Dong Fang DF 250 RTB Bobber Information

**birdmove** · 06-28-2013, 02:28 AM

The last motorcycle I replaced the tires on was a 2005 KLR650 Kawasaki dual sport. I got lucky, or maybe the, what we used to call trials universal tires, aren't as critical. I replaced both and test rode the bike up to 70mph or so, with no sign of any balance problems. By the way, I spooned a set of Duro brand tires, which were very reasonable in price, and seemed to handle and wear well.

**axa** · 06-28-2013, 02:41 AM

ya i didnt think it mattered, its such a hard ride i cant see the wheel off balance doing much.
im not sure ive even hit 60 yet, i dont much like riding on the freeways, this aint my NSR, sometimes i feel like the winds just treats me like a parachute ready to blow me over..
i cant see how others do 80

**barnone** · 06-28-2013, 03:06 AM

Originally Posted by axa

so has any one bothered to check if their wheels are balanced?

axa,
I'll check my rear wheel when I swap out the sprocket. I have a wheel balance & truing stand plus a spoke torque wrench.
Front wheel when ever.
The label on the bike says 40 psi front and rear, is that what you are running?
My seals on the spokes must be good because the tires had plenty of air in them when I uncrated the bike.

I'm off to Houston for a family reunion so will be bike less until next week.

**barnone** · 06-28-2013, 03:11 AM

Originally Posted by birdmove

The last motorcycle I replaced the tires on was a 2005 KLR650 Kawasaki dual sport. I got lucky, or maybe the, what we used to call trials universal tires, aren't as critical. I replaced both and test rode the bike up to 70mph or so, with no sign of any balance problems. By the way, I spooned a set of Duro brand tires, which were very reasonable in price, and seemed to handle and wear well.

I didn't bother balancing the Distanzia on my XT225 but did do it to my W650 with Distanzias also. The back tire/wheel was way off so I kept moving the tire around the rim to get it close then used some weights on the spokes. The front was just fine.

**barnone** · 06-28-2013, 03:22 AM

I got the sprocket for my ex 2010 DF at http://www.oldbikebarn.com/Motorcycl...?search=JTR279 and I assume the 2012 DF is the same.
I'll know in a week or two as I ordered a 35 tooth from them the other day.

You would have though that the new models would have a bigger rear sprocket but ...

I can go up my steep gravel driveway in second gear on the DF easily but the Ural and W650 both need to be in first gear.

**GonzoX** · 06-28-2013, 07:51 AM

Originally Posted by freezerboy

Nobody is dissing anything Vince. Since you have owned both now, maybe you can shed some light on this down the road. The only improvement that i can see though is that its a 2012 and not 2 years older. Sorry you misunderstood the edited post.

To those who did not read the post before it was edited, i simply stated my own opinion on my gas tank and that also i have seen the word "improved" used many times when reading about the 2012 model. Yet when they first came out in January other posters here pointed out the slight differences and none appeared to be any kind of improvement at all. The gas tank & way it mounts on my 2010 has absolutely no issues and all. 99% of the problems that you find in this thread related to the 2010 gas tanks was due to owners over-tightening studs when re-installing.

Try not to take it personally, but i do want to know about these improvements.

Sorry if I dissagree but I did absolutely nothing to my 2010 tank and did not mess with the studs and it started leaking out of the blue at the 9 month ownership mark.

I can only go by my own experience but even scooter depot admited to me over the phone that that new tank design was to fix an issue with the original one. He said they dont even make the old one any more for that reason. And I tend to believe them.

Just my two cents.

And just FYI birdmove, there is a thread search option here and it is invaluable on such a big thread.

**birdmove** · 06-28-2013, 09:05 AM

Thanks, GonzoX. I'll find the thread search feature. I had a 1984 Sportster XLX1000 that sprung a small pinhole leak in the bottom of the tank after only about 2 years. I had bought it new. Must have had a bad coating in the tank, or a bad section of metal. I was able to fix the leak with a rivet. I still think Dong and Sunny Motorsports were risking a big liability judging by the number of gas tank leaks. I'm sure they could have found a way to modify the old tank to make it safer. I would feel better buying the new model after what I read on this forum.

**axa** · 06-28-2013, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by barnone

I got the sprocket for my ex 2010 DF at http://www.oldbikebarn.com/Motorcycl...?search=JTR279 and I assume the 2012 DF is the same.
I'll know in a week or two as I ordered a 35 tooth from them the other day.

You would have though that the new models would have a bigger rear sprocket but ...

I can go up my steep gravel driveway in second gear on the DF easily but the Ural and W650 both need to be in first gear.

jee, why would you do that? that place sells the sprocket for 28$ plus shipping. you would be paying near 35$
Even amazon has the jtr279.35 from lots of sellers, i bought from powersports super store and paid $20.24 total, free shipping.

**barnone** · 06-28-2013, 09:21 PM

Originally Posted by axa

jee, why would you do that? that place sells the sprocket for 28$ plus shipping. you would be paying near 35$
Even amazon has the jtr279.35 from lots of sellers, i bought from powersports super store and paid $20.24 total, free shipping.

Now you tell me.