Dong Fang DF 250 RTB Bobber Information

[Goodbar]

Skullworkz: Thats a lot of curves to figure out, Pretty cool cover, Nice stitch work! Is it the cloth backed stretch Pleather? Man your so close.

Installed the turn signal indicators LEDs in the empty holes by speedo...
DF 250 RTB Turn sig Indicators IMG_3235 Forum.jpg

[xetaprime]

Freakin AWESOME! leather cover!

[bikerfool]

Hi goodbar, hi everyone. First of all, thanks for the welcome. I like community. It's where you can contribute and get knowledge, hence my interest in this bike. I like the Springer, but I think I am partial to the flat black original bobber. I am 5 foot 10 inches, solid build, 225 pounds, so I am concerned about the rider weight to engine power ratio. I am reading about sprockets and teeth to try to compensate, but I want to at least get that baby to cruise at 75 miles per hour, indicated. The forums have differing opinions, some say at stock it can hit 75 imph, but others say add sprockets to both front and back. Knowing that it is harder to add to the front, according to what I have read so far, is the best bet a 35 tooth in the back, and should I buy a new chain? Is there another solution, other than sprocket changes? Thank you all again, live to ride,ride to live!

[xetaprime]

Howdy bf,

I believe and correct me if I'm wrong you guys, that the front sprocket change will help start off speed and the rear will help you hit higher speeds running so I'd go with the rear first, yes? If you're only changing the rear you won't need a new chain, but a better chain can't hurt as I've hear these chains aren't the best. 35-38 sprocket depending on hills where you live etc.

Best, Xeta

[skullworkz]

Goodbar: It is actually real leather that was harvested from a leather jacket I purchased from a resale shop.
Bikerfool: You are correct about the sprockets, the rear will help you with top speed. I'm running a 35t on mine and I weigh around 180-190 on any givin day. The front sprocket is much harder to change out due to the inside area where the sprocket lies. You will have to get VERY handy with a grinder to make a different sprocket fit. With just the 35t on mine it moves pretty well and I really cant notice a differance in take off other than I doesn't wind out as fast in 1st and 2nd and in 5th gear it doesn't sound like its going to blow up. At your weight I would go with the 38t.

[skullworkz]

Oh, and Xeta thanks for the like on the tank cover

[freezerboy]

Hi goodbar, hi everyone. First of all, thanks for the welcome. I like community. It's where you can contribute and get knowledge, hence my interest in this bike. I like the Springer, but I think I am partial to the flat black original bobber. I am 5 foot 10 inches, solid build, 225 pounds, so I am concerned about the rider weight to engine power ratio. I am reading about sprockets and teeth to try to compensate, but I want to at least get that baby to cruise at 75 miles per hour, indicated. The forums have differing opinions, some say at stock it can hit 75 imph, but others say add sprockets to both front and back. Knowing that it is harder to add to the front, according to what I have read so far, is the best bet a 35 tooth in the back, and should I buy a new chain? Is there another solution, other than sprocket changes? Thank you all again, live to ride,ride to live!

Hello and welcome,
I may be completely wrong with this but
I seriously doubt that it will ever cruise @ 75 mph regardless of rear sprockets. You may manage to get it up to 70 but that would not be a speed that you would want to ride at with the engine maxed out. I never plan to ride on interstate, and highways i take are only around 55 mph which seems more geared for that caliber of the engine and bike. I hope that doesn't influence your buying decision but i believe most people that are not satisfied in the end usually buy a larger motorcycle. it all depends on your expectations and riding plans i guess. I prefer fuel efficiency over extra hp. good luck and hope to hear more from you.

[bikerfool]

freezerboy, it will not influence my buying decision. The main idea is to at least reach 60 imph, hopefully just stock, until I can afford the changes to sprockets and such. I have no business as a first time rider (caveat, rode a Suzuki 1200 a couple of times, down a stretch of freeway, but that was nearly 20 years ago...) going over sixty, but I want to be able to maneuver out of tight spots just in case. xetaprime, you stated that a 38 might be good for me if I go the sprocket changing route, I'll do more research. I understand that there is a breaking in period for the bike, so I know initially, I am just going to be riding that baby around the block. I am parking in a parking lot, any suggestions as to security measures? Initially, that is going to be my primary investment, keeping it from getting stolen. I have not really seen posts in the forum on this. I should add that the more I see the new springer model, the more I am thinking of getting it, I wonder if the materials that construct this newer model are better than the original?

[Goodbar]

Kryptonite-New-York-14P-Disc-Lock---.jpgBikerfool, Everybody buys this bike for different reasons, I bought it because of its light and thin profile, hardly takes up a bunch much more room on my garage floor than a pedal bike. Add that the cool factor, the low cost of the bike and the low insurance price of 130 a year, its easy to work on and super fun to mod. ( keeping me sane this winter) I have a big heavy Vtwin bike but could easily justify buying this street bike also, because of low cost and the small footprint it takes up in my garage and the fact its very different than my other bikes. Not that you cant get this bike to be that do everything you want by changing all sprockets, new chain, even a bigger bore engine etc. But why. The DF 250 RTB is really built for non high speed commutes and cruising around town it fills a really nice niche in my 3 types bikes. Dirt and trails with my Yamaha WR, backroads and hiways, errands ,short commutes for the DF, and freeway long distance out of town road trips with the big Vtwin. We hope you get the DF it would be a great first bike. You can lock it with this http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...Disc-Lock.aspx for 55 bucks , But 2 guys can lift this bike and throw it in the back of a pick up pretty easy.

[bowtiewagon]

It has a built in system on the forks,when you get the bike you can see it clearer. You turn the wheels fully to the left, and on the forks is a locking cylinder that keeps the forks turned to the left so noone can walk it away.I know that isn't much, but even trying to walk it up a ramp into a truck or soething makes it quite difficult when the bike is constently turning left. You can also get a titanium bike lock that can be put on the rear wheel as well. as for anything else.. not much you can do. Maybe even chain it to s tree of pole or something.
If they want it,they will get it..plain and simple. But honestly,it is rare thet you hear of a motorcycle being stolen. I mean, the theif would have to load it into a truck to get it, or run down the road with it as you cannot kick start it. So it makes for a difficult steal. Just thoughts from me. I worry more about who might want to pilfer through my saddle bags since they are not locked..but I really do not have anything in them worth stealing..so I don not even think twice about it.