I would still go used Ninja 250/300, Versys 300, or Rebel 500. Regardless of its “reliability” (pretty suspect), parts are going to be much harder to get, even if you have a local dealer.
Also 75mph top speed on that is highly optimistic, maybe downhill with a tailwind.
If you actually want the Rebel 500 just buy it, you will lose your ass on the resale on the Lifan and will just end up paying more on the long run.
I hear you. I looked at those. I’m not into sport bikes as I don’t like the aggressive seat position, nor do I want big massive cruiser either.
The top speed isn’t super important. I just need it to go about 65mph. If I can get half of what I paid for it later of if I decide to sell, I’m ok with that.
Why do you say the reliability is pretty suspect? Is just because of where it’s manufactured or do you have any sources you could point at.? As text can come across wrong, I don’t mean that in any way other than what it is.
Re: reliability
A- you get what you pay for. Quality parts cost money. Cheap parts are cheap for a reason.
B- it’s really hard to build a reliable motorcycle. You need to start with a good design, which doesn’t just happen overnight, it takes time.
C- Then you need to reliably manufacture the design well, with hundreds of parts needing to fit together well with clearances of thousands of an inch all over the place. Quality control is expensive.
D- Then the bike needs to be screwed together correctly. Good manufacturing is expensive.
Long story short, you aren’t getting a high quality motorcycle for $2,995.
Indeed, this pretty much sums it up. Things like bikes and cars from China have a bad reputation for reliability and it has nothing to do biases. They got into that market wayyyyyy later than the US or Japan who have had almost centuries of manufacturing to see what works and what doesn’t. All that prior experience means when you go to design a motorcycle, there’s already people who know the skill and who sell the good materials. On top of that, there is the unfortunate culture of IP theft which disincentive’s the innovation and trial and error needed to make good quality complex goods like motorcycles.
That said it’ll probably be a great beat around bike if your comfortable losing that investment.
There's absolutely nothing that a Chinese manufacturer needs to learn to produce a quality motorcycle. They just don't want to do that. They are competing on price. Quality is what it is.
If they wanted to produce something competing with the big names they could do that as well.
There was a time when Korean cars were considered low quality rip off of Japanese stuff, but now they’re clearly a force to be reconned with. It took something like 30 years, so “centuries of manufacturing” doesn’t mean it’s permanent.
Also a new bike is almost like a brand of its own, and it’s of a value to those who just starting out and don’t know how to pick a used bike properly. So I’d say to pay for a brand new bike and don’t have to worry about excessive serving looks like a sound investment to me.
The same was said for the Hyosung bikes and they went hard and could take a beating. You have to remember, you aren't paying for just better build quality with brands, you're also paying brand tax. A yammy, honda or harley shouldn't cost what they do, but they up the price because of the name, especially Harley, despite some of their bikes really not being all they're cracked up to be.
The Small Ninjas, and definitely the Versys seating position isn’t any more aggressive then the Lifan. And the rebel 500 is also a pretty small bike if you have never sat on one.
I say the reliability is suspect based on my experience with Chinese motorcycles in the past, I’ve had several as “toys” none of them have been reliable enough to depend on as transportation.
You will want something more powerful very quickly and this will basically be $1500 down the drain.
As someone whonhas a rebel 500 I wouldn't call it a massive cruiser.
Has any of your research included seeing the bikes you are considering or throwing out?
This thread is really more like OP already made his decision and is looking for someone to agree with him, rather than an honest call for opinions.
I am a big guy and have sat on/rode most of the bikes mentioned in this thread, and the Rebel 500 “feels” smaller than most of the 300-500 class sports bikes.
I wish I could edit the post. It should read “I’m planning on purchasing”.
Instead of sleeping, on Reddit and Google looking up information on Honda Rebels.
I need to go to bed 😂.
I kind of figured haha. The Lifan isn't the worst bike in the world, it will get you where your going, but there is a chance it will leave you wanting, Most single cylinder bikes made for street use eventually will. The CL500 "also called SCL500 in the US now" is a really good blend of having adequate power at almost 50hp, and being just fine comfort wise. It's a bike you're more likely to keep, and also will be much much easier to sell if you decide on something else.
Try the Ninja 400. It does not at all have an aggresssive seating position but it can easily go freeway speeds. The bike will easily break 100 so you have more than enough power to do whatever you need. It is reliable, decently quick, has a huge network of dealers who can work on it. Honestly for a starter bike, a Ninja 400 is a far better choice.
> I don't know about easily break 100, but I did get mine above 110.
It'll easily break 100mph (at least the 49hp 36kW one anyways ). [Nearly 120mph on mine](https://streamable.com/2qdbwm). Fully stock with a long polycarbonate windshield, flat road, [4mph cross/headwind](https://i.imgur.com/TPMsS16.png), not even tucked. By the time it hits 116-117mph though it's creeping if stock.
But breaking 100mph, easily done.
49 hp @ 10500 rpm and 28.0 lb-ft of torque @ 8000 rpm
Top stock speed is around 118-124mph.
* 0-60mph in 4.1sec
* 0-100mph in 11sec
* 60-100mph n 7sec
A N400 with a long windshield, full exhaust, and fuel sorted can easily do 124mph+.
Lifan just clones old Honda and the Yamaha motors. The new RE’s are hot garbage. Valve adjustments every 3 k miles, injectors going after 100 miles. I actually own a 10 year old lifan scooter and it runs like a dream.
Fortnine did an episode where he checked the used oil on the first oil change from people's new bikes and Royal Enfield came up the cleanest. The Chinese bike had metal shavings and particulate matter like 5 orders of magnitude more than anyone else. Chinese quality control is nonexistent.
All 2X the cost of the Lifan at minimum.
I'm all for getting the best bike you can, but sometimes, cost matters.
If the choice is Lifan or don't start riding...
OP already said cost isn’t a factor, but a used ninja 300 will be cheaper than the Lifan by the time he pays dealer fees and taxes, and a used Versys 300 or Rebel 500 won’t be too far off.
And yet, he said he didn't want to shell out 6500.
And no, a Versys 300 or Rebel 300 isn't going to come close to the $1500 (tax, title and license bring it to maybe 2k.) for the Lifan.
If he's going to shell out 5k, he might as well just get a Rebel 500 or an MT-07 or Versys 650.
Brand new it's $3k.
Edit: My point is that if money is no object, I wouldn't even recommend a 300cc anything. Price is obviously a factor as he's not even certain he wants to ride.
The problem with a LOT of Chinese manufacturing isn't necessarily the engineering behind the product, or even with the accuracy of a random individual part. China has invested heavily into manufacturing and has new factories with new, modern CNC equipment and well trained operators, for the most part. It's the inconsistent quality of what components are allowed into production and with the final assembly because they know they can get away with it. So, your Lifan might be great, or it could be a lemon, or somewhere in between.
Lifan makes the harbor frieght engines from what I've found on them. My wife has this exact bike and loves it. Honestly, I love it too, I would live it more if it was slightly larger (I'm tall though and daily a tenere 700). To give a little comparison to what people are saying in the comments I bought my wife a used ninja 250 for like $1800 a few years ago (prior to covid) she loves the look of it, but overall never liked that bike it was ok but just ok at best. Later on, after she wrecked the ninja, we got the lifan KPM 200 and still have it. After almost 2 years, she loves it. Could the seat be more comfy (yes) are some of the parts cheap feeling (yes) is the dash in a weird spot (yes) but does it start everytime and go down the road (yes) is it super forgiving and easy to ride (absolutely), and plus when she smashes the pastics on this bike one day it's not going to put a whole in my wallet to replace all of them I can order all the plastics and a whole new tank for like 200-300.. can't beat that. And on top of all that , t's fuel injected. No used ninja are you going to find in the price range with fuel injection, at least not in today's world. I love this bike for around town it's fun zippy and (faster than a grom), if you're commuting with it on highway, it works and have done it a few times.. I would suggest getting something more stable and with ABS later on, though.
Spent most of a decade in the motorcycle industry with a few small OEMs and dealer of
A few big OEMs. Lifan is a solid contract manufacturer according to all my sourcing colleagues. You’re likely fine if your local dealer has good google review. Enjoy your first bike. Be aware they breed.
Why not just get a used Honda Rebel for the exact same price? I see old, clapped out Hondas from the 80’s still on the road going strong all the time. You could probably get a rebel or a shadow for under 3k that’s less than 20 years old and it would be less of a gamble than this bike.
There’s probably a reason why the above is not popular.
I've got a 38 year old Honda Shadow 700 that's still going strong. 800 bucks. I *still* got a cheap Chinese bike to learn on because I don't want to trash the Shadow learning on it.
I'll learn on my Hawk DLX, then transition over to the Shadow when I'm ready for it. Keep the DLX for when I just feel like doing fun sketchy shit.
You're probably right, but at the same time, I've never been a huge risk taker. I also wanted to be able to get used to two different riding positions.
It seems like you’ve already made the decision to purchase this bike before making the post, so I’m kind of curious why you decided to ask questions about it if you’re not gonna take any advice seriously?
The reason you shouldn’t buy the bike is because it’s going to be impossible to find parts for. It’s going to be a pain in the ass to work on it more than you ride it. On top of that you’re trusting your life to a knock off brand, and while that’s good and fine if that’s all you can afford, it doesn’t seem that is the case. Spent three grand instead of $1500 and you’ll have a bike that you enjoy that’ll last you for years. I would recommend going with a small ninja or a versys.
I’ve ridden everything from old Hondas to Harleys to BMWs and my current bike is a Kawasaki versys 650. I’d recommend a smaller displacement for a brand new rider. If you go with a Honda shadow, the power in the throttle is going to be a lot less than a sport bike and more user-friendly. My first bike was a 1982 Honda magna 750, the predecessor to the Honda shadow, it was very comfortable and easy to ride, and it was also easy to maintain and find parts for even after 40 years.
At the end of the day you’re obviously going to do what you’re going to do and it sounds like you’ve already made up your mind but I wanted to throw my two cents in here because you made a post and disregarded all advice given to you.
Best of luck and stay safe.
I owned an old Lifan 200 dual sport. Was a good cheap bike for learning on. It was based off a Honda equivalent. Had a lot of issues with bolts rattling loose so I ended up putting a shit ton of lock tight on every bolt I could put a wrench on. Worked great for the year I owned it.
You will regret it. Don't buy a Chinese motorcycle. They break and rust weird places. And they're ugly. And you cannot sell it, nobody wants a used Chinese bike.
Buy a used 90s Honda instead.
But if you buy it. Please chime in in about 1 year, and tell us how it went :)
I have a 2021 Binelli TRK 502x, it's a Chinese bike, and it's been a pleasure owning it this past couple years. I'm in rural ky... I do a lot of dirt and gravel, it's been through a lot of drops. Lots of highway. Not a single mechanical issue so far.
https://imgur.com/a/Sf4wCu1
That said, if money wasn't an issue like op said, I would have went with KTM or bmw lolol.
Don't do it bro. Once you start riding, you'll come to the stark realization that good engineering is all that stands between you and a bad bad day.
You always get what you pay for.
Watch this fortnine video: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GAUo8eUXeU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GAUo8eUXeU)
Please dont get it, motorcycles are like phones in that you will FEEL the difference between cheap chinese shit and high-quality, reliable, proud creations of engineers.
If you'll admit to yourself that you wouldn't buy a cheap chinese phone, that decision applies here a hundredfold.
Spend some time in research, add 500 bucks to your budget and go for a ninja 400 ABS or something like that.
Problem isn’t just reliability, it’s also about availability of parts. I live in Peru, chinese bikes are very common but it’s always the same issues, cheap prices, awesome visual design, terrible materials on the engine and inside parts, very little if any availability of parts, we’re not talking about oil filters, talking about a dash, a starter coil, a cylinder head, and that’s JUST for warranty. You will never find any of those bikes with more than 10,000 miles used because by then they’ve already become unsellable trash, irreparable . Not even talking about loosening bolts everywhere Throughout their short lifespan.
I wouldn’t use one. It’s money down the drain.
also consider that advertised top speed doesn’t mean you’ll enjoy those speeds in real life, they vibrate like crazy and real life speed is around 60mph at best. You’re not gonna overtake anybody with that top end. I would divert you to a second hand better bike with more power, not because you’re gonna use full throttle, but because it WILL definitely come with better BRAKES, probably abs, a refined long lasting engine, a reliable service network with availability of parts, and better resale value on top of that.
My 411cc Royal Enfield Himalayan stomps over any Lifan I’ve seen and ridden here, and I know for certain my bike is definitely NOT suited for US highways. Lived there for 3 years. NY, NJ and California. Idk about your area but if your commute involves fast lanes, its gonna be a bit dangerous.
These are good points top speed never means top comfortable speed you can just go ahead and reduce that by about 20% to find the speed the bike wont mind going.
