Greatings all. I bought a DF250 Bobber and it arrived last Thursday. Finally got it running today as I needed to fabricate a new shift linkage rod that broke in transit. I work in the M/C industry and saw the Dongfang bikes at a recent tradeshow. The bobber really impressed me. I really loved the Cleveland Scooter Works little cafe racers, but their prices were silly-high.

I ordered the DF for a pitbike to replace the Kikker Hardknock I had last year. I'm a big boy: 6'-2" - 300+ lbs, so I needed a little more grunt than a Ruckus or Vespa-clone. I really liked the idea of a hydraulic frontend, disk brakes F&R, and the proper road lighting.

I was told by the importer that the engines are from Lifan, and I know there is a strong aftermarket in Japan for that engine. Just giving it a quick look-over, I see some areas that can be addressed in the aftermarker: Removal kit for the secondary air injection system (reduce the popping on decelleration and clean-up the looks), free-flow exhaust pipe without the cat, bigger carb and lord-o-mighty... a new padded seat.

When I look at this bike, I don't see the old skool bobber. I see something rather different and I will be pursueing that vision with some custom touches in the coming weeks or months. Of course I'll post my project photos here.

/M