My 2020 Lifan x-pect 250 Thread

[Boatguy]

I’m in love.

She was a bit temperamental at first. Throttle wound on backwards at the handlebars, couldn’t find the seat release (there is none), she got dropped off 1/4 mile away and I had to de crate there, attach handlebars and push her home.

And worst of all the kickstand spring flew off while I wasn’t touching the bike and I can’t get it back on. Even using the coin trick. Gotta find a way to stretch it and get it back on.

BUT...

After those kinks were worked out, I started breaking her in, checking out the (very) local trails while waiting for the MSO/MCO and Bill of Sale.

15 miles on the bike so far and it’s perfect!! It’s helping get my mind off the non stop work I have going on and it’s running great!

I was really surprised at how well it rides on the road! I thought it would be really bad on the road. It manages like a small CC street bike. On trails it’s perfect.

It was really bouncy and stiff suspension when I started riding, but it seems as though the suspension is breaking in too. Is that possible?? Or is my &ss just breaking in??

All in all I love this thing. I have no idea how I’ll give her up when my project is done here. There is no way you can do better for $2k. It’s unbelievable.

Attached pic is a little break I took on the ride today. It’d be nice if the admin here could increase the pic attachment size. It’s super small compared to most forums.

[Boatguy]

One thing that surprised me was the low end torque. It’s got a good amount!

4000 RPM and below is much peppier than I was expecting coming from a CBR 900 RR as my last bike and riding 2 stroke dirt bikes in the past.

[RussellTA]

Totally agree, mine is two weeks old not and 230 miles and I am so impressed with the power delivery and the confidence this bike offers the rider on dirt and street. Really amazing.

I have been riding for 40 years so was expecting this to be a little underwhelming which was going to be ok for what I wanted it for but I am finding that it is really surpassing all expectations, best 2k I have ever spent I think

TR

[Boatguy]

What about these tires??

They handle just fine. Road or trail.

But can I trust them to not go flat?

Threads I’ve read here about ditching the Chinese tired, tubes bursting, spikes needing lots of adjustments... scare me. What do I need to do with the wheels in general?

[RussellTA]

Originally Posted by Boatguy

What about these tires??

They handle just fine. Road or trail.

But can I trust them to not go flat?

Threads I’ve read here about ditching the Chinese tired, tubes bursting, spikes needing lots of adjustments... scare me. What do I need to do with the wheels in general?

All the dirtbikes and dual sports I have owned have required constant spoke maintenance, on the rear especially. As far as tires and tubes I can’t say but I will say I am always prepared for a flat on my bikes. For dirt and dual sport I carry a dozen huge zip ties to hold the tire to the rim in case of a flat. I can limp to help with that

TR

[Bruces]

The real answer is nobody knows .Your bike isn’t the most popular around here ,I haven’t seen any huge issue with the tires they come with ,often it seems ,the issue isn’t usually the tires ,but thin cheap tubes come on a few of these bikes .If it was me ,I would run what I had and deal with any issues as they come up .

[Megadan]

Originally Posted by Boatguy

It was really bouncy and stiff suspension when I started riding, but it seems as though the suspension is breaking in too. Is that possible?? Or is my &ss just breaking in??

Yep, it's possible. Brand new suspension tends to be a little bit stiff, but quickly will, for lack of a better term, "Break in" as the bushings and seals get a bit of initial wear on them.

The part that confuses me is the bouncy AND stiff together. Is one end bouncy and the other stiff?

Originally Posted by Boatguy

What about these tires??

They handle just fine. Road or trail.

But can I trust them to not go flat?

Threads I’ve read here about ditching the Chinese tired, tubes bursting, spikes needing lots of adjustments... scare me. What do I need to do with the wheels in general?

I wouldn't worry as much. Although they are still a cheap bike, most Lifan products have a bit better quality control behind them. A lot of the issues you were reading about were from us Hawk guys. The stock tubes in Hawks are, or at least were, really thin and they also often didn't install them well, with the rim strips being shifted and the spoke nipples rubbing through said thin tubes. In other instances the steel rims themselves had sharp edges or points that wore a hole through the tubes.

I may have missed a post or two, but I haven't seen it being as much of an issue with the other bikes so far. That doesn't mean it can't happen, but I would ride with more confidence on a Lifan or Bashan than a Hawk for sure.

As far as spoke adjustments, it comes with the territory. RussellTA is pretty much on point. The more aggressive the tire when used on pavement, the more often I have had to tension spokes as well, likely due to the increase in vibration. That is why it's not a bad idea to at least give the spokes a thorough check once a week if you ride it somewhat often.

[Boatguy]

Ok cool!!!

Thanks for the helpful input on the spokes and tires.

I’ll keep an eye on them. Never thought about using zip ties to keep a flat tire on in order to make it out of the woods and get a new one. That sounds like a decent idea. Maybe a spare tube also.

[Boatguy]

Why did I call my Lifan a 250???

Wishful thinking I guess.

Anyway, it was listed on the Progressive insurance drop downs when I looked today to try to see about a Florida policy to get a temporary plate while awaiting my real registration.

So if you get a Lifan and are having any trouble finding road insurance, progressive already knows the bike.

[culcune]

Originally Posted by Boatguy

Why did I call my Lifan a 250???

Wishful thinking I guess.

Coming to the US this year ('fall') according to American Lifan: http://lifanmotos.net/product/yyc/2020-11-24/129.html

[JFOlivier]

Those chrome wheels look good, I would'nt mind some of them on my 2020

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by culcune

Coming to the US this year ('fall') according to American Lifan: http://lifanmotos.net/product/yyc/2020-11-24/129.html

A true 250 and 20hp. That's what i'm talking about.

[Boatguy]

More Lifan info

Getting 48MPH at about 6000-7000RPM.

Bike looks like it’ll max out at 50-60mph, but I don’t want to push it hard during break in. I wouldn’t have even done 6000-7000RPM if I didn’t have traffic behind me in a 45mph zone.

For some reason, I tried to find 6th gear a couple times. Thought it wasn’t shifting right. Ha ha ha.

There is no 6th.

[oincman]

Love mine. Got a Givi rack for the back so I can load up stuff and a windscreen. It runs as well if not better than my 2020 Suzuki VanVan (also 200cc). The VanVan is more comfortable the longer you ride because of the straight seat, if the XPect had that it'd be a perfect bike (IMO).

[JerryHawk250]

Originally Posted by Boatguy

More Lifan info

Getting 48MPH at about 6000-7000RPM.

Bike looks like it’ll max out at 50-60mph, but I don’t want to push it hard during break in. I wouldn’t have even done 6000-7000RPM if I didn’t have traffic behind me in a 45mph zone.

For some reason, I tried to find 6th gear a couple times. Thought it wasn’t shifting right. Ha ha ha.

There is no 6th.

Get a smaller rear sprocket for a higher gear ratio.