Cruiser Lifan LF250-B - the choice of a real man

My neighbor and I chipped in 40,000 rubles each and took a simple Lifan Custom 250cc motorcycle.

By the way, about design. This motorcycle is an almost complete copy of the famous Yamaha Virago 250

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Lifan Eagle 250: motard, 2008, 249 cm³, 17 hp, 145 kg.
Lifan Eagle 250: motard, 2008, 249 cm³, 17 hp, 145 kg.

Just a few years ago, in the niche of 250–400 “cubes” in the Russian market, Japanese second-hand goods reigned supreme. Today, many leading manufacturers, be it the Japanese “magnificent four”, KTM or numerous “Piaggian” stepchildren, are leaving this sector of the market (with rare exceptions). And ordinary enterprises from the Middle Kingdom, having perfected their “air blowers” ​​with a working volume of 150–200 cm³, are in no hurry to join the new class. After all, cubic capacity from a quarter of a liter requires a different approach; one “upgrade” will not get rid of it. Effective (liquid) cooling is needed, which means we will have to master the production of radiators, pumps, and electric fans. Other frames, suspensions, brakes will be required...

The largest private motorcycle manufacturer in China, Lifan Group Co., Ltd., was one of the first to take aim at motorcycles of “chekushka” cubic capacity. The products of this motorcycle giant are known in the world under more than 20 brands, and it seems that the Chinese motorcycle industry is flooded with models with 250 cc engines. In fact, there is only one engine - 172MM-2. The three-digit index, traditionally for Chinese technology, does not indicate cubic capacity, but the diameter of the cylinder, if one is discarded. (Note that the CF-Moto company produces scooter motors of the same size.) It would be naive to believe that Lifan created a new motor for the sake of one model. It is also installed on motard-related enduros, choppers, all-terrain vehicles... The Lifan LF250ST-2 quad with this engine has been sold in Russia since 2007, but two-wheeled vehicles were only brought in, and then as prototypes. They were tested on the Kovrov ZiD, a long-time partner of Lifan. By the beginning of our test, the Lifan Eagle 250 had covered about 4,000 km on local roads. There is only one breakdown - the “tail” fastening has burst. The Chinese must have not taken into account the outstanding dimensions and weight of the Russian license plate!

The lineup

The Lifan motorcycle range consists of several dozen models.
Below are those that are most popular in Russia. Based on engine size, they can be divided into 5 categories :

• 100 cm3: Lifan PONY (minibike);
• 125 cm3: Lifan 125-14F (cruiser);
• 150 cm3: Lifan IROKEZ, Lifan LF150-13;
• 200 cm3: Lifan LF200 GY-5 (cross-country), Lifan 200 GY-3B (cross-country), Lifan 200-16CS, Lifan 200-16C;
• 250 cm3: Lifan 250-4 (chopper), Lifan LF250-19P, Lifan LF250-B (cruiser), Lifan POWER MAN.

An excellent photo selection of the legendary Yamaha R6 motorcycle, which belongs to the supersport category.

Detailed description of the technical characteristics of the Suzuki Bandit 400 city bike.

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The pendulum is pleasing to the eye - aluminum, and polished at that.
But the frame remained steel and heavy. The rear brake is a single disc, single piston. A design long ago worked out by the Japanese on motards and enduros. The pendulum is pleasing to the eye - aluminum, and polished at that. But the frame remained steel and heavy. The rear brake is a single disc, single piston. A design long ago worked out by the Japanese on motards and enduros.

Advantages and disadvantages

Like other motorcycles produced in China, the ZiD 250 Enduro is distinguished by its low cost and extremely simplified design. Most often, owners' complaints come down to assembly flaws, and not to the quality of the components themselves, although this particular model was clearly created in a hurry, and therefore was not thoroughly thought out.

Advantages

• A durable engine with a long (with proper maintenance) service life.
• Maintainability. Almost everything can be repaired, and what cannot be repaired can be replaced at minimal cost.
• The motorcycle can run on any gasoline. Probably, if AI-80 is poured into it, it will not even notice it.
• No problems finding spare parts. Even the ZiD Lifan YX 250 GY engine is installed in one form or another on many other bikes.

