are LIFAN engines any good?

[jmsmilin]

I had one before, brand new, elec start 125. I didnt like it that much but I never did really break it in. It jsut seems cheap, the metal-everything.

But I see they now have a huge 138cc horizontal Lifan motor out there. Im thinking of throwing it in my TRX90.

Vote and post your replys...whats your experience?

[aquapunk]

a friend of mine has a 200x with a lifan, he hasnt had any problems with it, it feels just like a stock 200x should

[firefirefire90]

I dont know. I hear they are wonderful and powerful engines. But that is from pretty much everyone I hear from.

[bigreddaddy]

Well I would like to see a lot of replies from those who have them. I'm looking for an atc70 motor, or may lean towards a Lifan but I just don't understand how a Chinese made motor is as good as a Honda.
I mean it seems everyone agrees that the Chinese quads are junk, so why are these motors getting good reviews?

[cr480r]

I heard the SDG minis use lifan built engines. If that is true, then they are very durable. A bunch of drunk 200 pounders beating on a 107 for a year straight is a true test of durability...

[jmsmilin]

Well I would like to see a lot of replies from those who have them. I'm looking for an atc70 motor, or may lean towards a Lifan but I just don't understand how a Chinese made motor is as good as a Honda.
I mean it seems everyone agrees that the Chinese quads are junk, so why are these motors getting good reviews?
yeah Im with you, if the quads are garbage how is it that the engines are good?

[jmsmilin]

I heard the SDG minis use lifan built engines. If that is true, then they are very durable. A bunch of drunk 200 pounders beating on a 107 for a year straight is a true test of durability...
tell me about those SDGs, I hear they suck
http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/enthusiasts/review_list_vehicle.asp?veh=13277

[KASEY]

i have lifans,,, NOTHING on the motor looks cheap,,, its a exact honda copy,, as lifan and honda agreed to the deal,, lifan is one of the biggest engine biulders in the world,, i would buy more anytime,,, besides,, you can't build a bigbore honda,, with all the goodies for less than triple the cost,,, :naughty:

[hotrod 110]

Lifans have some quality control issues but it's just associated with the trans. I have a Lifan 120 - the one they call the monster motor in all the ads , 27/23 valves in the head, starts in any gear- and it miss shifts on occasion when going from 3rd to 2nd and goes to neutral. The shift stars and detent springs vary in quality and there is no easy fix. The Zongshen 125 that I had shifted great all the time . The SDG uses a Jaling motor in the 107 3 valve head and they have been known to break starter gears.

[KASEY]

The shift stars and detent springs vary in quality and there is no easy fix.

sure there is,,, go buy honda replacement parts,, they are the same,,,

[KASEY]

another thing to think about,,, were these engines designed to haul arount 200plus pound fattys on 3 wheels???? that is way harder than any motorcycle with a 2.5 inch wide tire ,,, :naughty:

http://i14.tinypic.com/2zfuyxd.jpg

[Liquid-Darkness]

If I could get one for my 350x, id get it quick.

[hotrod 110]

Kasey , did you beef up your clutch springs? I know you can use h/d TRX90 clutch springs in your Lifan clutch. I'm running a Kitaco inner rotor in my 120 with Crower G2 cam and 26mm Kitaco carb and Yosh pipe.

[jmsmilin]

Lifans have some quality control issues but it's just associated with the trans. I have a Lifan 120 - the one they call the monster motor in all the ads , 27/23 valves in the head, starts in any gear- and it miss shifts on occasion when going from 3rd to 2nd and goes to neutral. The shift stars and detent springs vary in quality and there is no easy fix. The Zongshen 125 that I had shifted great all the time . The SDG uses a Jaling motor in the 107 3 valve head and they have been known to break starter gears.thought SDG used a GPX engine?
yes I hear all about the trans issues...

[jmsmilin]

another thing to think about,,, were these engines designed to haul arount 200plus pound fattys on 3 wheels???? that is way harder than any motorcycle with a 2.5 inch wide tire ,,, :naughty:

http://i14.tinypic.com/2zfuyxd.jpg
why in the HECK did I sell my ATC70 with suspension, I only paid $500 for it 2 years ago!!! Anyway what frame is that on yours Kasey?

[hotrod 110]

jmsmilin, check out www.planetminis.com in the import section , lots of information on the Lifan , GPX, Zongshen, Jaling motors.

[DefEddie]

I have a tuk-tuk with a Lifan 150CC,I've been clocked at 45mph on a straightaway in 5th gear@10,500 rpm..And I carry alot of weight since it is enclosed.
I'm in the process of putting Nitrous on it,I'll let you know how that goes,so far I only ahve purge.
I have an album full of pic's with engine pic's in it.
Mine was imported direct from Lifan China,and they are one of the biggest companies over there...The motor has held up in the few month's I have had it great.I wouldn't trust anything they welded or bolted together though...I'm still going through tightening and replacing bolt's on it..
I've been looking at the 200cc to see if I can swap the cylinder or something to up mine since they look to be the same engine/spec's..
I knew it was similar to honda,are they the same mounting wise also??I would like to keep a 5 speed trans though..
Here some pic's/video so you know what a Tuk-Tuk is and get an idea of the weight that I pull with the 150cc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB3pjGdXzZY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPcVOzgcsuo
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p275/edwinleahy/Tuk-Tuk%20Pics/Bens1027.jpg