Options for Dual-Sport ?

**nchenowith** · 03-29-2017, 08:39 PM

Hey Everyone,

I'm looking for some suggestions on what motorcycle to buy. I have done a lot of research, but still have some questions and was trying to figure out what's the best option.

My preference: Honda CRF250L, lightly used // A Yamaha YBR250 sounds like it would be great, but I need snow and off-road capable bike

What I am looking for in a bike:

1. Decent off-road capabilities (I will be moving to far west China, probably some place in northern Xinjiang, it snows a lot - I plan to ride in winter + weekend adventures)
2. Carry a familiy of 4 - 2 adults, 2 small children (Honda CRF250L does this no problem)
3. Decently reliable (Obviously I prefer Japanese, but I've heard many of them like the CRF are not legit bikes, thoughts?)
4. Price Range: No more than $ 4,000 USD, preferrably around $ 3,000.
5. At least 250cc

Uses for the bike:

1. driving around town as a family
2. some short trips as a family to the nearby mountains (think maybe 1-2 hours driving in the mountains)
3. some adventure riding solo / off-road -- I would go as far as the bike would take me within reason
4. driving in the snow (year-round purchase)

I've looked at the following bikes:

Honda CRF250L
Yamaha YBR 250
Shineray X5
Shineray X2

I really want a Honda CRF250L, I just want a completely legit bike, nothing sketchy.

Any thoughts?

I'm not a mechanic, but I can read and tinker.

Thanks, I appreciate any advice or personal experience as it's hard to really get good answers and options while still in the U.S.

**DanKearney** · 03-29-2017, 11:43 PM

Not really a dual sport, more of a mini-ADV bike, but have you considered the Zongshen RX3? They're only $3,800 in the US. Gotta be cheaper in the homeland. My personal experience is that they are decent quality and other than carrying 4 (! ?) they can do everything you've mentioned.

Cheers,

Dan K.

**nchenowith** · 03-30-2017, 04:01 AM

Originally Posted by DanKearney

Not really a dual sport, more of a mini-ADV bike, but have you considered the Zongshen RX3? They're only $3,800 in the US. Gotta be cheaper in the homeland. My personal experience is that they are decent quality and other than carrying 4 (! ?) they can do everything you've mentioned.

Cheers,

Dan K.

Yeah I actually looked at that one since it seems to be somewhat accepted in the U.S. I know it can't handle too much serious off-roading, but I will definitely have to check that one out.

**culcune** · 03-30-2017, 12:14 PM

I think the RX3 is a more off-road capable bike than the YBR! Putting knobbies on a standard doesn't necessarily make it an off-road bike. The ever controversial (n)erverride vlogger actually proved the RX3 was a fairly capable off-roader in a series of vlogs in which he verbally ripped the bike apart, on his youtube channel. The irony! Not to mention the guy who bought it contradicted much of what (n)everide showed in his video. The CRF250L would be more than what you want, but you would still want to outfit it for trips. From all I have read, the Shineray bikes are worth a look. You should probably hunt all these bikes down once you are in China, unless you are there and should already be hunting! Well, then...happy hunting!!

**culcune** · 03-30-2017, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by DanKearney

Not really a dual sport, more of a mini-ADV bike, but have you considered the Zongshen RX3? They're only $3,800 in the US. Gotta be cheaper in the homeland. My personal experience is that they are decent quality and other than carrying 4 (! ?) they can do everything you've mentioned.

Cheers,

Dan K.

Sorry to hijack; I am surprised you haven't bought a black RPS Hawk seeing as you live in Black Hawk!

I know it is very much the same bike as your TT250, and probably a pain to register in CO, but I couldn't resist mentioning it...

**nchenowith** · 03-30-2017, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by culcune

I think the RX3 is a more off-road capable bike than the YBR! Putting knobbies on a standard doesn't necessarily make it an off-road bike. The ever controversial (n)erverride vlogger actually proved the RX3 was a fairly capable off-roader in a series of vlogs in which he verbally ripped the bike apart, on his youtube channel. The irony! Not to mention the guy who bought it contradicted much of what (n)everide showed in his video. The CRF250L would be more than what you want, but you would still want to outfit it for trips. From all I have read, the Shineray bikes are worth a look. You should probably hunt all these bikes down once you are in China, unless you are there and should already be hunting! Well, then...happy hunting!!

