion, if you are heart set on getting a Honda, you may as well get the next step up for only another $700, which would be a CRF250L. You get proper suspension, a few more horsepower, efi, etc. on a properly street legal dual sport.

Sure, that's a big price jump over the Kayo as listed above, but no offense, it's worth it if a proper dual sport is your thing. That said, if off road shenanigans are more what you are after and could give a fart less about anything else, the Kayo would be a great bike to beat up on in the dirt.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by culcune

Well, the Kayo dirt bikes are finally released, and it appears that the mid-range dual-sport, the T4, has a 6-speed transmission. From what I understand and has been discussed here before, Kayo is, or might be, the OEM for some of Pitster Pro's bikes, so these should be the 'real deal' as far as high quality and very uncomfortable seats go It will only be a matter of time before someone gets one, joins us, discusses it a bit, and then disappears, like our Pitster XTR 250 members

https://www.ridekayo.com/t4-250

Funny thing is, I remember when the XTR 250 LC 21/18 was a bargain of a bike at $2600 just a couple of years ago. Now Pitster is asking $3099, and I don't believe it has Fast Ace hardware anymore. Most of their bikes now come with suspension from another company. Still adjustable and long travel though.

You are right about one thing, the few people that did buy the XTR sure never did stick around much. Probably out having too much fun.

I think, for my money, I would take the Orion RXB-250L over the XTR 250. I've seen how capable that bike is with just a little effort thrown in the suspension setup.

[franque]

The XTRs are leftover models, I'm fairly certain. They're transferring the business over to the FSE/TSE stuff. I'm sure the XTRs still have Fastace components, because when they switched to SZC, it was for their FSE/TSE lines. They made the switch because of the unconventional disassembly process for the Fastace forks, which involves unscrewing the lug from the stanchions. The SZC is a step up from what I've heard from those who've had both apart.

I think the Orion (which almost looks like it might be a Kayo) is a step up from the CRF230 in terms of capability, though I'm not sure I'd agree about the 250L; it's more of a lateral step. It does have USD forks, but they're completely non-adjustable, and the bike itself is a bit of a pig. It's definitely reliable, I put over 10k miles on one, but they're ~320lbs wet. I think most of the people riding them stay on the road, the suspension isn't good for much else, even if long travel.

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by franque

I'm not sure I'd agree about the 250L; it's more of a lateral step. It does have USD forks, but they're completely non-adjustable, and the bike itself is a bit of a pig. It's definitely reliable, I put over 10k miles on one, but they're ~320lbs wet. I think most of the people riding them stay on the road, the suspension isn't good for much else, even if long travel.

That is why I made the distinction between a Dual Sport and the other being a better off road machine. The 250L is plenty capable once you take the time to get the suspension sorted. It suffers from the same thing all Honda bikes do, under sprung and under damped. Honda has a bad habit of that. Sure, it's not adjustable, but once you have a suspension setup dialed in, that usually is a moot point. My VFR's front suspension has limited adjustability, but with the valving and shim stack setup how it should be for me, I never touch the adjustments lol.

[NzBrakelathes]

Originally Posted by culcune

Well, the Kayo dirt bikes are finally released, and it appears that the mid-range dual-sport, the T4, has a 6-speed transmission. From what I understand and has been discussed here before, Kayo is, or might be, the OEM for some of Pitster Pro's bikes, so these should be the 'real deal' as far as high quality and very uncomfortable seats go It will only be a matter of time before someone gets one, joins us, discusses it a bit, and then disappears, like our Pitster XTR 250 members

https://www.ridekayo.com/t4-250

Must be the RE250 engine - Kayo here in China isn't useing anything too stunning in their air cooled range like the 4 valve 249.9cc or the 249.9cc 6 speed balance shaft engine

[4x4Dragon]

Just test drove a Kayo T4 yesterday.....really wanting to love the bike but it's actually now listed as a 230(223cc), does not have the kickstart, is 'down on power' according to the Kayo rep i spoke with due to being CARB/CA compliant, and the biggest kicker for me does NOT have a functioning fuel gauge. :(

[2LZ]

Originally Posted by 4x4Dragon

Just test drove a Kayo T4 yesterday.....really wanting to love the bike but it's actually now listed as a 230(223cc), does not have the kickstart, is 'down on power' according to the Kayo rep i spoke with due to being CARB/CA compliant, and the biggest kicker for me does NOT have a functioning fuel gauge. :(

WHAT!? CARB Compliant????? For the street or just green sticker???

This is the CB motor, right? I wonder if the CRF230 cams, etc....would work in it?

[4x4Dragon]

Originally Posted by 2LZ

WHAT!? CARB Compliant????? For the street or just green sticker???

This is the CB motor, right? I wonder if the CRF230 cams, etc....would work in it?

I'm probably not using the exact terminology but when I spoke to someone at Kayo they specifically said that the T4 was down on power compared to some of the other 230 bikes because they went ahead and just made 1 version that would be legal for California.