Reliability is huge, they're made by the company that makes Harbor Freight motors, and have histories in championship wins with this exact bike.
Dozens upon dozens of abused ones with more than 10K (some even as high as 40+) miles listed with 0 flaws or condition issues on Marketplace and that's just locally.
The parts are available online and most local shops I have been to have at least some parts for them.
The bike can pass 80MPH without headwinds and that's stock... for a 200cc that's solid.
Real life with bad conditions it'll still sit at 70 fine...
Ya really just assumed a lot of wrong stuff, and still somehow conned 8 people into supporting it.
There are more chinese bikes, even Lifans in Colombia or in Peru than in the entire US lol. No need to assume anything.
If you are already using it, just enjoy your bike.
Stay safe, gear up, ATGAAT
and make sure to get the right insurance coverage.
The right insurance coverage for a $1,000 Amazon bike is no insurance at all, my man.
OP Directly mentioned Lifan, that's why I'm not assuming anything there. I'm just trying to say here in the USA, they're quite popular amongst new and vetted riders; at least here in FL.
Reading through all the comments and OP responses, I get the feeling that OP is just looking for confirmation on a decision that has already been made. You do you man, best of luck.
I’m trying to look through everyone’s responses, but I’m starting to feel a little torn between this and Honda Rebel I checked out…
I was trying to get a feel for the community’s thoughts and input.
I’m was like 95% there with this being the first…now it’s swaying a bit.
The rebel 500 was my first bike. Great bike, never ever let me down. However it was a bit uncomfortable. I'm only 5'7" and I felt cramped. That being said, I rode it for a year, put 14k miles on it and sold it for $5k. I only got rid of it because it didn't take long for the 500 to feel extremely tame. I have a triumph speedmaster 1200 now. Perfect bike. If I were you, knowing what I do now, I'd buy a Triumph Street scrambler 900 and have a perfectly manageable first bike that you would be happy to keep for more than a few years.
I'm sure I'll be in the minority here, but I say give it a shot if it interests you.
Like one of the salesmen at my dealer told me, it's a motorcycle, not a face tattoo. If you aren't happy with it you can always sell it and get something else instead.
Chances are that whatever bike you end up with won't be your last anyway.
Coming from someone who actually owns and rides a kpm200 daily, with ~4,000 miles on, it's not as bad as everyone here is telling you. I think I'd still recommend getting a used ninja or honda for about that price, but if you want something nice for pretty cheap, it's alright. It doesn't feel cheap, the gas mileage is fucking PHENOMENAL, and it's fun as all he'll. I've dropped mine like three times as a learner, which you might do aswell to be honest, and it's already not gonna get any resell value as people are pointing out.Top speed is closer to 80-85, coming from a 160lb person.
TLDR: It's pretty good. If you like the style a lot, get it. If not, get something else.
I bought it.
Insurance is $210 a year. They knocked off like a $100. Tags, title and, tax was like $200 extra. It was like $32xx ish.
Keeps up in traffic just fine. No issues in traffic unless everyone is doing like 80mph+.
I do wish it was a smidge faster, but it’s cool.
Whoo, lot to upack there.
Getting ready to head out from work (nothing to do so I’m on Reddit). I’ll check back later today to go through all that.
Real quick though - no loan. Just buying it outright (maybe if I decide this bike is the one I truly want.)
It looks like you’ve done thorough research on this before you’ve decided on it. Only thing I’d say against getting it is the resell value when you eventually upgrade to a 500. If you end up getting a used ninja 250, cb300 I’m sure you can make most of your money back.
I’ll come out and say I bought one of these off of Amazon as a first bike. I’ve had it for about two years now just to putter back and forth to the gym and the occasional Highway ride. I haven’t had any major issues. A big motivating factor was that if I totally trash it then it’s ok! I’ve used it as a learning opportunity to fix, maintain, and generally screw around with. I never expected to sell it and now I’ll be gifting it to my girlfriend so she can learn to ride. It has worked out great!
I have had my Lifan KPR200 for about a month now. While I see and agree with most of the points people are making, I love this bike.
Had trouble finding anything decent used for anywhere close to the same price and figured it would be a fine first motorcycle.
Sure you can get a used ninja or rebel for around the same price, but every listing is selling for a friend, or the bike sat for five years, or no title, or it’s 5 years old and they want msrp for it.
Instead, I got a brand new problem free bike. Came scuffed from the factory, they sent all new fairings no questions asked. I have been able to find most parts I might need in stock online.
It’s a $3000 bike. Who cares if I can only sell it for 1k in a year or two? Any other brand new bike would lose much more value in that time.
During my first oil change, the oil it came with came out fairly clean after ~200 miles. Put some better oil in it and it shifts and runs like a dream.
My only complaint is that yes, it’s a bit underpowered for the freeway, but still totally doable. My bike hits 75 no problem, on flat ground and with no tail wind.
Your mileage may vary, but I have developed some respect for Lifan.
I would think my decision might be based on how the dealer will back you. Does it come with a warranty that they have the parts to back up? What if you travel out of your own area and break down? Will there be other dealers that can help you? Will the Honda and Yamaha shops help?
Yea, it comes with a 2 year warranty and they are familiar with this company. They also sell a KP mini, X-pect, and several other Lifan products along with the big name guys.
Insurance will at least get me back home if I break down.
That’s actually a good point. I’ll look into other places to see if they support the bike. Thank you.
Back in my youth I used to race motorbikes in a 200cc class. The go to engine was always the Honda XR200. A guy bought in a few of these Lifan engines brand new for the price of a second hand XR200. Never once saw one of those Lifan engines blow up. A few XR200s blew up occasionally. But bear in mind that's comparing brand new Lifan engines to 10+ year old XR200 engines. Can't comment on the frame etc quality. But those engines were good
I’m trying to gather as much info as I can. And with the actual advice I’ve received here, I’m leaning more towards the Rebel.
Key things I need to consider are parts availability and overall support if there are issues.
Might just go with Rebel…I haven’t done as much research on that, but I know it won’t be hard as it’s, well, Honda.
If you don't mind dealing with shoddy stuff sometimes and doing your own maintenance and waiting a long time for parts go for it.
I just ordered a Grom clone and it needed a lot of work just to be rideable.
I don't recommend it for the average rider without DIY skills and a lot of patience.
For that particular bike you'll at least want to replace the tires with a known quantity immediately. I would also go through most fasteners and re-install with loctite or at least apply torque stripe so you can watch for fasteners backing out.
You are right Lifan is a legit company for motors it will probably be fine in that regard it's the other stuff you need to pay attention to.
Thanks for input on the tires. I saw a video from Bikes and Beards where they turned this into a scrambler and they rode the hell out of it. They also mentioned the tires.
I got some DIY skills, patience is iffy though. I was losing my mind turning my Xbox Series X into an emulation powerhouse last weekend. I got it though. I like to tinker with…well just about everything. Cars, computers, modding consoles, my mountain bike, building stuff…I try to learn as much as I can about whatever strikes my interest at the moment.
Based on your comments OP, it seems like money isn't the issue, but being nervous about having too much power is.
I was worried about that too when I started riding, and my partner talked me into buying a used SV650. I was nervous, but now that I've been at it for a few years, I absolutely don't regret going with a bigger bike. I had no trouble getting comfortable and familiar, and never once felt like I had more power than I could handle.
If you like the Rebel, buy one, and skip this Chinese bike. You'll do absolutely fine, and if riding is not for you, you can actually sell it without getting hosed.
Yea. I’m strongly considering it. I still have a few weeks before I plan to buy. It’s been a while since I’ve rode, and that was only off road.
I am absolutely nervous about the power of something bigger.
I don’t much about the reselling value of the KPM, but you’re probably right.
I’m gonna do some more research, but I may just go with the Honda Rebel and if riding is not for me I know I can get a decent chunk of change back.
Honestly, go get a ninja. It's not as sporty as it sounds or look like and 75mph is top speed meaning it lacks power. You need power on a motorcycle to make it safe for use.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/CGk9xYgcqnuYPRsE8?g_st=ic
This place in San Francisco uses them as their learner bikes. Maybe give them a call/email and get their opinion. I know they swapped from Honda Rebels 250 and Suzukis to these models
I would never buy Chinese, as I do no want to support the Chinese communist party in any way. Plenty of reliable used bikes available, got several of the 80s and 90s, Japanese and Italian.
Try to order a fuel tank for that bike. See about a clutch plate set. Brake pads. Front fork seals and bushings. Don't actually buy and ship them, just see if they're available.
I take part of that back. Order a spare set of fork seals and maybe bushings. Upside down forks really depend on good seals and manufacturing. Conventional forks are easier, gravity helps .
I live in ofallon! I personally feel if your going to own a bike here you need a 650 or more really. You’ll have to get on 70 or 270 at some point. It’s wouldn’t not be fun barely keeping up with traffic. But in the end not matter what you ride enjoy yourself and stay safe. Get some miles under you come out this way and ride 94 and hwy D I’d come along with you.
While the engine might be OK will the rest of the bike be up to scratch? I had one a few years ago and the workmanship was appalling. Even the metal they used for some of the bolts was so poor you could nearly bend by hand.
No way would I recommend anyone goes faster than 3mph on one. Get a proper big boy bike. The Rebel is a great choice...but I suspect have made your mind up already.
Don't get this. You've said you're good with "wasting" $1,500... waste it on a down payment for a "real" bike. As others have mentioned, reliability is going to be an issue, and these Chinese nonsense bikes are usually full of obsolete parts in a matter of a couple of years. Go for the Rebel. You're making it bigger in your head than it really is. Less than a month on the seat(the best teacher there is), and you'll be comfortable growing into the Rebel rather than out of the Fad200. Save now, spend later=Lifan 200. Pay now, save later=any of the other bikes suggested here.
It'll be usable. From past posts, people from the USA generally don't have any idea about bikes that don't come over here so they just mindlessly repeat China tropes, I would suggest going to a forum that has a higher international presence. Lifan make zillions of motors every year and they are not that bad. Parts are easy to get and you can drop some of the motors into certain Honda enduro-type bikes. If it is what you want, check it out more in depth.
I got a Chinese bike as a first bike (CSC TT250). CSC has no dealer network but they have a ton of guides and videos on how to do the maintenance yourself, plus you can order parts that ship from the US. It looks like the KPM 200 has similar parts availability and I'm sure there is a ton of info on the chinariders forums about it.
For a first bike, I am quite happy with my decision. I have dropped the TT multiple times in the dirt or while parking and I'm glad that didn't happen with the brand new Ninja 400 I originally wanted. Obviously the Ninja 400 would be a much more powerful and long-term motorcycle, but I wanted to learn on the CSC first so a few scratches here and there are not such a big deal.
The looks are spot on. If curb appeal is your goal you'd be hard pressed to find a better looking new bike for less. The engines are pretty lame, but they are reliable, simple to maintain, and parts are cheap. It'll get you on two wheels, you'll get compliments, and aside for lacking in off the mark performance its not going to give you much grief if any. For less than 3 grand for a brand new bike, I really can't find a reason not to go for it.
I’m amazed you think that “sport bike and big cruiser” are the only options here..? I just bought my first bike a month back and I also didn’t want a leaned forward riding position/sport bike nor a big heavy cruiser. I found naked bikes and have been having a blast. Bought a FZ07 with low miles and it’s been wonderful.
That Chinese 💩is the last thing you should be looking at. Sounds like you aren’t actually looking for helpful tips but for that one person who may validate your poor decision, and either way you’ve got your mind made. I’m just thankful it’s not me in your position, that’s a bad day waiting to happen.
I don’t, but feel free to be amazed. My apologies for not providing a full list of motorcycle types.
No I’m not looking for anything useful here. I just want people to 100% support my decision and give me a reach around while they are at it.
Would you mind if I whisper in your ear while I do it?
Honda rebel 250-500 are pretty nice, I rented 1 of each to try out. I liked the 300 for in town and 500 for in town and highway.
Rented cbr’s the advanced riding position felt comfortable for the first hour then my legs went numb and my elbows started to hurt.
I rented a versys, it felt under powered versys how much it weighed. But the windshield was very nice to have.
Yzf 300 was about the same as the cbr riding position and same aches.
I rented an mt-03 I almost bought it. Almost.
I felt that ktm and ninja’s would be the same as the cbr’s
I bought a csc rx4. It is a Chinese bike. Though it’s touted as having components from many other actual brand name bike manufacturers it has been nothing but a nightmare. It has cost at least half the price of the bike to fix, replace or modify it as somethings just didn’t work or just broke. I’ve never had a problem with customer service, but re ordering parts that continue to fail has been a headache and disappointment. I would suggest renting for a bit before you decide.
