Lifan Pony 100- Chinese Grom-like bike - $999 shipped in the US. Anybody have one?

Pics or no bike ever came :deal:

Lol well in that case the bike won't arrive for awhile. Lol

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Originally Posted by dirtbiketravel

Any review about this one?

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There are a few videos on youtube from around the world, but they are just starting to catch on here in the US. One of the guys that Scottro and I know through a Facebook group lives in Indianapolis and loves it so far (he had under 100 miles) according to the few posts he wrote.

I could imagine it would serve a niche in your business in Vietnam as a rental for newbie/timid/smaller riders, perhaps, and would have a decent quality to it for such a venture (as well as simple repairs).

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Originally Posted by scottro

Lol well in that case the bike won't arrive for awhile. Lol

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I find it interesting that you already feel the bike is a little more stout than your DAX clone just from the materials perspective. I eagerly await the actual ´arrival' of your bike, however....

Here are a couple assembly photos. I've got about 10 more, but I only have "GIMP" on this PC and not Photoshop, and it's just different enough to really frustrate me.

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Couple more...

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The graphics are unspeakably fugly. I'm trying to picture a group of corporate-types sitting around a conference table and saying "Yeah! I REALLY like that design !"

Also, the exhaust pipe routing is really dumb for a dual sport. Expect to dent or crush it your first time riding in a section of rocky trails.

The steel frame it shipped in is the most solid I've disassembled and I've unboxed/assembled several Chinese bikes over the years. They actually took the time to weld nuts to the backside of the angle irons, so you only need one wrench to take the bolted sections apart.

However -- every possible edge, blind handhold, and tie-wire end was razor sharp. Wear gloves or be sure your tetanus shot is up-to-date.

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HAHA, laughed so very hard to that corporate type yeah. I think 18 years about teenagers are supposed to buy this, so someone has thought the decals are cool. I can imagine the decals would be complete if the model name would be "hooligan", which needs to be decalled with other decals.

Thanks of the pics, by the way, was a very good posting.

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Originally Posted by scottro

Also, the exhaust pipe routing is really dumb for a dual sport.

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Actually, pipe routing is quite decent...

...if by "dual sport" you consider curling and lacrosse. :icon10:

This caused a lot of laughter when Lifan's GY-5 first came out :lol8:

Although the auspicious feature could be removed far easier Attachment 17762 :naughty:

Haha. I spent some time in Malaysia in the 1990s and saw a bike with graphics that said "Blood Donor". I'm assuming the owner or graphics designer was going for something more dangerous-sounding than "Dare Devil" or "Crash Test Dummy."

I think I would rather be a 'cool boy' than a blood donor any day! :icon10:

I noticed on your Pony's tires, they appear to have a little 'trail' vs. what the Skyteam clones come with? You could probably explore on it right out of the box.

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Originally Posted by culcune

I think I would rather be a 'cool boy' than a blood donor any day! :icon10:

I noticed on your Pony's tires, they appear to have a little 'trail' vs. what the Skyteam clones come with? You could probably explore on it right out of the box.

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They're Duros. I think they're Duro Medians. Not bad. The bike also has nice one-piece aluminum wheels.

So I did the final prep, double-checked the bolts, charged the battery and changed oil. Cranked the starter for a second and it started right up. The idle was a tad slow, so I turned it up. I put about 2 miles on the bike and it runs and rides very smoothly. I hit 45mph on a short flat stretch. It could probably hit 50 w/ a longer, more aggressive run (after break-in).

Suspension is soft and cushy. Power delivery is smooth and soft too. It might wheelie in first, but nowhere else w/o a popped clutch. The bike is super quiet. It feels like it's very restricted in the intake/exhaust areas. An open pipe might wake it up a bit. The weight bias isn't all over the back wheel like on a CT70 clone, so to me the bike feels much better in the corners.

The bike shifts smoothly, but the 4-down shift pattern kinda stinks. The electric start sounds like gravel in a tin can.

