Building the ALL-Road Light Touring SCRAMBLER Motorcycle: Lifan KPM200
- Randy Reek, The Great Out There
- Apr 11
- 12 min read
The “all-road” scrambler is the most versatile motorcycle for commuting and light touring.
When I set out to buy the perfect “all-road” scrambler motorcycle, I found that it didn’t exist – that is, off the showroom floor!
I have owned dozens of motorcycles, from 1700cc “baggers” to adventure bikes to dual sports to 50cc scooters. Each style and model has an intended target audience and riding style. But this next motorcycle was going to fit the BROADEST range of riding categories.
I was going to buy the most versatile motorcycle, and if it didn’t exist in stock form, I was willing to “cut and paste” until I reached my goals.
In previous articles, I have made the case for light motorcycles, specifically “scrambler” motorcycles as the most versatile class of bikes. This is the generalist class, a motorcycle you can ride almost anywhere. (No, you can’t race a scrambler on motocross courses. This article describes street-legal motorcycles, which can be registered and insured).
The scrambler motorcycle is popular because it serves both the urban commuter and the rider who is willing to tour with a minimalist collection of gear.
The scrambler is a capable highway motorcycle but is the most enjoyable on lesser traveled secondary roads.
Most importantly, the scrambler is stable and dependable when the route includes a mix of unpaved roads.
To meet these objectives, the scrambler needs to be light and powered by an economical engine. As a result, true scramblers are among the least expensive motorcycle options. This is in contrast to the Big Brands, which have been marketing 1,000cc (or larger) scramblers with prices over $30,000 to the owners of huge European adventure bikes or 1,500cc road hogs.
By definition, the “all-road” scrambler is never as comfortable on long freeway runs as a 700-pound cruiser. It won’t tackle rough trails as fast as a high-suspension dual sport model. And it won’t allow you to take the “Long Way Round”, carrying 200-pounds of gear like a 1,350cc ADV rig.
The advantage is that a “true” scrambler motorcycle is cheap to buy and own.
For my “all-road” scrambler, I had the following requirements:
Number 1: Small, single-cylinder engine of 250cc or less. This small motor seems ridiculous to most riders, especially super-sized Americans. But the fact is that more 125cc motorcycles are sold around the world than any other class. In most markets, a 250cc motorcycle is priced (and taxed) as a luxury model.
Motorcycles in this range (185, 223cc, etc.) are capable of highway speeds – but that’s all. Even my 125cc mini-moto cruises comfortably at 60 MPH. If you are seldom exceeding 60 to 65 MPH, excess horsepower only adds to the purchase and operating costs.
Number 2: I also insist on electronic fuel-injection. I know the argument that any lawn mower mechanic in the most rural area can repair/replace a carburetor. But you simply can’t beat the cold starting, improved mileage, and elevation performance benefits of modern fuel injection.
These small, fuel-injected motorcycles deliver incredible fuel economy – typically exceeding 75 MPG or more! I also wanted a range greater than 200 miles between fills, so that required a gas tank of not less than 3.0 gallons.
Number 3: Liquid cooling is a plus, and this adds to the efficiency of and longevity of a small engine for extended touring.
Number 4: Unlike dual-sports and most adventure motorcycles, my scrambler MUST have tubeless tires. No one has purchased a truck or auto with tubed tires in over 50 years! ALL street motorcycles and scooters have tubeless wheels and tires – including my 125cc “ADV Grom”. “Adventure” motorcycle brands have been gouging buyers by supplying models with cheap, spoked, tube-type tires for too long. See also the related article on the GreatOutThere.online blog that details the MANY advantages of tubeless tires, especially for an “all-road” scrambler motorcycle.
Number 5: My last requirement seems like a minor issue – but this excludes several motorcycle models from consideration. My scrambler must either include or have the option to install a rear cargo rack. I don’t care if you are riding to the hardware store or across the state, a rear cargo rack will be used on nearly every trip. It amazes me that many brands and most dealers don’t prioritize the design and availability of basic, commonsense accessories like a rear rack (more on this later…)
I literally searched EVERY available brand for motorcycles meeting these few criteria. On multiple occasions I inquired of the brand or local dealer if there was any aftermarket option to overcome a deficiency in one of these areas.
