Zongshen Sierra 200 Report
 

Several days ago I recorded 7,500 miles on the odometer of my new Zongshen Sierra 200 motorcycle. I have not had any mechanical problems whatsoever with this motorcycle. The Zongshen engine and the TK MV28 carburetor on this bike are superb.

I have used my bike to travel extensively in Southeast Idaho and Northern Utah. I travel a lot on both paved and unpaved roads, sometimes taking short trips lasting two or three days. I frequently ride in the mountains on a variety of dual-track jeep trails and logging roads.

My Zongshen Sierra 200 has proven to be extremely reliable; I do not hesitate to take it anywhere. Since owning the motorcycle I have only needed to replace the original chain, headlamp bulb and two bulbs that illuminate the speedometer.

My Zongshen has proven to be a rugged motorcycle that will cruise comfortably at 55 mph for hundreds of miles on secondary roads. Traveling at low speeds around town, I can get 90 mpg; I average 75 mpg with normal riding. This motorcycle is tough enough to take a good beating on steep, rocky, dual-track roads in the mountains. I live and ride the bike at a minimum altitude of 4,400 feet above sea level. I frequently take the motorcycle into the surrounding mountains to altitudes over 8,000 feet of elevation, and it has always performed flawlessly.

To give a fair report on the motorcycle I should mention a few things I dislike. First of all, this motorcycle is heavy for its size; the manufacturer claims a dry weight of 298 pounds (135 kg). I have not personally weighed my motorcycle, but this figure seems accurate to me. For the dual-track trails I enjoy riding, this is an acceptable weight. Nevertheless, it is not fun to turn this bike around on a tight trail, and I certainly don't enjoy lifting it after I drop it. However, I do enjoy taking trips of several hundred miles on the secondary roads to visit nearby towns. Over the highway the extra weight and wide saddle on this motorcycle make it much more comfortable to ride, especially when the Idaho winds are blowing at 25 miles-per-hour!

I am generally very pleased with the quality of this motorcycle's components. This motorcycle is very solidly constructed, and this undoubtedly adds to its weight. However, I do plan to make several alterations to my bike. Although it is adequate, the left switchgear could be nicer. Also, after I replaced the incandescent turn signal bulbs with LEDs, I noticed that the turn signal lenses are very flimsy. I bought some replacement turn signals, and I plan to install them at some convenient time in the future. Finally, the tires on this bike are an unusual size for a dual-sport motorcycle, especially the rear tire (130/90-15). I have found many options available for street tires, and the Cheng Shin Barracuda tires that came with my motorcycle are very nice. However, I have found only one option available in a DOT knobby rear tire, the Kingstone 130/90-15 tire that is available only from Zongshen. Fortunately, this is a very good tire; it grips well in the dirt and wears well on the street. I am now ready to replace this tire after 7,000 miles.

I paid less than $1,200 in United States currency for delivery of my motorcycle; I consider it an exceptional value at that price.

Spud :D


http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q.../Bountiful.jpg

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...o/Andy1761.jpg

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...leyTrip290.jpg

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...o/Andy1235.jpg

Nice looking ride. We don't see as many Zongshen's around here as we do Lifan's.

Great report and a nice looking bike. The scenery you have available is fantastic!

Those tires look good, glad to here they are DOT and wear nice, gonna have to try n get me some. I like the look of that tail light too. Did you take fork gaurds of 'cause of them rubbing fender?

DRC Edge II Tail Light
 

Wool-Z,

My Zong came with fork protectors and barkbusters; however, I decided not to attach them. I think that my bike looks better, weighs less, and is easier to clean and maintain without them.

Thank you for the compliment on my tail light; it is a DRC Edge II with the aluminum holder kit. I needed to drill two holes in the bracket, spaced 75 mm apart. The bracket then attached directly, and solidly, to the frame. The tail end of the bike takes a good beating on the rocky trails. I think that the Edge II looks nice back there, and it lightens the rear end quite a bit.