The headlight is halogen and VERY BRIGHT ! Turn signals and tail/brake light are very bright also. No charcoal canister. There is an air "pump" tucked nicely under the tank. The digital Speedo is bright and easy to read.

So far so good. Seems like a lot of bike for $999 shipped.

My duro street tires on the TMEC have over 10k miles of commuting and still look good (and ride fine). However, the bike is now just sitting as I have been commuting on the TGB scooter (the huge delivery trunk, and the way a scooter rides, has been spoiling me!). A friend needs a battery for her 50cc Chinese BWS scooter, so I might just give the TMEC's battery to her, or at least loan it to her (it is a gel-cell battery). Anyway--off subject--Duros are good tires!! I would like one of these Pony bikes, but I need a top case at least as large as the one on my TMEC, and then it would be a summer bike (actually about 6 straight months) due to the fact that I can throw my helmet and jacket(s) in the trunk and forget about them (I work in the state prison, and there are no lockers for our stuff, so it stays in the vehicle and the fuller my case is, the more stressed I get).

I got out and rode another few miles. I'm still very pleased w/ the bike overall. 'Still getting used to the shift pattern. I live in a housing plan at the junction of 2 cul-de-sacs with a road coming in from a "main" road. So I've got an approx 1/4 mile straightaway in one direction and an approx 1/8th mile straightaway in another. At the end of each straight is a big wide circular turnaround. Most neighbors realize I'm harmless and just testing my toys. There are 1-2 who are just angry at the world.

None of my bikes are terribly loud, so on a cold day when everyone's inside, I can take as many runs as I want. Well, today was warm and there were lots of people out doing final lawn work before winter. The Pony is whisper quiet, so the unfriendly neighbors just frowned as I rode past (going thru gears, testing brakes, etc.) I got out the Dax to test the 17 tooth countershaft I installed and it's just loud enough that the most unfriendly neighbor started pointing and flailing about. I figured the cops would eventually be called, and I didn't want to talk to them about much, so I went to my backyard and shut the gate.

I received a Tbolt XR100 intake kit and 22mm Mikuni carb today. It looks like it's a near-direct fit for the Pony, but I've got a stronger urge to adapt it to my KLX140 or the Dax.

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Originally Posted by scottro

I received a Tbolt XR100 intake kit and 22mm Mikuni carb today. It looks like it's a near-direct fit for the Pony, but I've got a stronger urge to adapt it to my KLX140 or the Dax.

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You know you want to try them on the Pony! But, all kidding aside, I would be interested to read about how they do on either one of your other bikes, too.

I'm accustomed to "unusual" internet dealerships, so this shouldn't have been a surprise. I need to email the seller with the bike's make, model, color, year, and VIN and my name and address to get my MSO.

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Originally Posted by scottro

I'm accustomed to "unusual" internet dealerships, so this shouldn't have been a surprise. I need to email the seller with the bike's make, model, color, year, and VIN and my name and address to get my MSO.

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ASPCUSA are supposed to be easy to work with and reliable, so you should have no problems. But it does seem a little odd that they sent you the bike, and you have to email them with details of the bike they sent you? Unless, of course, they drop ship right from Lifan in California, which would explain why you have to give the seller the details.

I wanted to ask--did they deliver to your home or a commercial dock? Do they offer home delivery? The price is up to $1200 now, but still states on the ad to a commercial dock.

http://www.apscusa.com/SALE-Lifan-Po...nly_p_443.html

I wonder if I can use you as a reference to get the $999 price :confused1:

I'm not sure how much luck you'd have using me as a reference to get the $999 price ? LOL They might have just been clearing out 2014 models. Couldn't hurt to ask if they'd sell you one for $999 tho.

They brought it to my house and unloaded into the bed of my truck. The people at the local YRC shipping office are always really nice to deal with, and don't have a problem unloading into a truck bed, so maybe it's just them. It's def worth asking when they call you though. ASPCUSA emailed me back and said the registration paperwork is on it's way. Unlikely I can get a PA plate for it tho.

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Originally Posted by scottro

Unlikely I can get a PA plate for it tho.