It might surprise some readers to learn that there are ZERO motorcycle models that meet all these minimal requirements and are “all-road” scramblers, ready to ride from the dealer.
Finally, after careful consideration, I purchased the Lifan KPM200 and had the motorcycle shipped directly to me. The KPM200 from American Lifan (sold by Venom Motorsports) met my requirements as the basis of this project bike.
Lifan KPM200 Specs:
Engine Type Single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, EFI
Displacement 198 cc
Transmission* 6-speed, hand-clutched
Max Power 17 hp / 8000 rpm
Starter Electric
Brakes* Disk/disk
Wheels and Tires Tubeless alloy wheels, 17-inch street tires
Top Speed 75 mph
Fuel Capacity 3.4 gal
Fuel Economy 80 to over 100 MPG, range 250-miles+
*Notes: While not a hard requirement, I favored the Lifan KPM200 because it was equipped with disk brakes front and rear, while some more expensive competitors are still supplied with antique rear drum brakes. Likewise, the KPM200 features a 6-speed transmission while most competitors are only supplied with a 5-speed.
The KPM200 dash includes speedometer and tachometer, fuel gauge, and gear indicator. (It is simply amazing that several new motorcycles in this class do not include basic functions like a fuel gauge or gear indicator!) A neutral light, along high/low beam headlights are also displayed on the digital dash.
At the date of this article, the KPM200 sells for $2,899.99 from Venom Motorsports, an online dealer for American Lifan. You may find a stocking dealer in your area. I was not so lucky, and the closest dealer to my location went out of business over two years ago! None of the other dealers in my area had the KPM200 in stock, and the cost to order one was more than the delivered price from Venom.
I opted to pay Venom an additional $299.99 for “full assembly, inspection, and testing”. Again, if you have an area Lifan dealer they will also charge at least this amount for set-up. Otherwise, you can choose to have the motorcycle delivered without the front wheel installed, handlebars and controls, front fender, battery, etc.
I received the “assembled” motorcycle shrink-wrapped and banded to a pallet. However, the “inspection and testing” were minimal – and if you are not an experienced mechanic – you should plan to have the motorcycle “predelivered” by a local shop. Plan to spend another $250 or so.
At a minimum, watch this video from Herbie’s Garage to familiarize yourself with the Lifan KPM200 predelivery process:
I also purchased the optional performance muffler and windshield from Venom – but don’t waste your money! More on these later…
Let’s begin the transformation of the KPM200 in its “café racer” stock form into my “all road” scrambler!
The first thing I did was remove the “decorative” leather straps on the gas tank. (Whose idea was that? Maybe OK for a café racer, but not my scrambler.) This required some of the original bolts, plus a few spares from my collection of metric Allen head bolts.
Lifan is a brand that is manufactured in China, then sold around the world. I had researched the availability of a rear rack and center stand BEFORE buying the motorcycle. The center stand designed specifically for the LPM200 was available on AliExpress (the Chinese equivalent to Ebay). I received the center stand via air freight within two weeks, and it took less than 15 minutes to install on the provided mounting tabs.
Having a center stand is a benefit when loading a touring motorcycle. The center stand is a HUGE advantage if/when you pick up a nail in the rear tire. With tubeless tires and plugs, you can fix a flat and be back on the road in 30 minutes or less. VERY few small motorcycles are designed for center stands and this is an added bonus for the KPM200, except for the hassle of ordering from China (Lifan and dealers – get with the program!)
I had researched the rear rack in advance and could only find it for sale on China Mall. While the rack was inexpensive, the shipping cost was high. I decided to order three racks at basically the same shipping cost. My plan was to sell the other two racks on the KPM200 Facebook group after I made the installation on my bike.
This video summarizes the rear cargo rack installation. In summary, the delivery of the racks did NOT include the required mounting backets – which necessitated a second parts order from China and another delay. Good news: The rack is beefy, and the installation is very secure. I also sold the extra two racks within a week to lucky buyers.
Aftermarket parts – or the lack thereof – is not a problem that is isolated to Lifan. Most motorcycles brands do a lousy job of marketing accessories that actually make their cycles useful! Thankfully, popular models generate interest from fabrication companies and allow us to bypass the insane markups that would be applied to “name brand” parts. This is also the case with generic brand accessories that adapt to any cycle.
