Newb to the forum, seeking advise.

I'll save the intro and point you to my intor thread here:

http://www.mychinamoto.com/forums/sh...1526#post21526


After lurking around this and other chinese bike forums, I'm still a little cloudy as to what dual sport is right for me. I apologize in advance for what maybe a common type thread in this community.

I'm looking for a dual sport that I can putt around town and also take on some light camping adventures that would include dirt roads/trails, gravel, rain and 20 lbs of equipment. I'm 6'3" 180 lbs (tall and lean) so I know not every Chinese bike will be for me. The Lifan 200 I had fit me okay. For the price I couldn't complain. WOuld I have liked it a little higher? Yes, but again it was great for the price. So keeping the price under $1700, what is the "best" Chinese bike out there, for me? Suggestions?

There's a lot of names out there and I can't seem to lock down something I can "easily" find here in the states that will fit my price point, riding style and body. Suggestions?

Thanks.

Qlink XP200.

http://www.qlinkmotor.com/products/products.php?pid=76

It's the duel sport version of the XF200. You'll find many posts on the XF here and they will pertain to the XP. Also check fastdoc's posts over at chinariders.

http://www.chinariders.net/modules.php?name=Forums

I, personally, would consider the Pitster Pro XTR 250, but they are asking $2400 according to their site. I have been intrigued with them being 250cc (vs. the very common 200cc) and liquid-cooled. Personally I like the motard version, but you need something offroadable. I just saw these offered at $2k a few weeks ago, so it couldn't hurt to haggle back to that price (the owner of Pitster is the guy who answers emails), unless $1700 is as high as you can/want to go.

Or the Qlink as david3921 suggested, which should be able to be found in your price range (they were being offered as low as $1400-shipped in the US not too long ago for both the enduro and the motard)--I think the Qlink bikes are as good as you can get in the 200cc range here in the US (without considering the Suzuki DR200e--keep in mind that Qingqi manufactures the DR200e for Suzuki, as well as the Qlink bikes, so it is not just lip-service when they state 'Suzuki technology' or whatever they describe it as). Otherwise, it would be back to the Lifan-like bikes (i.e. Roketa or Kinroad) for $1100--there isn't much else out here...

http://www.pitsterpro.com/bike/overview/id/33

http://www.pitsterpro.com/bike/overview/id/31

The only problem I can forsee with Pitster is they are not DOT bikes--I would have no problem registering them in Arizona, and other more lenient states will register them, but in Indiana I don't know--you would have to find that out. Qlink are 50 state DOT, so no problem there.

http://www.powersportsmax.com/produc...ducts_id/14701
The roketa is not too bad a bike if it has the balanced engine. My Kinlon is based on the earlier DB-04 and I am happy enough now I changed the rear sprocket. Only done a thousand or so miles but half of that at least is on rutted, corrugated, pot-holed gravel roads and a fair bit is truly 'offroad' through streams, mud, ruts and off even the single track through the trees.

Battery, bolts etc. need checking as usual, but seat height is fine for me at 6'2" and 90 kg. suspension/springs a bit soft but suits me, can be clicked up and oiled up