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I know I have seen the Pony on the annual PDF that is put out by the EPA/DOT for all street-legal bikes--not sure which year, may be '14 when I saw it, but I know I did see it and was wondering what 100cc bike they were introducing here in the US. I thought maybe a weird displacement scooter or a pit bike, but the pit bike would not make sense since the list is for 49-state street legal bikes (they list California CARB bikes, too). Then it made sense a few months ago when these started getting grassroots PR via motorsports forum groups--the point is, I KNOW I I saw the Pony on the PDF as getting EPA/DOT approval, so perhaps that could convince the state if you print out the PDF if they initially deny the Pony a plate?

Unfortunately PA is predisposed to deny bikes who's VINs start with L and that are not on PA's list (that hasn't been updated in 3-4 yrs). I don't live near the state capitol to plead my case w/ anyone who can change the list. And PA has a habit of keeping your title and plate fees and sales tax whether you get registered or not. On top of notary fees, that would be approx $250-300. Basically, I would have to get the bike insured, fill out forms, fork over the money, wait 6 weeks and get denied. Lol
Been there. Done that. Hello Vermont. Lol

According to this article PA sends all the application for a title in PA that are made in China to Harrisburg, according to this article in dealer news dated 2008, so its old news.
http://www.dealernews.com/dealernews...-chinese-bikes
The “special unit” in Harrisburg, according to the article, check the VIN with the database of the NHSTA, you can do that yourself, and here is the database online.
http://www.nhtsa.gov/apps/manufacturer/index.htm
Federal Regulations require that all manufactures selling vehicle in the US submit documents to the NHSTA, Lifan had, so as long as they have there is no reason that your motorcycle cannot be titled.
As long as it has a label on it stating it meets all FMVSS and the manufacturer submitted the required documents. That vehicle has an EPA certificate as well, that is totally different, but also can be verified online with the EPA.
Many of the manufactures selling Chinese made models, did so without meeting federal regulations, many states never bothered to check. PA and some others do and as long as the vehicle meets federal regulations you can get a title for it and then a license plate.
If PA refuses to title it then they would have to have a specific reason and there would have to be a specific law to justify that, to the best of my knowledge there is none.

I cannot imagine any State, in this case a Commonwealth, charging a fee before the title was issued. Has anyone else had that experience, having to pay first, typically the fee is charged when they actually give you what you are paying for.

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Originally Posted by MJH

I cannot imagine any State, in this case a Commonwealth, charging a fee before the title was issued. Has anyone else had that experience, having to pay first, typically the fee is charged when they actually give you what you are paying for.

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Someone had just such an experience in PA a couple weeks ago, but with one of the Hawk enduros, not the Pony--first post http://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=15432

According to the article PA is only enforcing federal laws, based on that post the Hawk is not legal for some reason to sell in the USA.
I still cannot image any one paying fees for nothing “Hundreds of extra fees”.
The dealer in Texas could title the bike there in Texas to the dealership and then if it had a Texas title it only then needs to be transferred to a PA title. Point is that if it is legal to sell in the USA it is legal in all 50 states. The reason that does not happen is because it cost more and the only reason it is not done that way.
Some states, so I have heard, like New Jersey will not title vehicles for out of state dealers, they require that any new vehicle titled in the state have a dealership in that state. That makes sense since all dealership get licenses based on them actually having a service center and technician.
I find a lot of humor in all the misrepresenting….

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Originally Posted by MJH

According to the article PA is only enforcing federal laws, based on that post the Hawk is not legal for some reason to sell in the USA.
I still cannot image any one paying fees for nothing “Hundreds of extra fees”.
The dealer in Texas could title the bike there in Texas to the dealership and then if it had a Texas title it only then needs to be transferred to a PA title. Point is that if it is legal to sell in the USA it is legal in all 50 states. The reason that does not happen is because it cost more and the only reason it is not done that way.
Some states, so I have heard, like New Jersey will not title vehicles for out of state dealers, they require that any new vehicle titled in the state have a dealership in that state. That makes sense since all dealership get licenses based on them actually having a service center and technician.
I find a lot of humor in all the misrepresenting….