My next upgrade was replacing the stock tires with dual-sport models more appropriate for the gravel roads that I enjoy. I replaced the original equipment street tires with Shinko 705 DS tubeless tires. While my preference is always for radial tires, the rear tire was only available in a bias-ply version. I swapped the stock rear 130/70x17 for a taller 130/80 x 17 tire.
To accommodate the slightly larger tire diameter, I also installed a new, high-quality O-ring chain with one additional set of links. Then I swapped the stock 100/80 x 17 front tire for a wider 120/70R x 17 which still fit within the front fender.
Lastly, the new tires and more aggressive tread raised the bike enough to necessitate the installation of a pad on the kickstand.
Now I got down to some electrical modifications. These included a SAE plug connected to the battery for a battery tender. This outlet can also be used to power heated clothing while riding. I ran a second line to a USB charging outlet on the handlebars.
Next, I installed Oxford heated grips. I consider heated grips a necessity for any touring motorcycle. I rarely ride in freezing temperatures, but even on a rainy summer day I enjoy warm hands! I have installed these “intelligent” grips on many motorcycles, and like the feature that self-cancels the heating element after you turn off the cycle, ensuring that you cannot drain the battery while parked. Then I added a “Cramp Buster” to the throttle grip.
While I had the seat off installing the rack and electrical components, I added a seat pad. The stock café racer seat is too thin for long tours, and an inexpensive pad makes a huge difference.
While others have modified the turn signals and headlights, I was satisfied that the KPM200 came equipped with stock LED lights all around. This is another feature that is not found on many brands that sell for double the price!
While working on the handlebars, I installed a set of hand guards. Like the heated grips, these guards add a great deal of comfort, besides protecting the levers should you drop the bike. I added a RAM ball mount for my phone/GPS.
When I ordered the bike, I added the optional windshield to the order for $129.99. DON’T waste your money. This is the IDENTICAL windshield sold on Ebay and Amazon for half the price. What’s worse, it is JUNK. No amount of maneuvering gets it lined up and the mounting brackets strip out far before ever becoming secure. Thankfully, Venom gave me a full refund - after I paid to ship it back.
The larger problem is that this windshield uses “universal” clamps on the slick, small handlebars. Instead, I took the windshield off my Royal Enfield Meteor – which has large braces attached to the upper forks. With some patience, I was able to fit the mounting arms around the other brackets, cables, and hoses. I think it looks great, and the installation is rock-solid. However, it is a fraction too low for my helmet and I attempted to add a small “cheater” to the top with poor results.
The KPM200 is supplied with bar-end café racer mirrors. But the lever bases also have standard mirror mounts, and I installed a set of double take mirrors.
I also removed the “pretty” café racer front foot pegs and installed a proper set of dual sport pegs with wider bases and more bite for wet conditions. The pegs came with removable "teeth", which I discarded.
Finally, I got around to installing the muffler I had purchased from Venom, with the original order. Venom offered a great deal on the lighter and less restrictive “carbon fiber” muffler for $99.99. The problem – which was shocking news to Venom when I reported back to them – is that the stock muffler and tail pipe is one welded assembly. Unless you own a muffler shop, there is NO way to cut, flange, and weld the original pipe to the new muffler. When you buy the identical muffler on Ebay or Amazon it INCLUDES a new Stainless-Steel tailpipe.
Instead of returning this muffler, I found the tailpipe assembly separately online. However, in the meantime, I did need to order a new crush gasket for the exhaust. Again, DON’T order this muffler from Venom! Order the complete exhaust package from Ebay and save time and money. Replace the original crush washer with a fresh one.
The new muffler is a huge improvement over the clunky stock version. As you can hear in the video, the exhaust sound is great, and my “seat of the pants” opinion is that there is added snap in acceleration from the less restrictive muffler, plus a weight savings of about 5-pounds.
Now the KPM200 is ready for day rides and light touring. I have an assortment of bags for varying rides, including a magnetic tank bag that fits the unusual tank-mounted speedometer. For short overnights I add a rear duffel. For multi-day rides I add a set of panniers marketed for the Honda Grom – but plenty large for all I carry.
