A Honda Grom clone for half the price, ordered right off Amazon?
At first, I thought that sounded too good to be true, but I decided to check it out. I discovered that the X Pro brand makes a huge range of motorcycles with budget price tags.
Here’s what I found and the X Pro motorcycles I would recommend.
X Pro Overview
X Pro is a brand of small motorsports equipment produced by Lifan Technology, a Chinese manufacturing company. While Lifan is located in Chongqing, China, they manufacture motorcycles in Vietnam, Thailand, and Turkey as well as China, and they sell in markets in over 80 countries, including the United States.
Aside from their budget price points, X Pro motorcycles, in particular, are known for their convenience. Specifically, you can order them from Amazon and have them shipped to your door.
X Pro Pros and Cons
People buy X Pro bikes mainly because of the low price tag.
As Honda clones, you can get a fun motorcycle or other vehicle for a much lower cost.
While many people are wary of Chinese bikes and worry that the lower price reflects poorer quality, it’s important to note that when Japanese motorcycles first entered the US market decades ago, people said the same thing.
However, time has shown that Japanese motorcycles are quality products, and the lower price is merely a result of more efficient manufacturing processes.
That said, “you get what you pay for” is always something to keep in mind. Many people love their X Pro bikes and have had no problems, while others run into trouble after just a few miles. This suggests that Lifan cuts costs in quality control, particularly in its mass shipping scheme.
All in all, I’d summarize X Pro bikes’ pros and cons like this:
Pros:
- Low price
- Easy shipping
- Replacement parts available
- Warranties
- Wide range of products
Cons:
- Poor quality control
- May require some assembly
- Fewer mechanics familiar with brand
Read more about the best motorcycles to buy on Amazon.
Who Should Buy an X Pro Motorcycle
With those pros and cons in mind, I’ve figured out who should consider purchasing an X Pro motorcycle. In particular, I recommend an X Pro bike for a total beginner or an enthusiast who likes motorcycle mechanics or wants to learn more.
For a beginner, X Pro bikes are great because they’re lightweight and have small, manageable motors that you can learn on. They don’t cost a lot, and since you’ll probably want to upgrade eventually anyway, the fact that it might not last as long as the Japanese equivalent isn’t a big deal.
For amateur mechanics, X Pro bikes can be fun to play around on and modify. The fact that there might be some defects off the line is less of an issue because you’re looking to learn to fix motorcycles anyway, right?
My Favorite X Pro Motorcycles
X Pro 125cc Vader
In my opinion, the Vader is the top X Pro bike. It’s essentially a Honda Grom clone—just less than half the price. It’s even lighter-weight and reaches a similar top speed of 55 mph, though it’s admittedly not quite as powerful: 8.3 hp versus the Grom’s 9.7.
The Vader’s main issue is the four-speed transmission. A lot of people like to upgrade the front sprocket. This is easy to do, and so is modifying your Vader in general. It’s a fun bike to fiddle around with.
Pros:
- Low price
- Grom-style body
- Lightweight
- 55 mph
- Easy to modify and tweak
Cons:
- Lower power
- Awkward transmission
X Pro Roadster 250
From looking at the Roadster, I’d never have guessed it was a Chinese imitation bike. It looks like a Ninja 250R, but it’s considerably less expensive. It requires some assembly, but it’s easy to do and is a great way to learn a little about the mechanics.
Where the Roadster shines is gas mileage. It gets an impressive 107 mpg. Compare that to the Ninja 250R’s 59 mpg. That’s partly due to the Roadster’s less powerful engine. While the Ninja 250R produces 32 hp and hits 110 mph, the Roadster only produces 11.5 hp and maxes out at around 70 mph. This makes it better for new riders who are still getting used to speed and handling.
Like most X Pro bikes, the main concern is the somewhat hit-or-miss quality control. You may have to tweak the indicators, throttle, or other parts, so it’s a good choice if you want to learn how to do these things.
Pros:
- Sleek sportbike look
- Low price
- Great gas mileage
- Easy handling
- Good for learning
Cons:
- Some assembly required
- Low speed and power
X Pro Maui 50cc Moped
One of the coolest things about the X Pro brand is how many different products you can get. There are motorcycles in a wide range of engine sizes, go-karts, and even mopeds and scooters in numerous sizes.
While they also make scooters with large engines, I like the Maui for mobility since its small 50cc engine may mean you don’t even need a motorcycle endorsem*nt, depending on your state.
Of course, that’s far from the only advantage. Like other X Pro products, the low price and the fact that you can order it off Amazon right to your door make it a convenient option if you need a way to commute around town. It also has aluminum wheels, giving it excellent gas mileage and better handling.
I recommend giving it a good look after getting it to ensure nothing was damaged in shipping. Also, make sure you get a warranty from the dealer.
Pros:
- May not require an M endorsem*nt
- Low price
- Aluminum wheels
- Great gas mileage
Cons:
- May get damaged in shipping
Final Thoughts
We’re seeing many more X Pro bikes on the road because they’re inexpensive and convenient since Amazon will ship them right to your door.
While many people are concerned about quality, after looking at their range of products, I think they make great budget options for beginners or people who like tweaking and modifying their bikes.
My favorite is the 125cc Vader, a Honda Grom clone that’s a ton of fun but a lot easier on your bank account.