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Haha Glad you find humor.

In this case, it's actually you who are misrepresenting.

Yes. PA "SHOULD" title and plate Chinese bikes w/o a problem. In fact, I am a resident of PA. I have tried titling EPA and DOT certified Chinese bikes within the last 2 yrs, I can tell you in my first hand experience that PA DMV doesn't operate the way you say they "SHOULD". At best it's a crap-shoot. At worst, in my personal experience, they cash your check and deny you. If you send our DMV a payment, it will be cashed.

If you need to see a newer link than 2008, here's an official PA Bulletin from 2012. The PA bulletin is where plate issuing agents get their info, and 2012 is the most recent time L VINS were discussed in the official PA bulletin.

http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Public/DV...tin%2012-2.pdf

Here's what happens: You take your MSO to the notary/registration service facility. The nice Notary takes your paperwork, gives you some additional forms and notices the L VIN. Or something pops up on their computer to alert them. They will pull out the above document and if your bike is on the approved list, congrats. You get your plate and registration.
If not, then all your paperwork, proof of insurance and payment get sent to the state's Special Services Unit where it can take 6 weeks for them to deny your application. Or in rare cases, approve your application. You can point to DOT and EPA and NTHSA websites all day long. The Notary gets his or her official information from the bulletin.

You may have paid with a check or w/ credit card thru the Notary. But your fees for title, plate, and sales tax will be sent. The Notary will generally add at least their title processing fee of $50 and whatever fees for any other paperwork.

If you read the bulletin closely, you'll even see that your scenario of titling the bike in TX and transferring to PA will require Special Services Unit approval... or .... denial.

"Title applications for two- and three-wheeled vehicleswith a VIN beginning with "L" where the proof ofownership is an MCO or a title issued by anotherjurisdiction must be submitted to the Special ServicesUnit for examination and no temporary registration maybe issued for these vehicles.As MCOs for additional makes and models of vehiclesare found to be in compliance with NHTSA filings, youwill be notified via future bulletins."

In a nutshell, you are telling people how things "SHOULD" work in Pennsylvania-- "to your knowledge", from what you "can imagine", a 2008 article you found and a couple gov't websites.

And I'm telling people how things "DO" work in PA -- based on my recent personal experience.

I also wish things worked the way they "SHOULD".

Hey there is no dealer that would do that, title the bike and then ship it to you in their name, it’s a liability risk for them. If they did it would no longer be new, it be an out of state title…was but is no longer an untitled import. It is possible that they realize that some states are titling vehicle that are not legal to title in the USA? That could be happening just as there are states letting companies sell illegal vehicles across state lines.
If you purchase an imported vehicle without a title then it up to you to make sure it is legal to title. PA as I wrote is only enforcing federal regulations, there was nothing new in the 2012 PDF, seems obvious that before you buy it you should check the NHSTA database and make sure the manufacturer is listed, before you start writing checks, there is also nothing in that doc about non-refundable fees.

Hey, you're the one who said this:

"The dealer in Texas could title the bike there in Texas to the dealership and then if it had a Texas title it only then needs to be transferred to a PA title. Point is that if it is legal to sell in the USA it is legal in all 50 states. The reason that does not happen is because it cost more and the only reason it is not done that way. "

There's nothing in the document that says they WILL refund fees either.

Lifan's VIN decoding scheme was added the NHTSA site in 2009, but was never added to the list provided in the PA Bulletin.

In real life, PA does things differently than you can imagine or to your knowledge. I knew PA wouldn't plate it when I ordered it because: 1. it's not on their list and 2. I've attempted this before. Thus I will not apply and I will not send them money because they they didn't refund the money the last time I tried. This comes straight from the letter I received: "Any negotiable checks or money orders submitted with the application have been deposited by the bureau."

At any rate, you are free to believe whatever you choose and offer your opinion whenever you want. If folks have concerns about plating a Chinese bike in PA, they are welcome to PM me.