another new guy

cootees · 02-12-2012, 04:23 PM

Hello everyone!

I'm looking at making my first Chinese bike purchase. I'm in the market for a dual sport or supermoto. I can't quite decide. No dealers around me that I have been able to locate but I have found a few used bikes that are within a reasonable driving distance. So I am left with purchasing used or buying online.

I really dig the xf200, though I have also found a LF200GY-5, and an older united motors bike.

Any help would be great!

MICRider · 02-12-2012, 04:50 PM

Welcome to the forums!

Of the bikes you listed the XF is the closest to Japanese quality. If it was broken in properly and well maintained they pretty much last forever! I'd pass on the older United Motors bike though unless it was dirt cheap and in very good shape. Hopefully some other members will chime in with advice as the only bike I'm really familiar with is the XF (I had a Konker, same bike)

culcune · 02-12-2012, 06:54 PM

Welcome to here. I would consider the United Motors if it was the later enduro/motard (I believe 2006 to 2009). The GY-5 is a great bike, too. Post the links (assuming they are on CL) and we can give you the heads up as to whether or not the bikes are worth looking at.

cootees · 02-12-2012, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by culcune

Post the links (assuming they are on CL) and we can give you the heads up as to whether or not the bikes are worth looking at.

Here they are. Just don't buy them out from under me.

gy5
http://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/mcy/2837040344.html

xf
http://hickory.craigslist.org/mcy/2775344973.html

um
http://swva.craigslist.org/mcy/2824845292.html

The gy5 and xf are the ones that I really like.

MICRider · 02-12-2012, 07:16 PM

Nice bikes! I guess it boils down to whether you want a true dual sport or a super moto

. They all look to be in decent shape, again though I think I would choose the XF (if you were interested in a super moto). The quality on the Q Link bikes is excellent and you even get a few accessories with that one. Best thing would be to have a look at all three and see which one you like best. Pay close attention to the welds and finish of the bikes, that's where you'll notice the XF excels

FastDoc · 02-12-2012, 11:10 PM

My last Q is back for sale on CL here:

http://kpr.craigslist.org/mcy/2846779289.html

I recommend the XP. Just as good on the street plus it can go in the dirt, quite well actually. The reverse can't be said of the XF.

Welcome to the forum.

Bill

SpudRider · 02-13-2012, 03:30 AM

Welcome; we are glad you joined us!

Of the bikes you listed, I think the Lifan GY-5 and QLink XF200 are the better buys. I also think the QLink XF200 is better built than the Lifan GY-5. However, as with FastDoc, I much prefer a dual sport motorcycle to a supermoto bike.

The 200cc, dual sport bike will ride as well on the street as the supermoto, but the supermoto won't ride as well off road as the dual sport bike.

Spud

katoranger · 02-13-2012, 08:21 AM

The price on the GY5 is too high in my opinion, but it is a good bike. It will require more upkeep than the xf. If you plan to ride mostly street go for the Q.

culcune · 02-13-2012, 10:43 PM

No, I am too far to buy them out from under you

I would go for the XF, just because I like the motard look. The GY-5 is a good bike, but not as good as the XF. The UM is too old and priced too high (like I wrote, the newer UM bikes would be one to consider, but the 2004 is pretty much the same as all the 2004, 2005 (actually still up to today) common GY200 bikes. UM had some quality control over their products, however, but I would spend a little more money for the XF if I was in your shoes.

Weldangrind · 02-14-2012, 12:37 AM

Agreed. The Q certainly seems to be the better bike (from the reports I've read here), and the GY-5 is a little high. I'd jump on that GY-5 for around the $900 mark.

I love the Supermoto look, but it's really a single purpose bike.

SpudRider · 02-14-2012, 03:17 AM

I definitely think the QLink XF200 is a good buy, and the best manufactured bike of the three listed.

However, if one wants to ride off road, he really needs a dual sport motorcycle.

The 17-inch wheels of a supermoto offer less performance off road. But the greatest disadvantage is the lack knobby tires for the 17-inch wheels.

Spud

cootees · 02-14-2012, 07:46 AM

Thanks everyone. I believe I will check out the xf as it will mainly just be a street bike and I already have several dirtbikes for when I want to hit some trails.

SpudRider · 02-14-2012, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cootees

Thanks everyone. I believe I will check out the xf as it will mainly just be a street bike and I already have several dirtbikes for when I want to hit some trails.

Case closed!

Snatch up the XF200 while you can.

The QLink bike is better manufactured and easily represents the best value of the three motorcycles you listed.

Spud

culcune · 02-14-2012, 09:46 PM

Of course, it couldn't hurt to haggle a little on the price...

edit--I looked at the ad again--it comes with saddle bags! Cool extra, considering these bikes did not have a luggage rack (I think someone did find racks for these a few years ago)

I know that some were pointing toward the dual sport, but you made a good point about having dirt bikes for that already!

