The Lifan LF200GY-5, The Budget Enduro Bike

How do you make trailriding and dirtbiking more fun for the family? Get 'em all riding. But how do you do that on a budget?

Lifan is an multinational Chinese automotive company, which recently opened a sales office in Bangkok, has introduced a line of motorcycles of which the 200cc Lifan LF200GY-5 is the model we looked at.

The Lifan LF200GY-5 has a single-cylinder, air-cooled, four-stroke, with a displacement of 196.9cc, the Lifan LF200GY-5 is user-friend and perfect for the Thai dirt- and rural weekend away. We recently jumped at the opportunity to put the Lifan LF200GY-5 through a ride impression on the outskirts of Bangkok.

Teaming up with a friend, who bought not so long ago a Kawasaki KLX250, I was keen to see how a cost-effective bike would stand-up against a over 3 times more expensive green-team machine... Somphong, having a modest motocross background and more comfortably in the casual trailriding category.

The Lifan LF200GY-5 looks comfortable and solid sitting on the kickstand and , as you cast your eye over the bike, many parts stand out as impressive features for the road/trail-oriented rider.

The relatively low seat height of 870mm will appeal to the shorter riders. Being able to put their feet down easily while learning the ropes is a big bonus for riders just starting out in the dirt. Meanwhile, the minimum ground clearance of 200mm will have you riding bumpy terrain with ease.

Coming standard with pillion pegs, the Lifan LF200GY-5 is great to chunk the missus or your young one on the back and run down the the shops, or from the pickup to your little fishing spot or rural hide-away. Everything standard on the bike will do the majority of us for most trailriding situations. But if you're not keen on riding on the road, taking off the standard road/trail tires should be high on your list.

If rural dirt roads and tarmac is your thing , the tires may be just what you're after. As the standard wheel on the Lifan LF200GY-5 are standard-size trailbike wheels, a large range of tires from all the popular brands will be available to purchase. Hydraulic front brakes utilizing a disk rotor are attached to the front the front wheel while drum brakes come standard on the rear wheel.

The electric start is a great feature and gets two thumbs up from me. If you're stuck on a hill or place that's a bit technical, just bump the button and you're good to go. It fired all the time with no hassle and a push of the button was all it took to fire the LF200GY-5 to life.

Cruising around the dirt roads, the Lifan LF200GY-5 was very easy on the ear, was difficult to hear the 200cc engine even on full rev.

Compared to the Kawasaki KLX250, the Lifan LF200GY-5 is not out to take down the latest Kawasaki 250cc enduro bike; rather, it's a road/trail-oriented bike, well suited to a beginner rider or a rider who's happy to cruise on dirt- and rural roads and have a bit of fun. With a few mods, the Lifan LF200GY-5 can be ridden on some slightly more advanced levels of trailriding. The Lifan LF200GY-5 had no problems carrying me as a bit heavier rider and it feels very solid build. For 45.000 Baht you're getting plenty of bang for your money, a good consideration when checking out this style of motorcycle.