Here is the completed KPM200 All-Road Scrambler in this walk-around video:
And the full list of KPM200 Scrambler Modifications: (links with installed value)
1. Oxford heated grips Amazon https://amzn.to/3RKZ9U8 ($150)
2. Hand guards Amazon https://amzn.to/4cDRUao ($50)
3. Dual sport foot pegs Amazon: https://amzn.to/4icYjKy ($55)
4. Royal Enfield fork-mounted windshield. See Ebay, $110 plus installation
5. Double Take-style ADV mirrors Amazon https://amzn.to/4jsZVAY ($40)
6. Cramp Buster on throttle grip Amazon https://amzn.to/3G0ZgbN ($15)
7. Accessory Ram mounts for camera or phone Amazon https://amzn.to/427tN03 ($25)
8. USB charging outlet on Hbars Amazon https://amzn.to/3RcZ0IU ($35)
9. SAE charging outlet for battery tender Amazon https://amzn.to/44jVyUA ($20)
10. Center stand (AliExpress, approx $60 with shipping, not including installation)
11. Rear Rack (China Mall, approx $100 with shipping)
12. Shinko 705 DS Tubeless tires: 130/80x17 rear; 120/70Rx17 front. Various sources online, $105 each, plus $50 installation
13. O-ring chain (added 1-link) Amazon https://amzn.to/3G05tVo ($50)
14. Performance exhaust (muffler Venom, $100; tail pipe eBay,$100; crush washer Amazon: https://amzn.to/42iloWg ,$10
15. Raised foot on kickstand Amazon: https://amzn.to/44jVkNe ($35)
16. Removed straps on gas tank ($10)
17. Magnetic tank bag Amazon https://amzn.to/4j0xydH ($25)
18. Seat pad/cover Amazon: https://amzn.to/3RdNVr3 ($30)
19. Spare HiFlow oil filter Amazon https://amzn.to/4i9X52Z ($5)
The Lifan KPM200 “Scrambler-edition” is now complete. I have ridden many highway miles and a wide variety of unpaved gravel and crushed rock roads. I have also taken extended multi-day tours. The light, nimble, and economical Lifan KPM200 has proved to be the perfect platform to build my ideal “all-road” motorcycle.
I began this project because I couldn’t find a stock motorcycle that had the features I required. Among street motorcycles, the closest competitors may be the Suzuki Van Van (now discontinued) or the Kawasaki W230. Among dual sports, you could compare my KPM200 to the Yamaha TW200 or possibly the Honda CRF300L. However, NONE of these models offer tubeless tires and all the other requirements of the all-road scrambler I was buying.
The total value of the installed parts and accessories is over $1,300. The Lifan KPM at $2,899.99 plus the $299.99 “assembly” (not including the over $300 in additional labor upon delivery), brings the total value of this one-of-a-kind scrambler to over $4,500.00. If outfitted equally, the closest Big Three brand competitors would cost at least DOUBLE this price!
This project bike is everything that I had hoped for. Plenty of power for highway riding, comfortable seating position, cargo capacity for light touring, stable on unpaved roads (cruising effortlessly at 50 MPH!), and fuel economy that continues to improve as it gets broken in – climbing closer to the 100 MPG dream!
My only problem is that I have TOO many motorcycles, bicycles, kayaks, and other recreational toys. So – with regret – I have decided to sell my Lifan KPM200 Scrambler with LESS than 1,000 miles!!!
This custom-built bike is now for sale for just over HALF price! – ONLY $2,500.00 CASH.
SAVE over $2,000 on this custom scrambler/commuter/touring motorcycle.
My loss is your gain. This is a once-in-a-lifetime DEAL!
Location is Marshfield, Wisconsin. For an ADDED charge, I will meet the buyer halfway. This bike is light enough to be transported on a hitch rack!
PS. Don’t be fooled that the Lifan is inferior to the other motorcycles, either. Lifan is an enormous, global manufacturer, and builds hundreds of thousands of engines for other brands. The simple fact is that ALL small motorcycles are manufactured in whole or in part in China, Thailand, or the Philippines. There are NO “Japanese” small motorcycles, any more than there are any wholly American automobiles. In addition, most of the wear parts on any motorcycle are available from aftermarket suppliers in better quality and at lower prices than the stock brand-name parts.
PPS. Note that the rear panniers and duffel bags are NOT included in the sale price but are available separately online.
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