Lifan Owner!

[suanpai]

Well, contrary to all the advice from fellow Japanese bike owners, I just bought a 200 Lifan cross from the friendly dealer in Chiang Mai. 46,000Baht with a decent helmet and a couple of T shirts, 2 year warranty etc. Have done a 200km ride and am happy with its performance. Chiang Mai to Phrae with out a change down with two up.The gearbox takes a bit of getting used to and so does the seat! So far only a few teething troubles...After 87km the speedometer cable became disconnected and the drive fell out! Also there's a slight leak from the gear change oil seal. But all covered so no worries. Would be interested to hear comments from other Lifan owners and will post on future developments for all who are considering buying one.

[alexpoker]

have been thinking about getting an off road type bike to fuc_k around on.

Where is there a Lifan dealer in Chiang Mai? Im thinking about getting a use one tho.

[suanpai]

You'll find him between the train station and the super highway. He still has a couple of black ones and one in orange. Chaichanna Autobike. Tel 053-308476.

[Fishenough]

Ran into a rider near Wat Chan that raved about his cross, and had put on 4000km around the back roads near Pai, though he had lost his speedometer early on too. Said it was worlds better then a Platinum and at that price can't hurt for Chinese two wheels. Oh real note to me was it looked as though those 4000 clicks wore well on the bike, and it like newish still. I can think of a JRD and Platinum I know that look like they've seen 10-100 times more use, with the same mileage, for all the aging they show.

Maybe one day being able to trust a bikes reliability in the bush, one that new cost less then used bikes I bought 20 plus years ago, is possibly getting to be a possibility.

[canuckamuck]

Happy to see another lifan cross owner out there. I enjoy my bike quite a lot but there are a lot of little things that keep you coming back to the shop. However they are usually fixed in minutes and off you go again. I would like to get some higher quality lights though, I am on my third bulb in just 4000 km's.

[thaicbr]

Happy to see another lifan cross owner out there. I enjoy my bike quite a lot but there are a lot of little things that keep you coming back to the shop. However they are usually fixed in minutes and off you go again. I would like to get some higher quality lights though, I am on my third bulb in just 4000 km's.

Thats probably vibration causing that. you need to look at how the light is fixed and see if you can install a rubber damper between the fixing bolts. Or just source better bulbs. What bulbs are they using no name bulbs or osram / philips etc?

[BSJ]

A 2 year warranty is good, you will need it! And stay friendly with your local dealer....they all you got.

[Thaifan2]

Bought a Lifan 250 v2 cruiser from the same dealer a month ago .Now have 300 km done without a problem .Put on a screen plus saddle bags .Hope to take a trip to Pie with it in the dry season ,maybe next month .

[suanpai]

Happy to see another lifan cross owner out there. I enjoy my bike quite a lot but there are a lot of little things that keep you coming back to the shop. However they are usually fixed in minutes and off you go again. I would like to get some higher quality lights though, I am on my third bulb in just 4000 km's.

Hope i don't have to make too many trips to the shop. So far no light problems and find the headlamp pretty good for a 35w bulb...Better than the old Africa Twin!

[Paulme]

Two problems within 200km; now that is some kind of reliability! That's about on a par with what I would expect from a bike that I built myself (I am not a mechanic!).

[suanpai]

Two problems within 200km; now that is some kind of reliability! That's about on a par with what I would expect from a bike that I built myself (I am not a mechanic!).

I am a mechanic so the slight oil leak ( which has stopped now) and speedometer fault is no problem for me. But I agree, wouldn't have happened on a Japanese bike. But if anybody has a basic mechanical understanding of motorcycles and is prepared to replace some of the nuts and bolts, maintain and look after your bike then its still a good deal.

[nikster]

Two problems within 200km; now that is some kind of reliability! That's about on a par with what I would expect from a bike that I built myself (I am not a mechanic!).

I am a mechanic so the slight oil leak ( which has stopped now) and speedometer fault is no problem for me. But I agree, wouldn't have happened on a Japanese bike. But if anybody has a basic mechanical understanding of motorcycles and is prepared to replace some of the nuts and bolts, maintain and look after your bike then its still a good deal.