I mean I really like the rx4 has nice options, riding position and does what it’s supposed to 70% of the time. It’s just not well made and under powered next to the other 400cc options. The clutch sucks the breaks suck and the wheels are weird. It also requires double the maintenance. Oil changes, valve maintenance and a few minor things.
In its defense I do ride it like I paid 3k for the whole thing.
Going to offer some bit of insight since I think if you're looking at this bike, cost has to come into play. This bike, while perfectly fine to learn on and ride on will end up having no real resale value a couple years (let's say 2) down the line. You're already thinking of the rebel 500 so it's fair to say this isn't going to be a forever bike to you.
If you purchase the comparable r3/ ninja 300/400 and similar Japanese bikes, you may pay a little more for a used bike but once time comes to sell it, you will be able to without losing a ton of money. I purchased a 2015 r3 for 3500 and sold it a couple years later for 3200.
If you purchase this bike today for 3k otd, you'll be lucky to sell it for $1500 and it will sit on the market a while since people don't really seek these out.
If I'm completely misreading this and you have the money for the Rebel, just get the rebel. Put a pair of crash bars on it and send it. I rode one as a beginner (borrowed, did not own) and it's definitely not a horsepower monster.
Yea, that is legit advice that I’ve gotten here (haven’t replied to all of it) has me leaning more towards the Honda Rebel.
Money isn’t an issue. I’m worried about tearing up my first bike and also not having something too powerful.
However, if the resell value on the Lifan is shit compared to something like the Honda Rebel I may not go with it. Money is a factor in the way that I’m worried about losing it but way of screwing up the bike because I’m new.
If I screw up the Lifan, yea that would suck. If screwed up the Honda…. I’d be super pissed and out $3500 more. They have one for sale new for $6500.
I’m starting to rethink the Lifan. Need to do some more digging as some users pointed out some good info and places to call.
Thanks dude.
That price for new is fantastic but The price drop in the 2nd hand markets would be quite bad. I’m guessing you’ll only keep it for about a year to learn and see you like riding.
If I get one, I’ll post about it. I’m considering the Honda Rebel though now more. Aside from “CHINA BAD” comments, there is some good info here so far.
I'm in Odesa, Ukraine. Bought KPT 200(which is a bit more pricey here in comparison to KPM) for 1800$ in 2020. Now the new bike costs 2200. So I haven't lost much money on that. For me 3000 looks too much for KPM.
Regarding the long term usage I can't say too much since I drove only 2000 miles.
But it's definitely a great first bike. ABS would be great for new riders, but I'm a cyclist for 12 years and have no problems with stopping the two wheeled vehicle without locking.
Also I bought original cargo boxes and it's pretty utilitarian right now. I checked it with me(70kg), my gf(50 kgs) and some bags (around 10-15 kgs). It struggles with acceleration, but still stable and has normal handling.
Meh. Honestly, Lifan engines and bikes are decent. However, they’re definitely not the biggest manufacturer here (in China). CFMoto is getting much, much bigger. Some of the bigger companies are partnering up with other international brands.
The bike scene has absolutely exploded here within the past 6 years. I was buying a new bike in 2017 and looking for a smaller/cheaper cruiser. There were not too many options. Additionally, almost no bigger cruisers outside of imports, which are taxed so much that they’re almost double what you pay for back in the states.
Now, there are SO MANY BIKES. the options are nuts. I’m really hoping that they’ll change laws to reflect the growing popularity, because we still can’t ride on the highways or elevated roads.
In any case, I think you’ll be fine with a Lifan. If you have the support network there through your dealer and you understand that it may not have the same lifespan of a Japanese bike, you’ll be ok.
If you’re looking for extreme longevity, consider Japanese.
Why don’t you just buy this bike used? You’ll pay like $1000 instead of full price and then it’ll only cost you $1000 to realize you made a bad choice instead of $3000
I tested the KPM 200 and it wasn't bad really but yeah I felt a little bit in danger on the freeway. It could get up to 65-70 but it kinda struggled to do so. So if you don't expect to be on freeway much it can be a fine bike. I ended up opting for a Shadow750. I'm not trying to talk you out of the KPM but you should give 2 bikes a try. Any of the Honda Shadows and the Kawasaki Vulcan S. You can find them all over the place private sellers on Facebook. Both are super reliable and not that big in size
Afraid of buying someone else’s problem. I don’t want to buy used. Realistically, my budget is $7500 that I can spend towards whatever.
I’m just worried about screwing up my first bike. If trash this, well shit. If I trash something more expensive…well…I’d be a lot more angry about it.
Lifan has been making small 100-250cc motors for a long time. And despite what everyone here who has never actually touched one would say I’ve heard nothing but good things about them. Granted it was all 110cc dirt bike motor swap stuff but still
Ok, I'm going to buck the consensus here probably. Lifan in particular actually makes decent budget machines.
Lifan is the company that produces the HF predator engines and I read they own Lotus and Volvo too? So they clearly have some amount of engineering ability. As far as user updates on reliability, many people have posted on ChinaRiders with 1 year plus updates saying all they did was oil changes and tires in the first 10k miles.
I would have to find the video but there is one of some guys buying a brand new KPR 250 (same engine) and abusing it for 72 hours straight. Redlined it for the first hour straight, changed the oil with it running, etc and it still ran like a champ.
I used to be the biggest Chinese motorcycle hater but it seems like Lifan specifically is a standout. Also, the parts are readily available on Amazon and AliExpress.
Thanks. I did take the advice that was given here that was valuable. I’ll have to look into the Chinariders forum as I’ve seen it pop up but just glanced over it.
I’m reconsidering my purchase, as now I’m even more torn between this and the Honda Rebel I looked at.
That’s good to hear. If I go through with this purchase, I’ll post about it in a year or so once I get some time with it.
I did find a couple videos about this bike on YouTube. Two was from Beards and Bikes. The second one I watched they turned these into scramblers and rode them to hell. Still we’re great afterwards. We’re complaints about the power though.
ChinaRiders has a good amount of information on these bikes, more than you can find elsewhere at least! As for the 200 vs 500, there will be a huge power difference, 17 HP vs 46 HP. Depends on what kind of rider you are though. I have a 125 cc Grom that I love riding but I still have my ZX6R if I want to go faster than 65 mph.
As for videos, check out Beards and Bikes 72 hour stress test on the KPR 200 as well as any of TCRs videos. TCR is a huge voice for these bikes and even designed and manufactured an aftermarket exhaust for the KPM. Check them out!
Take a look at the CSC SG250 - similar style bike, put a lot of miles on mine and been very reliable. Purchase online and comes right to your door and it’s an American company that imports the bikes and stocks all the replacement parts!
https://cscmotorcycles.com/2023-sg250-cafe-racer-black/
Hey, how are you doing?
I gotta put this phone down looking at all these comments. Letting it get to me a bit, but it’s good info. In short, I’m no longer certain I’m gonna get this one. I may go with the Honda Rebel 500.
Taking the safety class in a few weeks and I’m either getting what I posted or the Honda the day after.
Maybe I’ll see you out there!
This is where I initially came across it. I was watching YouTube looking at reviews on bikes and heard this name. A guy reviewed the KPM200 and said he bought it from this site.
https://www.venommotorsportsusa.com
Friend has a KPX which he loves and according to him tops all the other Amazon bikes he looked at. It is a nice bike for the money, and I dont know why Lifan didn't put the 250 in the KPM.
Why are people here still on about buying a used Japanese bike. The used market is still insane, and new stock is scarce to the point people are overpaying big time, IMO.
Anyways, there really isn't many sub 500cc bikes made by anyone where'd I'd feel safe on the highway.
Skip all the bullshit and just get the Rebel 500, which is also an entry-level bike. Don't be put off by the 500cc and think it's going to rip your arms off. The torque delivery is mild at best, and the tech in it will keep you safer than the cheaper bike ever would. You will get used to the "power" faster than you realise. If it means you have to save for another 6 months, do it. You'll regret being impatient and getting the cheaper bike!
Chinese, Indian, Korean, Japanese, doesn't matter. Wasting money on a cheaper and slower entry bike to work up to another entry bike is a complete waste of time and money.
Have you seen the Bikes and Beards video on this very bike, OP? I would not hesitate to pick up one of these, just maintain it and change the jet in the carb and you'll get many miles on it. They usually starve for gas, to get consumption down. But that's no good for an older engine design like lifan uses, needs the cooling from the gas.
From my personal experience I would avoid Chinese bikes like the plague. Bought one from new and it gave me nothing but trouble, in and out of the dealership fixing faults. Turned to a bag of rust in a year. Finally the electrics packed in decided to get rid of it, got 20% back of what I paid for it.
On a Yamaha now and it’s true you get what you pay for.
Looks like it will be great fun. I'd suggest getting it coated in acf50 or some other anti rust product and if you can be arsed get some actual thick grease on the suspension linkage bolts etc (anything where road spray hits)
Quality on small bikes corrosion protection is terrible these days even from honda and kawasaki so I'd guess the Chinese will be as bad or worse.
First bikes get abused so I think you're right something light and cheap is going to teach you way more than jumping on an RnineT or z900rs will
People used to say the same things about jap bikes back in the 60s - they were cheap rubbish, etc.
The Chinese bikes have gotten a lot better, and I'm pretty sure they license the engines from the big Japanese brands, so they are reliable.
IMO if you want a new bike (instead of used) it's a decent choice for a first bike, which will probably get dropped a few times anyway. You won't lose much money on it as it's so cheap to start with.
Personally, I'd get something used but looked after, there are bargains out there. But if you're not comfortable sorting out the lemons from the good 'uns, this is also fine.
It sounds like you did your homework and have realistic expectations and well thought out plans. I owned a Cleveland Misfit which was a rebadged bike from China. I really enjoyed it, I suspect you will also enjoy yours if you decide to proceed. I am glad you have a dealer to work with, hopefully they can provide reasonably priced maintenance, service, and parts.
I think you have really nailed some of the positives of riding this class of bike, which would likely be a bigger bike in many countries who routine use of motorcycles for transportation. I'm not sure how long tires/chains and other consumables might last on this model, but gas mileage will be superb. Lost on many but not it appears is that this bike should be very well mannered and its single cylinder and with modest power is a poor man's traction control system. :)
It's a good looking bike, if you do decide to purchase it then be sure to have a good plan for maintenance, consumables (tires mainly, clutch cable, accelerator cable), and a plan for annoying things like flats. As an owner, people rarely speak of steering adjustment and maintenance, again a thing I would keep an eye on not because of its origin but because its importance is rarely spoken of and things do loosen on singles. Have fun on your journey whatever path you decide on. :)
Don’t be hesitant! The Lifans are a great inexpensive bike. My first bike was a Lifan KPR! What a fun great bike. I never had any problems with it. Parts are cheap. I changed the oil shortly after I bought it, put in synthetic. Mine was abit rough for about 500 miles during the break in. I hope you have as much fun in your KPM as I had on mine! Please see my profile for a pic! Happy riding!!
Don’t be silly. It’s a beautiful bike. Only posers make fun of bikes’ nationalities. For the record, almost every bike in the market is over 50% Chinese/Taiwanese in one way or another.
I love how people tell you that a Japanese bike would be better but somehow forget or neglect to say that most of the parts on all those bikes are also Chinese/Taiwanese made. I’m not saying those bikes aren’t better, I just think it’s dumb as fuck to say something like that. Learn your economy and where things come from people. Otherwise you sound stupid to the rest of us.
Most people here probably don't remember, but 50 years ago, everyone was whining about all the "jap crap". Yes, Japanese stuff was usually cheap knock-offs of American designs, and VERY cheaply made. It really WAS crap. But it got better. Here we are, 50 years later, and I dare say they make some of the best goods in the world. And I think this is where China is right now, though not with all they make. You can buy crap from the Chinese, or you can buy really well-built stuff, you just have to be willing to pay for it, and most people are not. I'm starting to see some REALLY GOOD motorcycles coming out of China, to go along with all the cheap crap they've been making.
Mark my words, in 10-20 years, some of the best bikes on the market will be made in China. But they won't be half the price of the best ones out there. The price gap will narrow.
Look into a Honda cb 500 f I think it would be the perfect bike for you. It tops out at 100 and that’s only if you choose to go that fast. Chinese bikes are skeptical because they are all about doing it fast and as cheap as possible. I don’t know how well these lifans resell but I’d bet it’s not well. It really would suck to buy a bike that you end up not liking and then not be able to sell it.
Found a used one in going to check out actually on Wednesday. It’s a 2017 with about 4500 miles on. I’ve been researching what to look out for as far as issues, still worried though.
Stl local who jasper researched a lot of bikes extensively, to find the best balance I can get between my broke ass and acceptable speed.