Spud :D

Re: DRC Edge II Tail Light
 

Where'd ya' get the DRC kit?
Was it the one for the Suzuki DRZ?
Thanks,
Bill

RE: DRC Edge II Tail Light
 

Bill,

I got the DRC Edge II tail light assembly from Langston Racing Supply.

http://www.langstonracing.com/eshopp...0_Tail_Lig.htm

This is the model with the aluminum bracket designed for the Suzuki DRZ400S/SM.

Spud :D

how big is the gas tank on your bike? What kind of range in miles do you get? I think the motor on my Tank trail 200 is a Zong Shen. The motor on mine has been reliable, the other components not so much.

Sierra 200 Fuel Capacity
 

Gene,

The total fuel capacity of my motorcycle is 2 U.S. gallons. The main tank holds 1.8 gallons with 0.2 gallons in reserve. Even if I am running full throttle, I can usually travel at least 120 miles before I empty the main tank. I can then travel about 15 miles before the reserve tank runs out of fuel. If I could change things I would certainly like a larger fuel tank. Whenever I am heading way out into the boonies I carry extra gasoline in a jerry can attached to my luggage rack.

The Sierra 200 is a Chinese clone of the Yamaha TW200. The Japanese bike has the same size fuel tank, and I don't know of anyone who makes a larger, aftermarket replacement for it.

Spud :)

Re: RE: DRC Edge II Tail Light
 

Thank you muchly.
I have a crack on the stock mount :( and need to start shopping for a replacement. :lol: More tinkering :lol:
Bill

Are all these China bikes 4 stroke??? I ask because it looks like an expansion chamber in your exhaust....that's all. Looks like another great little bike for a fantastic price!

The sierra had a heat shield that makes it look like an expansion chamber. It is a 4 stroke.

Allen

Willys,

Allen is correct. The heat shield covering the exhaust pipe is a little deceptive; however, it does seem to help prevent dirt collecting around the spark plug. Below is a picture of the exhaust pipe with the heat shield removed.

Spud :)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...tenance067.jpg

Spud, It seems this picture was taken during valve adjustment correct? I was wondering if you had more pics. I need to adj. mine and was just curious.

Sierra 200 Valve Adjustment
 

Wool-Z,

Yes, I took the previous photograph while I was doing a valve adjustment on my Zongshen. I do have more photographs of the procedure, and I will post them soon in a separate thread.

Red2003 authored the superb Valve Adjustment Tutorial thread posted as a "sticky" at the top of this forum. The information posted in this thread will be a great help to anyone wishing to learn more about this procedure.

Spud :)

The bike looks great, where did you purchase it?

Craigslist
 

I found my Sierra 200 on the Seattle Craigslist where an importer was selling leftover 2006 models, new, in the crate.

Spud :)

:oops:

to poet madman would you post a pic of your bike ive never seen a green one (assuming thats what the signature means) but i also didnt know it was a clone of a tw200, i knew it was somebodys just not what but then they dont let me out much

A couple cross China and Mongolia on Zongshens Sierras:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=371656

tcs

That was quite a read. Those zongshens apparently gave them few problems for the distance travelled.

Quite an Adventure!
 

Thanks for letting us know about the great link! The above story posted by Mr. and Mrs. Owl corroborates my own experience that the Sierra 200 is ready to go on an adventure, right out of the shipping crate.

Here is another link about some gentlemen touring China on Zongshen 200GY motorcycles. This story helped me to decide to purchase my own Zong.

http://www.danielmontejo.com/Picture...themachine.htm

P.S.
Mr. and Mrs. Owl both got Zongs with the ugly front fender! I am certainly glad that I got a Sierra 200 with a decent fender.

Spud :D

The Sierra 200 Engine
 

I mentioned earlier in this thread that the Zongshen Sierra 200 is a "clone" of the Yamaha TW200. To avoid the possibility of misleading anyone, I feel that I should point out that the Sierra 200 is not an exact replica of the Yamaha TW200. There are many similarities, but there are also many differences.

