Regal Raptor DD250G-2N (2011)

[soberpete]

I like the review so far Dewsnap. I hope that you can get some of the problems sorted out quickly and easily; The gear problem sounds like the most frustrating one to me. ZMC888 sorted a bunch of problems out on his old Raptor and made it into a decent bike. He and I haven't even clocked 150km on the YBR so far but not a single problem yet. By 500km the pro list should be much bigger than the con list for that bike. I don't mean to rub it in... I'm just comparing... I'll shut up now.
I think that your Raptor is much better looking than the YBR. I like matching red rim tires and suspension. You even got a matching helmet! . If only the YBR was a twin.

[Nuhaus]

The engine gets very hot. Gives out a weird burning smell after semi-long runs. Splutters more when the engine is hot.

My Honda Rebel is on it's 2nd replacement motor (long story). With the 1st replacement motor, it would give a strange smell as well. My friend Jim and I chalked it up to the paint they used on the motor, and it went away after a few weeks.

It backfires all the time. Especially when coming off the throttle.

Have you talked to the mechanic about this? It should not be happening with a new bike, especially a fuel injected one.

Finding neutral and 1st gear is a real pain in the arse. I've had the mechanics tweak it 3 times already. It has also popped out of gear a few times leaving the engine racing.

Yeh, that seems to be a pervascent problem with the Chinese versions of this engine. Both my friends with DD250E bikes reported the same thing. However, a year later the one bike is running smoothly (the other was sold). Hopefully with some more adjustment and a careful break in period your bike's problems will get sorted out.

My bike's motor is not a Lifan, but I had similar trouble with it until it finally conked out and I had the transmission completely replaced. The good news is that the new transmission is very smooth, so it CAN be fixed.

Love the pics! Great to see you enjoying it.

[ZMC888]

The engine gets very hot. Gives out a weird burning smell after semi-long runs. Splutters more when the engine is hot.

Mine gets hot, make sure you change to 20W50 oil ASAP, burning smell is common with new Chinese bikes' paint and plastic, goes away after a few thousand kilometers. Could be cooling system problem.

It backfires all the time. Especially when coming off the throttle

Maybe EFI is running rich (sensor)?

Rear brake isn't very sharp.

Bleed brake system?

The engine cover doesn't fit together very well. There are areas where the gap is a couple of mm's apart. Long term could cause problems.

Sides of engine top are just covers (with two allen bolts on each side), can be removed for better air flow, but water can get into plugs in the rain.

Cables rub on the frame.

Reroute/zip-tie cables, or don't stress it.

Finding neutral and 1st gear is a real pain in the arse. I've had the mechanics tweak it 3 times already. It has also popped out of gear a few times leaving the engine racing.

Mine did that, make sure you change firmly into 2nd to stop it popping back into neutral, difficulty finding neutral and 2nd gear could be a clutch adjustment problem.

[braillce]

Hey, since I have the DD250G (3000km as of today) I can't talk for all pbs, but at least for some.

Throttle isn't as responsive as it should be. Splutters for a split second before giving any feedback when downshifting.

?? no pb here, dunno.

The engine gets very hot. Gives out a weird burning smell after semi-long runs. Splutters more when the engine is hot.
It backfires all the time. Especially when coming off the throttle.

Yes it gets hot, (no cooling for mine) I had a weird smell too but disappeared fast (+/- 500km).
No spluttering nor backfiring with carb, except when cold & not choked long enough, dunno.

Finding neutral and 1st gear is a real pain in the arse. I've had the mechanics tweak it 3 times already. It has also popped out of gear a few times leaving the engine racing.

Yes, finding neutral is tough at 1st, gets easier with a few km and practice, I wasn't happy with how they fix it at 1st, then they changed it and still wasn't perfect for some time. But I don't remember having the pb since after 1000km.
It sometimes ends up on neutral when u pass 2nd, (almost never on other gears, or u may have a hic) I'm afraid u're gonna have to get used to this one, and still don't pull to hard on the lever, it it fails to pass 2nd, do it in 2 times.
I had an annoying pb cause I was pulling too hard.

Rear brake isn't very sharp.

No, it isn't.
But it still blocks the wheel if u push it hard, does it not?

Engine seems to be screaming above 90kmph.

I'd recommend not to push the bike above 100km/h before like 5000km.
After that, let it scream...

[dewsnap]

Much appreciated. I can go to the mechanics now at least sounding like i know what i'm talking about.

A true layman question, i've heard it mentioned a few times in this forum but what does it mean if a bike is running rich? Or the opposite?

I went to the mechanic again yesterday about the leaking cooling fluid. He just tightened the bolts and said it'll be ok. Today though, pink cooling fluid is running down the engine again. I've tried to tighten the bolts myself but they wont go any tighter. Any ideas?
Could i hunt down a better quality seal? I really wouldn't know where to look. Here's a pic of where the liquid is coming from. (2 tubes coming out the side, it's the top one just where the pipe connects by the two bolts)

P1060543.jpg

On a positive note. I've discovered that if i let the clutch out about half way then the bike drops into neutral or 1st gear. It seems strange but hopefully i wont have any more problems finding the gears.

Here's a pic that shows the small gap under the engine quite clearly...

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Chain and shocks

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rear view
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[dewsnap]

I might as well post more random pics of the bike for any who might be interested.

dials

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tank

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Radiator

P1060547.jpg

EFI?

P1060550.jpg

[dewsnap]

rear wheel, disc and shocks

P1060551.jpg

side view

P1060552.jpg

troublesome lever

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front end
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[ZMC888]

Here's a pic that shows the small gap under the engine quite clearly...

You don't need to worry about those gaps, those are all covers, one is the chain cover under which you'll find the front sprocket. The other one houses the magneto, neither of these areas has flowing engine oil.

what does it mean if a bike is running rich? Or the opposite?

Rich means that the bike is unable to burn all the fuel it is getting, lean means the bike is not getting enough fuel. Or you look at the other way round.

[dewsnap]

the two horns i added look pretty cool under the headlight. It also covers up the cheap looking Raptor badge.
P1060558.jpg

I'm sure all the photo's are getting boring now so i'll stop adding them for a while.

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[dewsnap]

Thanks again ZMC.