Flaws

• Poor design. Nothing critical, but there are a lot of unpleasant little things, like an unfinished rear brake or weak fender mounts.
• An unremarkable design, as if copied from other budget Chinese small-capacity models.
• Strong vibrations at high speeds.
• Inconvenient standard mirrors of non-standard shape, which are best replaced immediately after purchase.

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The power of the four-stroke engine is only 17 hp.
Not much by modern standards. But there is plenty of cooling reserve, especially since the system is liquid. But there is also a minus - the water pump took the place of the kick. The power of the four-stroke engine is only 17 hp. Not much by modern standards. But there is plenty of cooling reserve, especially since the system is liquid. But there is also a minus - the water pump took the place of the kick.

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.

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The speedometer is pointer, but electronic: the signal comes to it from the sensor on the front brake disc.
And the accuracy is like GPS. True, at night the too bright blue backlight is annoying. The speedometer is pointer, but electronic: the signal comes to it from the sensor on the front brake disc. And the accuracy is like GPS. True, at night the too bright blue backlight is annoying.

Specifications

Lifan is equipped with a similar appearance as the Yamaha, a V0-engine with a volume of two hundred and forty-nine cubic centimeters. At the same time, it has a power of 15 horsepower. The fuel system is designed for a carburetor, and the nominal fuel consumption is three and a half liters per hundred kilometers, which is very pleasant. The maximum speed is one hundred and forty kilometers per hour. Quite enough for a beginner. The rational location of the engine prevents it from overheating during operation even on hot summer days, which can also be noted as a big plus. The engine itself is four-stroke, develops six thousand revolutions per minute. Weighing one hundred and fifty-five kilograms, the motorcycle picks up speed quite quickly and keeps it constant even on not very steep climbs. The motorcycle comes with a five-speed gearbox and some also have a gear indicator.

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The pentagon headlight looks modern.
But it shines in the old fashioned way - instead of the long-familiar halogen, it has the usual “Ilyich bulb”. The turn signal legs could have been worse. The pentagon headlight looks modern. But it shines in the old fashioned way - instead of the long-familiar halogen, it has the usual “Ilyich bulb”. The turn signal legs could have been worse.

I began my acquaintance with the device by studying the documentation - an extensive European certificate on 37 pages. From it I learned that a three-component catalytic converter is installed in the exhaust system (but you can’t tell by looking at it!). It indicates both the noise level (82 dB) and the design maximum speed of 100 km/h. The latter seemed too small for such a cubic capacity. Let's check! Since the motorcycle has been broken in for a long time, I give it full throttle. Along the way, I note the features of the transmission: 1st and 2nd gears are short, and 4th and 5th, on the contrary, are long. Well, the “maximum speed” really turned out to be about 110 km/h both according to GPS and speedometer. The latter is electronic (with a sensor on the front brake disc), only with a dial indicator. But in terms of dynamics up to “hundreds”, the “Eagle” is head and shoulders above any 200 cc Chinese-made enduro.

After a full load, until the engine cooled down, I decided to check the operation of the cooling system by letting the engine run in place. The system has two radiators, one with an electric fan. Although the air warmed up above 20 0C and I drove intensively, the fan turned on only after about five minutes. During this time I took a closer look at the device. The faceted headlight gives the motorcycle a modern and memorable look. Unfortunately, the Chinese cheated: they equipped it with a simple “Ilyich light bulb”; there weren’t enough yuan for a halogen lamp. That’s why, as night trips showed, the light is unimportant—a C grade. But the speedometer lights up with a blue light too much. By the way, all the lights are controlled by one switch: high, low, dimensions, off. Unusual, but convenient.

An impressive muffler also benefits the appearance of the motorcycle. The eye also catches the pendulum - it is aluminum, and polished at that. But the frame and small attachments are made of steel, so it’s not surprising that the bike weighs about one and a half centners. Of course, everything in the world is relative, but for a motard with a 17 hp engine. It’s too much, you can’t fool around to your heart’s content!

Design features

The Lifan Chopper motorcycle is an excellent vehicle for travel, which is in great demand due to its reliability. The bike is purposefully designed for dynamic driving around the city, but at the same time it can plow on dirt roads. Ground clearance - 1140 mm eliminates contact with small stones lying on the road. That is, small trips are fully possible. The fairly high and comfortable saddle of the Lifan 250 chopper allows you to clearly view natural beauty or the concrete “jungle”. The braking system consists of a rear drum mechanism and a front disc with a two-piston floating caliper. It is characterized by a quick and high-quality effect - an important criterion, especially relevant in emergency situations.