Yes, I have accepted that the YBR isn't an option for what I want (and maybe it's physically too small). I need something with better suspension if I'm taking it off road. The RX3 seems okay but wasn't sure if it's physically big enough for the 4 of us in my family (2 adults, 1 child at 5 and one at 4) - it looks pretty small. The thing about a dirt bike is the being able to carry more people because the seat is longer - it might sound crazy, but fitting on the CRF250L was pretty easy because the gas tank doesn't come up like it does on a motorcycle, so my son could sit in front of me further up on the bike safely - half in my lap. Anyways, in all the searching and research, the Honda CRF or the Shineray X2 / X5 seem to be the best options. I prefer not to have to work on a bike, so I would prefer the Honda, but I wasn't sure if I could get a legit with papers one. I'm not sure how that process works.

I'm trying to have a good idea of what I will want when I get there, and I'm getting some gear on this side of the pond, which is why I'm hunting now. Thanks for all the input!

Does anyone know if they sell Shineray in Urumqi? I guess it could be delivered.

**DanKearney** · 03-30-2017, 07:02 PM

Also, Have you considered the Jialing JH600? They have a hack'd model too. They've got a pretty good rep. I know one guy from Hong Kong that's been riding one for 9 years.

Cheers,

Dan K.

**nchenowith** · 03-31-2017, 01:43 AM

Originally Posted by DanKearney

Also, Have you considered the Jialing JH600? They have a hack'd model too. They've got a pretty good rep. I know one guy from Hong Kong that's been riding one for 9 years.

Cheers,

Dan K.

Yeah, I love the sidecar with the JH600, it's pretty sweet, but unfortunately expensive. If I could find that for $3,500-4,000, I would love to get it... I like the bike for what it is, though I think it's quite ugly... but I think it's a little on the expensive side if I'm not mistaken and I would like to leave some room to be able to do some modifications to whatever bike I got. I'm more comfortable at the $3,000 side, unless it's a Honda, which I would pay more for. I also don't want to buy a used Chinese bike, but would consider a used Japanese bike.

As of now, the Shineray X2 seems to be the best option. It has a good reputation overall and the power to do what I want it to, and it looks good, all at the right price. Any comments on the Shineray X2 anyone?

**bikerdoc** · 03-31-2017, 07:28 AM

The CRF250L isn't legally imported into PRC.

The JH600 two wheeler is a legal two wheeler available in PRC, whereas the JH600 sidecar (outfit) is legally a 3 wheeler. One cannot legally convert either model 2 wheeler into 3 wheeler or vice-versa. Also to convert a JH600 2 wheeler into a 3 wheeler is a major PITA... as many things differ between the two models... including the gearbox and frame just to mention a few things.

However if you look in the marketplace / for sale section... there's at least one JH600 for sale though there are others at different price points.

The Yamaha YBR is available as a YBG125 (~125cc) trail bike or road going version, whereas the YBR250 (~250cc) is only offered in the road version, no trail bike version.

There are a few other trail bike models e.g. Shineray X-Trail 250. However it may not be able to be plated as a 250cc because it has a carburettor and not EFI therefore won't meet EURO-4 emission standards here in PRC. Despite this, the X-Trail is being offered by some dealers.
FWIW depending on how far west you go and the elevations, you might need to mess about with the jetting on a carbie bike.
The price for the X-Trail 250 though was only 7500元 when released in June 2016.

Good luck in your hunt for the perfect unicorn bike

**ShuBen** · 03-31-2017, 01:54 PM

The X2 u can get as EFI version as travel enduro. I only know it in orange. For modification tips check out my X2 review here in the forum.

Consider also the 400cc Shineray sidecar. Based on an old XR400 engine and quite cute. I see a certain number here in Beijing nowadays

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