Engine swap for Lifan Xpect
 

So I got a Lifan Xpect just the other day. Fun little bike, but I fully went with a cheap chinese bike specifically to tinker with it, have fun, throw it around, and just overall push it a bit.

With that, I'm aware of most of the modifications some do for top end speed. Specifically with a larger front sprocket.

Has anyone ever tried to fit a different motor into the xpect? Just something with a bit more power for highway speeds.

The ironic thing about the X-Pect is that it has one of the highest stock top speeds out there, and usually with just the countersprocket change to a 17 ensures it stays pretty much on top, in spite of the lack of around 30-49cc's as compared to its larger engine competitors. The alternative will be its 'brother' with the slightly larger engine, the Lifan KPX 250, which will be available very soon.

It will be heavier, taller and have more wind resistance. It would have been more compelling if they would have put that modern water-cooled + 6sp in it because it looks like it is going to retail for $3000-$3100 and that is a lot of extra coin for just the extra gear, a smooch more power counterbalanced by the bigger platform that requires more power.

Even though the KPX is heavier, the extra power does slightly improve the power/weight ratio. Also has the 21"/18" tires, better suspension, and a normal luggage rack. The liquid-cooled motor would have priced it out of a lot of people's budgets. Overall IMO the KPX is a better bike than the Xpect, and of course it will cost more.

For me, the biggest thing is hitting highway speeds. Here in NE Texas, that can be 75 MPH. Six gears would be nice for that, I think. The Xpect has decent power for me. It's not that it's lacking. Just a bit more top speed is really my only complaint.

I can appreciate that. None of these bikes will comfortably do a sustained 75 mph on the highway. I emphasize the word comfortable. My Hawk, with all of it’s mods, can do 65-70 mph for hours without problem, but it is quite uncomfortable at those speeds for longer than 30 minutes. From an aerodynamic standpoint, these bikes just weren’t made for that. They are 3rd world trail bikes. If you want that kind of capability, you’ll need to look at something like the CSC Rx4.

75 is the low hanging fruit just out of reach for these little motors. There are guys that claim to hit it. I have, but that is on a motor far from stock, and that is at wide open throttle at 8000rpm. Not something I plan on trying to hold for long periods of time.

Realistic "top" speed for cruising on these bikes is about 60-65. Want more than that, then you need to look beyond the 250cc class of bikes. Even the water cooled 250cc sport bikes out there are pretty pegged at 75-80mph.

I don't disagree that these bikes as a whole could use an extra gear, but not for more top speed. They need it so we can gear them to achieve the same top speed in 6th and have better lower gearing for off road riding.

If you want to import the 250cc X-Pect Drivetrain and swap to a 36 tooth rear sprocket they're much easier to import than the entire motorcycles. While they do create about 40% more power, their beefier clutch is what I'd be interested in. Great looking 250cc, if you do the swap I'd ask if you need to swap the plug-in EFI controller as well. :D

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cdxg7TmutwZ/