The main power unit of the bike is unpretentious in fuel, it “feeds” perfectly on both 95 and 93 gasoline. The installed exhaust pipes produce a confident roar that is a real pleasure to the ears. The standard information panel competently accommodates all the necessary devices. In the dark, it is perfectly illuminated by the backlight. There is a brake light at the rear, which is clearly visible to vehicles moving behind. The placement of side mirrors is designed in such a way that the driver has the opportunity to control the situation behind him. The suspension is based on a front telescopic fork and two spring shock absorbers located at the rear. Their degree of hardness is adjusted manually. It is necessary to highlight the following pleasant features of the model:

Standard 18-inch wheels ensure safe driving on the road in rain and snow. Deep holes, hillocks and stones on the road surface are not scary for Lifan.

Taking into account all the technical characteristics, the attractive and dynamic appearance of the motorcycle, we can say with confidence that the LIFAN LF250B is a win-win option that gives freedom of movement and an influx of adrenaline in the blood. For lovers of high speeds, there is a 400 cc Chinese motorcycle on sale. The main difference between the models is the engine displacement. Buy Lifan 400 cc. possible for 159 thousand rubles.

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The mid-travel fork and 17-inch wheels allow the saddle to be quite low - 770 mm - so it is also suitable for short riders.
But it’s better to forget about annealing: a significant weight (145 kg) combined with low power (17 hp) suggests a moderately dynamic driving style. However, this motorcycle is from an experimental batch. The chassis allows you to install a more powerful engine. The mid-travel fork and 17-inch wheels allow the saddle to be quite low - 770 mm - so it is also suitable for short riders. But it’s better to forget about annealing: a significant weight (145 kg) combined with low power (17 hp) suggests a moderately dynamic driving style. However, this motorcycle is from an experimental batch. The chassis allows you to install a more powerful engine.

The suspension allows this “Eagle” to proudly soar above the entire Chinese motorcycle industry: an inverted fork, with protection, and, moreover, quite functional. It seemed a little harsh to me: small irregularities are transmitted to the hands, although it copes with large holes with dignity. It’s a pity that there are no adjustments to complete the compliment. The stated stroke is 165 mm, but judging by the traces of erased dirt, it does not exceed 140–145 mm. But the monoshock absorber, on the contrary, is a bit soft. But this is fixable: the rigidity can be adjusted with a screw for the slot, and you can also pump up (or bleed) air. The frame is quite rigid: the motorcycle does not wobble on uneven corners. Tires of truly Motard size from the large Taiwanese company Duro, one of the industry leaders. But the brakes are “just there”: simple single-disc, but they cope with the responsibilities.

The mid-travel fork and 17-inch wheels made it possible to make the saddle low enough (770 mm), so that both the driver and the passenger can easily fit on the motorcycle. The length of the saddle is average (600 mm before bending onto the tank). There are large steel handles on the sides, which are convenient for the passenger to hold on to, but the footrests provided for him are scanty.

The clutch pressure sensor allows you to start the engine when the gear is engaged; There is a blockage from the side stop sensor. On the instrument panel there is a clearly readable gear indicator (from 1 to 5). The rotary design enrichment is located on the left steering wheel handle. The original “stop engine” is in the form of a rotating petal. But there is no kick - in its place is a water pump. So the owners will have to pray for the reliability of Chinese electrics. There was no room on the motard for a tool and a small shmurdyak. At first I didn’t believe it - I removed the saddle, for which I had to first unscrew two screws, remove the left trim, and then use a hex key to unscrew the screws securing the saddle. There is no room there, and that’s it!

Pros and cons of Lifan LF200 GY 5

Advantages

• Reliability of all main components. The motorcycle has been produced for a long time, and in the reviews of Lifan LF200 owners it is almost impossible to find anything negative about the operation of the engine, transmission or other vital elements.
• Versatility of application. Lifan LF200GY5 is perfect for the role of a utilitarian bike for all occasions.
• Power reserve. With a tank volume of 10.5 liters, the motorcycle’s gasoline consumption does not exceed 2.5 liters per 100 km (on the highway; off-road the figures will, of course, be completely different).
• Light weight. Even an inexperienced beginner can handle this bike.
• Low cost of both the motorcycle itself and its repair and maintenance.