It may come as a huge surprise for some but: You get what you pay for! For 46k...

I am not a mechanic so going into the bush with a Chinese copy bike is not my idea of fun. But I agree if you don't mind fixing it and as long as there are no un-fixable problems... Why not.

Good to hear they're better than platinum... wasn't too hard of course

Keep the reports coming ...

Edited October 17, 2011 by nikster

[Richie1971]

Done 750Km on mine and genrally happy. Of course the build quality is not as good as the Japanese equivalents but it isn't 66% worse which is the difference in price.

Lights ok, just one thing though - it feels like it chokes (read: dies) a bit when you try and full throttle it but reaches a max of 90km if you squeeze the throttle in small increments

I know speed is not what it's intended for just wondered if anyone had the same experience when trying to give it some twist

[Thaifan2]

Done 750Km on mine and genrally happy. Of course the build quality is not as good as the Japanese equivalents but it isn't 66% worse which is the difference in price.

Lights ok, just one thing though - it feels like it chokes (read: dies) a bit when you try and full throttle it but reaches a max of 90km if you squeeze the throttle in small increments

I know speed is not what it's intended for just wondered if anyone had the same experience when trying to give it some twist

You should not give it full throttle till it has done around 1,000 km .As the engine puts on more KM maybe it will get less tight and run more smoothly .

[Richie1971]

Done 750Km on mine and genrally happy. Of course the build quality is not as good as the Japanese equivalents but it isn't 66% worse which is the difference in price.

Lights ok, just one thing though - it feels like it chokes (read: dies) a bit when you try and full throttle it but reaches a max of 90km if you squeeze the throttle in small increments

I know speed is not what it's intended for just wondered if anyone had the same experience when trying to give it some twist

You should not give it full throttle till it has done around 1,000 km .As the engine puts on more KM maybe it will get less tight and run more smoothly .

Cheers - thought as much, thought 'running in' was a thing of the past lol

[canuckamuck]

Mine goes 110 and I do not have that throttle issue.

You are talking about the cross 200 right?

I didn't run mine in either, although I suppose I was gentler in the first 100km.

[Richie1971]

Mine goes 110 and I do not have that throttle issue.

You are talking about the cross 200 right?

I didn't run mine in either, although I suppose I was gentler in the first 100km.

mmmm, cheers for that - I'll mention it at 1000KM oil change

[Tanaka]

Done 750Km on mine and genrally happy. Of course the build quality is not as good as the Japanese equivalents but it isn't 66% worse which is the difference in price.

Lights ok, just one thing though - it feels like it chokes (read: dies) a bit when you try and full throttle it but reaches a max of 90km if you squeeze the throttle in small increments

I know speed is not what it's intended for just wondered if anyone had the same experience when trying to give it some twist

Like has been said, dont give it full throttle yet. But the choking way you describe is not right. Check if you have a main jet that is too small. Or maybe a carb adjustment? I am not familiar with the bike but does the carb have an airmix screw?

[suanpai]

So now I've over 3000km on the clock and no problems.... apart from its too low geared for road use! But have overcome this problem now. Sprocket conversion as follows: For good highway performance I changed the rear sprocket to 42 teeth (stock is 46). Where to find one? Trot down to your local Honda dealer and ask for one to fit a CBR150R-42T. Only modification necessary is to have a groove machined one side to allow the four drive pegs to seat properly in the recess. There you have it... Gone from a drive ratio of 2.7058 (46) to a ratio of 2.4705. This will give about a 9.5% increase in top speed but of course a 9.5% decrease in torque, and slower acceleration too. Next job to sort out the seat!

[MaiChai]

Just saw a Lifan ad on Thai TV earlier. They highlighted all their models in the short ad. So they must be serious about selling them in Thailand?

My view on Chinese made stuff: there is alot of copied cr*p that comes from China. China needs a mindset shift and move from cheap, low quality to quality stuff at a good price. Japan and Hong Kong did this in the past; wonder if the Chinese will ever get round to this?

Mind you, I think highly of TP-LINK networking cards/routers. Thats Chinese and good quality; would not hesitate to buy TP-LINK. Bought about 7 TP-LINK network cards and a couple of ADSL routers; not one problem/no driver issues/no need to upgrade firmware.

Edited January 12, 2012 by MaiChai

[wantan]

So now I've over 3000km on the clock and no problems.... apart from its too low geared for road use! But have overcome this problem now. Sprocket conversion as follows: For good highway performance I changed the rear sprocket to 42 teeth (stock is 46). Where to find one? Trot down to your local Honda dealer and ask for one to fit a CBR150R-42T. Only modification necessary is to have a groove machined one side to allow the four drive pegs to seat properly in the recess. There you have it... Gone from a drive ratio of 2.7058 (46) to a ratio of 2.4705. This will give about a 9.5% increase in top speed but of course a 9.5% decrease in torque, and slower acceleration too. Next job to sort out the seat!

Thanks for the update. The Cross is sure not made for the highways. But for having some fun in the countryside i still consider buying one.

Have you measured your new top speed with GPS? How much was it before and how fast after changing the sprocket? How about getting spares from Lifan for your Cross? Difficult? The only thing i would worry about when buying chinese bikes.

Just saw a Lifan ad on Thai TV earlier. They highlighted all their models in the short ad. So they must be serious about selling them in Thailand?

My view on Chinese made stuff: there is alot of copied cr*p that comes from China. China needs a mindset shift and move from cheap, low quality to quality stuff at a good price. Japan and Hong Kong did this in the past; wonder if the Chinese will ever get round to this?

Mind you, I think highly of TP-LINK networking cards/routers. Thats Chinese and good quality; would not hesitate to buy TP-LINK. Bought about 7 TP-LINK network cards and a couple of ADSL routers; not one problem/no driver issues/no need to upgrade firmware.

Hard to compare electronic computer parts and motorbikes, especially as the most chinese made bikes are low tech these days. I like low tech vehicles that can be repaired with a simple set of tools

[suanpai]

No I haven't checked my speed by GPS but now I cruise at 85kph but without the revs and vibration, which is a result. The friendly dealer in Chiang Mai can not get the sprocket. Mine was made in Thailand for JT sprockets available at many bike spares shops. Forgot to mention that I removed one link from the chain to allow for further adjustment. I agree with you...Simplicity is best.

[peteratthai]

LIFAN 200 Cross.

Ok, here I am. An owner of a brand new LIFAN Cross 200 at Chonburi Pattaya.

My TIGER electric motorbike need some spare parts and I would not like to invest any more money in it. So I was thinking about to purchase an new KAWASAKI Versis.

The first time I saw the LIFAN Cross 200 by accident at a motor bike dealer at the third road.

I did a closer look and talked to the sales lady.

The price of just 46.900.- Baht seems to be a great offer even I saw that the bike is low tech and low quality.

The sales girl told me that the bike is not a chinese product, it is build in Thailand- Rayong.

All the stickers on it are in Thai, so I believed her as first.

I did a test ride and I liked it pretty much.

At the same day I went home and googled a bit about LIFAN.

I found that LIFAN is the “biggest engine manufacturer” in China and what else so great they are doing.

As usual if you google about Chinese factories, there are always the best of the best and the greatest with highest qualities anyway.

But all the posts and blogs of owners told me that the LIFAN bikes ( 250cc chopper and the Cross 200) are pretty good.

So LIFAN is actually a 100% Chinese product, produced in Thailand.

That should keep problems with service and spare part problems away.

Mostly the blogs compared LIFAN with JRD and PLATINUM.

And as well mostly they said that LIFAN is much better.

I found that the scooter LIFAN LF 125T-6 and my own JRD 125 Quest is the same bike.

As well the LIFAN 125T-9A and another JRD are identical.

How ever, I decided to purchase, because a low tech bike I am able to service by my self as long I can get spare parts.

I went to the shop and I selected the nice blue one and during the paperwork, the boys made my new bike ready to start.

Unfortunately, the left and right mirrors where exchanged and the engine wont run.

I changed the mirrors at the shop by my self and showed the guys how to set up an carburetor for the very first run.

The engine runs, but always stoped by self.

I thought it was because a cold engine and very new.

Ok, I went out than to the next gas station to fill up the huge (10 liter) tank.

Unfortunately the motor fully stops on the way(after 800 meter), because the shop did not add enough gasoline. No problem-- switch the gasoline cock to RES and I could go away again.

From the internet I knew that I have to use 95, gasohol is ok.

After fill up the tank I went around a bit and very soon I lost the connection of meter cable at the front wheel hub.

No problem as well, could fix it in a minute beside the street.

I wondered that there was no grease inside the mechanic.

Later on some strange sound cames up from the front wheel.

At home I disconnected the cable again and add some grease into it. But the strange sound was still there.

Anyway, it was dark already and the next day will show me more.

At the next day I found that the sound cames from the disc brake pads.

I have never heard those kind of sounds of the brake pads and I went back to the shop to look after that.

The guys at the shop does not know what to do and they sent me to the main shop at Pattaya at Naklua.

Ok, went there with the bike with very strange sounds out of the live saving front disk brake.

That shop is now the main shop of LIFAN in Pattaya. A shop where some mechanics working on the dirty floor armed with some big screw drivers and big hammers.

So they as well didn't know what that problem is and toked out the brake pads and polish them a bit with some sand paper. The brake disk as well.

The sound was gone, but I was pretty sure that that could not be the solution.

At the same day on the evening the sounds cames back.

So the next day at the LIFAN main shop they exchanged the complete front brake from a new bike. Problem solved for me and given to the next proud LIFAN cross200 customer.

I ask them for a spare part catalog, but they even did not have such things for them own.

NOT EVEN A SPARE PART CATALOG.

Anyway, the brake problem is ok now, but the engine still stops at idle speed.

I tried to adjust the air mix by my self, but without a carburetor adjustment tool is that almost impossible.

I found a shop who has such a tool and the very professional mechanic did the setup up of the carburetor.

The problem was better now, but still not good.

I just decided to visit the LIFAN factory at AMATA city, they must be able to fix that annoying problem.

At the next day, after some difficulties to find the LIFAN productions plant, I finally arrived there.

I went first to the office building. A single floor building with 3 or 4 office rooms and a meeting room. Thats all.

As first a nice young thai man welcomes me and I required a spare part book and a owners manual in english.

After a view minutes he cames back with both dokuments.. FREE Very nice!!

I told him about my engine problem and he sent me to the production line where the CROSS 200 and the 250cc chopper comes out.

I saw a crew of workers, sitting on the floor, assembling some parts of the Cross 200 and the 250cc chopper. As well armed with some big screw drivers and hammers in addition with some pneumatic nut runner.

How many Cross200 bikes they producing a day I asked. 30

All bikes was assembled by hand and got a test run.

A chinese engineer was called and he cares my problem.

After a time he just changed the whole carburetor and smiled to me. FINISH.

Ok I thought. Thank you and going on the way to home to Pattaya.

The problem wasn't solved and becomes to worse.

Ok, new day new luck, went again to the factory.

Now 2 chinese “specialists” cares about and changed 3 times the carburetor, 2 times the CDI box, as well twice the igniter spule and the spark plug.

Nothings happened.

More than tired I asked them why they not check the valve clearance as first, hum?

OH, yes.

But what I expected and what what I saw was actually the reason why I post that here.

Check the valve clearance is actually easy to do and you just need a feeler gauge, and a wrench No.10.

They open the two caps on the cylinder head cover and proved the clearance by tik it up and down. No feeler gauge or similar. No special tool. Just nothing.

Same as a typical repair shop when they do it.

I do not know any mechanic or engineer on the world who is able to “feel the difference between 0.05mm and 0.08 mm.

(the clearance at intake and exhaust valve is 0.05 mm shown at the owners manual)

It seems Chinese and Thai engineers can do.

But--- I have to say, the problem was nearly solved.

I driven the bike home. The engine did not stop as self so many times anymore but the motor runs very rough and not smooth at all. On the medium load the engine would not really run at all.

At the next morning I did that by my self.

I have an feeler gauge anyway at home.

Open the seat, take out the plastic parts at the tank, than the tank as self.

Open the chromium cap on the left side on the crank case, as well the oval plate on the crank case side.

Spark plug out and turn the generator magnet as long you can see the mark.

That is piston top position.

4 screws open to remove the cylinder head cover and you have plenty access to the valves.

I found the clearance at intake 0.09mm and exhaust 0.00mm

To adjust takes 5 minutes. After that is done just assembling the parts back. Thats it. All in all not longer as an hour for an private engineer with limited tools.

Now, the engine runs perfect, good performance, torque and smooth.

No self stops at idle speed anymore accept very cold engine condition without choke.

My resume is:

I am really in doubt that LIFAN is much better as JRD or PLATINUM.

Ok they have a factory in Thailand, but as well TIGER and JRD has had factories in Thailand as well.

I will see how long that bike will keep running.

If some one think about to purchase, if you are familiar with mechanics, tools and oil dirty hands, than will be a good choice because the price unbeatable.

Otherwise, UP TO YOU.

The LIFAN Cross200 is a low and old tech (at least not that stone age old as Harley Davidson is) and very low quality dirt bike. That does not mean that it is not strong. I purchased it because I believe that I can handle that.

The low quality you can see all over the bike. The steel weldings are very rough, not polishes at all before painting.

Looks like hand made of some bakers. I even found some welding pearls on the steel frame.

Many other parts from steel metal or plastic having sharp edges and it is easy to get hurt by bleeding skin cuts just by cleaning the bike.

Some other plastic parts looks like cuted with a chopping hatchet.

The meter and the information lights are badly visible at the day time(all in green, may I change them by LED light bulbs soon).

As a new owner it wouldn't be wrong when you first put some grease and oil to all the sensitive and moving points. Specially the throttle.

The mechanic inside is completely dry and all parts rubs against each other.

Now I really enjoy that dirt bike a lot, it runs perfect and I am happy with it.

One consideration at the factory I will tell you.

All bikes was tested by a test run. The test run is done by 95 gasohol.

It is actually well known that you should not leave gasohol in the carburetor over a longer time period.

Please let me know if you have other problems with the Cross 200. May I can help or may I can be prepared for the next story?

I by my self, I am always happy if I can help out some one.

Have fun all together

[peteratthai]

One things more:

i have read at the net that the 250cc chopper comes out with an 18 hp engine and with some simple adjustments at the carburetor it will be possible to increase the horse power to more than 30. This is because of the Thai pollution regulation, they say.

I asked the engineers at the factory about that. They answered that they don't know about that.

BUT in China is a modified cam shaft and may be an different carburetor for the Cross 200 available.

AND------ can order to Thailand.

i got some name cards of the guys at the factory, so if any one like to know more about it, just tell me.

[suanpai]

LIFAN 200 Cross.

Ok, here I am. An owner of a brand new LIFAN Cross 200 at Chonburi Pattaya.

My TIGER electric motorbike need some spare parts and I would not like to invest any more money in it. So I was thinking about to purchase an new KAWASAKI Versis.

The first time I saw the LIFAN Cross 200 by accident at a motor bike dealer at the third road.

I did a closer look and talked to the sales lady.

The price of just 46.900.- Baht seems to be a great offer even I saw that the bike is low tech and low quality.

The sales girl told me that the bike is not a chinese product, it is build in Thailand- Rayong.

All the stickers on it are in Thai, so I believed her as first.

I did a test ride and I liked it pretty much.

At the same day I went home and googled a bit about LIFAN.

I found that LIFAN is the “biggest engine manufacturer” in China and what else so great they are doing.

As usual if you google about Chinese factories, there are always the best of the best and the greatest with highest qualities anyway.

But all the posts and blogs of owners told me that the LIFAN bikes ( 250cc chopper and the Cross 200) are pretty good.

So LIFAN is actually a 100% Chinese product, produced in Thailand.

That should keep problems with service and spare part problems away.

Mostly the blogs compared LIFAN with JRD and PLATINUM.

And as well mostly they said that LIFAN is much better.

I found that the scooter LIFAN LF 125T-6 and my own JRD 125 Quest is the same bike.

As well the LIFAN 125T-9A and another JRD are identical.

How ever, I decided to purchase, because a low tech bike I am able to service by my self as long I can get spare parts.

I went to the shop and I selected the nice blue one and during the paperwork, the boys made my new bike ready to start.

Unfortunately, the left and right mirrors where exchanged and the engine wont run.

I changed the mirrors at the shop by my self and showed the guys how to set up an carburetor for the very first run.

The engine runs, but always stoped by self.

I thought it was because a cold engine and very new.

Ok, I went out than to the next gas station to fill up the huge (10 liter) tank.

Unfortunately the motor fully stops on the way(after 800 meter), because the shop did not add enough gasoline. No problem-- switch the gasoline cock to RES and I could go away again.

From the internet I knew that I have to use 95, gasohol is ok.

After fill up the tank I went around a bit and very soon I lost the connection of meter cable at the front wheel hub.

No problem as well, could fix it in a minute beside the street.

I wondered that there was no grease inside the mechanic.

Later on some strange sound cames up from the front wheel.

At home I disconnected the cable again and add some grease into it. But the strange sound was still there.

Anyway, it was dark already and the next day will show me more.

At the next day I found that the sound cames from the disc brake pads.

I have never heard those kind of sounds of the brake pads and I went back to the shop to look after that.

The guys at the shop does not know what to do and they sent me to the main shop at Pattaya at Naklua.

Ok, went there with the bike with very strange sounds out of the live saving front disk brake.

That shop is now the main shop of LIFAN in Pattaya. A shop where some mechanics working on the dirty floor armed with some big screw drivers and big hammers.

So they as well didn't know what that problem is and toked out the brake pads and polish them a bit with some sand paper. The brake disk as well.

The sound was gone, but I was pretty sure that that could not be the solution.

At the same day on the evening the sounds cames back.

So the next day at the LIFAN main shop they exchanged the complete front brake from a new bike. Problem solved for me and given to the next proud LIFAN cross200 customer.

I ask them for a spare part catalog, but they even did not have such things for them own.

NOT EVEN A SPARE PART CATALOG.

Anyway, the brake problem is ok now, but the engine still stops at idle speed.

I tried to adjust the air mix by my self, but without a carburetor adjustment tool is that almost impossible.

I found a shop who has such a tool and the very professional mechanic did the setup up of the carburetor.

The problem was better now, but still not good.

I just decided to visit the LIFAN factory at AMATA city, they must be able to fix that annoying problem.

At the next day, after some difficulties to find the LIFAN productions plant, I finally arrived there.

I went first to the office building. A single floor building with 3 or 4 office rooms and a meeting room. Thats all.

As first a nice young thai man welcomes me and I required a spare part book and a owners manual in english.

After a view minutes he cames back with both dokuments.. FREE Very nice!!

I told him about my engine problem and he sent me to the production line where the CROSS 200 and the 250cc chopper comes out.

I saw a crew of workers, sitting on the floor, assembling some parts of the Cross 200 and the 250cc chopper. As well armed with some big screw drivers and hammers in addition with some pneumatic nut runner.

How many Cross200 bikes they producing a day I asked. 30

All bikes was assembled by hand and got a test run.

A chinese engineer was called and he cares my problem.

After a time he just changed the whole carburetor and smiled to me. FINISH.

Ok I thought. Thank you and going on the way to home to Pattaya.

The problem wasn't solved and becomes to worse.

Ok, new day new luck, went again to the factory.

Now 2 chinese “specialists” cares about and changed 3 times the carburetor, 2 times the CDI box, as well twice the igniter spule and the spark plug.

Nothings happened.

More than tired I asked them why they not check the valve clearance as first, hum?

OH, yes.