I do not own a Yamaha TW200. However, based upon my research of the Yamaha I will try to outline the main similarities and differences between the two motorcycles. First we will examine the Sierra 200 engine.

The Zongshen engine copies the engine block used in several Yamaha motorcycles. The 196cc version of this engine is the basic powerplant for the Yamaha TW200 dual sport motorcycle. However, the same engine block with a slightly larger, 223cc displacement is the powerplant for both the Yamaha XT225 dual sport motorcycle and the Yamaha TT-R225 and TT-R230 dirt bikes.

The Sierra 200 employs a replica of the smaller, 196cc engine used in the Yamaha TW200. However, the Sierra 200 differs in using the shorter countershaft from the larger, 223cc versions of this engine. This shorter countershaft places the front sprocket closer to the engine of the Sierra 200 than to the engine of the TW200. Therefore, the Sierra 200 cannot be easily modified to accept the wider, 180/100-14 tire of the TW200. If you lace a TW200 rear rim to a Sierra 200 rear hub, the wider TW200 wheel will not have enough clearance with the drive chain because of the Zongshen's shorter countershaft.

The engine mounting points are the same in both the Zongshen and Yamaha motorcycle frames. You could bolt the 223cc version of the Yamaha engine into the Zongshen frame, and the sprockets would align. However, if you bolted a TW200 engine into the Zongshen frame the front sprocket would be too far from the engine to properly align with the Zongshen swingarm.

Because several Yamaha engines share the same engine block, the Zongshen Sierra 200 uses the same oil filter as the Yamaha TW200, XT225, TT-R225 and TT-R230 motorcycles.

The Sierra 200 engine has both kick and electric starters. The latest models of the Yamaha TW200 have only an electric starter.

Spud :)

I also own Zongshen Sierra,so far 15.500 km and still running strong :D . What about similarities to Suzuki DR 200,so far exahust are the same one,front brakes are same one (i know becouse i put new brake pads vesrah for suzuki).

RE: Suzuki DR200
 

Max,

Thank you for the good report on your Sierra 200 after 9,300 miles (15,500 km). I am personally unfamiliar with the similarities between the Zongshen Sierra 200 and the Suzuki DR200. My research has concentrated on the Yamaha TW200. Can you tell me more? Do you remember the part number for the Vesrah brake pads you purchased for your motorcycle? Did you replace the entire exhaust system on your Sierra 200, or just the muffler? Does the Suzuki exhaust system match up with the Sierra 200 mounting points?

Spud :)

Re: RE: Suzuki DR200
 

Yes, Vesrah VD-312, here http://catalog.vesrah.co.jp/catalog/shape/VD-312.html
No,no i didnt replace exhaust, i know guy who is owned Suzuki DR200,so by the look i think the mufflers are the same.[/url]

Sierra 200 Brake Information
 

Max,

Thank you for supplying the information and the web link for the front brake pads! I just examined my front brake caliper and confirmed that the Sierra 200 uses Vesrah brake pads VD-312 or SD-312. The VD-312 brake pads are organic, and the SD-312 brake pads are semi-metallic. My motorcycle came equipped with the semi-metallic, VD-312 brake pads. According to the Vesrah parts catalog these brake pads are also used by the Suzuki GP125, and the Hyosung GF125 motorcycles.

Searching the internet I discovered the Hyosung GF125 repair manual at the following url (uniform resource locator).

http://www.simamoto.fr/Home/SMATLC.Nsf/0/A4B7B9BED814B694C125711E00559C0D/$FILE/SERVICE%20MANUAL-GF125.pdf?OpenElement

I can verify that the Sierra 200 uses the Hyosung GF125 front brake caliper. I downloaded the above manual and used the information following page 6-22 to disassemble and inspect my front brake caliper and brake shoes. I will post my findings soon in another thread.