Flaws

• Low quality of some components. Mirrors, standard circuit, fuses, light bulbs and other little things - all this can be safely changed immediately after purchase.
• Uncomfortable seat. The driver's seat quickly becomes numb, and the passenger, if there is one, slowly but surely slides off, forcing the driver onto the gas tank.
• Fragile plastic. For an enduro motorcycle, this is a rather serious disadvantage, since few people manage to completely avoid falling off-road.

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The motard accelerates very quickly to “hundreds”, but then sours: its “maximum speed” is 110 km/h.
This is probably how it was intended: the first two gears are short, the last are long, “economical”. And it’s true - you can drive up to 300 km on an 11-liter tank! The motard accelerates very quickly to “hundreds”, but then sours: its “maximum speed” is 110 km/h. This is probably how it was intended: the first two gears are short, the last are long, “economical”. And it’s true - you can drive up to 300 km on an 11-liter tank!

Over 5,000 km, we were able to collect operational statistics. The gas tank (11 l) is enough for 250–300 km, depending on the “degree of annealing”. A chain without seals (with an “Izhevsk” pitch) served a little more than this period and was replaced due to stretching. At the beginning of operation, play was noticed in the needle bearings of the pendulum, it was eliminated by broaching and it did not occur again. Also, when the gas was sharply opened in fifth gear, the clutch slipped, but this situation did not develop. The turn signal switch lock turned out to be weak, and the “oak” legs of the flashers themselves were alarming. But we must not forget that this motorcycle is the first of the experimental batch. In general, the Lifan Eagle 250 has made a decisive step forward compared to other “Chinese” models. If only there was a little more power...

Technical characteristics of Lifan Eagle 250 (manufacturer data)

The equipment for the test was provided by Kovrov OJSC ZiD. We thank the Nikolaev Korzhevins (senior and junior) for their help in conducting the test.

Mid-flying bird - Lifan Eagle 250

Description of the Lifan LF250-19P model

The assembly of some Lifan motorcycles was established in Russia at the ZiD enterprise - Plant named after. Degtyarev, who is famous primarily for his weapons, but is also involved in civilian projects.

There were almost no offers on the domestic city bike market in the lower middle price range, and the LF250-19P closed this gap, becoming a worthy alternative to used “Japanese” bikes.

Chinese vehicles rarely have an original design, which is true not only for cars, but also for motorcycles.

The LF250-19P is no exception. As samples, Chinese engineers chose 2 very popular Japanese models - Honda VTR250 and Suzuki Bandit 250, at the same time borrowing a number of design solutions.

The motorcycle was not very well suited for the Chinese market. Therefore, minor changes were made to the design before localizing production. Russian specialists slightly increased the ground clearance and increased the power of the power plant.

The Lifan LF250-19P is built on the basis of a tubular frame (birdcage type).

This made it possible not only to significantly increase strength, but also to achieve an optimal layout of the motorcycle’s components and assemblies, which, in turn, led to a balanced weight distribution and increased riding comfort for the biker.

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.

Repair and tuning

Repairing Chinese motorcycles is a rather thankless task, since they often require attention. But this is compensated by a large number of available spare parts, high maintainability, low prices and simplicity of all service operations. To repair or service the Zid 250 Enduro yourself, you do not need to be an experienced motorcycle mechanic. A manual book and a desire to understand the design of your two-wheeled friend will be enough.

Repair

Most components can be repaired, and with minimal labor and time. Parts that cannot be repaired are easily replaced with new ones, and if you wish, you can even buy a new engine without any problems. Moreover, such a purchase will not hit your budget too much! Although it’s still unlikely that you’ll have to go broke like this.

Spare parts

There are no problems finding them! Many of the necessary hardware can always be purchased from dealers, and many others are suitable for motorcycles from the brands Lifan, Zongshen, Motoland, Racer and others. They are cheap and are usually available at any motorcycle store specializing in Chinese motorcycles. The quality, of course, varies, but all the main components of the ZiD 250 Enduro are quite reliable, judging by the reviews and feedback from the owners.

