New XF200 owner
 

Hi all. I recently purchased a 2009 Qlink XF200 from HPS Motorsports in Pittsburgh, PA. I have spent a while on supermotojunkie.com and found my way here via members JTC and zugzug, who found me the bike. JTC has been saying this is the place to come, so here I am. Too many forums to keep track of...

About me, I have been riding since I was young, mostly off road. After I got married I bought my beloved SV650S and have been riding her for the last 7 years. She has 37000 miles and a bunch of track days. I always loved the off-road feel and wanted to get that on the street. I have been looking at supermoto bikes for a while, but could never manage to save up the money. I'm 30 years old and have 4 kids, my oldest is 5 years old. Which is why I have trouble saving up money. So that's where the XF200 comes in. I got a smoking deal on this one, and while it is no Husqvarna SM610 (my current dream bike), I think it will be a lot of fun. I live north-east of Philadelphia and had the bike shipped from Pittsburgh for $225 from Steel Horse Transport, LLC. I would highly recommend them if you are considering shipping a bike.

Without further ado,
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/IMG_3751.jpg
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/IMG_3742.jpg
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/IMG_3744.jpg

My brother has already laid it down with about 2km on the clock, so I don't have to worry about keeping it pristine. Only some light scratches on the plastic. My planned mods are to remove the stickers, 16T front sprocket, possibly raise the bars or swap them out, and ride it as much as possible. I have already pulled of the XF200 stickers and removed the QLINK screen from the seat. Also the rear brake light didn't work, but I fixed that.

The first issue is to get it legal, which is proving to be a bit of a hassle. JTC and Zug had no problems, so I thought it would be easy. The dealer is 300 miles away and sent me an MCO that wasn't notarized. I sent it back to him, but he was on vacation, so two weeks later I got the notarized MCO. Then I took it to my tag place, and the lady said she had to send the paperwork to Harrisburg because of the 'L' VIN code. So I am currently waiting on the tags to come in, then it's off to inspection.

So far I've done some circles in my driveway, and I think this is going to be a fun little bike!

Some other photos of my toys:

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...80/Bike/Rs.jpg
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/DSC_0417.jpg
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/c93ae0b8.jpg
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/1ad2781a.jpg
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/68136bfa.jpg
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...e/131d55d6.jpg

Great toys and great pictures!

Now you have TWO 'Suzukis'. :D

Welcome to the forum. You will really appreciate the safe, easy modest performance and simple pleasure of the Q. You have good mods planned. Enjoy!

Welcome! Your toys look like fun, but I'm especially attracted to your C-10. :D

I notice the C-10 too. We had one like it when I was little. Remember using it to haul square bales.

The C-10 was my grandfather's. It is a 1964. He bought it in '65 and ran a roofing company with it. My dad grew up in that truck, lots of memories. When my grandfather passed away, he gave it to my uncle who put it in a barn and didn't really touch it. When I turned 15 I asked my uncle if I could work on it, and he gave it to me. I spent many many hours sanding down the paint (it was sky blue, brushed on heavy) and repairing rust. It is a great truck. Always starts, always runs. I wish I had more time to do a proper restoration, but for now it gets used a few times a year for hauling things around. I'm going to have to get some good photos of it one of these days, I don't think I have any photos of just the truck.

Welcome aboard - Glad you came to the DARK Side - I mean chinariders - You and ZugZug are probably already getting intro'd to some of the best this forum has to offer. In Fact Most are very very familiar with our "Q"'s - Now I want to know is there a prize for brining more Qlink Owners here? LMAO - Enjoy the Forums.....Andrew

I think you need 10 more to qualify for the toaster oven, Andrew.

i'm on it, give me another couple days! LMAO :roll:

Welcome to these forums, DM! Thank you for posting the great photos. :D

Spud :)

Here is a photo of the C-10 when my grandfather owned it. That's him in the driver's seat, and my grandmother standing on the far side. I think it's an honor to be able to keep the old truck alive.

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...80/64Chevy.jpg

That's awesome! Your Grandpa would be pleased that you're using the truck.

I think that we're caretakers of such things, until it's time for the next person to enjoy it. It's nothing like the disposable minivans of today.

Hey I see you made it here! I was wondering if you were going to show up. I can't believe they are bustin your stones over getting the bike registered. Let me know when you get it on the road, We can take a Q cruise somewhere.

Yeah I can't either I got mine resistered with 0 issues. Walked in and walked out with Pink slip and palte - No Problem.....Wow I am thankful though. I was a bit nervous never had a MSO (Title) before to register....

Welcome! Nice old truck, my uncle had a 63 chev and I more or less taught myself how to drive on it... You would be able to tell how I learned not to back up with the door open by the dents in the fender... :)

YEAH! Finally got my tags yesterday so I am registered with the state and titled and good to go. I took it to work this morning, so now I have 40 km on it. I didn't really know what to expect from this little bike, but it was fun. Cold and foggy, which is really annoying, but the ride was fun. It is supposed to be in the upper 70s this afternoon, so that should make for a better ride.

I put Protaper handlebars on and pulled all the Qlink stickers off, so I think it looks really sweet.
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...0/IMG_3906.jpg

I'll have to get some better photos of it in the daylight.