Inspecting my rear brake drum I discovered that the Sierra 200 comes equipped with organic brake shoes that measure 130mm in diameter by 28mm in width. I believe the best aftermarket replacement for this brake shoe is Vesrah part VB-223.

http://catalog.vesrah.co.jp/catalog/shape/VB-223.html

This brake shoe is used by a large number of Yamaha motorcycles. You can discover which motorcycles use a particular Vesrah brake product by typing the part number in the Buyer's Guide box at the Vesrah on-line catalog.

http://catalog.vesrah.co.jp/list/dirt_brake.asp

Spud :)

Zongshen Sierra 200/Yamaha TW200 Carburetor and Airbox
 

Another similarity between the Zongshen 200GY-2 (a.k.a. Sierra 200) and the Yamaha TW200 is the carburetor/airbox assembly.

Yamaha sales literature lists the TW200 carburetor as a Mikuni. In fact, the Yamaha TW200 carburetor is a constant velocity, TK MV28, the same unit employed in the Zongshen Sierra 200. Once again, however, there are minor differences.

The TW200 has a two-cable throttle that attaches to the butterfly valve on the right side of the Yamaha carburetor. The Sierra 200 uses a one-cable throttle, with return spring, that attaches to the butterfly valve on the left side of the carburetor.

The TW200 has an enricher/choke knob that attaches directly to the left side of the carburetor. The Sierra 200 has a remote enricher/choke lever on the left handlebar that attaches to the same location on the TK carburetor.

The pilot mixture screw on the TW200 is hidden behind a metal, or rubber plug on the bottom of the carburetor, forward of the float bowl. The pilot mixture screw on the Sierra 200 is easily accessible on the left side of the carburetor, forward of the float bowl.

Except for several other, minor differences, the two TK MV28 carburetors are identical.

The airboxes that connect to the two carburetors are also, almost identical. Each airbox incorporates the battery compartment, located under the seat. The Sierra 200 battery compartment appears to be a little larger; therefore, Zongshen owners can choose a battery with slightly larger dimensions. It appears that the foam air filter element for both motorcycles is also identical.

Spud :)

Well,mine zongshen has choke directly on carburator,not on handlebar.

Different International Models of the 200GY-2
 

Max,

Thank you for pointing out this difference. :)

Zongshen makes several, slightly different models of the 200GY-2 for export to different nations. I should mention that all of the information I have related is based upon the 2006 Zongshen Sierra 200 motorcycle that I purchased in the United States of America. Models of this motorcycle exported to Asia, South America, Europe and other continents will sometimes have minor differences in the carburetor, exhaust system, and other components.

The comparisons I make to the Yamaha TW200 are also based upon the latest models of this motorcycle sold in the United States.

Spud :)

Instruments and Wiring Systems
 

The Zongshen Sierra 200 also closely imitates both the instrument cluster and the wiring system of the Yamaha TW200.

The Sierra 200 speedometer is the same size and shape as the Yamaha speedometer, as is the instrument light cluster. Unlike some other Chinabikes, the United States odometer of the Sierra 200 records miles traveled, not kilometers. The United States speedometer of the Zongshen indicates speeds in both miles-per-hour and kilometers-per-hour. However, the mph numbers are much smaller, and more difficult to read, than the kph numbers.

Also, the electrical wiring diagrams of both motorcycles appear very similar. However, there are some minor differences. For example, the Yamaha TW200 also employs its front turn signals as running lights; the Zongshen does not. Therefore, the TW200 has three wires going into the front turn signals, instead of two. Like most other Chinabikes, the Sierra 200 employs a BA20D headlamp bulb; the TW200 uses an H4 headlamp bulb. In another, minor variation, the two motorcycles use a different color code for their wiring systems. However, given the many similarities between the two electrical systems, it seems reasonable that many electrical components should be interchangeable.

In summary, I must state that the Yamaha TW200 is a well-built motorcycle with both proven durability and an extensive, international dealer network; the Zongshen Sierra 200 has yet to prove itself in both these regards. A prudent buyer should never underestimate these important facts. As stated many times on this forum, anyone purchasing a Chinese motorcycle should be prepared to maintain the motorcycle himself. He should also be prepared to experience greater difficulty obtaining replacement parts for his motorcycle.

