Many Chinese motorcycles are sold in Russian motorcycle dealerships, but the Lifan LF200 GY 5 many years ago took a dominant position in its class and price segment. What is the secret of his popularity, which has not diminished over the years? Everything is simple - it is simple, reliable and inexpensive , and the technical characteristics of the Lifan LF 200 allow it to confidently compete with other motorcycles from the Middle Kingdom. The motorcycle is assembled in Russia, on a factory well known to older bikers thanks to the Soviet and then Russian “Pilot” and “Owl” bikes that were once produced on it. Let's take a closer look at this product from China, which has been successfully sold for a long time in Russia and in a number of other countries, for example, in Thailand, Vietnam and China itself.
Positive qualities of a motorcycle
The lifan lf 200, a review of which revealed significant quality characteristics in general, has a number of other advantages, and it is because of them that this equipment is in great demand both among novice motorcyclists and more experienced bikers:
- The light weight and dimensions of the equipment ensure comfortable movement even in traffic jams;
- High-quality hydraulic disc brakes facilitate quick stopping - the motorcycle performed especially well during extreme braking;
- Stylish seating for both driver and passenger;
- The low price (about 60 thousand rubles) is quite consistent with the appearance and “filling” of the motorcycle;
- The seat height of 86 cm allows even teenagers and short people to ride a motorcycle without experiencing any discomfort.
Total
Having ridden the Lifan LF200 at least a little, you understand why it is so loved by motorcyclists. This bike is good because for a small price buyers get everything they need - a balanced, universal motorcycle for all occasions. Old-fashioned and at first glance rather inconspicuous, the Lifan LF 200 has other advantages - reliability, ease of maintenance and low cost of maintenance. This bike can be safely recommended to all beginners as a “study desk” .
Disadvantages of the model
Like any other motorcycle, the lf200 has its drawbacks.
For example, many motorcyclists who have been riding for several years lack the power and maximum speed of the motorcycle. Other owners of such motorcycles complain about the rapid failure of minor parts of the motorcycle - burnt out light bulbs in the headlights, problems with bending wires and hoses, loosening of the chain and bolts in various parts of the structure.
In addition to such small problems that arise during operation, many drivers announce a list of factory defects of the motorcycle:
- A narrow seat, which, although it looks impressive, does not provide a comfortable fit for a motorcyclist of medium and large build.
- The absence of any glove compartments or cases designed to store a minimum set of tools, rags and other useful items.
In general, the motorcycle does not have any significant shortcomings that cannot be eliminated throughout the entire period of riding it.
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Low-power engines from Lifan
One of the priorities of the Lifan Group is the development and mass production of gasoline engines with power from 2.5 to 15 hp.
Among them there are also models:
- with electric starter;
- with reduction gear;
- with automatic clutch;
- with lighting coil.
These engines are installed on:
- Motoblocks.
- Electric generators.
- Motorized towing vehicles, motorized winches, etc.
A typical representative of this type of product is the single-cylinder Lifan190F-R engine, with a power of 15 hp, and intended for installation on cultivators and other low-power equipment. It is durable and economical, and the presence of a reduction gear allows you to expand the scope of its application.
In addition, the motor is equipped with a lighting coil, which makes it possible to connect the necessary equipment with a total power of no more than 40 W.
To start it, a transistor ignition system is used, which ensures reliable operation in any operating conditions.
Gallery
Specifications
As is customary with a Chinese manufacturer, the developers copied the engine from the Honda XR250 . The engine received the index 163FML . Depending on the year of manufacture, the engine may have had a balancing shaft .
This is a 1-cylinder, 4-stroke, air-cooled engine.
A distinctive feature can be considered the ability to start both from the button and from the paw. Moreover, according to user reviews, the electric starter works even at -20 ° and in an unheated garage.
Spread from a book with technical specifications
Transmission and clutch
There are also no differences in the chassis from the Honda.
Gearbox diagram 1-N-2-3-4-5
The bike has a 5-speed gearbox . According to user reviews, its stock settings allow you to feel normal both on a flat road and on rough off-road conditions. And if you play with the stars, you can plant them in the swamp and up to the saddle. Neutral is difficult to detect when the engine is running.
The main drive is standard - chain .
Brakes
The motorcycle received disc brakes .
