Review of Lifan LF200-5GY – characteristics of a pioneer from China

The first mention of the Chinese enduro bike Lifan LF200-5gy dates back to 2007 . Since 2010, the same model has been offered to Russian users under the ZiD brand. (Degtyarev plant, Kovrov, Vladimir region).

Despite the typical enduro shape - raised front fender, long suspension travel, engine protection, the motorcycle also receives a headlight, stops, a full set of turn signals and mirrors. As well as a PTS , which makes it possible to register it and subsequently use it on public roads. An engine capacity of 200 cubic meters implies that the motorcyclist has a category “A” .

The development of our market began with these motorcycles. Irbis TTR125 pit bikes were bought for children, and older people took LF200. The presence of a vehicle title, an inexpensive price, and ease of maintenance are why this model attracted the attention of domestic consumers.

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 .

Front brake caliper.

Rear brake caliper

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

Front fork.

Rear shock absorber.

• 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.

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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.

Reviews from Lifan LF200 GY 5 owners

A comfortable moped, nothing superfluous, it just looks a little boring, a kind of hello from Soviet times. I bought a motorbike relatively recently, it has driven a little more than six thousand so far, the only complaints I have are the original chain, it stretches like chewing gum, I had to tighten it every 200-300 km. My patience ran out and I changed it to another one. There is no visibility into the original mirrors, I bought new ones for 1200 rubles. The original battery died quickly until I bought a new one and used kickstarter. Anatoly, Istra, Lifan LF200 GY 5 '2018.

I expected more from Lifan, I read a lot of reviews, everyone praises it, but, in my opinion, the motorcycle is overrated. The suspensions are frankly weak, the engine is sluggish, there is no acceleration, after 60-70 km/h it no longer drives, plus the vibrations are unrealistically annoying. There were no breakdowns, the bike was taken from hand, the mileage is now 19,000 something. Evgeniy, Izhevsk, Lifan LF200 GY 5 '2014.

It looks clumsy, but it rushes along so cheerfully, including off-road. I threw out the original tires almost immediately after the purchase, installed the evil Shinka, tried it on the field - the difference is huge. The Chinese are really great, the motorcycle is not at all bad, the spare parts cost a penny, there are no breakdowns yet, I like everything. Ivan, Yaroslavl, Lifan LF200 GY 5 '2017.

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.

Detailed review

The tricycle can be considered a real “hard worker”, because the main purpose of the equipment is to transport cargo up to 500 kg. From the front, the device looks like a regular motorcycle, to which, instead of the rear wheel, a trailer on a 2-wheel base is connected. The frame of the model is reinforced to ensure the reliability of the entire structure. After delivering the cargo to its destination, the driver has the opportunity to dump the cargo using a manual dump truck.

During the development of the suspension system, the designers took into account the fact that the tricycle is mostly used in villages. That is, the unit moves over rough terrain. Shock absorption due to telescopic spring-hydraulic suspension allows you to ride in comfort without feeling vibration and shaking.

To ensure that the driver does not experience discomfort and the seating is comfortable, the tricycle has a soft, single seat with a backrest. The backrest supports the driver's torso while relieving stress from the back.

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!

Side view.

And on the side is a RACER 160 PH pit bike.