But what I expected and what what I saw was actually the reason why I post that here.

Check the valve clearance is actually easy to do and you just need a feeler gauge, and a wrench No.10.

They open the two caps on the cylinder head cover and proved the clearance by tik it up and down. No feeler gauge or similar. No special tool. Just nothing.

Same as a typical repair shop when they do it.

I do not know any mechanic or engineer on the world who is able to “feel the difference between 0.05mm and 0.08 mm.

(the clearance at intake and exhaust valve is 0.05 mm shown at the owners manual)

It seems Chinese and Thai engineers can do.

But--- I have to say, the problem was nearly solved.

I driven the bike home. The engine did not stop as self so many times anymore but the motor runs very rough and not smooth at all. On the medium load the engine would not really run at all.

At the next morning I did that by my self.

I have an feeler gauge anyway at home.

Open the seat, take out the plastic parts at the tank, than the tank as self.

Open the chromium cap on the left side on the crank case, as well the oval plate on the crank case side.

Spark plug out and turn the generator magnet as long you can see the mark.

That is piston top position.

4 screws open to remove the cylinder head cover and you have plenty access to the valves.

I found the clearance at intake 0.09mm and exhaust 0.00mm

To adjust takes 5 minutes. After that is done just assembling the parts back. Thats it. All in all not longer as an hour for an private engineer with limited tools.

Now, the engine runs perfect, good performance, torque and smooth.

No self stops at idle speed anymore accept very cold engine condition without choke.

My resume is:

I am really in doubt that LIFAN is much better as JRD or PLATINUM.

Ok they have a factory in Thailand, but as well TIGER and JRD has had factories in Thailand as well.

I will see how long that bike will keep running.

If some one think about to purchase, if you are familiar with mechanics, tools and oil dirty hands, than will be a good choice because the price unbeatable.

Otherwise, UP TO YOU.

The LIFAN Cross200 is a low and old tech (at least not that stone age old as Harley Davidson is) and very low quality dirt bike. That does not mean that it is not strong. I purchased it because I believe that I can handle that.

The low quality you can see all over the bike. The steel weldings are very rough, not polishes at all before painting.

Looks like hand made of some bakers. I even found some welding pearls on the steel frame.

Many other parts from steel metal or plastic having sharp edges and it is easy to get hurt by bleeding skin cuts just by cleaning the bike.

Some other plastic parts looks like cuted with a chopping hatchet.

The meter and the information lights are badly visible at the day time(all in green, may I change them by LED light bulbs soon).

As a new owner it wouldn't be wrong when you first put some grease and oil to all the sensitive and moving points. Specially the throttle.

The mechanic inside is completely dry and all parts rubs against each other.

Now I really enjoy that dirt bike a lot, it runs perfect and I am happy with it.

One consideration at the factory I will tell you.

All bikes was tested by a test run. The test run is done by 95 gasohol.

It is actually well known that you should not leave gasohol in the carburetor over a longer time period.

Please let me know if you have other problems with the Cross 200. May I can help or may I can be prepared for the next story?

I by my self, I am always happy if I can help out some one.

Have fun all together

Congratulations on becoming a Lifan owner. Sounds as if you were a little unlucky with your machine. I had the same speedo cable problem and the bike was not too smooth at mid revs...This I rectified by raising the carburetta needle one notch. I have also replaced the mirrors with Honda parts and replaced many of the bolts and screws with stainless steel ones. Another improvement is adding a tail pipe to the silencer...About 4 inches in length. This cuts down the noise and is better on long runs. Good luck and happy riding!

[canuckamuck]

@peteratthai Thank you for your detailed post. It confirms to me what I had already wondered. That we are not likely to get much in the way of skiled or knowledgeable service from Lifan. I think the smart way to go for Lifan owners like myself, who have a limited knowledge of bike repair, is to find a respected local bike shop that does custom work on choppers and such (non scooter bikes) and have them help when problems occur. The Lifan's are low tech so basic bike experience should trump the total inexperience of the Lifan dealers. Other than that find someone with experience with enduro style bikes (more difficult to find) There is nothing too unusual about a Lifan and apparently it is mostly a Honda Xr clone.