Users note that the parts themselves are good, but the fastening of brackets to the rotors or the fit of the pistons must be checked before each trip. Loss of fastening screws occurs, as a result of which the brakes may fail (this is in the front). The constitution itself is minimalist. One disc per wheel, support for 2 pistons at the rear , and 1 piston at the front .
In general, the design of the front brake raises questions. The rear one is more powerful, but they stuck the front one from a scooter. The block is small and round. If you want to drive on roads, then the caliper is definitely a replacement.
There are no additional options provided.
Suspension
- There is a telescopic fork at the front , it is small and flimsy in appearance. It’s better not to forget that this is a LIGHT ENDURO model and serious jumping is contraindicated for it. Immediately after purchase, you need to drain the liquid and fill it with normal liquid. It is necessary.
- At the rear there is a progressive mono-shock absorber . The rear is hard, the quality of the shock absorber is questionable, the only adjustment is the spring preload .
Front suspension seals are consumables. Replace once per season of active use. Chinese ones cost 100 rubles , Japanese ones from 800 rubles . Personally, it’s easier for me to change the oil seal once a season, clean everything and change the fluid in the fork.
DKW RT 125-1 of the Wehrmacht, produced from 1943 to 1944
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In 1922, Hermann Weber began his engineering work at the DKW plant in the city of Czopau. He was engaged in the design of motorcycles and was appointed chief designer of the plant. His first model was the light motorcycle DKW ZL (Zschopauer Leichtmotorrad). Weber also headed the DKW racing motorcycle department; in addition, he himself took part in sports motorcycle racing and was a repeated winner of a number of prestigious competitions. In 1932, DKW acquired a license from Adolf Schnürle for the method of loop purging of the cylinder of a two-stroke engine and the exclusive right to use it in gasoline engines. This patent was not used for two years until Weber designed a 97 cc engine. see power 2.5 hp for a motorcycle called RT-100. The engine was very successful and powerful for its cubic capacity. The new method of cylinder purging, successfully applied by Weber, made it possible to abandon the use of a deflector on the piston, increasing the efficiency of fuel combustion and engine power. Hermann Weber was the first to use a foot-operated gear shift on a motorcycle engine. The next motorcycle model is RT -125 with a 125 cc engine. see created by Weber in 1939, became revolutionary in the history of motorcycles. The DKW RT-125 model was the most copied motorcycle in the world; it was produced in different countries from 1940 to 1965. After the end of World War II, the city of Cshopau found itself in the zone of Soviet occupation. The DKW plant was dismantled and taken to the USSR as reparations. Herman Weber and a number of other plant workers were interned and sent to Izhevsk to set up production of the IZH-350 motorcycle (copies of the DKW NZ 350). In 1948, Hermann Weber died in Izhevsk.
2.
Driving performance
Although the speedometer of the motorcycle is designed for 150 km/h , the maximum speed barely reaches 100 km/h . As users say, for this you need to turn the engine very well. Comfortable cruiser - 60–70 km/h .
Acceleration (dynamics)
about acceleration from a standstill to 100 km/h , but as the owners note, the dynamics are not bad for a Chinese - “you get out of a traffic light before the surrounding cars.” Of course, the difference in dry weight is not worth mentioning.
Fuel consumption
Consumption, according to the manufacturer’s documentation, is 3 liters per 100 km . Users make adjustments - on the highway no more than 2.5 . But in a forest/swamp, everything depends on the quality of the coating.
Modifications and competitors
There is no need to talk about modifications or competitors, unless you take into account the fact that the store can offer the user both Lifan and ZiD. These are clone motorcycles, except for the country of assembly. Even a booklet with instructions for Lifan will be from ZID.
PTS. In the PTS LIFAN, but it is “type” ZID.
Manual.
Passport.
- The first one may be assembled in China .
- The second is in Russia .
Which one to choose is up to the user. According to unverified data, the Russian assembly is of slightly better quality. It has properly laid wiring, emergency light settings and other little things that an experienced biker can set up himself.
In this segment, everything is almost the same if you look at the Chinese. This includes LF200-3b (upgraded 5gy model), YX250GY-C5C.
