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Today I just reached 7,500 miles on the odometer of my new Zongshen Sierra 200 motorcycle. I could not be more pleased with this machine. I average 75 mpg, and the bike will cruise at 60 mph all day long. I have not had any mechanical problems whatsoever. The Zongshen engine and the TK MV28 carburetor on this motorcycle are superb. No one should bash this motorcycle. It is an excellent bike for the price, and I would buy another one just like it in a heartbeat.
:riding:
Well that's good news! There have been a couple people around the world who have reported good things about their Sierra 200's and I'm happy your one of them! :thumbsup:
Got pics? How long have you had it and what kind of riding do you do? Have you had to replace any parts?
CC
Carl,
I bought my 2006 Zongshen Sierra 200 motorcycle new, in the crate, this summer. I have used my bike to travel extensively in Southeast Idaho and Northern Utah. I travel a lot on both paved and unpaved roads, sometimes taking short trips lasting two or three days. I also frequently ride in the Rocky Mountains on a variety of dual-track jeep trails and logging roads.
My Zongshen Sierra 200 has proven to be extremely reliable; I do not hesitate to take it anywhere. Since owning the motorcycle I have only needed to replace the headlamp bulb and two bulbs that illuminate the speedometer.
The Zongshen has proven to be a rugged motorcycle that will cruise comfortably at 55 mph for hundreds of miles on secondary roads. This motorcycle is also tough enough to take a good beating on steep, rocky, dual-track roads in the mountains. I live and ride the bike at a minimum altitude of 4,400 feet above sea level. I frequently take the motorcycle into the surrounding mountains up to altitudes above 9,000 feet of elevation, and it has always performed flawlessly.
Here are a few pictures from my recent travels.
http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...o/Andy1235.jpg
http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...Moto/jaunt.jpg
http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...leyTrip290.jpg
http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...nButtes652.jpg
:riding:
wow, that is some beautiful countryside you have got there. Fantastic stuff.
It is a good looking bike too. In Australia, Barkbusters come standard on the Zongshen, did you take yours off?
Spud,
Your pics are really great and they attest to the vast expansive beauty of Idaho and Utah... both still quite wild areas of the world! :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
If you have time, I - and I'm sure others - would LOVE to hear more about these 2-3 day trips you took out into the mountains. Maybe a short trip report?
Many folks don't really consider C-Motos as capable of long distance off-road touring even though they are ... especially when ridden carefully. Folks who have never tried a long distance trip on their C-Motos might have questions like:
- What special considerations do you need to take for overnight travel with a light bike?
- What kind of roads are best for this kind of bike?
- What kind of skillsets do I need in order to do it?
Cheers Spud! That's the stuff dreams are made of! :riding:
CC
Marty and Carl,
Thank you very much for your kind remarks. Indeed, I consider myself very blessed to live in such a beautiful land.
Yes, my Zong did come with fork protectors and barkbusters; however, I decided not to attach them. I think that my bike looks better, weighs less, and is easier to clean and maintain without them.
I have said many nice things about my 2006 Zonshen Sierra 200. However, to give a fair report on the motorcycle I should mention a few things I dislike. First of all, this motorcycle is heavy for its size; the manufacturer claims a dry weight of 298 pounds (135 kg). I have not personally weighed my motorcycle, but this figure seems accurate to me. For the dual-track trails I enjoy riding, this is an acceptable weight. Nevertheless, it is not fun to turn this bike around on a tight trail, and I certainly don't enjoy lifting it after I drop it. However, I do enjoy taking trips of several hundred miles on the secondary roads to visit nearby towns and enjoy their beautiful scenery. Over the highway the extra weight and wide saddle on this motorcycle make it much more comfortable to ride, especially when the Idaho winds are blowing at 25 miles-per-hour!
I am generally very pleased with the quality of this motorcycle's components. This motorcycle is very solidly constructed, and this undoubtedly adds to its weight. However, I do plan to make several alterations to this bike. Although it is adequate, the left switchgear could be nicer. Also, after I replaced the incandescent turn signal bulbs with LEDs, I noticed that the turn signal lenses are very flimsy. I bought some replacement turn signals, and I plan to install them at some convenient time in the future. Finally, the tires on this bike are an unusual size for a dual-sport motorcycle, especially the rear tire (130/90-15). I have found many options available for street tires, and the Cheng Shin Barracuda tires that came with my motorcycle are very nice. However, I have found only one option available in a DOT knobby rear tire, the Kingstone 130/90-15 tire that is available only from Zongshen. Fortunately, this is a very good tire; it grips well in the dirt and wears well on the street. I am now ready to replace this tire after 7,000 miles.
I did forget to mention earlier that I needed to replace the original chain after 4,000 miles; I have installed a Tsubaki 428HQR chain that has stretched very little over the last 3,500 miles.
I paid less than $1,200 in United States currency for delivery of my motorcycle; I consider it an exceptional value at that price.
Spud :riding:
Hey SpudRider,
That's a nice bike you have there. I've always liked the orange versions. I'm glad to hear that you've had good luck with it. My experience with the Zongshen 200 has not been so pleasant. My bike is the Qlink version built by Zongshen for Qlink. It's called the X-Ranger 200. Just after getting the bike new from an out of state dealer, I noticed that the frame was bent. I took the bike to a local Qlink dealer. After having my new bike for over 2 months Qlink refused my claim. The dealership also damaged the bike. When I picked it up the paint was damaged and the electric starter no longer worked. I brought it home and it's been sitting in my shop ever since. Not sure it would even run now as it's been sitting for over 2 years. My first chinese motorcycle was parted out and I ended up making a profit. That profit was used to pay for the Qlink. I originally paid $800 for the bike but now I have no money whatsoever in it.
My question is, have you found a source for parts yet? After reading your posts, I now have a renewed interest in my bike. I'd love to have another bike to use for friends, my daughter and for lighter dualsport rides. Any ideas how to fix the bent frame? My thought is to buy a $75 frame bender from Dennis Kirk. The bikes very similar to the Yamaha TW200. Hopefully, some of the TW parts will interchange with it. The bottom picture shows the bent frame.
Hey Carl! I hope you've been well! :thumbsup:
SamM
http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/7861/cimg0093iv9.jpg
http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/1047/cimg0092qa0.jpg
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/328/cimg0106rh0.jpg
My Lifan GY6 looked similar, they just weren't very accurate when they assembled the rear subframe I suppose, but it didn't affect the handling of the bike... It was only the rear part where the seat and tail lights mount, we bent it with a pipe, it's pretty close now...:crazy: Coast to Coast likely would have helped me out but I wasn't concerned with it and never mentioned it to them. I could only tell by looking at the reflector under the license plate compared to the tire.
Sam,Quote:
Originally Posted by SamM
It is very nice to hear from you! I bought my 2006 Zongshen as surplus stock, new, in-the-crate, without a warranty. At the price I paid, I did not expect a warranty. Also, I had read a lot of reports where owners, such as you, had difficulty getting Chinese manufacturers to honor warranties. Therefore, I was content to get a very low price, which compensated for the lack of a warranty. Fortunately, I have had very good luck with my Zongshen 200GY-2.
I have found Zongshen America to be a very good source for parts. In fact, I have a parts order being processed at this moment. Although your motorcycle is badged as a Qlink, I strongly encourage you to contact Zongshen America to get any parts you need for your motorcycle.
http://www.zongshenamerica.com/
Compared to a Japanese motorcycle, the Zongshen parts are very inexpensive. For example, I ordered six foam air filter elements from Zongshen America for $0.75 each; the best wholesale price I have found for the identical (or nearly identical) Yamaha TW200 foam air filter element is around $4.50 each.
I am not an expert, so I cannot offer any experienced advice regarding how to fix your bent frame. However, I am sure that many chinabike owners here, and on other forums, will be glad to offer you some sound advice. I encourage you to get your Zong back on the road; it is a great little motorcycle!
Spud :riding:
My Zongshen is also a little crooked at the rear frame component, under the luggage rack. However, the rear wheel and swingarm are perfectly aligned, so the handling is not affected. I am not concerned either; I expected to find some minor cosmetic imperfections when I bought a Chinese motorcycle. :chinese: However, my Zongshen 200GY-2 is very solidly constructed, and this is more important to me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim
Looking at the pictures of Sam’s bike, it does appear that the rear wheel is canted a bit. How does your bike handle, Sam? I am sure someone knows the best way to get that frame straightened out for you.
Spud :riding:
Sam, good to hear from you! Spud, good to hear that your Zongshen is going strong. I had a bad experience with my Jetmoto, and never got another Chinese bike. However, I have found lower priced Zongshens through Lewpack, and am intrigued to possibly get a bike along the lines of all those guys who got cheap Lifans and had good experiences. Lewpack has them for $1300 or something like that.
Sam, you could probably figure out how to part out a "parts" Zongshen, and break even.
culcane,
I hope you are doing well! You make a very good point. You know my MO. When I parted out my 2006 Viva, I made over $2000. This was more than enough to pay myself back for the Viva and then pay off the Zongshen. So I am looking at a free bike.
Honestly, the Zongshen is a nice bike but as Spud pointed out it is tweeked quite a bit. Qlink said the bike was wrecked and that the selling dealership must have failed to take care of it when they had it. That voided the warranty. Their other thought was that I wrecked it and was trying to pull a fast one on them. I never wrecked the bike! I'm thinking that it must have taken a very heavy blow in order to have this much damage. It was either dropped or something was dropped on it at the Qlink warehouse. I was just the unlucky person that ended up with it.
