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Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Chapter 3: 500 Mile Evaluation of the Qlink XF200

I now have 530 miles on the motorcycle. Hit the reserve tank for the second time tonight. The big 2.8 gallon tank means after 530 miles I will only be filling up for the 3rd time. Probably could get another 30-40 miles before need to fill up but we all know a fill up will be the first thing I do next time I fire up the XF200.

The Qlink XF200 is still bone stock. No modifications at all yet. I have ordered and received my 135 jet to replace the 122 OEM jet and a 14 tooth front sprocket to replace the 13 tooth OEM front sprocket. I ordered them from Dennis Kirk. They will be installed as soon as I can get it done.

My overall impression of the motorcycle is, it is exactly what I expected and hoped for. The most affordable street supermoto available anywhere, from any manufacturer, period. The little 200cc thumper chugs right along. In stock form I can feel the bike is being held back by the conservative sprocket gearing, jetting and exhaust. As anticipated somewhat lacking in top end it will do 70 mph with the tachometer just below the redline at 8000 rpms in 5th gear. The Qlinks bulletproof Suzuki technology powerplant does not miss a beat along with the Mikuni carburetor. The clutch, front disc and rear drum break all work flawlessly.

The seat on the XF200 is rock hard. Am considering finding someone to redo the seat altogether. After about 40 miles or less I need to take a break, but then after a few minute break I can enjoy riding again. I really do not like the OEM graphics and stickers at all. I will be removing those OEM graphics and stickers and replacing them with new graphics and stickers.

I am slightly concerned about the tires. They are 17" Kingstone OEM tires. Now they are working fine up to this point but I am having trouble finding a speed rating on them. At this point I am going to get some use out of them but I will be changing them out for a better quality higher speed rated tire.

I will try to document the partnership between Quinqui and Suzuki in a later post. Believe me when I say this is not some fly by night, eBay mail order, pep boys sidewalk sale pit bike crap. The bike is Chinese, however it is not my job or my place to defend crappy Chinese bikes, prove anything or convince anyone of anything. More on this interesting topic later.