Peculiarities
The motorcycle had a lot of good and bad decisions:
- Posterior progression. Here the Chinese did not copy very well; the suspension turned out to be stiff. There are bushings in the suspension itself that break. It is better to replace it with caprolon.
- A large saddle that can easily accommodate two medium-sized riders (some owners ride with a large, stuffed backpack).
- A full-fledged trunk on which you can install a large trunk.
- The standard minimum tidy is two cups plus neutral indicators and turn signals.
- Small headlight - according to reviews, powerful lamps or xenon are needed. We replaced it with a headlight from JAVA .
- The hazard warning light turns on every time the motorcycle turns or brakes (can be treated by adjusting the relay located under the body kit on the left side of the bike).
- There are no towbars , and tube wheels tend to rotate during sharp braking, cutting off the nipples. Therefore, always monitor the tire pressure.
- PTS .
- No center stand .
Users recommend that when purchasing a new motorcycle, they immediately take care of the issue of towing for both wheels, and after removing the tire, wash it in a solvent.
This will help remove the consistency that is poured from the wheel tension on the rim. And for safety, you can also use a fine file to clean the hole under the camera nipple.
Our CUSTOM
We made a scrambler. For what? We wanted it that way, we are a motorcycle magazine after all, and we love experiments! The tank is from Alpha, the headlight is from Java. That situation when you make a scrambler, but it turns out to be MINSK. But we are delighted!
And on the side is a RACER 160 PH pit bike.
Conclusion
ZiD YX250GY C5C, also known as ZiD Enduro, is an unremarkable addition to the market of budget Chinese motorcycles. It is not much different from its numerous competitors, offering potential buyers approximately the same things - comparable characteristics, the same price, the same quality. This doesn't make it worse or better, there's just no point in chasing this particular model. You can buy something similar, albeit under a different name, and the result will most likely be exactly the same. But as an inexpensive rogue, this bike is not bad considering its affordable price, and it could be an interesting toy for motorcyclists who are not afraid of getting splashed with mud or getting their hands dirty in the garage.
Lifan 200 GY-5 2008 → Operating experience of Lifan LF200 GY-5
We have already written about the bracket for the license plate many times; without alteration, it very quickly falls off along with a piece of the frame.
Engine. "Positive traits". Economical, electric and kick starter. Never let me down. It started up clearly, and in any weather (like I rode in the winter at -20). I didn’t overheat in the mud, although here, in my opinion, I overheated a little:
Suspension. The Chinese pendant is a separate issue. Let's start with the front fork. After driving a little, I realized that it was too soft, I decided to change the oil to a more viscous one, well, I took the maximum 20W. What a disappointment I was when, having disassembled the fork, I saw the primitiveness of its design, it immediately became clear that there was nothing to work with except the springs... Therefore, I filled in more oil, so that when the fork breaks down there would be no impact of iron on iron (i.e., essentially overfilled the oil), put everything back together. And he didn't touch her again. During operation, another significant disadvantage was discovered - it is very low torsional rigidity. This became clear when we had to apply emergency braking. It happens like this. When you press the front brake, the fork sharply twists to the left side, where the brake disc is located, and the driver flies onto the asphalt(((... Killer design. About the rear shock absorber I can only say that it works the same as the front one, i.e. only a spring . The pendulum is made of foil and, like the fork, is prone to twisting. Progression on brass bushings wears out very quickly, and frequent disassembly and lubrication does not solve the problem, because the oil seals do not perform their functions, so you can drive this unit like this, until completely worn out, and then replace the whole thing (fortunately, spare parts for the Chinese are not expensive).
Chassis. Wheels. Well, there’s not much to say here, except that they are very heavy, especially the hubs (the Chinese did not spare the aluminum). Standard sizes are 21/18, the most common. In general, there were no problems with them. The main thing is to tighten the knitting needles. Chain and stars. The chain fits from Izhevsk, only a little longer, so from three Izhevsk chains you can assemble two for the lifan. They stretch quickly, both native and Izhevsk, they catch up after every trip. Another problem with the chain is the lack of a catcher and tension rollers. As a result, the chain often falls off. The solution is to make them yourself. Bottom line. Overall, I’m quite pleased with the motorcycle, despite the large number of flaws and shortcomings, but the pleasure I got while riding it and the experience I gained made a big contribution to my future motorcycle life!
