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Posted by Greg Donovan 
Greg Donovan
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Re: Motorcycles
July 05, 2012 03:37PM
Would buying a Chinese built Lifan be as bad an idea as i think it would be?

http://rmn.craigslist.org/mcy/3113505703.html
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john vanlandingham
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Re: Motorcycles
July 05, 2012 03:45PM
Quote
Greg Donovan
Would buying a Chinese built Lifan be as bad an idea as i think it would be?

http://rmn.craigslist.org/mcy/3113505703.html

Yeah. Sorry 8(



John Vanlandingham
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Greg Donovan
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Re: Motorcycles
July 05, 2012 10:27PM
I would imagine getting parts would be a bitch. Probably like buying tools from harbor freight. Might be great and never give me any trouble or it could fall apart after one ride.
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john vanlandingham
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Re: Motorcycles
July 06, 2012 12:27AM
Quote
Greg Donovan
I would imagine getting parts would be a bitch. Probably like buying tools from harbor freight. Might be great and never give me any trouble or it could fall apart after one ride.

Yeah. I have looked at those back in China and they look like an updated 'pimped out" old Honda but......even old bikes that are popular you gotta dig a bit for parts.


All the talk about figure out what you really are going to use the bike for is good, cause the thing with bikes is an optimised one for specific uses can and is quite different even if it superficially looks kinda like the other thing.

If you're thinking of a dirt road/gravel road thing, something with shorter suspension, more front weight bias and plain ol horse power and torque will be more fun. The KDX200 (or even the 220) I was pushing is a real excellent bike for any level rider in the woods. And I could play with it on "fire roads", but in the environment more torque like my old 430 Husky was way more fun..

IF you go with what 'everybody" says, be aware that those 4 strokes want fresh oil VERY frequently---some say 3-4 hours use. (which would mean twice a day when I was riding in my early 40s) They also warn of frequent valve adjustment---I see crap about" "Hard starting? That means the valve adjustment "is getting tight"" Thats called valve seat recession where I come from..



John Vanlandingham
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Greg Donovan
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Re: Motorcycles
July 06, 2012 02:17AM
Thanks, I have a lot to learn. That is why I am researching now for something I probably won't buy untill next spring/summer.

What type of use would need oil changed that often on a 4 stroke?
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mothra
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Re: Motorcycles
July 06, 2012 07:22AM
Quote
john vanlandingham
Quote
Greg Donovan
IF you go with what 'everybody" says, be aware that those 4 strokes want fresh oil VERY frequently---some say 3-4 hours use. (which would mean twice a day when I was riding in my early 40s) They also warn of frequent valve adjustment---I see crap about" "Hard starting? That means the valve adjustment "is getting tight"" Thats called valve seat recession where I come from..



Thanks for the reminder John. My buddy changes the oil in his DRZ frequently. Maybe every 2,000 miles. MY BMW or a KLR can go 5,000 between changes. A higher strung 4-stroke is going to want oil changes like John describes. Most of the ones meant to be street legal have larger oil capacities so longer oil change intervals. have you checked out "thumpertalk" or "ADVRrider" yet?



Matt Smith

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My daily life is a Saab story (sold!)
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Greg Donovan
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Re: Motorcycles
July 06, 2012 08:13AM
I have poked around those forums a bit. There is a lot there.
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Greg Donovan
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Re: Motorcycles
July 12, 2012 08:42PM
ADVRider is a pretty sweet site but a really "bad" influence on me. Now I want a motorcycle even more.
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Robert Culbertson
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Re: Motorcycles
July 13, 2012 12:49AM
As a completely bad idea, how about something old and British? I hear that old BSA B25 are going to be all the rage. Or some 650/750 Triumph. These bikes are great on back roads, and actually ridable on forest service roads too!
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Greg Donovan
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Re: Motorcycles
July 13, 2012 03:26AM
Someday when I gain some skills and funds I want a old bultaco (O.K. lots of funds) like my dad used to ride back in the 60s.
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aj_johnson
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Re: Motorcycles
July 13, 2012 09:23AM
did you go look at this one?

http://fargo.craigslist.org/mcy/3114854800.html

Should be a piece of cake to get it plated.
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john vanlandingham
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Re: Motorcycles
July 13, 2012 11:27AM
Quote
aj_johnson
did you go look at this one?

http://fargo.craigslist.org/mcy/3114854800.html

Should be a piece of cake to get it plated.

Plus Juan.... Super-motard it out and get sideways.



John Vanlandingham
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aj_johnson
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Re: Motorcycles
July 13, 2012 12:13PM
Quote
john vanlandingham
Quote
aj_johnson
did you go look at this one?

http://fargo.craigslist.org/mcy/3114854800.html

Should be a piece of cake to get it plated.

Plus Juan.... Super-motard it out and get sideways.

Ha Ha smiling smiley maybe sideways in the snow!



It's pretty close to an SUV type bike, but it's in your price range, reliable and cheap to maintain. Unless you go 2t you aren't going to be able to get much powah in that price range. Buy it, ride it give it to the wife when it's time to upgrade. And as a street legal 4 stroke you should have no issues getting out of it for what you are in to it. 2t's are a little harder to sell.
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SgtRauksauff
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Re: Motorcycles
July 13, 2012 12:47PM
I should start looking for something to put spikes on and drive on the lake in the winter... hmmm... how much does really cold weather affect shock oil and the damping it does?



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john vanlandingham
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Re: Motorcycles
July 13, 2012 02:11PM
Quote
SgtRauksauff
I should start looking for something to put spikes on and drive on the lake in the winter... hmmm... how much does really cold weather affect shock oil and the damping it does?

A LOT!
A whole heaping mega-lotta whole bunch..
When we were down to around 5w for 'cold' ie 32-40F we'd use 1/4 diesel and the rest 5w down to maybe 20F and half diesel down to 0F or so..

And softer rear springs, too. Bikes are usually rwd so gotta trade travel for grip, just like in cars.



John Vanlandingham
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Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
Remember! Pacific Standard Time
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