Racer 200 Enduro - concentrated pleasure

Some motorcycles are created with one goal in mind: to provide pleasure, and the Racer 200 Enduro bike falls into this category. Compact, lightweight, quick to explode and equipped with good brakes, it is designed to roar through forests and fields, splashing sand and dirt from under the wheels shod with toothy rubber. True, the Racer Enduro RC200GY C2 is very reminiscent of all Japanese off-road motorcycles at once, but so be it! A bike of this class does not require exclusivity or style, it should simply bring joy to its owner and provide him with horse doses of adrenaline. Racer Enduro 200 copes with this task with a solid five, and all this pleasure costs less than $1,500 at the dealer’s showroom. Well, isn't it lovely?

Technical characteristics of Racer 200 Enduro

In 102 kg of dry mass, Racer engineers managed to compact everything you need to conquer dirt tracks. Of course, there were no frills - the gearbox has only 5 steps . But as they say, what you pay for is what you get, and for the price the Racer Enduro 200 is definitely a good value. It is capable of accelerating to 95 km/h , but in reality it lives mainly in forests and fields, where torque comes to the fore rather than top speed. In this regard, however, he is also fine - the motorcycle pulls very confidently, and picks up speed to 60-70 km/h very quickly. The engine power of the Racer 200 Enduro is only 12.5 hp. , but it seems that in fact there are much more frisky horses hidden in its 1-cylinder air-cooled engine , because it doesn’t take up the speakers. And there is also an “advanced” version of the same motorcycle, called Racer Enduro RC100XZT, with a modified 16-horsepower engine and a couple of other nice improvements.

Braking is handled by 2-piston calipers with discs on both wheels , and shock absorption is provided by a monoshock absorber at the rear and an inverted telescopic fork at the front, in which it is recommended to change the oil immediately after purchase, since the Chinese usually fill in God knows what instead. But the Racer 200 Enduro suspensions work perfectly, and there are plenty of videos online showing this motorcycle overcoming really serious obstacles and even jumping off ramps without any negative consequences. By the way, the Racer Enduro 200 is conventionally considered a two-seater, but it’s better to immediately forget about the passenger, since riding this bike with two people is damn inconvenient due to the cramped space.

Construction of the Racer PANTHER 200

The enduro class, to which the Chinese classified the model, required good bite, but given the presence of the Japanese prototype, in addition to this, the bike should become lighter, handle better, and, if possible, not lose its driving characteristics.

The design of the motorcycle is designed for off-road riding.

By using high-precision casting, the developers were able to solve the first issues, and by installing a more powerful engine, they were able to not only make their motorcycle equal to its Japanese counterpart, but in many ways surpass it .

The decision to produce two models also bore fruit. The Chinese did not specifically develop a new frame, given the slight difference in engine volumes . Therefore, in addition to the design strength, RC200GY-C2 also received a margin. It became one of the components of the success of the weaker model. This also includes the cost, the ability to travel not only outside the city, but also the low price.

Suspension

Front telescopic fork.

Rear monoshock.

Due to its versatility, the bike’s suspension does not create the same problems as pure enduro . In terms of its capabilities, it is more suitable for a classic bike, but the steel thickness of 35 mm allows the motorcyclist to move on asphalt, dirt road, and, if desired, through clear forest.

The anthers on the front fork are soft and look “grown-up”.

The front wheel is supported by a standard telescopic fork, and the rear wheel is supported by a mono shock absorber. The stroke length of both shock absorbers is 150 mm .

Exterior

The decision to create a “universal soldier” gave the Panther the features of a standard road bike (there is even a place for a trunk), and, at the same time, unique to enduro.

Front end

The Racer PANTHER 200 has no bulky fairings, with the exception of a small windshield that covers the instrument panel.

The first thing that catches your eye when looking at the front of the bike is powerful road tires . It will allow movement on asphalt and minor off-road conditions. The second feature will be the wing, which, according to the standard for SUVs, is suspended under the very front body kit.

Off-road tread.

Chromed rim.

• Head optics are not rich — a small round headlight with a 2-spiral bulb. Thanks to the versatility of the motorcycle, it shines well and is tuned to work in urban conditions. The body kit is small, most of it is placed above the headlight, curved in the shape of a visor. There is no windshield.

  In the latest models, the headlight has taken on a more original shape.

• front turn signals , but the short pillars and minor front aero push them down against the headlight. During a quiet stop on the road, they are not immediately noticeable. If there is an emergency, they may be useless.
• Mirrors are square . They are installed on flexible necks, which allows you to customize them to your needs. The spacing is designed so that they do not protrude beyond the control handles, but at the same time, part of the usable area will be occupied by the shoulders and arms of the motorcyclist. The height is designed so that it allows you to freely cut along the row spacing, without fear of knocking over the ears of cars .

Dashboard

The versatility of the panther is reflected here too. Unlike other models in the class, here you can see almost a complete set of instruments necessary for control.

The instrument panel is equipped with arrow-type indicators.

The driver has indications of speed and revolutions (both pointers) , an odometer (a line under the speedometer glass), an indicator of the engaged gear, as well as the inclusion of high beams. Turn signals and fuel gauge are not provided on the panel,

Although the tachometer has a white backing, the developers saved on the size of the numbers; they are not very readable . Marking up to 14x1000 rpm , red zone starts at 11000 .

There are also complaints about the speedometer.

1. It fades in bright sunlight.
2. Miles, on some versions of the dials, are printed in yellow (the stock backing is black). Numbers and additional dots that do not coincide with the main markings of the device make it difficult to read the readings.

Rear end

View from the muffler side.