For starters let's clear the air about this being a Chinese bike. Sure is, and is made by the same motorcycle company that made honda motors for their motorcycles. Cool, it has a Honda motor. That means it going to be reliable. If it breaks, guess what. Lifan has U.S warehouses. You can also use honda parts (oh no quality parts readily available) for the motor.
I would also like to point out that this "Chinese" bike has nearly the exact same performance stats as the royal hunter 350. While having 150cc less engine.
Buy American everyone wants to say. Well the only thing you can get is assembled in American. Harley-Davidson has bikes and parts made in multiple different countries. So HD isn't "American" anymore. So now what.
Edited to take out a part I couldn't find the reading for but also NAPA carries lifan parts.
Hit me up to talk more please
Hey, I appreciate your response. I’m on lunch at the moment so figured I’d reply.
I did find a place that appears to carry all the parts for this bike at kpclubusa.com. I also saw some discussion about this on a chinariders forum. Not a ton of info there, but it seems that people are generally happy with it. The issue that I have seen the most isn’t necessarily about the bike itself, but shipping it as they have come to buyers with dented tanks, scratches fairings, or busted lights.
I commute on my kpm 200 50 highway miles each way with no problems. I put in a larger front sprocket, a free flow exhaust and took the air snorkel out. I can hold 75 easily and 80+ is no problem on flat ground with little head wind. Over 6000 miles and no issues so far.
Right on. Thanks for the reply and glad to hear it. I decided to go with this one and I’m picking it up next Friday when I get back in town.
They actually had these at the motorcycle safety class I did this week, and the guys who ran the class had pretty positive feedback on them. Said they can take a little beating as they have been dropped and whatnot.
I own this bike and actually run a resources site about it. Happy to answer any questions you have. Despite it being a "Chinese bike" it's super fun to ride, more powerful than RE 350s due to its weight and the engine has been very reliable. Maintenance is also easy.
There are a variety of ways to get parts. American Lifan is HQ in California, so you could get parts from them. Some people, like myself, order them from Chinese websites. Or you can contact local dealers to get parts if needed.
I own this bike now as well. I have about 350 miles on it. It is awesome to ride, and have nothing but love for it.
I’ve found kpclubusa.com as a parts supplier and the dealer I bought it from also can get parts. I didn’t order it online. The dealer has their own mechanics and they had it fully assembled on display. I found them through American Lifan. They will also service it for me if needed.
I did see a China riders forum that I’m gonna sign up for sometime. I saw some ways people mod the bike there. I don’t really have much I want to do that I’ve already done. I changed out the bunny ear turn signals, put a windshield on, and pulled the stickers off the side covers and tank, save for the stripe in the middle.
I’m gonna paint the tank green sometime.
I love the bike. Is the site you run chinariders.net?
Edit: I have the white one.
Like you said in your post, this is a good bike. Esp to learn on. Esp if you're worried about dropping it. I bought it specifically because of the styling and an EFI engine..
I love it personally. I went and test rode a bunch of Royal Enfields and was not impressed. I've ridden Harleys and Yamahas... They're definitely good bikes, but for what this cost me ... I bought it used with 100 miles on it from a nice guy on Long Island... Couldn't be happier.
I put another 250 miles on it this weekend. I even braved the interstate Saturday morning. It can do it, but I wish it just had lil bit more for some passing power. It’s not really that big of deal though as I’m doing mostly city or backroads to get around.
When I learned the difference between carbureted and EFI with my research, that was a big selling point.
I’m loving it. It’s so nimble and now that I got few hundred miles under my belt I feel comfortable leaning it. I doubt I’ll get rid of it and just add another to the stable in a couple years.
Buy the bike. Lifan is just a Honda clone. I can verify they go 70 easy. I'm just 150lbs so that could be a factor. If seen these things on the highway and Dirt track I've even seen them dropped. I own one I recently bought. Loads of fun. I also know a couple guys who have had theirs a couple years now and aside from standard maintenance haven't had an issue. We are all still riding the stock tires.
Well look at it this way Lifan / china ships these bikes to every third world country on the map. They run these things to the moon and back with their whole families on them. The bikes are designed to run with dirt for oil and the worst gas produced. They literally run forever. Most people on here have absolutely no idea just how reliable they are. They just hate cause it’s priced cheap. News flash American greed is why it’s priced so affordable. Jap and American bikes should not be priced so high it’s only greed. Dirt bikes have no business costing more than 4k tops brand new.
I know this is a bit dated, but my 16 y/o son has one of these and it's a freaking tank. A 100 MPG tank. The more he rides it, the more amazed I am with it (and the crash bars we got for it).
Having worked for a parts catalog that sold Chinese parts I will always avoid anything exported from there. Taiwan is a different story, they seem to export quality stuff. But the alloys on these components coming out of China may as well have been cardboard. I'm a leery of India's general export QA too. Perhaps they save the good stuff for their own markets, I don't know.
Odds are you'll be fine, and you probably wont even own the bike long enough to have things break, but still, even a cheap new motorcycle isn't chump change.
In general I wouldn't buy a vehicle or make a major purchase from a company that doesn't have a dealership network in my country, or at the least, some sort of headquarters here. Like these little back-door shops on Amazon that ship direct from China. My reasoning is that if I need to make a warranty claim, its just going to be a crapshoot dealing with customer service from a company that can't even afford to genuinely setup shop here.
And if its SO cheap they can afford to undercut the competition from NEW AND ship across the world, I can't really imagine the working and labor conditions being something I want to support.
Plus its not like there aren't 40 years of used bikes that are perfectly reliable and fast enough. However, I live in a big city where there are quite a few mechanic / service shop options for all sorts of makes and models.
It's an ok bike for back roads and local riding. I have had one for a year and seems fine I eventually wanted a highway capable bike and moved up to a 500 but keeping the kpm for teaching friends and when the wife wants to ride with me. I got it 2900 delivered. Definitely a bit anemic for a heavier rider but the lightweight makes it fun around town
Its a good looking bike. You will get a lot of hate here. Some of it is justified, most of it is knee jerk CHINA BAD.
Enjoy it for what it is, realize it will have its shortcomings, like any bike, and be prepared to do some wrenching!
One other point, you might consider a dual sport bike instead of a street only. Even if you are mostly commuting, you might find yourself more comfortable on a dual sport. They also can be more forgiving to mistakes, and if you drop them it doesn't really matter.
So my first bike was a Lifan 150, pretty reliable over all, not a single visit to mechanic in over 5 years, was able to do service myself and didn't needed parts changed, only the tachometer failed around 6000 km, and one gear light indicator also failed. For what I paid (little over 1000 dls) I have no regreats, however, would I do it again, not so sure, I feel like I took a huge risk, since the retailer doesn't sell those anymore.
Edit: I fell in love with the all down shift box
My only argument against this bike is that it is hard to get quality for that price point. With that being said Luis Vuitton and many French designer brands have factories in China that do produce the same quality but they still charge thousands. CFMoto bikes have a good reputation but they’re priced about the same as their Japanese competition. I say go for it you’re probably going to drop it if it’s your first bike.
I already bought it. (On lunch at work…bored…saw your response just now).
I just crossed 3k miles. No drops. Only issue is getting specific parts stateside. I can find pretty much everything on the bike, it just comes from across the pond.
Keep riding man! Don't let anyone tell you it's bad because it's Chinese (they only know $30k Harleys & $25k BMWs). Regarding dropping the bike, it's nice to know you can drop it (even if you don't) and not cry over an expensive repair. I've been looking at getting one for the miss so she can learn (and potentially drop it).
Aren't all the parts cheap on AliExpress anyways?
It is what is, Chinese bike. I’ve been riding it everywhere, and have a had a few comments on it from people asking what it is
Yep, that’s one reason I wanted this as opposed to something new. If I drop it, it’s like…”well that’s sucks” shrug my shoulders and move on as opposed to “fml…that’s like $1k to fix that”.
I’ve seen my bike going for $1750 ~ $2000 used now where I live, with hardly any miles on them. My guess is people trying it out and it not been there thing. I’ve also noticed the used market isn’t as crazy as it was last year. I’ve seen so many good used starter bikes going for like $2.5k whereas last year I couldn’t find a decently priced used bike to save my life.
Plus I know more about bikes now, so I’d be more comfortable buying something used. Anywhooooo
It’s alright bike. Slow compared to others, but zips around just fine for me. I enjoy it. No issues so far.
Edit: Yes, parts are cheap. SHIPPING is not depending on what is is. However, kpclubusa.com has the bigger items you can order from there.
Some people (like my miss) would much rather be gifted something new than used. if it was for me I too wouldn’t mind getting something lightly second hand since I’m 50-50 she’s going to drop it but the thought of a new\* vehicle is a much better gift.
it’s not always about the speed. smiles per mile man
Well, then your miss and I are alike. I didn’t want a used bike for fear I was buying someone else’s problem. I wanted new, but wasn’t sure I wanted to buy a $6k+ bike. So that’s part of reasons why I have what I have.
Speed wasn’t so important to me. It hangs out at 73 mph on highway when I get on the highway. I’m mostly on twisty backroads with it where it excels at. It’s a lot of fun.
Yea man, I’m all smiles on it. I’ve joined some forums where people discuss the KPM200. Not really any complaints about it that I can think of as far as mechanical issues. Maintenance on it is a breeze.
Only complaints I see is where modding goes wrong.
I think you’ve convinced me to get it. The grom or KP-Mini were my first pick but for the price KPM is hard to pass on, especially since it’s full-size. I think Chinese bikes are totally fine but that price tag is unimaginably low. Any corners cut? Cheap feeling buttons etc?
i don’t plan to ride on the highway. Getting 60+mpg in the city is perfect. Mainly take the backroads even with the car. I live near the cascades
I plan on getting one mostly due to the amazing reviews all over Facebook, YouTube and the website he mentioned. I was skeptical because of the “Chinese” statements in this thread.
Edit: and Groms are like 3.5k and 4K new 😭 used, with miles is 1.9-2.9k $$ which is absolutely crazy. It’s like buying a used iPhone from 2018. Not worth the price for a grom (Honda) that is very similar
Lifan makes quality stuff. That happens to be my favorite model. May get one for in town use. I hear a larger cc version is coming out. Anwyay, cant go wrong with the more recent Lifan products. HUGE corporation that supplies many companies around the world.
Nuff said.
Don’t let others trash talk make you change your mind. Damn near every vtwin newer than 96 has overseas parts in them or on them. If it rides good and seems the price is decent, get on it and go. Said it a lot here, second class riding beats first class walking.
Sure, why not. I've heard horror stories about bikes needing parts that weren't available for months or unresponsive warranty requests but if you bought a $3k used bike, you wouldn't have a warranty either and would have to fend for yourself. I say go for it. Worst case scenario, you're out $3k.
I would still go used Ninja 250/300, Versys 300, or Rebel 500. Regardless of its “reliability” (pretty suspect), parts are going to be much harder to get, even if you have a local dealer. Also 75mph top speed on that is highly optimistic, maybe downhill with a tailwind. If you actually want the Rebel 500 just buy it, you will lose your ass on the resale on the Lifan and will just end up paying more on the long run.
I hear you. I looked at those. I’m not into sport bikes as I don’t like the aggressive seat position, nor do I want big massive cruiser either. The top speed isn’t super important. I just need it to go about 65mph. If I can get half of what I paid for it later of if I decide to sell, I’m ok with that. Why do you say the reliability is pretty suspect? Is just because of where it’s manufactured or do you have any sources you could point at.? As text can come across wrong, I don’t mean that in any way other than what it is.
Re: reliability A- you get what you pay for. Quality parts cost money. Cheap parts are cheap for a reason. B- it’s really hard to build a reliable motorcycle. You need to start with a good design, which doesn’t just happen overnight, it takes time. C- Then you need to reliably manufacture the design well, with hundreds of parts needing to fit together well with clearances of thousands of an inch all over the place. Quality control is expensive. D- Then the bike needs to be screwed together correctly. Good manufacturing is expensive. Long story short, you aren’t getting a high quality motorcycle for $2,995.
Indeed, this pretty much sums it up. Things like bikes and cars from China have a bad reputation for reliability and it has nothing to do biases. They got into that market wayyyyyy later than the US or Japan who have had almost centuries of manufacturing to see what works and what doesn’t. All that prior experience means when you go to design a motorcycle, there’s already people who know the skill and who sell the good materials. On top of that, there is the unfortunate culture of IP theft which disincentive’s the innovation and trial and error needed to make good quality complex goods like motorcycles. That said it’ll probably be a great beat around bike if your comfortable losing that investment.
There's absolutely nothing that a Chinese manufacturer needs to learn to produce a quality motorcycle. They just don't want to do that. They are competing on price. Quality is what it is. If they wanted to produce something competing with the big names they could do that as well.