You should get the risers very soon! Yes we need Pics of the bike in it's natural enviroment! LOL

Congrats on the tags. Looking forward to pics. :D

Congratulations on defeating the Pennsylvania DMV Nazis! :twisted: We eagerly await your photos. :)

Spud :)

Yeah lots of folks said they had probs with PA but so far so good for me. My problem is I have a bike addiction :) I just found a great deal on a bike and giving some serious thought on buying it. If I do the Q will be up for sale.

The ride home was nice, even a bit warm as I wore my insulated jacket for the cold morning. It was above 80 I think. The little bike did pretty well. I had it on the highway for about 2 miles, and it was keeping up with traffic at 65 to 70 mph indicated. It was much better at 50 mph. I didn't really pay attention to the break in period recommendations... And now I have 78 km on the clock. I think I might tinker with the carb in the near future, if I ever get some free time. Mid throttle seems like it's pretty flat, and it sounds like everyone moves the needle clip to the 4th slot right away.

Now that I have a title, I figure the bike is much more valuable. That and the new bars, and the removal of all Qlink evidence, and the bike is going to be worth more than I paid for it!

Whats The "Q" Replacement Bike? I'm sure you will have NO PROBLEM selling the "Q"......Especially advertsing it starting here.....

Did you Get your Risers yet Dan?

I've been posting about the bike on SVRiders.com and there are a bunch of people interested in getting one, including someone in Lansdale. This time of year it should sell quick.

In case you are interested, here is my thread on SVR. Most SV riders are pretty practical, frugal people so the comments aren't too surprising and mostly positive.

http://forum.svrider.com/showthread.php?t=140140

Yeah, I just e-mailed you. I got them, but am too tired to put them on tonight. In fact, I'm going to bed right now.... :wink:

I'm glad you had some nice weather to ride. :)

Please be careful when riding on limited access highways with any 200cc motorcycle; in fact, I would strongly encourage you not to do it. ;) I'm sure others, especially FastDoc, will agree with my recommendation. These little engines are struggling very hard just to maintain speed with the slower highway traffic, and they have no reserve available to escape danger, if necessary. :(

Spud :)

Dan - 80 Degrees? Seriously. If thats true I live on the WRONG side of the state - I think our high today was 48 Degrees....WTF?!@#$%& I really Hate NW PA Weather! Seriously. The Rain has NOT Stopped. Tomorrow Thursday is Partly Cloud Hi 58 The RAIN and More rain the Next 4 days Then 2 NICE Days at 70 degrees then back to 4-5 days of unlimited rain.....Screammmmmmmmmmm'n for some nice weather.

Just don't ask for help from THIS doctor, I've got it too. :oops:

Don't sell the Q. 100% of people here who have sold a Q miss it, myself included.

Good point Doc - I will keep that thought in the back of my mind, when the day comes that I want to Sell, and no doubt it will.....LOL I'm trying to pickup another bike myself, but it's going to bea long term project.....Basket case type bike.....I'm a glutten for punishment! :oops:

Doc understands. You've seen pics of my garage...

The deal has been confirmed. Its a 2003 buell blast. I been waiting for the right deal on a blast or a nighthawk. We are meeting at the Tag place on Friday :D

Doc I would keep the Q but I live in apartments now and have no where to put it. So if I'm not riding it I should sell it. I would rent a space in storage down the street but the cheapest unit on the ground floor where I can store it is well over a hundred a month. Last time I checked it was almost $200.

I still need to put a belt on the Blast and dont have the cash this week to tag it but as soon as I do I will post the Q up for sale. The only issues are the backlight for the gauges is out and theres a few scratches on the rear fender where I been bungieing a tool bag. I'm thinking $800 when the time comes.

Doc understands.

Be sure to stick around here though. That's what the Other and Ride Report Forums are for. 8) I kinda like Blasts. Another undervalued orphan bike, almost like a CB.

Yeah I been waiting for the right deal on a blast or a 80's nighthawk 650. This one fell into my lap and I had to grab it while I can.

Alas, the wise physician is yet another victim of QRS (Qingqi/QLink Remorse Syndrome). ;) This affliction commonly affects riders who have sold their Qingqi/Qlink motorcycles in a momentary, regrettable flight of whimsy. :roll:

Spud :lol:

All I have to do to is remind myself I sold the Q and the XS400 to buy the KLX. :D

I'm just kidding, Doc. ;) ZugZug made a wise decision since he doesn't have space to store two motorcycles. :) You also made a wise decision to acquire the KLX250S, which is a superb, dual sport motorcycle. :D

Nevertheless, QRS is a very real affliction. :lol:

Spud :)

:D

X2! We would love to hear all about your Buell Blast in our Other Stuff forum! ;)

Spud :)

X3! I dig Eric Buell's products. I've heard rumours of a possible Buell resurrection; anyone else hear that?

Zug, congrats on the Blast. I was never really a fan of the bikes, mostly from an aesthetic point of view, but I do appreciate their somewhat unique engineering.

Yes, it was 80 yesterday, but today's high is 57. Then we also get 4 days of rain. I am getting tired of these April showers...

As for highway riding, I understand the capabilities and limitations of the 200. The section of highway that I ride is more of a bypass, with fairly light traffic and 55mph speed limit. I feel comfortable riding it for the short stretch that I'm on it. I can easily tuck behind a car or truck and ride in their draft at 65 mph without problem. I do appreciate your concern, though. :D

The ride in this morning was even better than yesterday. I am noticing a bit of front wheel hop, so I need to check the balance and tire run-out and probably replace the fork fluid. And I need to get those risers installed... :lol: