Honda Grom or Lifan KP owners?

[Tim Hancock]

Taking another motorhome trip soon with the wife. We typically load up my '86 Honda VF500 Interceptor on a custom made rack on the back of our coach to use for 2 up local transportation on our trip.

When we go to Oshkosh every year we instead load up two small Chinese Honda 50 knockoff pitbikes to ride from the campground to the flightline.

My wife does not enjoy riding much on the back of the Interceptor but it is all I have that can accommodate the both of us and it means we don't have to tow a car on a trailer.
I have been researching Honda Groms and also Lifan KP 150 minis as a possible replacement for an easier to load simple bike to motor us around our various camping destinations.

I am 5'8" 160 and wife is about 115. Those little Grom type bikes appear to be more comfortable for short cruising trips than our semi crotch rocket Interceptor. We would also use it as one of our pitbikes at Oshkosh and with it being street legal, it would allow us to travel offsite around Oshkosh too.

Anyone here ever ride a Grom or Lifan KP type bike 2 up?

My '86 Interceptor


My Honda 50 knockoff pitbikes


Found one of these low mileage Lifan KP 150's for cheap locally

[colingreene]

Why not get a honda rukus?

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by colingreene

Why not get a honda rukus?

Looking for something that can do at least 55mph. Ruckus is more like 35mph. Plus to be honest I never cared for the bare scooter look of the Ruckus.

Sounds like stock Groms top out around 60mph and stock Lifan KP 150's top out around 65mph

[911boost]

Nothing to add other than as an owner of a 2007 Honda 50 I am sad to hear you have knock offs!

Teasing, but in reality wouldn't the smaller bike be less comfortable than that bad ass Interceptor? Plus, she can call you Maverick on it, so that's a win!

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by 911boost

Nothing to add other than as an owner of a 2007 Honda 50 I am sad to hear you have knock offs!

Teasing, but in reality wouldn't the smaller bike be less comfortable than that bad ass Interceptor? Plus, she can call you Maverick on it, so that's a win!

I grew up riding real Honda 50's, 70's and an XR75 and I presently own a real Honda MR50, QA50, XR75 and a Z50. I got the Chinese 50 knockoffs super cheap from my old boss back in about 2010 when they were basically still like new for cheap ($200 each) and had intended to let my nephews have them. Ended up keeping them at my house as they lived in town. Have since used them every year for Oshkosh pitbikes and on occasion we get them out for guests/kids/grandkids to putt around on. They always start and run and will drag a 300 lb adult around just fine.

When we ride in hills/mountains on vacation my wife ends up leaning into me going downhill and braking which ends up putting a bunch of load on my arms as I am already leaned forward. Seems like a Grom would be more upright position? Just hoping to hear if anyone here has actually tried riding 2 up on one for 20 mile or less non highway rides. Plus the Grom type bike would be easier to load and would be a nice additional upgraded pitbike at Oshkosh type events compared to the little 50's.

[stevej37]

I've never ridden a Grom...but I have heard from a few that own one.
They rave about them.
I would go with the Grom.

[Eric Hahl]

I like the Monkey. Not that you care, lol. Just had to share.

[911boost]

You are like me, with the kids I have gone through quite a few dirt bikes and am down to the 50 and 250R. I miss the Elsinore the most I'd say, but it was heavy as hell.

[Tim Hancock]

I have continued to accumulate this stuff as I now have grandkids who are starting to ride them.

I have enough of them now that the MR50 and QA50 that I originally restored for my daughters can sit there unmolested and their value continues to rise. I have a PW50 and a KTM50 along with the honda clones and a Honda TRX90 that the kids can ride now.

Also have a couple old Honda 3 wheelers that I don't let them ride (these are actually rising in value also).

I also have a CR125 and a nice 2003 CR250 that I occasionally dig out for me to tool around on.... Might still do a vet MX race or two in the future again.

Up in my mezzanine I have an old early 70's Z50 and an XR75 project that I hope to do primo restorations on in retirement. I had hundreds if not thousands of hours riding those two types when I was a kid growing up in the '70s. lol


Red MR50, Green QA50, Blue PW50, Orange KTM50, ATC 185 and 125


red XR75 and blue Z50 projects in waiting

[911boost]

Those are awesome!

[Tim Hancock]

Me on front of dad's brand new 1970 Z50 when I was about 5 years old....
A few years later I all but destroyed that poor Z50.



My first grandson getting his first exposure to wheelies nearly 50 years later. lol




A pic from years ago when my girls came with wife and I to Oshkosh in our plane... Had a buddy who was driving up haul up my QA50 that I made an extended temporary seat for.
This is how we got from the flight line out to our friends campers in the evenings. lol




My wife and I using the knockoff 50's at Oshkosh



I have enjoyed small Honda type minis for 50 years..... Still enjoy buzzing around on them.

[911boost]

M y daughter was 4 when I got the 50, I need to find some pics of them growing up.

[shinrai]

I have a Grom. Love it. If you want something reliable get the Honda.

Your interceptor is bada55. Beautiful machine.

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by shinrai

I have a Grom. Love it. If you want something reliable get the Honda.

Your interceptor is bada55. Beautiful machine.

Thanks.... How is the Grom for two up riding?

[shinrai]

Wifee rode on the back once. Not an issue. We're < 300 lbs combined. Takes longer to get to 60 but it'll get there. Won't go 60 uphill

[Crowbob]

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

Looking for something that can do at least 55mph. Ruckus is more like 35mph. Plus to be honest I never cared for the bare scooter look of the Ruckus.

Sounds like stock Groms top out around 60mph and stock Lifan KP 150's top out around 65mph

Take it back, take it back!

[Eric Hahl]

↑
Looks like a KTM vacuum cleaner. Sorry.

[epbrown]

Why the Grom? I'd think the modern Cub would be more comfortable 2-up.