Platinum Px250 Or Lifan Lf250Gy-7 Aka Lifan Satan 250 Or Gpx Zf250 Enduro

[InternetPTT]

Hello

We are planning a bike trip along Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. First we were considering taking a chopper like Platinum monaco 250 (it is an analogue to Honda phantom, but much cheaper: a new one costs 80,000 thb), but in the end we decided to take enduro as we are really interested in offroad travelling.

So we are now choosing between 250 cc bikes that cost less than 80,000 thb:

Platinum px250

Gpx zf250 enduro

Lifan Lf250gy-7 aka Lifan Satan 250

One of the main challenge is for the bike to carry two passangers with the baggage (the total weight would be not more than 150 kg)

It is important that the bike would be maintained in Thailand, Cambodia and Laos

The amount of HP is important as well, considering the budget constrints (400 would be ideal, but they are too expensive)

After buying a bike, we are planning to upgrade it a little:

We would like to change the seat, to make it more comfortable for the driver and the passanger ( to built in the backrest and armrests)

Install wide steps for both a driver and a passanger,

Install a protective frame,

Boxes on the sides and behind,

May be we should make a back suspension stronger,

Built in a panel for GPS navigator, ipad, camera with 12 v output

Build in a windshield

If the bike is on offroad wheels, we would prefer to change tires

We are not considering buing a bike that cannot be officially registered (like Peak Thunder 250)

Also we are not considering bikes like Honda crf250 or Kawasaki klx250 either new or used as they are too expensive.

Could younplease help us with the following questions:

Which bike to buy?

Where would it be possible to weld the protective frame and have other additional features installed? Obviously we would like it to be cheap and of high quality. Please advise if you know of any workshops or specialistswho would be able to dothis?

Thank you in advance

Edited August 13, 2012 by InternetPTT

[InternetPTT]

One more cheap enduro:

Shineray XY250GY-4 Enduro (38,000 thb)

but currently it's not possible to get this motorcycles registered, may be later it will become possible.

[thaicbr]

Hello

We are planning a bike trip along Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. First we were considering taking a chopper like Platinum monaco 250 (it is an analogue to Honda phantom, but much cheaper: a new one costs 80,000 thb), but in the end we decided to take enduro as we are really interested in offroad travelling.

So we are now choosing between 250 cc bikes that cost less than 80,000 thb:

Platinum px250

Gpx zf250 enduro

Lifan Lf250gy-7 aka Lifan Satan 250

One of the main challenge is for the bike to carry two passangers with the baggage (the total weight would be not more than 150 kg)

It is important that the bike would be maintained in Thailand, Cambodia and Laos

The amount of HP is important as well, considering the budget constrints (400 would be ideal, but they are too expensive)

After buying a bike, we are planning to upgrade it a little:

We would like to change the seat, to make it more comfortable for the driver and the passanger ( to built in the backrest and armrests)

Install wide steps for both a driver and a passanger,

Install a protective frame,

Boxes on the sides and behind,

May be we should make a back suspension stronger,

Built in a panel for GPS navigator, ipad, camera with 12 v output

Build in a windshield

If the bike is on offroad wheels, we would prefer to change tires

We are not considering buing a bike that cannot be officially registered (like Peak Thunder 250)

Also we are not considering bikes like Honda crf250 or Kawasaki klx250 either new or used as they are too expensive.

Could younplease help us with the following questions:

Which bike to buy?

Where would it be possible to weld the protective frame and have other additional features installed? Obviously we would like it to be cheap and of high quality. Please advise if you know of any workshops or specialistswho would be able to dothis?

Thank you in advance

Ok 1st forget the Gpx its not road legal. 2nd raise your budget and buy a known brand like Honda or Kawasaki.

3rd do lifan sell the 250 here yet?

4th the Platinum is a piece of junk.

5th raise your budget buy a honsa or kawasaki the resale value will be better.

sent from my Wellcom A90+

[billd766]

Unfortunately the terms chaep and high quality everywhere are mutually EXclusive.

If you pay cheap that is what you will get and if you specify high quality that is what you usually get.

What you want is somewhere above the middle point.

If you are going off road you obviously want high quality so that nothing falls off when you bounce off boulders.

That in its turn will increase the kerb weight and adversely affect the load carrying capacity and the performance.

The way around that is to start with a bigger bike which then affects your budget.

The problem with using a cheaper bike to start with is that you get less performane and load carrying to start with and every kg in extra weight you load on the bike will reflect it.

Also using a lesser known brand of bike means that dealer support is smaller as well.

As an example I have a 2005 Honda Phantom 200 cc cruiser bike which in no way is a crotch rocket but it has the simplicity to be fixed at most Honda dealers anywhere in Thailand and emergency repairs at almost any Somchais' shop.

