Dual-Sport Wish List

[frostbite]

Since Christmas is just around the corner I thought I would start a thread aimed at the Chinese manufacturers. I know some read this site so perhaps they'll take this thread to heart. Feel free to add your wants to the list

What I want in a Chinese DS bike:

250-300cc OHC engine

We've heard the rumours but we want to see them in North America/Europe. 200cc is fine for around town but we want a little more juice for short highway jaunts.

Better seats

My LF200GY-2 feels like a brick.

Heavier chains

I'm talking to you Lifan . Put a 520 on the GY's please and save us from replacing it every 6 months. In the west we take these bikes off-road which plays havoc with the tiny chains.

Get rid of the plastic drag and paint

Since these bike are off-roaded the plastic tank shroud just gets in the way in the event of a spill. Also, leave the plastic bare, no paint please.

That's about it for now. Feel free to add any other items you would like to see in a new DS China bike.

[CathastrophiX]

I would like them to have someone who know english do the spelling on their homepages, so I don´t have to read stuff like this, trying to figure out what they actually mean (copied from various Chinese motorcycle manufacturers homepages):

"Introduction of new processes, Improve the colour and flavour Naihou sexual overflowing degrees, while cleaning more convenient. "

"The strength is so good that the flameproof capacity is so good. The sliding and pricking proof capacity are outstanding. And can provide a promise of safety driving."

"It adopts American material A356 and has good function for heat conduction and high quality radiator, which can avoid the aging of tyres."

"You can sit on the humane seat and grasp the good-feeling handle, specially putted on the engine front part’s foot paddle, and you can sit heroic and drive very handsome."

"the impetus is quite strong.. Five_ grade ordinary time gear, the operation is very easy and freely drives, and you can get the cool feeling."


And by the way do the same with the instruction manuals.

[blimpman]

Use better metal for the fasteners. Grade 5 minimum.

[bfe71730]

Keep the prices low!! I've noticed that the 400cc and larger ATV's that have just came out are priced waaaaay too high compared to a Honda or other name brand.

[gyjoe]

Three things:
-250cc engine (this would require a 520 chain).
-Six speed transmission.
-Brighter lighting, especially the headlight.

[sonofSunl]

Make the importers bring in more spare parts. Roketa are you listening.

[deputygene]

350cc motor
bigger gas tank
no plastic tank shroud
bigger foot pegs

[dlunt]

300cc or larger engine.
Price under $2500
Adjustable seat height.
Better chain and tires.
Better electrical system so you can run more/brighter lights.
Keep the weight under 300 lbs.

[RD]

I agree to the 520 chain. I'd also add a two speed ratio change with a lever just like the old Honda Trail 90's did. In the mean time here's my fix for both:

My LiFan 200cc, Model LF200 GY-5 came with a stock chain/sprocket ratio of 2.7 (46 rear x 17 front, 46/17= 2.7). I wanted to be able to change ratios quickly with a front sprocket change only. This can be accomplished in about 10 minutes without removing the rear wheel/sprocket.

I had to move from a 428 chain to a 520 chain to find the right sprocket combo. There is plenty of clearance with a slight modification to the front sprocket cover to accommodate the larger (14) front sprocket. A bit of grinding to the cover (not engine case) and it works fine. This grinding, removal of a thin wall about 1/2 inch by 1 inch) is not visable when the cover is in place.

Here’s the set up:

Rear sprocket:
JTR279.35 (35 tooth)

Front sprockets:
Off-Road – JTF1324.11 (11 tooth)
On-highway – JTF1324.14 (14 tooth)

Off-road I now have a 3.2 ratio (35/11), a gear reduction of about 18% vs. the 2.7 stock ratio. On-highway, I now have a 2.5 ratio (35/14), a gear increase of about 8% vs. the 2.7 stock ratio. And best of all, a 10 min. change over from off-road to on-highway...four bolts, master link clip(s) and back on (or off) the road.

As for chain length, I think I might be able to accommodate the change with rear wheel adjustment only. I need to wait until the chain stretches to confirm this. Worse case, I have added an additional master link and a few links of chain which I insert for the on-highway set up.

On-highway alternative: For those of you who want an even higher ratio, JT sprockets has rear sprockets (JTR279) for the LiFan in the following teeth selections: 33,35,36,37. The highest ratio would be JTF1324.14 (14 teeth) and JTFR279.33 (33 teeth) for a ratio of 2.4, a 13% higher ratio than stock. I have not tried this ratio so I don’t know if it would pull much speed.

Here’s where you can find the parts:

Chain: Find 520 HD chain on eBay. Buy about 110 links. I paid about $36. One source is http://stores.ebay.com/Parts-Store

Sprockets: JT Sprockets was my source. They were kind enough to help me find front and rear sprockets to fit the LiFan with no modificaitons. http://www.jtsprockets.com/. For the front sprockets I paid $10 each and for the rear I paid $27.

Good luck.

[culcune]

A close semblance of a dream bike can be had by all. On the Jetmotogroup, as well as here, is a gentleman from Great Britain who goes by the moniker 'czowner.'' He converted a Hongdou 250 dirt bike into a street bike. Hongdou is one of the brands of Lifan.

Viva and Tank both carry a 250 dirt bike. I don't know all the specs of the Tank brand, but I did look up the Viva (which looks like CZowners's Hongdou). The bike has a 250cc engine (rounded) and a 6-speed transmission. There is a huge bike/parts company with major presence in England called British Track Star or BTS. They sell bikes on the UK Ebay and through mail order. One thing they do have is parts, and many of them.

CZowner bought his street parts from them such as the headlight, taillight, turnsignals, mirrors, license plate holder and light, and speedometer and drive for the speedo, and a few others. If you link to Jetmotogroup, he has an album there (maybe here, too) and his bike is the main photo for Jetmotogroup as well. It looks very factory.

If Jetmoto comes out with a 250 enduro, others will follow. However, if BTS will sell and ship parts from the UK, and the prices are reasonable, surely more 250cc/6-speed streeted bikes can be had, especially if the factory bikes cost a hefty premium over the 200cc enduros.

***update: CZowner has a gallery here, too. Here is the link...

http://www.chinariders.net/gallery2/...g2_itemId=1673

[fatboy250]

Any chance of finding this 250cc/6-speed engine? It looks like the same bike the rest of us have, but with the 250cc engine.

[culcune]

try vivascooters.com or atvimports.com (I think they are the same company) who sell the Viva 250's. I wonder if they can order one for you?

[fatboy250]

I guess you guys have seen these:

[BikerDave]

WOW! I really like the looks of those, especially that super moto style one!! Who makes them?? And are they available here yet??

[mdsuave13]

have you seen the zongshen sierra 200? that thing looks great.. or the united motors 200 sm? they are both tight