02-12-2012, 04:23 PM	#1
cootees Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 5	another new guy Hello everyone! I'm looking at making my first Chinese bike purchase. I'm in the market for a dual sport or supermoto. I can't quite decide. No dealers around me that I have been able to locate but I have found a few used bikes that are within a reasonable driving distance. So I am left with purchasing used or buying online. I really dig the xf200, though I have also found a LF200GY-5, and an older united motors bike. Any help would be great!
	0

02-12-2012, 06:54 PM	#3
culcune Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yuma, Arizona Posts: 9,035	Welcome to here. I would consider the United Motors if it was the later enduro/motard (I believe 2006 to 2009). The GY-5 is a great bike, too. Post the links (assuming they are on CL) and we can give you the heads up as to whether or not the bikes are worth looking at. __________________ "They say that life's a carousel, spinning fast you got to ride it well..." TGB Delivery Scooter 150 TMEC 200 Enduro--carcass is sadly rotting in the backyard
	0

02-12-2012, 11:10 PM	#6
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	My last Q is back for sale on CL here: http://kpr.craigslist.org/mcy/2846779289.html I recommend the XP. Just as good on the street plus it can go in the dirt, quite well actually. The reverse can't be said of the XF. Welcome to the forum. Bill __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

02-13-2012, 03:30 AM	#7
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	Welcome; we are glad you joined us! Of the bikes you listed, I think the Lifan GY-5 and QLink XF200 are the better buys. I also think the QLink XF200 is better built than the Lifan GY-5. However, as with FastDoc, I much prefer a dual sport motorcycle to a supermoto bike. The 200cc, dual sport bike will ride as well on the street as the supermoto, but the supermoto won't ride as well off road as the dual sport bike. Spud __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
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02-13-2012, 10:43 PM	#9
culcune Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yuma, Arizona Posts: 9,035	No, I am too far to buy them out from under you I would go for the XF, just because I like the motard look. The GY-5 is a good bike, but not as good as the XF. The UM is too old and priced too high (like I wrote, the newer UM bikes would be one to consider, but the 2004 is pretty much the same as all the 2004, 2005 (actually still up to today) common GY200 bikes. UM had some quality control over their products, however, but I would spend a little more money for the XF if I was in your shoes. __________________ "They say that life's a carousel, spinning fast you got to ride it well..." TGB Delivery Scooter 150 TMEC 200 Enduro--carcass is sadly rotting in the backyard
	0

02-12-2012, 04:50 PM	#2
MICRider Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 3,274	Welcome to the forums! Of the bikes you listed the XF is the closest to Japanese quality. If it was broken in properly and well maintained they pretty much last forever! I'd pass on the older United Motors bike though unless it was dirt cheap and in very good shape. Hopefully some other members will chime in with advice as the only bike I'm really familiar with is the XF (I had a Konker, same bike)
	0

02-12-2012, 07:16 PM	#5
MICRider Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 3,274	Nice bikes! I guess it boils down to whether you want a true dual sport or a super moto . They all look to be in decent shape, again though I think I would choose the XF (if you were interested in a super moto). The quality on the Q Link bikes is excellent and you even get a few accessories with that one. Best thing would be to have a look at all three and see which one you like best. Pay close attention to the welds and finish of the bikes, that's where you'll notice the XF excels
	0

02-13-2012, 08:21 AM	#8
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	The price on the GY5 is too high in my opinion, but it is a good bike. It will require more upkeep than the xf. If you plan to ride mostly street go for the Q.
	0

02-14-2012, 12:37 AM	#10
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Agreed. The Q certainly seems to be the better bike (from the reports I've read here), and the GY-5 is a little high. I'd jump on that GY-5 for around the $900 mark. I love the Supermoto look, but it's really a single purpose bike. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

02-14-2012, 03:17 AM	#11
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	I definitely think the QLink XF200 is a good buy, and the best manufactured bike of the three listed. However, if one wants to ride off road, he really needs a dual sport motorcycle. The 17-inch wheels of a supermoto offer less performance off road. But the greatest disadvantage is the lack knobby tires for the 17-inch wheels. Spud __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	0

02-14-2012, 07:46 AM	#12
cootees Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 5	Thanks everyone. I believe I will check out the xf as it will mainly just be a street bike and I already have several dirtbikes for when I want to hit some trails.
	0

02-14-2012, 09:46 PM	#14
culcune Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yuma, Arizona Posts: 9,035	Of course, it couldn't hurt to haggle a little on the price... edit--I looked at the ad again--it comes with saddle bags! Cool extra, considering these bikes did not have a luggage rack (I think someone did find racks for these a few years ago) I know that some were pointing toward the dual sport, but you made a good point about having dirt bikes for that already! __________________ "They say that life's a carousel, spinning fast you got to ride it well..." TGB Delivery Scooter 150 TMEC 200 Enduro--carcass is sadly rotting in the backyard
	0