Other than these very important, primary facts, my personal experience indicates that the other main differences between these two motorcycles are price, appearance, tire size and weight. The last two factors are not insignificant. As stated earlier, I know of only one DOT, off-road, rear tire available for the Sierra 200. Of course, you can change the tire sizes on this motorcycle, but it costs additional time and money to do so. Lastly, in stock form, the Sierra 200 weighs almost forty pounds more than the stock TW200. The Zongshen Sierra 200 is a heavy motorcycle for its size.

All factors considered, I am very happy with my 2006 Zongshen Sierra 200. For the price I paid, I consider it an exceptional value. After riding it over 8,500 miles this year, I am now putting it into storage for the winter. God willing, I hope to enjoy riding it for many years to come.

Spud :)

On-line Technical Resources
 

Here is a list of PDF files and on-line resources I have discovered for the Zongshen Sierra 200 (a.k.a. ZS200GY-2). I wish to offer special thanks to ChinaRiders member Forchetto for providing the first two links:

Zongshen Sierra 200 Service Manual for Europe (PDF)
http://www.mychinamoto.com/downloads...2EC-Manual.pdf

Zongshen Sierra 200 Parts Manual
http://www.zongshen.com.au/downloads/LZX200GY-2.pdf

Here is an online parts catalog for the Sierra 200 at the Zongshen International web site:
http://parts.zongsheninternational.c...ctNo=120000083

I discovered the Hyosung GF125 Service Manual. This manual contains information on the Sierra 200 front brake caliper following page 6-22.
http://www.simamoto.fr/Home/SMATLC.Nsf/0/A4B7B9BED814B694C125711E00559C0D/$FILE/SERVICE%20MANUAL-GF125.pdf?OpenElement

The Zongshen Sierra 200 copies many components used in the Yamaha TW200 motorcycle. Therefore, several Yamaha manuals contain much useful information for the Zongshen owner. Following are some links to on-line resources for the Yamaha TW200:

Yamaha TW200 Service Manual (PDF)
http://www.mediafire.com/?34muedntyxz

2001 and newer model supplement to the Yamaha TW200 Service Manual (PDF)
http://www.mediafire.com/?0mzulnyzogg

Yamaha TW200 Owner’s Manual (PDF)
http://www.mediafire.com/?8zubjzjyioj

Yamaha Mexico’s web site with PDF parts catalogs for the TW200, model years 1994-2001, 2003 and 2008.
http://www.yamaha-motor.com.mx/Manua...Off&mode=TW200

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Spud :)

Thanks Spud, your zeal for the Zong is quite impressive, appreciate all your links, they should come in handy!

All the best to you and yours this holiday season.

Regards

Thats quite a nice looking bike.
I wish we had those here.

Hey Spud,

I just got a Zong Sierra 200, and I was wondering if you had any problem getting it registered? I have a Manuf. Certifacate of Origin, which the person I bought it from says is the same as the title. I am stil putting the bike etogether so i have not started the registration process. Wouldl like a heads up. Thanks.

P.S.
I ask because i think i purchased the bike from a guy in Seattle. Maybe the same person you bouight yours from.

Welcome to the forums, and congratulations on your new Zongshen Sierra 200! :) I did not have any problems registering my Zongshen in the state of Idaho. :)

However, the registration process is different for every state. I encourage you to contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles; they will tell you exactly what you need to do to register your new motorcycle. :)

Spud :)

In Washington I needed a bill of sale, an odometer certificate, and the certificate or origin for the Lifan (HSUN, actually, but I think it's the same bike).

The Q came all registered from the dealer.

In Idaho I needed the MCO and a bill of sale which included the odometer reading. I also needed to make an appointment with the police to conduct a VIN inspection on the motorcycle.

Contact the local DMV as soon as you can, and they will help you make the process as painless as possible. :)

Spud :)

Thanks for the responses, and thanks for the welcome!!