I also have a 1994 Yamaha Virago 535 and finding somebody to fix it is not easy and I sometimes buy parts through the internet as sourcing them in Thailand is hard.

The Virago is bigger and more powerful but a PITA if it goes wrong whereas the Phantom just slogs on forever but almost slow enough to watch the rice growing.

[edwinchester]

If you are using one of the cheap enduros you will have to seriously consider beefing up the rear subframe to handle the extra weight.

Also buy it and run it for alot of km's before you make the trip so any faults hopefully appear before you get away from civilisation.

Best of luck but try and up your budget to a Honda or Kwak.

[BirdsandBooze]

Spend a bit more and you should be able to pick up a reasonable Kawa KLX 250. Proven reliability and not too technical. And if you decide to get rid you won't have to sell it for a fall out of bed price either.

[InternetPTT]

Thanks all

GPX and Shineray are not road legal, Lifan 250 is assembled in Thailand but not sold here.

In the end we have only Platinum left.

Kawasaki KLX250 or D-tracker250 is 150,000 thb - it is 2 Platinum PX

Anyway I will need time to get a white plate, make modifications and try the bike near my home and dealer shop for it to run 2000 or 3000 km. to test quality before long road. That is why i'm not afraid of buying a cheap bike.

For example, Platinum has many dealers in the country and i hope i won't have problems with parts.

Anybody knows other cheap bike models not less 250 cc?

[thaicbr]

Thanks all

GPX and Shineray are not road legal, Lifan 250 is assembled in Thailand but not sold here.

In the end we have only Platinum left.

Kawasaki KLX250 or D-tracker250 is 150,000 thb - it is 2 Platinum PX

Anyway I will need time to get a white plate, make modifications and try the bike near my home and dealer shop for it to run 2000 or 3000 km. to test quality before long road. That is why i'm not afraid of buying a cheap bike.

For example, Platinum has many dealers in the country and i hope i won't have problems with parts.

Anybody knows other cheap bike models not less 250 cc?

There is a reason the Platinum is so cheap. Its <deleted>. Its as simple as that.

you would be better to look at the Lifan 200 or even the Tiger offroad scooter

http://www.tigermotor.co.th/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46:cx135&catid=36:motorcycle&Itemid=164

sent from my Wellcom A90+

Edited August 13, 2012 by thaicbr

[InternetPTT]

you would be better to look at the Lifan 200 or even the Tiger offroad scooter

Lifan LF200GY-5, Mbike Enduro 200, Keeway TX M200 - 200 cc is very small for trvelling two people, i realize that 250 cc small too, but 400 cc is very expensive.

And for crossing Laos border a bike must be not less than 250 cc.

[thaicbr]

you would be better to look at the Lifan 200 or even the Tiger offroad scooter

Lifan LF200GY-5, Mbike Enduro 200, Keeway TX M200 - 200 cc is very small for trvelling two people, i realize that 250 cc small too, but 400 cc is very expensive.

And for crossing Laos border a bike must be not less than 250 cc.

Crossing Laos border must over 250cc since when.

sent from my Wellcom A90+

[JoePai]

Have you thought about taking the bus ?

[necronx99]

I think you're best off ditching the armchair idea.

It's asking alot from a cheap trailbike in that size.

[Dutchbike]

Difficult , alomost any off road bike is not that comfortable for a pillion ( except mayby the BMW GS Honda Transalp,Yamaha super tenere's etc) and taking luggage and building a extra construction on the back well that would put quite some stress on the frame not to speak about the handling.

Those 250's or 200's in Thailand just have around 20 hp and even when you would buy a second hand KLX ( much better resalevalue) it's still a 250 and for 2 up + luggage not a ideal bike.

You wrote you would like to travel also off road but you also write you would want to change the tyres if the bike you buy would have off road wheels?????

I think you will have to reconsider your plan or raise you're budget.

Good luck.

[yankee99]

should not be a problem finding a used klx sub 100k ..... I think you will be happy to have qualty when traveling in no mans land....Maybe two waves would be a better option

[BirdsandBooze]

Thanks all

GPX and Shineray are not road legal, Lifan 250 is assembled in Thailand but not sold here.

In the end we have only Platinum left.

Kawasaki KLX250 or D-tracker250 is 150,000 thb - it is 2 Platinum PX

Anyway I will need time to get a white plate, make modifications and try the bike near my home and dealer shop for it to run 2000 or 3000 km. to test quality before long road. That is why i'm not afraid of buying a cheap bike.

For example, Platinum has many dealers in the country and i hope i won't have problems with parts.

Anybody knows other cheap bike models not less 250 cc?

