This is an interesting commentary on chinese motorcycles...
http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2007/03/26/chinese-motorcycles-growing-fast/

This is one thing I did not really think about...

One issue I haven’t heard addressed is product liability. U.S. manufacturers and the established majors from Japan and Europe have to contend with laws that hold them liable for defects in their products. Has anyone had to deal with this issue on a Chinese motorcycle? The local dealer certainly can’t accept the liability and what are your chances with a company from China responding to your claims or concerns, especially if it’s one of the smaller ones? With the rapidly increasing Chinese presence, someone ought to think about this because if you hold everyone else liable, you can’t give them a pass. I think it may be a while before the laws catch up to the reality of the market and in the meantime, be very careful with your purchase.

VRob has an interesting post on BeginnerBikers.org about the LF200 and Lifan.


It is cool see dealers giving helpful information.

The American Distributor, AmericanLifan has exclusive rights to distribute the Lifan Brand Name in the U.S. No other company in the U.S. has rights to import the Lifan Brand name direct from the manufacturer; however, many importers have gotten around this by rebranding the Lifan product as another name. Same product, just different name.

I kinda figured this was the case but did not know the specifics.  Interesting.

When compared to the other Chinese motorcycles, Lifan stands out from the crowd in performance and value. While Lifan won't get an award for quality, you should be able to find parts and support for most of the issues you may come across with this bike. We sell this bike in our store left and right for $2000. For the $1000 price tag that many of the internet dealers are selling this bike for, the LF200 is a steal, not to mention, below dealer cost.

So $1000 is below dealer cost.  I wonder what dealer cost is.  I also wonder why these ebay sellers would sell at a loss.  They probably wouldn't so they must buy up a huge number of motorcycles and get a discount.

Found a great thread on thumpertalk.  I would like to pull out all the most useful information and consoldate it here...

http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=331196

There are 2 engine models:

• 163FML uses a 63.5mm-bore X 62.2mm-stroke.
• 169FML uses a 69mm-bore X 53mm-stroke.

Companies that rebadge Lifan and Zongshen bikes...
KPX, Jetmoto, Yamoto, Roketa

LF200GY-5 or LF200GY-2 are Model 163FML and are OHC.  Any true Lifan bike will have a VIN # starting with LF.

Some Lifan engines are pushrod and some are OHC.

I found an picture (attached below) of an interesting Lifan on lifan.com

I have not seen this one on ebay yet.  Looks prototype-ish.  No stickers.

Lifan LF200-B

SPECIFICATION
Motorcycle model: LF200-B
Dimension ((L×B×H mm): 2250*815*1150

Wheel base (mm):1420

Min.Ground Clearance (mm): 185

Dry Weight: 150kg

Height Of Seat (mm): 800

Fuel Tank Capacity(L): 14

Engine Type: single-cylinder, air-cooled,four-stroke
Engine model: 163FML-2M

Bore×Stroke: 63.5mm*62.2mm

Displacement: 197ml

Maximum Power 12kw/8000r/min

Maximum Torque: 14.5N.m/6000r/min

Clutch: Wet multi-plate

Lubrication: Pressure/splash

Start: Electric start

Ignition: CDI

Transmission: 5 gear

Max. Speed (km/h): 100km/h
Economical Fuel Consumption (l/100km): ?2.3L/100km

Front Type Size and Air Pressure: 110/70-17-54H/225KPa

Rear Type Size and Air Pressure: 140/70-17-66H/225KPa

Climbing Ability (°): ?20°

Exhaust Index: CO?3.8%?HC?800ppm

Start Performance: ?15s

Braking system (front/rear): double-disk/single-disk

Brake Performance: ?7m/30km/h

Here is an interesting pole on yahoo.  The best answer has some interesting points.  Of course, there is no reference for the % of bikes mentioned to have issues.  Also, no mention of what kind of issues...

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070424214736AAy3F8e&show=7

He is right about buying from a good dealer.  You need to have someone stand behind the product if it fails.

Not sure if this is true or not but I would like to research and verify this statement...

and lifan is the largest engine producer in china (and they also make the frames for harley davidson)

http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5206375#post5206375

Let's see your ride! 

Here is a great cronological thread of pullin-gs experience owning a LF200 Dual sport.  For those of you who like to read the last page of a book first...

2-year update.
I bought the bike over 2 years ago on a whim.
No regrets so far. Bike currently has over 4000(!!) miles.
Miles are about 80-85% street, the rest off-road. No hard riding. I dont red-line it, I dont clutchless-shift (except the time I broke my clutch cable) I dont jump it, I dont do wheelies (most of the time). I ride slower off road especially when dealing with rocks and ruts. I dont ride it fast (rarely over 55...only maxed it out once at 65)...usually between 35 and 45.
I've found it to be fun, reliable transportation and I can jump on it anytime and take off with no worries about not making it back home.
I'll post a few curent pictures later on.
So far myout-of-pocket expenses for the bike are about $50. The wear-marks on the rear tire are all but gone, so I'll be getting tires next month. My rear shock has all but lost it's dampening ability. I'll probably leave it though.
I am putting about 80-100 stop/go miles a week with my new commute. These are hard miles for a close-ratio trans dirt bike with all the clutching and go/stop throttle.

Here is a list of items I have had to replace because of breakage.
20-amp fuse
Front head light
Rear tail light
Front and rear tube
Clutch cable (Note: be sure you oil your cables)
Two screws came loose. Replaced them.


Here is a list of items I have had to repair (no $$$, just work)
Cross-threaded rear axle needed to be re-died. Axle nut re-tapped.
I damaged my swing-arm....rear bushing seat started to split.
Carb was running lean...had to adjust throttle-slider needle.
Broke one of the mounts on my headlight plastics...fiberglass cloth and epoxy fixed it.
Had to re-paint left-side plastics in 3 spots....bike-road-rash
Blinker came un-plugged from wireing harness
Headlight on/off switch came apart....disected it, put new spring in it.
Rear suspension was squeeking...tightened up shock-mount bolts.
Choke cable would not work....re-routed cable and oiled it.

Cheers
Pullin'