hmm, I never noticed that, after looking my bike says the same thing.

Almon

Hi Country Cruiser,

Well in name they are not technically Lifans but they are built in the same factory and sold by China Lifan. They just are not American Lifan branded bikes, you are correct there.

American Lifan does not service bikes they do not sell so if you buy a bike from a direct importer then you will have to service it your self or find a bike shop that will service it. Some American Lifan dealers will service non American Lifan branded bikes., but they are not supposed to. Although some sell over the internet as well and they are not supposed to do that either, but they are just trying to make living and I don't blame them at all.

Hey, don't get to cold on the snow plow!

Talk to you later,

Almon

Hi Lifanrider,

It is good a see a familiar face. Welcome to the forum!

Almon

That's what I think it is, plastic with some type of a inexpensive carbon layer or perhaps some carbon looking sticker that have been clear coated over?

But I think the pipe has real piece of carbon on it but I can't be sure until further inspection.

Almon

I'll have more information soon on the Xi 350. This is a really nice bike. I think a lot of the plastics on the bike have a layer of carb in them. Looks very cool to me.

Almon

Here is a link of the LF200-B soon to be carried by many direct import dealers. The bmw clone I know nothing about and I don't think Brian is going to be selling them, but I added it so you could check it out anyway.

http://www.lifan-moto.com/gallery/rabbit3/

Enjoy!

Almon

All of this is somewhat true.  The Lifan grays are NOT manufactured in the same plant with the same parts and workers as some would like you to believe.  They may work out just fine for You, but you do buy the grays at your own risk and should not bash American Lifan or their dealers for not wanting to service them.  As others have said, you should be mechanically inclined, with tools and be frustrated as heck when parts for them are harder to get.  Mercedes Benz and BMW both went through this situation several years ago and when they found out it was not a real good idea for their reputation they stopped selling grays in the U.S.  I would guess that Lifan China, being a relatively new business, will soon learn the same lesson.  And by the way, these are facts not opinions.  I was in the automotive business for 38 years and have dealt with other imported products for over 25 years in our own business.

Hi,

While there are some bikes out there that are not made in the same plant the bikes from TMS, Hooper Imports and Rabbit scooters are made in the same plant with the same parts. In fact Hopper Imports recently made jpegs available of invoices from China Lifan, I have a series of invoices that Brian gave me from China Lifan as well email communications from Lifan to him that I am using for a article.

The fact is that China Lifan does indeed sell their bikes to other importers, not just here in the U.S. but also around the world. I know for a fact that the MSO from rabbit, hooper and tms is from Chongqing Lifan Industry (group) Co., Ltd. This is also on the swing arm of all Lifan motorcycle. If you do not see this on your MSO or swingarm then you do not have a Lifan bike.

This is all predicated on a language technicality, the fact is that American Lifan is the only authorized dealer to be able to use the Lifan 'name' in the states, but the other importers are still buying from China Lifan directly.

This creates a lot of confusion in the market place. I do believe that China Lifan is starting to get behind American Lifan but this does not change the fact that some of the larger direct importers still order from China Lifan.

Those Chinese guys are smart, they know how to make a dollar.

One more thing I would like to add is that while Lifan has enjoyed a lot of success in this country they are now starting to see a lot of competition, really for the first time ever. Did you see all of those EPA/DOT and CARB certified motorcycles at the dealer expo? It seems we are about to be flooded by China bikes in the next few months, mainly larger displacement China bikes.

I can't wait

Almon

Hi Martin,

Good to see you here .

Almon