Tuning

There is simply a huge amount of available tuning. Of course, it is not intended specifically for Zid Lifan motorcycles - these are all universal parts and body kit elements, inexpensive and often produced at some factory with an unpronounceable name, lost in the vastness of China. But the scope for “improvement” opens up unprecedented, and most ideas can be implemented without significant costs.

❌ Disadvantages

• In terms of dynamic characteristics, it is inferior to any Japanese analogue (but costs 5-6 times less).
• A narrow seat that is difficult to sit in for a long time.
• The rims and subframe (weak, when hit at speed in large holes, they immediately bend).
• The standard 520 chain is prone to stretching, so it is recommended to replace it after a year of intensive use.
• There is no fuel sensor, which is very inconvenient.
• The rear shock absorber may need modification, as it is unreliable and may not withstand constant driving on rough roads.
• Often there is such a defect as rattling when driving, which occurs due to the lack of valve clearance (you must manually set 0.06-0.07 for the intake and 0.08-0.09 for the exhaust).
• The license plate mount is fragile and may crack after a few drops.
• There is no oil filter, but you can buy and install a mesh (ZS CB250D-G - it costs no more than 30 rubles).

Specifications

In an attempt to move the Yamaha Yubr-125 off its pedestal, the Chinese continue to reduce the price of their motorcycles, intending to grab a piece of their audience, if not by quality, then at least by a low price. By the way, they have a good chance of doing this - the Lifan LF 150 is cheap, and for this money the buyer will receive a completely viable bike. Primitive, simple, but quite normal. It weighs about 115 kg, and subjectively seems quite light, despite the old-fashioned steel frame. The cast wheels look good, the only pity is that they are too narrow, and this somewhat spoils the appearance. But already in the basic configuration of the Lifan 150 motorcycle there is a trunk, on which, if desired, you can install a central trunk.

The 150 cc air-cooled engine loves high speeds, reaching a peak power of 12 hp. to the 8000 rpm mark. By the way, it is precisely from about 8000 rpm that unpleasant parasitic vibrations begin to be felt, which does not add pleasant emotions at all. But the bike behaves very predictably, accelerating, braking and maneuvering obediently, so you can put up with minor shortcomings. The 5-speed gearbox works smoothly, but in reviews of the Lifan 150 there is mention of a sticking 2nd gear. This problem did not manifest itself in any way on the test motorcycle.

Unfortunately, in pursuit of cost reduction, the Chinese saved on brakes and suspension. And if the front disc brake works, in principle, quite well, then the rear drum brake is of little use. It’s also difficult to say anything good about the pendants - they just exist, that’s all. Well, what else can you expect from a motorcycle for that kind of money? Against the background of all this, the 15-liter gas tank looks strange (in a good way!). In addition, Lifan 150 is not at all demanding on the quality of gasoline, and there is an opinion that it will easily run even on AI-76, if, of course, you manage to get it somewhere.

ZID 50-05 or ZID Lifan 50

Later, the ZID 50-05 model was produced at the Degtyarov Plant. It was a licensed copy of the famous Lifan 50 scooter. The Russian model was similar to its Chinese counterpart. Its main advantages include:

• powerful four-stroke Lifan 1P39FMA engine;
• air cooling of the engine;
• weight not exceeding 82 kilograms;
• strong plastic casing that is not subject to mechanical stress and corrosion;
• large bright headlight;
• presence of a passenger seat;
• the presence of spacious trunks for storing things and equipment located under the driver’s seat and dashboard;
• presence of a glove compartment for documents and small items, locked with a key.

The features of the ZID 50-05, like the Chinese scooter Lifan 50, include:

• a soft saddle that allows you not to get tired from a long journey;
• alloy wheels for wheels;
• easy to read dashboard;
• comfortable seat for the passenger;
• the presence of handles that the passenger can hold on to.

ZID 50-05 and Lifan scooter

50 were famous for their:

• small size;
• ease of control;
• increased maneuverability;
• high level of security.

The Lifan 50 scooter model and its Russian copy are suitable for beginner motorcyclists. Driving them does not require special knowledge, skills or training.

The Lifan 50 scooter is a high-quality and fashionable model of scooters that has reached a high level of popularity in the world. ZID 50-05 was also in demand because it was of high quality and quite cheap.