[Richard-BKK]

It's true that many Lifan dealers still do not have mechanical or technical skills to work on a Lifan motorcycle. It probably takes a few more years to get the right network of dealers that are truly capable of servicing a motorcycle...

Concerning the visit to the Lifan production facility, we should understand that the location is not the service center, also the visit was unannounced and no appointment was made in advance. If the company was any other motorcycle production facility of a few of the big well respected brands in Thailand, Peteratthai likely did not make it pass the gate.

Regarding the English owner manual and parts manual for the Lifan LF200GY-5, it's available online from several websites – basically since the model is sold in Thailand. Also they not hard to find, type in any search engine “Lifan LF200GY-5 manual” and you find your English owner manual.

JRD, and even Platinum Motorcycles have in the past used engines, engine parts and as with JRD Peteratthai says complete scooter models from Lifan. No secrets here, I believe that in the manual of the JRD 125cc scooter the Lifan logo was still visible.

Anyway I'm pretty sure that Lifan is happy with the feedback of Peteratthai, with information like this companies can improve themselves. If people never talk about experiences nothing happens...

[peteratthai]

First of all: Thank you very much to all of you for reading my post and for the constructive replays.

To SUNPAI: i am really agree that the silencer is much too noisy. May to add a piece of extra pipe to it makes it better. In that case of the carburetor: That sounds not normal. The engine, the controls of the valves and ignition timing is exactly set up to the mix of the carburetor (should be). Did you have checked the valve clearance yet? As well the the enginge will not well running on medium load, is a sign of wrong valve clearance as well.

I find original mirrors are ok. The replace of the original screws to stainless steel is just a gimmick as long the original ones not rusting. Please aware that stainless steel can not take the same high load as the normal steel of the screws.

happy and safe riding to you too

[suanpai]

First of all: Thank you very much to all of you for reading my post and for the constructive replays.

To SUNPAI: i am really agree that the silencer is much too noisy. May to add a piece of extra pipe to it makes it better. In that case of the carburetor: That sounds not normal. The engine, the controls of the valves and ignition timing is exactly set up to the mix of the carburetor (should be). Did you have checked the valve clearance yet? As well the the enginge will not well running on medium load, is a sign of wrong valve clearance as well.

I find original mirrors are ok. The replace of the original screws to stainless steel is just a gimmick as long the original ones not rusting. Please aware that stainless steel can not take the same high load as the normal steel of the screws.

happy and safe riding to you too

Perhaps not as it should have been but it originally ran too lean and no adjustment of the mixture proved any good hence the modification I made. I spent most of my life in the motor busness so hopefully I know what I'm doing! You will find a lot of the bolts etc will rust for sure and as many of the tapped screw threads are over cut, the SS ones have a bit more grip. I would think by the look of many screws fitted, they are not very high tensile. If you bought your bike for the road then see my previous post re sprocket replacement...It really does make a difference.

[peteratthai]

To CHUNACKAMUCK

I am fully agree with you.

The problem is the very low knowledge combined with: I know every things and I can do every things even if I have almost no tools to do it.

Better and much more respect I will pay to an mechanic if he say. Sorry I don't know about, I can not do this.

I can write books about my experiences of destroy-repaired engines. Mostly more parts are broken when you get it back, just because no correct tools or even incorrect screws was used.

Anyway, to figur out if your repair shop working well and responsible is not that difficult.

How are they working? On some work desks, or lifts or just on the dirty floor? What kind of tools are they using? If only screw drivers and hammers there and two or three wrenches and even those tools are in very poor conditions, what will you expect?

Watch how they working, how handy and fluent. You will see that very easy who can do and who not.

And last but not least, try to ask other customers of them. What kind of reputation do they have?

Take care of this if you want to get a good service.

LIFAN is very easy to service, nothings special on it.

And a dirt bike is actually even easier. Stronger build and less on high tech and electronics.

A HONDA XL specialist(if you really can find some) will brings you nothings because inside its a LIFAN.

GOOD LUCK