I didn't mean a new Kawa KLX 250. There are a fare few decent used ones around for not much more than your budget. At least you'll know it has decent build quality and a strong motor.

[yankee99]

Thanks all

GPX and Shineray are not road legal, Lifan 250 is assembled in Thailand but not sold here.

In the end we have only Platinum left.

Kawasaki KLX250 or D-tracker250 is 150,000 thb - it is 2 Platinum PX

Anyway I will need time to get a white plate, make modifications and try the bike near my home and dealer shop for it to run 2000 or 3000 km. to test quality before long road. That is why i'm not afraid of buying a cheap bike.

For example, Platinum has many dealers in the country and i hope i won't have problems with parts.

Anybody knows other cheap bike models not less 250 cc?

I guess if you get 2 platinums that would work as you would have plenty of spare parts.

[karlos]

A second hand KLX would be more reliable than a new Platinum.

So i guess you only have to up the budget buy another 20k, (upto 80k for the new platinum, or under 100k for the second hand KLX) I've seen some sell for 90k in the past

as said it's going to be a pretty harsh trip for the two of you on a 250 KLX, let alone a Platinum

[Rancid]

Hmmm, if I was planning a ride like that I wouldn't use a Chinese bike due to reliabilty fluctuations, a low kilo Japanese bike would be a surer bet. If a cheapy breaks down it will ruin the trip. Fine for local riding as easy to get home but multi-country?

[thaicbr]

As most of the trip sounds like its onroad I would look at the Cbr250. Very comfortable for both rider and passenger contrary to looks it has a fairly upright riding position. Extremely fuel efficient.

Fit a rack with topbox and some givi e21 panniers job done.

If you want offroad tyres fit it with pirelli scorpion trails

sent from my Wellcom A90+

Edited August 13, 2012 by thaicbr

[karlos]

As most of the trip sounds like its onroad I would look at the Cbr250. Very comfortable for both rider and passenger contrary to looks it has a fairly upright riding position. Extremely fuel efficient.

Fit a rack with topbox and some givi e21 panniers job done.

sent from my Wellcom A90+

Good idea, and a one year old (non ABS) CBR250 can be had for around 80k

Again add a little more money to your budget (or do away with the armchair idea) and fit some multi use tyres and it might be able to handle some light off road action too

[InternetPTT]

Thanks all

This week we will try to find some models for rent and try riding around Pattya.

May be we won't like this kind of bike and take anything similar to Honda phantom.

I tried CBR before and don't want to ride for long distance on this bike, leave alone off road.

[thaicbr]

Thanks all

This week we will try to find some models for rent and try riding around Pattya.

May be we won't like this kind of bike and take anything similar to Honda phantom.

I tried CBR before and don't want to ride for long distance on this bike, leave alone off road.

Can I ask why you dont want to ride long distance on the Cbr?

If you prefer a cruiser style bike the Lifan is decent for the money. But you need to change the front headlight ( or bulb) as its a strange size.

sent from my Wellcom A90+

Edited August 13, 2012 by thaicbr

[InternetPTT]

Can I ask why you dont want to ride long distance on the Cbr?

Because i find CBR uncomfortable for my balls and other parts my body

[BSJ]

Even if you were in Australia, USA, Europe.....I'd have to say "Are you fricking serious!"

Do yourself a favour (save the heartbreak and frustration) and backpack it instead.

[yankee99]

Can I ask why you dont want to ride long distance on the Cbr?

Because i find CBR uncomfortable for my balls and other parts my body

well i have to say a klx is out as its the most uncomfortable seat ever

[InternetPTT]

well i have to say a klx is out as its the most uncomfortable seat ever

I think that all seats in these models are uncomfortable for long time riding, that is why we want modificated seat for our bodies.

[thaicbr]

Can I ask why you dont want to ride long distance on the Cbr?

Because i find CBR uncomfortable for my balls and other parts my body

Wow. I'm not sure how your riding were you find the cbr uncomfortable for your balls. Either that or you have an enormous pair:blink:

I find the Cbr to be the MOST comfortable 250 available in Thailand.

sent from my Wellcom A90+

[Dutchbike]

So you want Goldwing comfort on a 250cc bike??? A part of traveling longer distances on a ( almost any) bike is a bit of discomfort, that's also part of the "charme" of traveling by bike.

When you find a cbr 250 uncomfortable, then i really don't know what you should choose.

You traveled before by bike?? rent a bike and take it on a few daytrips, ( 200-500 km) then you should get a good idea of what it is to be on the road.

[SumetCycle]

This thread strikes me as an ad for cheap Chinese bikes.

[edwinchester]

This thread strikes me as an ad for cheap Chinese bikes.

.......and not a very good one at that:-)