Spud,
It was great hearing your Zongshen story. I guess you inspired me to finally do something with mine. If you need any parts, contact me! Watch the bolts on your bike. They are very soft.
SamM
I just passed 10,000 miles on the odometer of my Zongshen Sierra 200GY-2. I have not experienced any mechanical problems, and the engine is still purring like a kitten. :thumbsup:
I do all the maintenance on my motorcycle, and I have also made a few modifications to it. If readers are interested in reading more about my motorcycle, they should visit the website below and search for threads containing “Zongshen Sierra.”
http://chinariders.net/modules.php?n...=viewforum&f=1
Incidentally, I have not found any soft bolts on my motorcycle. Perhaps this problem was limited to the earlier, Qlink X-Ranger 200 bike?
Spud :riding:
Spud,
That's great news! Most of the folks in China have seen more than a couple of these explode under heavy use so perhaps the export versions were spec'd differently? Either way... glad you enjoy your ride. Been on any good trips with it recently?
CC
Spud,Quote:
Originally Posted by SpudRider
What chain length did you install on the bike?
Blue Fox
The Zongshen 200GY-2 sold in the United States employs a 124-link drive chain. If you wish, you can learn more about the Tsubaki 428HQR drive chain I purchased by reading the following thread.Quote:
Originally Posted by bluefox
http://chinariders.net/modules.php?n...ewtopic&t=7356
Spud :riding:
Hello Spudrider,
I was wandering how is your sierra 200 still doing? i just ordered a brand new one just like yours, 2006, from a miami dealer. I saw your pictures and I was sold into the idea that this must be a good bike. I am not planing to ride it as much as you have so, if it performs have as good as yours, then I will be very satisfied. I was concern with my weight as I am 215 Lbs, 6'2" but was impressed when I saw the bike at the showroom and realized it is pretty tall. I wished I was able to test it but I met a guy who is 230 Lbs and he owns one and he said he is very happy with it. Hope to hear about your new adventures on the Sierra 200.
adios,
cloudrider~
Congratulations on acquiring your new Zong. :thumbsup: My bike is running very well with 22,600 miles on the odometer. :icon10: If you want to learn more about maintaining, and modifying your Zong, you might enjoy reading some on the threads in the "Zong Stickie" at China Riders. :mwink:Quote:
Originally Posted by cloudrider
http://chinariders.net/modules.php?n...ewtopic&t=8673
Spud
Thank you Spud. My biggest concern with the bike is the rear wheel. Mine will come with the standard street tires and I have read that finding off-road tires for this bike is hard due to the odd size rear rim. Do you know where I could find that rear off-road tire? I read that you changed your swingarm to adjust to a 18" rim wheel. I am not very mechanically inclined so I don't want to get my new bike and start modifying it from the start. Any suggestions?
thanks,
cloudrider~
If you want to purchase a rear, dual sport tire, you might try contacting forum member Phil at China Riders; he is a Zongshen dealer. :mwink:Quote:
Originally Posted by cloudrider
Another good option is to lace an 18-inch rim to the Zong's rear hub. Using this method, I recently built a custom, 18-inch wheel for another Zong owner. You can read about the custom wheel at the following thread. :icon10:
http://www.chinariders.net/modules.p...&p=89810#89810
Spud :riding:
Hi Spud,
Thank you for all your help. I sent you a message via PM. Let me know if you got it.
Adios
c~
You're welcome. :icon10: Indeed, I got your PM, and I have sent you a response. Good luck with your decision. :thumbsup:Quote:
Originally Posted by cloudrider
Spud :riding:
Any word on Kingstone 130/90-15 tires ..
To the best of my knowledge, the Kingstone, size 130/90-15, dual sport tires are not available for sale in the United States of America.Quote:
Originally Posted by alonsolatouche
Spud
Nice on! Can you post some photos of that Zongshen Sierra? I want to see it. :D Nice drive buddy. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by SpudRider
Hi spudrider i sent you a doubt by PM.
And a picture of my rechange sierra with yamaha stickers.If you want more photos and ask me about changes you can.
The image in next link
http://www.subirimagenes.com/fotos-2...5-6318875.html
Your bike looks great. Thank you for providing the link to the photograph. :thumbsup:
Spud :icon10:
Hello, how is your bike holding up these days?
My Zong is still running well with over 52,000 miles on the odometer. :thumbsup:Quote:
Originally Posted by love9boy
Spud :icon10:
hey spud i have a lifan 200cc and my clutch cam broke i cant find a new one