View from the chain side.

Motorists driving behind the panther will clearly see the rear red headlight, made in the shape of a hexagon. It combines a brake light and a side light . To protect against inclement weather, the developers positioned it at an angle, slightly retracting it under the rear stem.

• The turn signals are made on separate brackets and placed outside the bike. The location is good, it is immediately noticeable in traffic conditions.
• Saddle 2-seater, behind it there is a small stem, there is enough space to install a trunk (it’s interesting that the Japanese have a trunk in this place). But the panther is not intended for long trips - the saddle is small in size, and the second number will sit almost on the muffler. The flex of the frame is designed so that the stem, saddle and fuel tank are in the same plane, with a slight flex at the rider's seat.

  A long two-seater saddle is not designed for long trips.

• The tank is located in the standard place and holds 10 liters . The neck is almost pressed against the dashboard. Made in standard version. There is a keyhole under the handle foot.

Pros and cons of Racer 200 Enduro

Advantages

• Suspensions with full settings . Both the rigidity and intensity of the rebound are adjustable.
• Significant ground clearance . There is no need to be afraid of hitting the crankcase against any obstacle that suddenly appears on the way.
• Excellent traction in the lower rev range . Indispensable quality for off-road use.
• Ease of operation . A short wheelbase, reduced diameter wheels and a weight of 102 kg make the Racer 200 Enduro a truly excellent handling motorcycle.
• Convenient electromechanical dashboard . As practice shows, she is not afraid of bumps and falls.

Flaws

• The gas tank volume is only 4 liters . The fuel runs out after a few hours of intense riding. Although on the highway, of course, the gas tank lasts for a hundred kilometers, or even more. The Racer Enduro RC100XZT has an increased gas tank to 5 liters.
• Standard tires . It's not bad for the ground, but on asphalt it holds the road rather unsteadily.
• Original mirrors . No matter how you set them up, you can see mostly only your own shoulders. The problem is easily fixed by replacing them with others.

Owner reviews

Users note only two drawbacks:

• Thin coat of paint. Applies to all Chinese models.

  The same can be said about chrome plating - “from new” everything shines, but it doesn’t last long.

• Unfinished dashboard . If the speedometer is not mentioned, then the fuel gauge part is called.

Experts note one more point - the build quality. It is noted that despite the simplicity of the design, the first maintenance must be done at a service station. After tightening all the connections, changing oils and fluids, adjusting the pedal strokes, the bike can live for several years without requiring any serious intervention

Advantages

The motorcycle model in question is quite suitable for year-round use.

In addition to the affordable price, the following advantages are noted:

• Versatility and PTS . When selling the bike, they issue a passport. If you want to drive around the city, you can register it. It is worth understanding that the engine size will require the driver to have a category “ A ” license.
• A large selection of components that can be found in all corners of Russia.
• Riding together . The 200 cc engine allows two people to make short trips.
• Patency . Although the bike does not have high suspensions, as is customary on hard-enduro, it is capable of storming shallow rivers, riding on loose snow and soil , and leaving the civilized road at any time.

Overall, the Chinese managed to create a universal motorcycle suitable for short trips outside the city.

Reviews from Racer 200 Enduro owners

This is not a motorcycle, but a lighter, it seems to have only 12 horses, but in reality it picks up speed wildly quickly up to at least 50 km/h, it tries to get away from under you, just hold on to the steering wheel tighter. The engine has absolutely no top end, but off-road they are not needed. The gears are short, you have to click constantly, but after a couple of weeks I got used to it. I change the oil according to engine hours, I drive my Racer mercilessly, everything it has seen. I managed to hit it on all sides, only the front wing and standard hand protection were in the minus. Arthur, Novocheboksarsk, Racer 200 Enduro '2016.

An excellent cross-country bike, much better than my former Irbis TTR 125 - both brakes, dynamics, and suspension. There are no problems, although the quality of Chinese welding does not inspire confidence, I don’t risk jumping from a height. Georgiy, Moscow, Racer 200 Enduro '2018.

The engine is a beast, it pulls like hell, you unscrew the handle, and it immediately tries to get on the rear wheel. It is controlled with just your knees; there is no need to operate the steering wheel at speeds above 10-15 km/h. The brakes are good, but the calipers get clogged with dirt and need to be cleaned. In general, I like the motorcycle; riding in nature is just the thing. Boris, Vologda, Racer 200 Enduro '2017.

Similar models

• Irbis TTR 250. Reliable, durable and unpretentious bike for about the same price as the Racer Enduro 200.
• Motoland XR250 Lite. Another good hard enduro, dynamic and durable.
• Stels 250 Enduro. This model has already proven itself on the Russian market on the most positive side.

Total

This motorcycle is excellent for the conditions for which it was designed. Lightweight, maneuverable, quickly picking up speed and dropping it effectively, the Racer Enduro 200 feels like a fish in water off-road. This is not just an off-road bike , it is a real hard enduro that can handle even the most difficult trails. And it's powerful enough to not get boring, but not so harsh that it poses a danger to inexperienced beginners. In addition, the Enduro Racer 200 has a PTS, which automatically means that it can be driven on public roads.

Who is it suitable for?

The bike's riding position is optimal for riders of average height.

Due to the very low seating position, tall riders are advised to look at another model or check the bike thoroughly before purchasing. A low seating position and mid-mounted footrests will not provide riding comfort.

However, for people up to 170 cm tall, a bike can become an off-season vehicle. Stock tires feel good on untrodden snow. Installing winter tires will allow you not to interrupt the season and drive through snowy forests.

Video Review

Specifications