First off Bike came fast to my door in a well protected steel frame crate (which I chopped up the used steel to make a frame helmet shelf in my race trailer...nice perk)
1. double and triple check all bolts and use some form of loctite on all critical bolt/nuts (e.g. wheels, suspension, handlebars,etc.etc.)
2. You WILL need a new carb for about 20-30 to defeat the factory supplied non adjustable carb....this brings your motor capabilities to life.
3. you will have to assemble this bike a little and have basic tools to do so.
4. This is a honda clone and many honda parts will fit it.
5. you WILL need to drain the shipping oil in the crankcase and replace it with good quality oil.
6. if you want more power (gear ratio for easier wheely) you will need to replace the rear spocket for a larger one....the sprocket off a 1980's xr was a direct fit replacement on the bike I received...you WILL also need ot buy a new chain or a chain extension for the bigger sprocket. I have seen some people post a custom sprocket was made by some sprocket co's online for $80-$120..or go with 80's honda xr parts from online retailers for a little cheaper options that will do just fine..You ARE NOT going to be racing this HEAVY pig of a 250 bike....it is suited to easy trail riding This bike is heavy like 1979-1981 honda xr's with the old twin rear shocks....but they ARE full of fun for beginners if you want the more modern look of new bike but with used old bike price.
7. the supplied battery sucks...but it is easy to kick start also....I bought a sealed lead acid battery for less than $30 on amazon that took a little custominzing to fit in the supplied battery box and took a little soldering of wires to make it work....there is some kind of parasitic drain on the battery that if it sets for a week your battery will be dead if not on a maintainer.
8. be patient with the plastics it is easy to strip out the supplied fastening screws (remedied with a trip to a local hdwe store for some longer /better screws for less than $5.
9. the gas tank is steel under plactic covers... and is kinka wonky...(i havent tried to see if a replacement honda tank will fit but a quick internet search might remedy that on bike forums)
10. the clutch seems to slip a little but adjusts ok and might be part of break in process.
11. the frame is tight and to work on carb or adjust it on bike is near impossible. ( i had to cut and make screwdrivers to fit in the tight spots...and it sits near the exhaust header so burning hands even with gloves isnt really an option a cloth soaked in water helps cool the headpipe enough to kinda work but you still get little annoying burns to adjust carb for tune on bike.... the frame is big box steel as I said before this bike is heavy like old 1970's iron but TONS of fun for my 18 year old who previously was on a HOnda trail 70, and Honda 1980's xr 100 as his first riding bike.... he had nothing but smiles riding it 100's of miles over the summer all around Alaska. BIG upgrade for him...
12. the bike does leak oil of the crank breather tube if you dump it on its side this might be solved with installation of a one way pcv valve. Minor annoyance.
Overall its a great value if you want to get into trail riding the suspension acutally feels pretty good and stayed stiff even with me 6'2" and 260# had plenty of travel to be fun on trails...this is not a motocross worthy bike IMO. Cant complain on the price.... I think these are a small step below SSR quality but will be plenty of fun with the carb upgrade...cant beat the price....to get into cyclling...just a matter if you want a used 20 year old japanese bike (that come with their own problems of 20 years of abuse) or brand new bike that rides just as good or even maybe a little better than the 20 year old ones for sale in the same price range... with a few tweaks and hacks the sprocket swap and the carb brings it to life for the adrenaline rush....
2021 update have put hundreds and hundreds of trail riding miles on this bike...Still for the money it cant be beat...
upgrades since I bought it...
1. installed a new stater button 25 amp (can be had from auto zone or similar auto parts store) Is the original starter button quit working.
Took the lead going to the original starter motor and wired up a light kid since this has a battery Use 10 W led motorcycle lights and it works great with a switch added.
Have only had to Tighten ther chain a few times and change the oil, In standard maintenance...
Super bike for beginners to learn onAnd it's good enough for intermediate fun and trail riding...
So far still love it!
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 71.3 x 37.8 x 16.9 inches |
|---|---|
| Package Weight | 300 Pounds |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 85 x 32 x 49 inches |
| Brand Name | APOLLO Tools |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Model Name | APOLLO - AGB 36 - 250cc |
| Manufacturer | APOLLO |
| Part Number | Dirt bike 250cc |