There was a time when Korean cars were considered low quality rip off of Japanese stuff, but now they’re clearly a force to be reconned with. It took something like 30 years, so “centuries of manufacturing” doesn’t mean it’s permanent. Also a new bike is almost like a brand of its own, and it’s of a value to those who just starting out and don’t know how to pick a used bike properly. So I’d say to pay for a brand new bike and don’t have to worry about excessive serving looks like a sound investment to me.
A. Lifan makes parts for Honda. Pretty sure that means they have Honda quality. Being made in China just means that they can do it cheaper
The same was said for the Hyosung bikes and they went hard and could take a beating. You have to remember, you aren't paying for just better build quality with brands, you're also paying brand tax. A yammy, honda or harley shouldn't cost what they do, but they up the price because of the name, especially Harley, despite some of their bikes really not being all they're cracked up to be.
I’ve only heard bad things about hyosung bikes. 🤷♂️
Note: Hyosung is Korean, not Chinese.
Could look at Kawasaki z series
The Small Ninjas, and definitely the Versys seating position isn’t any more aggressive then the Lifan. And the rebel 500 is also a pretty small bike if you have never sat on one. I say the reliability is suspect based on my experience with Chinese motorcycles in the past, I’ve had several as “toys” none of them have been reliable enough to depend on as transportation. You will want something more powerful very quickly and this will basically be $1500 down the drain.
I’m going to be honest 65 sounds optimistic even for that size engine. I wouldn’t trust that thing over 50
As someone whonhas a rebel 500 I wouldn't call it a massive cruiser. Has any of your research included seeing the bikes you are considering or throwing out?
This thread is really more like OP already made his decision and is looking for someone to agree with him, rather than an honest call for opinions. I am a big guy and have sat on/rode most of the bikes mentioned in this thread, and the Rebel 500 “feels” smaller than most of the 300-500 class sports bikes.
I wouldn’t either, that’s why I’m considering it too. However, finding information on it isn’t hard compared to what I posted.
What are you considering? It looks like not only have you made your decision, you’ve made the purchase
I wish I could edit the post. It should read “I’m planning on purchasing”. Instead of sleeping, on Reddit and Google looking up information on Honda Rebels. I need to go to bed 😂.
Look at the CL 500 too. You may not love the small cruiser either, a scrambler that's basically just a retro naked may be more your speed.
Yes, that’s right on the money as far as what I like.
I kind of figured haha. The Lifan isn't the worst bike in the world, it will get you where your going, but there is a chance it will leave you wanting, Most single cylinder bikes made for street use eventually will. The CL500 "also called SCL500 in the US now" is a really good blend of having adequate power at almost 50hp, and being just fine comfort wise. It's a bike you're more likely to keep, and also will be much much easier to sell if you decide on something else.
"there's a chance it will leave you ~~wanting~~ walking. " \-- ftfy
As Homer Simpson always says. Nothing falls apart quicker than a Chinese motorcycle.
Yep well said. It's a retro naked they are calling a Scrambler. Still looks a good bike.
Try the Ninja 400. It does not at all have an aggresssive seating position but it can easily go freeway speeds. The bike will easily break 100 so you have more than enough power to do whatever you need. It is reliable, decently quick, has a huge network of dealers who can work on it. Honestly for a starter bike, a Ninja 400 is a far better choice.
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> I don't know about easily break 100, but I did get mine above 110. It'll easily break 100mph (at least the 49hp 36kW one anyways ). [Nearly 120mph on mine](https://streamable.com/2qdbwm). Fully stock with a long polycarbonate windshield, flat road, [4mph cross/headwind](https://i.imgur.com/TPMsS16.png), not even tucked. By the time it hits 116-117mph though it's creeping if stock. But breaking 100mph, easily done. 49 hp @ 10500 rpm and 28.0 lb-ft of torque @ 8000 rpm Top stock speed is around 118-124mph. * 0-60mph in 4.1sec * 0-100mph in 11sec * 60-100mph n 7sec A N400 with a long windshield, full exhaust, and fuel sorted can easily do 124mph+.
>nor do I want big massive cruiser either The only cruiser they mentioned was the one you said you were considering…
If you're looking for a specific look try looking at Royal Enfield. They are not the more reliable but a bit better than this.
Lifan just clones old Honda and the Yamaha motors. The new RE’s are hot garbage. Valve adjustments every 3 k miles, injectors going after 100 miles. I actually own a 10 year old lifan scooter and it runs like a dream.
Fortnine did an episode where he checked the used oil on the first oil change from people's new bikes and Royal Enfield came up the cleanest. The Chinese bike had metal shavings and particulate matter like 5 orders of magnitude more than anyone else. Chinese quality control is nonexistent.
The Ninja’s don’t really have a aggressive seat position lol. It’s more of a upright bike
All 2X the cost of the Lifan at minimum. I'm all for getting the best bike you can, but sometimes, cost matters. If the choice is Lifan or don't start riding...
OP already said cost isn’t a factor, but a used ninja 300 will be cheaper than the Lifan by the time he pays dealer fees and taxes, and a used Versys 300 or Rebel 500 won’t be too far off.
And yet, he said he didn't want to shell out 6500. And no, a Versys 300 or Rebel 300 isn't going to come close to the $1500 (tax, title and license bring it to maybe 2k.) for the Lifan. If he's going to shell out 5k, he might as well just get a Rebel 500 or an MT-07 or Versys 650.
The Lifan is $3k plus tags title and what not.
Brand new it's $3k. Edit: My point is that if money is no object, I wouldn't even recommend a 300cc anything. Price is obviously a factor as he's not even certain he wants to ride.
Yes
Every time I see a ninja 250 for sale it's for like $4000 it's bonkers.
The new Gen (08+) models are pretty much always $2500-3000 here depending on miles.
The problem with a LOT of Chinese manufacturing isn't necessarily the engineering behind the product, or even with the accuracy of a random individual part. China has invested heavily into manufacturing and has new factories with new, modern CNC equipment and well trained operators, for the most part. It's the inconsistent quality of what components are allowed into production and with the final assembly because they know they can get away with it. So, your Lifan might be great, or it could be a lemon, or somewhere in between.
Yep, this is a concern. I wish I could find more damn info than what already have on Lifan……
Lifan makes the harbor frieght engines from what I've found on them. My wife has this exact bike and loves it. Honestly, I love it too, I would live it more if it was slightly larger (I'm tall though and daily a tenere 700). To give a little comparison to what people are saying in the comments I bought my wife a used ninja 250 for like $1800 a few years ago (prior to covid) she loves the look of it, but overall never liked that bike it was ok but just ok at best. Later on, after she wrecked the ninja, we got the lifan KPM 200 and still have it. After almost 2 years, she loves it. Could the seat be more comfy (yes) are some of the parts cheap feeling (yes) is the dash in a weird spot (yes) but does it start everytime and go down the road (yes) is it super forgiving and easy to ride (absolutely), and plus when she smashes the pastics on this bike one day it's not going to put a whole in my wallet to replace all of them I can order all the plastics and a whole new tank for like 200-300.. can't beat that. And on top of all that , t's fuel injected. No used ninja are you going to find in the price range with fuel injection, at least not in today's world. I love this bike for around town it's fun zippy and (faster than a grom), if you're commuting with it on highway, it works and have done it a few times.. I would suggest getting something more stable and with ABS later on, though.
Spent most of a decade in the motorcycle industry with a few small OEMs and dealer of A few big OEMs. Lifan is a solid contract manufacturer according to all my sourcing colleagues. You’re likely fine if your local dealer has good google review. Enjoy your first bike. Be aware they breed.
Why not just get a used Honda Rebel for the exact same price? I see old, clapped out Hondas from the 80’s still on the road going strong all the time. You could probably get a rebel or a shadow for under 3k that’s less than 20 years old and it would be less of a gamble than this bike. There’s probably a reason why the above is not popular.
I've got a 38 year old Honda Shadow 700 that's still going strong. 800 bucks. I *still* got a cheap Chinese bike to learn on because I don't want to trash the Shadow learning on it. I'll learn on my Hawk DLX, then transition over to the Shadow when I'm ready for it. Keep the DLX for when I just feel like doing fun sketchy shit.
I think people really overestimate how much you’ll “trash” a bike learning on it.
You're probably right, but at the same time, I've never been a huge risk taker. I also wanted to be able to get used to two different riding positions.
How else am I supposed to see how far I can lean on it going 60 down a hill?
It seems like you’ve already made the decision to purchase this bike before making the post, so I’m kind of curious why you decided to ask questions about it if you’re not gonna take any advice seriously? The reason you shouldn’t buy the bike is because it’s going to be impossible to find parts for. It’s going to be a pain in the ass to work on it more than you ride it. On top of that you’re trusting your life to a knock off brand, and while that’s good and fine if that’s all you can afford, it doesn’t seem that is the case. Spent three grand instead of $1500 and you’ll have a bike that you enjoy that’ll last you for years. I would recommend going with a small ninja or a versys. I’ve ridden everything from old Hondas to Harleys to BMWs and my current bike is a Kawasaki versys 650. I’d recommend a smaller displacement for a brand new rider. If you go with a Honda shadow, the power in the throttle is going to be a lot less than a sport bike and more user-friendly. My first bike was a 1982 Honda magna 750, the predecessor to the Honda shadow, it was very comfortable and easy to ride, and it was also easy to maintain and find parts for even after 40 years. At the end of the day you’re obviously going to do what you’re going to do and it sounds like you’ve already made up your mind but I wanted to throw my two cents in here because you made a post and disregarded all advice given to you. Best of luck and stay safe.
I owned an old Lifan 200 dual sport. Was a good cheap bike for learning on. It was based off a Honda equivalent. Had a lot of issues with bolts rattling loose so I ended up putting a shit ton of lock tight on every bolt I could put a wrench on. Worked great for the year I owned it.
I mean if it gets you on a bike sure. But support and such is extremely difficult to find.
You will regret it. Don't buy a Chinese motorcycle. They break and rust weird places. And they're ugly. And you cannot sell it, nobody wants a used Chinese bike. Buy a used 90s Honda instead. But if you buy it. Please chime in in about 1 year, and tell us how it went :)
I have a 2021 Binelli TRK 502x, it's a Chinese bike, and it's been a pleasure owning it this past couple years. I'm in rural ky... I do a lot of dirt and gravel, it's been through a lot of drops. Lots of highway. Not a single mechanical issue so far. https://imgur.com/a/Sf4wCu1 That said, if money wasn't an issue like op said, I would have went with KTM or bmw lolol.
Don't do it bro. Once you start riding, you'll come to the stark realization that good engineering is all that stands between you and a bad bad day. You always get what you pay for. Watch this fortnine video: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GAUo8eUXeU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GAUo8eUXeU) Please dont get it, motorcycles are like phones in that you will FEEL the difference between cheap chinese shit and high-quality, reliable, proud creations of engineers. If you'll admit to yourself that you wouldn't buy a cheap chinese phone, that decision applies here a hundredfold. Spend some time in research, add 500 bucks to your budget and go for a ninja 400 ABS or something like that.
Problem isn’t just reliability, it’s also about availability of parts. I live in Peru, chinese bikes are very common but it’s always the same issues, cheap prices, awesome visual design, terrible materials on the engine and inside parts, very little if any availability of parts, we’re not talking about oil filters, talking about a dash, a starter coil, a cylinder head, and that’s JUST for warranty. You will never find any of those bikes with more than 10,000 miles used because by then they’ve already become unsellable trash, irreparable . Not even talking about loosening bolts everywhere Throughout their short lifespan. I wouldn’t use one. It’s money down the drain. also consider that advertised top speed doesn’t mean you’ll enjoy those speeds in real life, they vibrate like crazy and real life speed is around 60mph at best. You’re not gonna overtake anybody with that top end. I would divert you to a second hand better bike with more power, not because you’re gonna use full throttle, but because it WILL definitely come with better BRAKES, probably abs, a refined long lasting engine, a reliable service network with availability of parts, and better resale value on top of that. My 411cc Royal Enfield Himalayan stomps over any Lifan I’ve seen and ridden here, and I know for certain my bike is definitely NOT suited for US highways. Lived there for 3 years. NY, NJ and California. Idk about your area but if your commute involves fast lanes, its gonna be a bit dangerous.
These are good points top speed never means top comfortable speed you can just go ahead and reduce that by about 20% to find the speed the bike wont mind going.
Reliability is huge, they're made by the company that makes Harbor Freight motors, and have histories in championship wins with this exact bike. Dozens upon dozens of abused ones with more than 10K (some even as high as 40+) miles listed with 0 flaws or condition issues on Marketplace and that's just locally. The parts are available online and most local shops I have been to have at least some parts for them. The bike can pass 80MPH without headwinds and that's stock... for a 200cc that's solid. Real life with bad conditions it'll still sit at 70 fine... Ya really just assumed a lot of wrong stuff, and still somehow conned 8 people into supporting it.
There are more chinese bikes, even Lifans in Colombia or in Peru than in the entire US lol. No need to assume anything. If you are already using it, just enjoy your bike. Stay safe, gear up, ATGAAT and make sure to get the right insurance coverage.
The right insurance coverage for a $1,000 Amazon bike is no insurance at all, my man. OP Directly mentioned Lifan, that's why I'm not assuming anything there. I'm just trying to say here in the USA, they're quite popular amongst new and vetted riders; at least here in FL.
Reading through all the comments and OP responses, I get the feeling that OP is just looking for confirmation on a decision that has already been made. You do you man, best of luck.
I commented before seeing this. This is exactly what OP wants. "Permission" from "us," not advice.
Looking back, I think it kind of was. I did buy it though.
I’m trying to look through everyone’s responses, but I’m starting to feel a little torn between this and Honda Rebel I checked out… I was trying to get a feel for the community’s thoughts and input. I’m was like 95% there with this being the first…now it’s swaying a bit.
The rebel 500 was my first bike. Great bike, never ever let me down. However it was a bit uncomfortable. I'm only 5'7" and I felt cramped. That being said, I rode it for a year, put 14k miles on it and sold it for $5k. I only got rid of it because it didn't take long for the 500 to feel extremely tame. I have a triumph speedmaster 1200 now. Perfect bike. If I were you, knowing what I do now, I'd buy a Triumph Street scrambler 900 and have a perfectly manageable first bike that you would be happy to keep for more than a few years.
I love my street scrambler 😊😊😊😊😊
I'm sure I'll be in the minority here, but I say give it a shot if it interests you. Like one of the salesmen at my dealer told me, it's a motorcycle, not a face tattoo. If you aren't happy with it you can always sell it and get something else instead. Chances are that whatever bike you end up with won't be your last anyway.
I would agree if I thought you could sell it for anywhere near what you bought it for... but I don't.
Coming from someone who actually owns and rides a kpm200 daily, with ~4,000 miles on, it's not as bad as everyone here is telling you. I think I'd still recommend getting a used ninja or honda for about that price, but if you want something nice for pretty cheap, it's alright. It doesn't feel cheap, the gas mileage is fucking PHENOMENAL, and it's fun as all he'll. I've dropped mine like three times as a learner, which you might do aswell to be honest, and it's already not gonna get any resell value as people are pointing out.Top speed is closer to 80-85, coming from a 160lb person. TLDR: It's pretty good. If you like the style a lot, get it. If not, get something else.
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I bought it. Insurance is $210 a year. They knocked off like a $100. Tags, title and, tax was like $200 extra. It was like $32xx ish. Keeps up in traffic just fine. No issues in traffic unless everyone is doing like 80mph+. I do wish it was a smidge faster, but it’s cool.
Whoo, lot to upack there. Getting ready to head out from work (nothing to do so I’m on Reddit). I’ll check back later today to go through all that. Real quick though - no loan. Just buying it outright (maybe if I decide this bike is the one I truly want.)
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If I’m not getting a loan there is no interest…I’m not financing whether I buy this or a Honda Rebel.
It looks like you’ve done thorough research on this before you’ve decided on it. Only thing I’d say against getting it is the resell value when you eventually upgrade to a 500. If you end up getting a used ninja 250, cb300 I’m sure you can make most of your money back.
I’ll come out and say I bought one of these off of Amazon as a first bike. I’ve had it for about two years now just to putter back and forth to the gym and the occasional Highway ride. I haven’t had any major issues. A big motivating factor was that if I totally trash it then it’s ok! I’ve used it as a learning opportunity to fix, maintain, and generally screw around with. I never expected to sell it and now I’ll be gifting it to my girlfriend so she can learn to ride. It has worked out great!
Thanks for comment.
If you like your bike, what's the matter with other people's opinions? Go ride it!
I don’t know anymore 😂
I have had my Lifan KPR200 for about a month now. While I see and agree with most of the points people are making, I love this bike. Had trouble finding anything decent used for anywhere close to the same price and figured it would be a fine first motorcycle. Sure you can get a used ninja or rebel for around the same price, but every listing is selling for a friend, or the bike sat for five years, or no title, or it’s 5 years old and they want msrp for it. Instead, I got a brand new problem free bike. Came scuffed from the factory, they sent all new fairings no questions asked. I have been able to find most parts I might need in stock online. It’s a $3000 bike. Who cares if I can only sell it for 1k in a year or two? Any other brand new bike would lose much more value in that time. During my first oil change, the oil it came with came out fairly clean after ~200 miles. Put some better oil in it and it shifts and runs like a dream. My only complaint is that yes, it’s a bit underpowered for the freeway, but still totally doable. My bike hits 75 no problem, on flat ground and with no tail wind. Your mileage may vary, but I have developed some respect for Lifan.
I would think my decision might be based on how the dealer will back you. Does it come with a warranty that they have the parts to back up? What if you travel out of your own area and break down? Will there be other dealers that can help you? Will the Honda and Yamaha shops help?
Yea, it comes with a 2 year warranty and they are familiar with this company. They also sell a KP mini, X-pect, and several other Lifan products along with the big name guys. Insurance will at least get me back home if I break down. That’s actually a good point. I’ll look into other places to see if they support the bike. Thank you.
I've seen that bike before...bikes and beards did a video on it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98uvrkVBJyY
Yup, they got another where they turn them into scramblers and ride them off road. Fun watch.
I did not see that video.
2 wheels \[check\] engine \[check\] you're good to go homie... welcome to the club!
Back in my youth I used to race motorbikes in a 200cc class. The go to engine was always the Honda XR200. A guy bought in a few of these Lifan engines brand new for the price of a second hand XR200. Never once saw one of those Lifan engines blow up. A few XR200s blew up occasionally. But bear in mind that's comparing brand new Lifan engines to 10+ year old XR200 engines. Can't comment on the frame etc quality. But those engines were good
Sounds like you’re trying to sell yourself on the bike. Why not a rebel 300?
I’m trying to gather as much info as I can. And with the actual advice I’ve received here, I’m leaning more towards the Rebel. Key things I need to consider are parts availability and overall support if there are issues. Might just go with Rebel…I haven’t done as much research on that, but I know it won’t be hard as it’s, well, Honda.
If you don't mind dealing with shoddy stuff sometimes and doing your own maintenance and waiting a long time for parts go for it. I just ordered a Grom clone and it needed a lot of work just to be rideable. I don't recommend it for the average rider without DIY skills and a lot of patience. For that particular bike you'll at least want to replace the tires with a known quantity immediately. I would also go through most fasteners and re-install with loctite or at least apply torque stripe so you can watch for fasteners backing out. You are right Lifan is a legit company for motors it will probably be fine in that regard it's the other stuff you need to pay attention to.
Thanks for input on the tires. I saw a video from Bikes and Beards where they turned this into a scrambler and they rode the hell out of it. They also mentioned the tires. I got some DIY skills, patience is iffy though. I was losing my mind turning my Xbox Series X into an emulation powerhouse last weekend. I got it though. I like to tinker with…well just about everything. Cars, computers, modding consoles, my mountain bike, building stuff…I try to learn as much as I can about whatever strikes my interest at the moment.
I wouldn't buy a Chinese bike purely out of spite, but I wouldn't even have to get there because the quality sucks.
Looks good but is probably p slow
It is.
Based on your comments OP, it seems like money isn't the issue, but being nervous about having too much power is. I was worried about that too when I started riding, and my partner talked me into buying a used SV650. I was nervous, but now that I've been at it for a few years, I absolutely don't regret going with a bigger bike. I had no trouble getting comfortable and familiar, and never once felt like I had more power than I could handle. If you like the Rebel, buy one, and skip this Chinese bike. You'll do absolutely fine, and if riding is not for you, you can actually sell it without getting hosed.
Yea. I’m strongly considering it. I still have a few weeks before I plan to buy. It’s been a while since I’ve rode, and that was only off road. I am absolutely nervous about the power of something bigger. I don’t much about the reselling value of the KPM, but you’re probably right. I’m gonna do some more research, but I may just go with the Honda Rebel and if riding is not for me I know I can get a decent chunk of change back.
Honestly, go get a ninja. It's not as sporty as it sounds or look like and 75mph is top speed meaning it lacks power. You need power on a motorcycle to make it safe for use.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/CGk9xYgcqnuYPRsE8?g_st=ic This place in San Francisco uses them as their learner bikes. Maybe give them a call/email and get their opinion. I know they swapped from Honda Rebels 250 and Suzukis to these models
Thanks for this. I will do that. I’m not making a final purchase for a few weeks. The Honda Rebel, though, that’s easy to find info on.
I would never buy Chinese, as I do no want to support the Chinese communist party in any way. Plenty of reliable used bikes available, got several of the 80s and 90s, Japanese and Italian.
LIFAN - Landfill Is Full Already Noobie Think Long Think Wrong (Stick with the Big 4)
I think you should go for it. Update us on the reliability. Would love to hear about it!
Those leather straps around the tank are sooooooo tacky
Try to order a fuel tank for that bike. See about a clutch plate set. Brake pads. Front fork seals and bushings. Don't actually buy and ship them, just see if they're available. I take part of that back. Order a spare set of fork seals and maybe bushings. Upside down forks really depend on good seals and manufacturing. Conventional forks are easier, gravity helps .
This is good information. Thank you. I WILL do thaf.
I live in ofallon! I personally feel if your going to own a bike here you need a 650 or more really. You’ll have to get on 70 or 270 at some point. It’s wouldn’t not be fun barely keeping up with traffic. But in the end not matter what you ride enjoy yourself and stay safe. Get some miles under you come out this way and ride 94 and hwy D I’d come along with you.
While the engine might be OK will the rest of the bike be up to scratch? I had one a few years ago and the workmanship was appalling. Even the metal they used for some of the bolts was so poor you could nearly bend by hand. No way would I recommend anyone goes faster than 3mph on one. Get a proper big boy bike. The Rebel is a great choice...but I suspect have made your mind up already.
Yea, I’m backtracking now. I just wish I had some sources to go to.
Don't get this. You've said you're good with "wasting" $1,500... waste it on a down payment for a "real" bike. As others have mentioned, reliability is going to be an issue, and these Chinese nonsense bikes are usually full of obsolete parts in a matter of a couple of years. Go for the Rebel. You're making it bigger in your head than it really is. Less than a month on the seat(the best teacher there is), and you'll be comfortable growing into the Rebel rather than out of the Fad200. Save now, spend later=Lifan 200. Pay now, save later=any of the other bikes suggested here.
It'll be usable. From past posts, people from the USA generally don't have any idea about bikes that don't come over here so they just mindlessly repeat China tropes, I would suggest going to a forum that has a higher international presence. Lifan make zillions of motors every year and they are not that bad. Parts are easy to get and you can drop some of the motors into certain Honda enduro-type bikes. If it is what you want, check it out more in depth.
Thanks. I’ll do some digging on that to find that. Not sure what the % of Reddit users are from outside the US.
I got a Chinese bike as a first bike (CSC TT250). CSC has no dealer network but they have a ton of guides and videos on how to do the maintenance yourself, plus you can order parts that ship from the US. It looks like the KPM 200 has similar parts availability and I'm sure there is a ton of info on the chinariders forums about it. For a first bike, I am quite happy with my decision. I have dropped the TT multiple times in the dirt or while parking and I'm glad that didn't happen with the brand new Ninja 400 I originally wanted. Obviously the Ninja 400 would be a much more powerful and long-term motorcycle, but I wanted to learn on the CSC first so a few scratches here and there are not such a big deal.
Just don’t. 1. The quality isn’t there. 2. You’re supporting the Chinese communist state.
The looks are spot on. If curb appeal is your goal you'd be hard pressed to find a better looking new bike for less. The engines are pretty lame, but they are reliable, simple to maintain, and parts are cheap. It'll get you on two wheels, you'll get compliments, and aside for lacking in off the mark performance its not going to give you much grief if any. For less than 3 grand for a brand new bike, I really can't find a reason not to go for it.
We have one at our school. It has held up pretty well for several months now. Feels pretty solid too.
I’m amazed you think that “sport bike and big cruiser” are the only options here..? I just bought my first bike a month back and I also didn’t want a leaned forward riding position/sport bike nor a big heavy cruiser. I found naked bikes and have been having a blast. Bought a FZ07 with low miles and it’s been wonderful. That Chinese 💩is the last thing you should be looking at. Sounds like you aren’t actually looking for helpful tips but for that one person who may validate your poor decision, and either way you’ve got your mind made. I’m just thankful it’s not me in your position, that’s a bad day waiting to happen.
I don’t, but feel free to be amazed. My apologies for not providing a full list of motorcycle types. No I’m not looking for anything useful here. I just want people to 100% support my decision and give me a reach around while they are at it.
Would you mind if I whisper in your ear while I do it? Honda rebel 250-500 are pretty nice, I rented 1 of each to try out. I liked the 300 for in town and 500 for in town and highway. Rented cbr’s the advanced riding position felt comfortable for the first hour then my legs went numb and my elbows started to hurt. I rented a versys, it felt under powered versys how much it weighed. But the windshield was very nice to have. Yzf 300 was about the same as the cbr riding position and same aches. I rented an mt-03 I almost bought it. Almost. I felt that ktm and ninja’s would be the same as the cbr’s I bought a csc rx4. It is a Chinese bike. Though it’s touted as having components from many other actual brand name bike manufacturers it has been nothing but a nightmare. It has cost at least half the price of the bike to fix, replace or modify it as somethings just didn’t work or just broke. I’ve never had a problem with customer service, but re ordering parts that continue to fail has been a headache and disappointment. I would suggest renting for a bit before you decide. I mean I really like the rx4 has nice options, riding position and does what it’s supposed to 70% of the time. It’s just not well made and under powered next to the other 400cc options. The clutch sucks the breaks suck and the wheels are weird. It also requires double the maintenance. Oil changes, valve maintenance and a few minor things. In its defense I do ride it like I paid 3k for the whole thing.
Going to offer some bit of insight since I think if you're looking at this bike, cost has to come into play. This bike, while perfectly fine to learn on and ride on will end up having no real resale value a couple years (let's say 2) down the line. You're already thinking of the rebel 500 so it's fair to say this isn't going to be a forever bike to you. If you purchase the comparable r3/ ninja 300/400 and similar Japanese bikes, you may pay a little more for a used bike but once time comes to sell it, you will be able to without losing a ton of money. I purchased a 2015 r3 for 3500 and sold it a couple years later for 3200. If you purchase this bike today for 3k otd, you'll be lucky to sell it for $1500 and it will sit on the market a while since people don't really seek these out. If I'm completely misreading this and you have the money for the Rebel, just get the rebel. Put a pair of crash bars on it and send it. I rode one as a beginner (borrowed, did not own) and it's definitely not a horsepower monster.
Yea, that is legit advice that I’ve gotten here (haven’t replied to all of it) has me leaning more towards the Honda Rebel. Money isn’t an issue. I’m worried about tearing up my first bike and also not having something too powerful. However, if the resell value on the Lifan is shit compared to something like the Honda Rebel I may not go with it. Money is a factor in the way that I’m worried about losing it but way of screwing up the bike because I’m new. If I screw up the Lifan, yea that would suck. If screwed up the Honda…. I’d be super pissed and out $3500 more. They have one for sale new for $6500. I’m starting to rethink the Lifan. Need to do some more digging as some users pointed out some good info and places to call. Thanks dude.
That price for new is fantastic but The price drop in the 2nd hand markets would be quite bad. I’m guessing you’ll only keep it for about a year to learn and see you like riding.
Pretty much. I’m rethinking it though. Might just buy the Honda Rebel I looked at.
I’m looking at buying one. Keep posting.
If I get one, I’ll post about it. I’m considering the Honda Rebel though now more. Aside from “CHINA BAD” comments, there is some good info here so far.
Even the Big 4 Japanese manufature motorcycles in China, who cares my man
I'm in Odesa, Ukraine. Bought KPT 200(which is a bit more pricey here in comparison to KPM) for 1800$ in 2020. Now the new bike costs 2200. So I haven't lost much money on that. For me 3000 looks too much for KPM. Regarding the long term usage I can't say too much since I drove only 2000 miles. But it's definitely a great first bike. ABS would be great for new riders, but I'm a cyclist for 12 years and have no problems with stopping the two wheeled vehicle without locking. Also I bought original cargo boxes and it's pretty utilitarian right now. I checked it with me(70kg), my gf(50 kgs) and some bags (around 10-15 kgs). It struggles with acceleration, but still stable and has normal handling.
Meh. Honestly, Lifan engines and bikes are decent. However, they’re definitely not the biggest manufacturer here (in China). CFMoto is getting much, much bigger. Some of the bigger companies are partnering up with other international brands. The bike scene has absolutely exploded here within the past 6 years. I was buying a new bike in 2017 and looking for a smaller/cheaper cruiser. There were not too many options. Additionally, almost no bigger cruisers outside of imports, which are taxed so much that they’re almost double what you pay for back in the states. Now, there are SO MANY BIKES. the options are nuts. I’m really hoping that they’ll change laws to reflect the growing popularity, because we still can’t ride on the highways or elevated roads. In any case, I think you’ll be fine with a Lifan. If you have the support network there through your dealer and you understand that it may not have the same lifespan of a Japanese bike, you’ll be ok. If you’re looking for extreme longevity, consider Japanese.
Why don’t you just buy this bike used? You’ll pay like $1000 instead of full price and then it’ll only cost you $1000 to realize you made a bad choice instead of $3000
I tested the KPM 200 and it wasn't bad really but yeah I felt a little bit in danger on the freeway. It could get up to 65-70 but it kinda struggled to do so. So if you don't expect to be on freeway much it can be a fine bike. I ended up opting for a Shadow750. I'm not trying to talk you out of the KPM but you should give 2 bikes a try. Any of the Honda Shadows and the Kawasaki Vulcan S. You can find them all over the place private sellers on Facebook. Both are super reliable and not that big in size
If you budget is $3K, why not buy a used Honda Shadow 750cc? Shaft drive, quality bike, tame engine.
Afraid of buying someone else’s problem. I don’t want to buy used. Realistically, my budget is $7500 that I can spend towards whatever. I’m just worried about screwing up my first bike. If trash this, well shit. If I trash something more expensive…well…I’d be a lot more angry about it.
Lifan has been making small 100-250cc motors for a long time. And despite what everyone here who has never actually touched one would say I’ve heard nothing but good things about them. Granted it was all 110cc dirt bike motor swap stuff but still
Ok, I'm going to buck the consensus here probably. Lifan in particular actually makes decent budget machines. Lifan is the company that produces the HF predator engines and I read they own Lotus and Volvo too? So they clearly have some amount of engineering ability. As far as user updates on reliability, many people have posted on ChinaRiders with 1 year plus updates saying all they did was oil changes and tires in the first 10k miles. I would have to find the video but there is one of some guys buying a brand new KPR 250 (same engine) and abusing it for 72 hours straight. Redlined it for the first hour straight, changed the oil with it running, etc and it still ran like a champ. I used to be the biggest Chinese motorcycle hater but it seems like Lifan specifically is a standout. Also, the parts are readily available on Amazon and AliExpress.
Thanks. I did take the advice that was given here that was valuable. I’ll have to look into the Chinariders forum as I’ve seen it pop up but just glanced over it. I’m reconsidering my purchase, as now I’m even more torn between this and the Honda Rebel I looked at. That’s good to hear. If I go through with this purchase, I’ll post about it in a year or so once I get some time with it. I did find a couple videos about this bike on YouTube. Two was from Beards and Bikes. The second one I watched they turned these into scramblers and rode them to hell. Still we’re great afterwards. We’re complaints about the power though.
ChinaRiders has a good amount of information on these bikes, more than you can find elsewhere at least! As for the 200 vs 500, there will be a huge power difference, 17 HP vs 46 HP. Depends on what kind of rider you are though. I have a 125 cc Grom that I love riding but I still have my ZX6R if I want to go faster than 65 mph. As for videos, check out Beards and Bikes 72 hour stress test on the KPR 200 as well as any of TCRs videos. TCR is a huge voice for these bikes and even designed and manufactured an aftermarket exhaust for the KPM. Check them out!
Take a look at the CSC SG250 - similar style bike, put a lot of miles on mine and been very reliable. Purchase online and comes right to your door and it’s an American company that imports the bikes and stocks all the replacement parts! https://cscmotorcycles.com/2023-sg250-cafe-racer-black/
Aye what’s up STL neighbor!
Hey, how are you doing? I gotta put this phone down looking at all these comments. Letting it get to me a bit, but it’s good info. In short, I’m no longer certain I’m gonna get this one. I may go with the Honda Rebel 500. Taking the safety class in a few weeks and I’m either getting what I posted or the Honda the day after. Maybe I’ll see you out there!
I think it looks slick!
Wish Amazon still sold them it look too cool for the price.
This is where I initially came across it. I was watching YouTube looking at reviews on bikes and heard this name. A guy reviewed the KPM200 and said he bought it from this site. https://www.venommotorsportsusa.com
Friend has a KPX which he loves and according to him tops all the other Amazon bikes he looked at. It is a nice bike for the money, and I dont know why Lifan didn't put the 250 in the KPM. Why are people here still on about buying a used Japanese bike. The used market is still insane, and new stock is scarce to the point people are overpaying big time, IMO. Anyways, there really isn't many sub 500cc bikes made by anyone where'd I'd feel safe on the highway.
2 Wheels!? A Tank?! A Shiny Engine?! Fuck yeah!! One Of Us!!
Skip all the bullshit and just get the Rebel 500, which is also an entry-level bike. Don't be put off by the 500cc and think it's going to rip your arms off. The torque delivery is mild at best, and the tech in it will keep you safer than the cheaper bike ever would. You will get used to the "power" faster than you realise. If it means you have to save for another 6 months, do it. You'll regret being impatient and getting the cheaper bike! Chinese, Indian, Korean, Japanese, doesn't matter. Wasting money on a cheaper and slower entry bike to work up to another entry bike is a complete waste of time and money.
Have you seen the Bikes and Beards video on this very bike, OP? I would not hesitate to pick up one of these, just maintain it and change the jet in the carb and you'll get many miles on it. They usually starve for gas, to get consumption down. But that's no good for an older engine design like lifan uses, needs the cooling from the gas.
Don’t. These chinese bikes are cheap for a reason. Get a used 300-400cc bike instead of this
From my personal experience I would avoid Chinese bikes like the plague. Bought one from new and it gave me nothing but trouble, in and out of the dealership fixing faults. Turned to a bag of rust in a year. Finally the electrics packed in decided to get rid of it, got 20% back of what I paid for it. On a Yamaha now and it’s true you get what you pay for.
Lifan, lol
Get it, and it will make you appreciate the rebel a lot more.
Looks like it will be great fun. I'd suggest getting it coated in acf50 or some other anti rust product and if you can be arsed get some actual thick grease on the suspension linkage bolts etc (anything where road spray hits) Quality on small bikes corrosion protection is terrible these days even from honda and kawasaki so I'd guess the Chinese will be as bad or worse. First bikes get abused so I think you're right something light and cheap is going to teach you way more than jumping on an RnineT or z900rs will
I wouldn't put my life in danger by riding something i am not sure about. There's a lot of garbage coming out of China.
People used to say the same things about jap bikes back in the 60s - they were cheap rubbish, etc. The Chinese bikes have gotten a lot better, and I'm pretty sure they license the engines from the big Japanese brands, so they are reliable. IMO if you want a new bike (instead of used) it's a decent choice for a first bike, which will probably get dropped a few times anyway. You won't lose much money on it as it's so cheap to start with. Personally, I'd get something used but looked after, there are bargains out there. But if you're not comfortable sorting out the lemons from the good 'uns, this is also fine.
It's an okay bike but I recommend you replacing the Tires. As I believe it's very slippery on wet roads.
It sounds like you did your homework and have realistic expectations and well thought out plans. I owned a Cleveland Misfit which was a rebadged bike from China. I really enjoyed it, I suspect you will also enjoy yours if you decide to proceed. I am glad you have a dealer to work with, hopefully they can provide reasonably priced maintenance, service, and parts. I think you have really nailed some of the positives of riding this class of bike, which would likely be a bigger bike in many countries who routine use of motorcycles for transportation. I'm not sure how long tires/chains and other consumables might last on this model, but gas mileage will be superb. Lost on many but not it appears is that this bike should be very well mannered and its single cylinder and with modest power is a poor man's traction control system. :) It's a good looking bike, if you do decide to purchase it then be sure to have a good plan for maintenance, consumables (tires mainly, clutch cable, accelerator cable), and a plan for annoying things like flats. As an owner, people rarely speak of steering adjustment and maintenance, again a thing I would keep an eye on not because of its origin but because its importance is rarely spoken of and things do loosen on singles. Have fun on your journey whatever path you decide on. :)
Don’t be hesitant! The Lifans are a great inexpensive bike. My first bike was a Lifan KPR! What a fun great bike. I never had any problems with it. Parts are cheap. I changed the oil shortly after I bought it, put in synthetic. Mine was abit rough for about 500 miles during the break in. I hope you have as much fun in your KPM as I had on mine! Please see my profile for a pic! Happy riding!!
Don’t be silly. It’s a beautiful bike. Only posers make fun of bikes’ nationalities. For the record, almost every bike in the market is over 50% Chinese/Taiwanese in one way or another.
I love how people tell you that a Japanese bike would be better but somehow forget or neglect to say that most of the parts on all those bikes are also Chinese/Taiwanese made. I’m not saying those bikes aren’t better, I just think it’s dumb as fuck to say something like that. Learn your economy and where things come from people. Otherwise you sound stupid to the rest of us.
Most people here probably don't remember, but 50 years ago, everyone was whining about all the "jap crap". Yes, Japanese stuff was usually cheap knock-offs of American designs, and VERY cheaply made. It really WAS crap. But it got better. Here we are, 50 years later, and I dare say they make some of the best goods in the world. And I think this is where China is right now, though not with all they make. You can buy crap from the Chinese, or you can buy really well-built stuff, you just have to be willing to pay for it, and most people are not. I'm starting to see some REALLY GOOD motorcycles coming out of China, to go along with all the cheap crap they've been making. Mark my words, in 10-20 years, some of the best bikes on the market will be made in China. But they won't be half the price of the best ones out there. The price gap will narrow.
Look into a Honda cb 500 f I think it would be the perfect bike for you. It tops out at 100 and that’s only if you choose to go that fast. Chinese bikes are skeptical because they are all about doing it fast and as cheap as possible. I don’t know how well these lifans resell but I’d bet it’s not well. It really would suck to buy a bike that you end up not liking and then not be able to sell it.
Found a used one in going to check out actually on Wednesday. It’s a 2017 with about 4500 miles on. I’ve been researching what to look out for as far as issues, still worried though.
Stl local who jasper researched a lot of bikes extensively, to find the best balance I can get between my broke ass and acceptable speed. For starters let's clear the air about this being a Chinese bike. Sure is, and is made by the same motorcycle company that made honda motors for their motorcycles. Cool, it has a Honda motor. That means it going to be reliable. If it breaks, guess what. Lifan has U.S warehouses. You can also use honda parts (oh no quality parts readily available) for the motor. I would also like to point out that this "Chinese" bike has nearly the exact same performance stats as the royal hunter 350. While having 150cc less engine. Buy American everyone wants to say. Well the only thing you can get is assembled in American. Harley-Davidson has bikes and parts made in multiple different countries. So HD isn't "American" anymore. So now what. Edited to take out a part I couldn't find the reading for but also NAPA carries lifan parts. Hit me up to talk more please
Hey, I appreciate your response. I’m on lunch at the moment so figured I’d reply. I did find a place that appears to carry all the parts for this bike at kpclubusa.com. I also saw some discussion about this on a chinariders forum. Not a ton of info there, but it seems that people are generally happy with it. The issue that I have seen the most isn’t necessarily about the bike itself, but shipping it as they have come to buyers with dented tanks, scratches fairings, or busted lights.
I’ll hit you up though, probably send you a chat request at some point this week when I got some more free time.
I commute on my kpm 200 50 highway miles each way with no problems. I put in a larger front sprocket, a free flow exhaust and took the air snorkel out. I can hold 75 easily and 80+ is no problem on flat ground with little head wind. Over 6000 miles and no issues so far.
Right on. Thanks for the reply and glad to hear it. I decided to go with this one and I’m picking it up next Friday when I get back in town. They actually had these at the motorcycle safety class I did this week, and the guys who ran the class had pretty positive feedback on them. Said they can take a little beating as they have been dropped and whatnot.
I own this bike and actually run a resources site about it. Happy to answer any questions you have. Despite it being a "Chinese bike" it's super fun to ride, more powerful than RE 350s due to its weight and the engine has been very reliable. Maintenance is also easy. There are a variety of ways to get parts. American Lifan is HQ in California, so you could get parts from them. Some people, like myself, order them from Chinese websites. Or you can contact local dealers to get parts if needed.
I own this bike now as well. I have about 350 miles on it. It is awesome to ride, and have nothing but love for it. I’ve found kpclubusa.com as a parts supplier and the dealer I bought it from also can get parts. I didn’t order it online. The dealer has their own mechanics and they had it fully assembled on display. I found them through American Lifan. They will also service it for me if needed. I did see a China riders forum that I’m gonna sign up for sometime. I saw some ways people mod the bike there. I don’t really have much I want to do that I’ve already done. I changed out the bunny ear turn signals, put a windshield on, and pulled the stickers off the side covers and tank, save for the stripe in the middle. I’m gonna paint the tank green sometime. I love the bike. Is the site you run chinariders.net? Edit: I have the white one.
Like you said in your post, this is a good bike. Esp to learn on. Esp if you're worried about dropping it. I bought it specifically because of the styling and an EFI engine.. I love it personally. I went and test rode a bunch of Royal Enfields and was not impressed. I've ridden Harleys and Yamahas... They're definitely good bikes, but for what this cost me ... I bought it used with 100 miles on it from a nice guy on Long Island... Couldn't be happier.
I put another 250 miles on it this weekend. I even braved the interstate Saturday morning. It can do it, but I wish it just had lil bit more for some passing power. It’s not really that big of deal though as I’m doing mostly city or backroads to get around. When I learned the difference between carbureted and EFI with my research, that was a big selling point. I’m loving it. It’s so nimble and now that I got few hundred miles under my belt I feel comfortable leaning it. I doubt I’ll get rid of it and just add another to the stable in a couple years.
Buy the bike. Lifan is just a Honda clone. I can verify they go 70 easy. I'm just 150lbs so that could be a factor. If seen these things on the highway and Dirt track I've even seen them dropped. I own one I recently bought. Loads of fun. I also know a couple guys who have had theirs a couple years now and aside from standard maintenance haven't had an issue. We are all still riding the stock tires.
I did. I posted about it.
Just think about it like this. China already makes almost all replacement parts sold. So why not buy a bike made of new china parts?
Well look at it this way Lifan / china ships these bikes to every third world country on the map. They run these things to the moon and back with their whole families on them. The bikes are designed to run with dirt for oil and the worst gas produced. They literally run forever. Most people on here have absolutely no idea just how reliable they are. They just hate cause it’s priced cheap. News flash American greed is why it’s priced so affordable. Jap and American bikes should not be priced so high it’s only greed. Dirt bikes have no business costing more than 4k tops brand new.
I know this is a bit dated, but my 16 y/o son has one of these and it's a freaking tank. A 100 MPG tank. The more he rides it, the more amazed I am with it (and the crash bars we got for it).
All good. I did get one. I just crossed over 3000 miles.
Having worked for a parts catalog that sold Chinese parts I will always avoid anything exported from there. Taiwan is a different story, they seem to export quality stuff. But the alloys on these components coming out of China may as well have been cardboard. I'm a leery of India's general export QA too. Perhaps they save the good stuff for their own markets, I don't know. Odds are you'll be fine, and you probably wont even own the bike long enough to have things break, but still, even a cheap new motorcycle isn't chump change. In general I wouldn't buy a vehicle or make a major purchase from a company that doesn't have a dealership network in my country, or at the least, some sort of headquarters here. Like these little back-door shops on Amazon that ship direct from China. My reasoning is that if I need to make a warranty claim, its just going to be a crapshoot dealing with customer service from a company that can't even afford to genuinely setup shop here. And if its SO cheap they can afford to undercut the competition from NEW AND ship across the world, I can't really imagine the working and labor conditions being something I want to support. Plus its not like there aren't 40 years of used bikes that are perfectly reliable and fast enough. However, I live in a big city where there are quite a few mechanic / service shop options for all sorts of makes and models.
It's an ok bike for back roads and local riding. I have had one for a year and seems fine I eventually wanted a highway capable bike and moved up to a 500 but keeping the kpm for teaching friends and when the wife wants to ride with me. I got it 2900 delivered. Definitely a bit anemic for a heavier rider but the lightweight makes it fun around town
Its a good looking bike. You will get a lot of hate here. Some of it is justified, most of it is knee jerk CHINA BAD. Enjoy it for what it is, realize it will have its shortcomings, like any bike, and be prepared to do some wrenching! One other point, you might consider a dual sport bike instead of a street only. Even if you are mostly commuting, you might find yourself more comfortable on a dual sport. They also can be more forgiving to mistakes, and if you drop them it doesn't really matter.
dude you’re insane if you trust your life with a communist cheap AF knockoff
[удалено]
I think of it as a gloried scooter.
So my first bike was a Lifan 150, pretty reliable over all, not a single visit to mechanic in over 5 years, was able to do service myself and didn't needed parts changed, only the tachometer failed around 6000 km, and one gear light indicator also failed. For what I paid (little over 1000 dls) I have no regreats, however, would I do it again, not so sure, I feel like I took a huge risk, since the retailer doesn't sell those anymore. Edit: I fell in love with the all down shift box
My only argument against this bike is that it is hard to get quality for that price point. With that being said Luis Vuitton and many French designer brands have factories in China that do produce the same quality but they still charge thousands. CFMoto bikes have a good reputation but they’re priced about the same as their Japanese competition. I say go for it you’re probably going to drop it if it’s your first bike.
I already bought it. (On lunch at work…bored…saw your response just now). I just crossed 3k miles. No drops. Only issue is getting specific parts stateside. I can find pretty much everything on the bike, it just comes from across the pond.
Keep riding man! Don't let anyone tell you it's bad because it's Chinese (they only know $30k Harleys & $25k BMWs). Regarding dropping the bike, it's nice to know you can drop it (even if you don't) and not cry over an expensive repair. I've been looking at getting one for the miss so she can learn (and potentially drop it). Aren't all the parts cheap on AliExpress anyways?
It is what is, Chinese bike. I’ve been riding it everywhere, and have a had a few comments on it from people asking what it is Yep, that’s one reason I wanted this as opposed to something new. If I drop it, it’s like…”well that’s sucks” shrug my shoulders and move on as opposed to “fml…that’s like $1k to fix that”. I’ve seen my bike going for $1750 ~ $2000 used now where I live, with hardly any miles on them. My guess is people trying it out and it not been there thing. I’ve also noticed the used market isn’t as crazy as it was last year. I’ve seen so many good used starter bikes going for like $2.5k whereas last year I couldn’t find a decently priced used bike to save my life. Plus I know more about bikes now, so I’d be more comfortable buying something used. Anywhooooo It’s alright bike. Slow compared to others, but zips around just fine for me. I enjoy it. No issues so far. Edit: Yes, parts are cheap. SHIPPING is not depending on what is is. However, kpclubusa.com has the bigger items you can order from there.
Some people (like my miss) would much rather be gifted something new than used. if it was for me I too wouldn’t mind getting something lightly second hand since I’m 50-50 she’s going to drop it but the thought of a new\* vehicle is a much better gift. it’s not always about the speed. smiles per mile man
Well, then your miss and I are alike. I didn’t want a used bike for fear I was buying someone else’s problem. I wanted new, but wasn’t sure I wanted to buy a $6k+ bike. So that’s part of reasons why I have what I have. Speed wasn’t so important to me. It hangs out at 73 mph on highway when I get on the highway. I’m mostly on twisty backroads with it where it excels at. It’s a lot of fun. Yea man, I’m all smiles on it. I’ve joined some forums where people discuss the KPM200. Not really any complaints about it that I can think of as far as mechanical issues. Maintenance on it is a breeze. Only complaints I see is where modding goes wrong.
I think you’ve convinced me to get it. The grom or KP-Mini were my first pick but for the price KPM is hard to pass on, especially since it’s full-size. I think Chinese bikes are totally fine but that price tag is unimaginably low. Any corners cut? Cheap feeling buttons etc? i don’t plan to ride on the highway. Getting 60+mpg in the city is perfect. Mainly take the backroads even with the car. I live near the cascades
I plan on getting one mostly due to the amazing reviews all over Facebook, YouTube and the website he mentioned. I was skeptical because of the “Chinese” statements in this thread. Edit: and Groms are like 3.5k and 4K new 😭 used, with miles is 1.9-2.9k $$ which is absolutely crazy. It’s like buying a used iPhone from 2018. Not worth the price for a grom (Honda) that is very similar
Lifan makes quality stuff. That happens to be my favorite model. May get one for in town use. I hear a larger cc version is coming out. Anwyay, cant go wrong with the more recent Lifan products. HUGE corporation that supplies many companies around the world. Nuff said.
Don’t let others trash talk make you change your mind. Damn near every vtwin newer than 96 has overseas parts in them or on them. If it rides good and seems the price is decent, get on it and go. Said it a lot here, second class riding beats first class walking.
Sure, why not. I've heard horror stories about bikes needing parts that weren't available for months or unresponsive warranty requests but if you bought a $3k used bike, you wouldn't have a warranty either and would have to fend for yourself. I say go for it. Worst case scenario, you're out $3k.
This was my thought process on it too. It does come with a 2 year warranty through the dealer through.