Weird Flex: These Newly Launched Cafe Racers Resemble The BMW R nineT Racer

These 150cc and 200cc cafe racers have more torque than the R15 and Apache RTR 200 4V

Lifan has launched two motorcycles, namely the KPM191 and KPM239 in China. These little cafe racers are identical in terms of design. In typical neo-retro fashion, they get a round LED headlight integrated into a half fairing with funky looking upwards curved indicators. The hump design for the rear seat and bar-end mirrors add to the retro charm of these motorcycles. 

Staying true to its cafe racer genes, it gets clip-on handlebars. Adding to the bike’s sportiness are premium upside down forks up front, along with a monoshock at the back. While the KPM239 gets dual-channel ABS as standard, the KPM191 has two variants  - one with ABS and one without.

These were the similar bits, now here’s a lowdown into just what’s different between these two bikes:

KPM191

The KPM191 is the lower capacity one of the two. It comes equipped with a 149cc single-cylinder, 4-valve engine with 17.93PS and 14.5Nm on tap, with a claimed top speed of more than 110kmph. To put things into perspective, it’s just 0.47PS less and 0.3Nm more than the Yamaha R15V4. A claimed fuel efficiency of 40 kmpl also puts it on par with the R15, at least on paper. Impressive! 

There are discs at both the ends taking care of the braking. As mentioned before, it’s available in an ABS-equipped variant along with one without ABS.. The cafe racer gets 17-inch wheels at both ends, with 100/80 size tyre at the front and 130/70 at the rear.

Making it a practical motorcycle is the healthy 184mm of ground clearance and an accessible 815mm seat height. That said, a kerb weight of 151kg puts it a bit on the heavier side considering it’s a 149cc bike.

KPM239

The KPM239 being the larger capacity motorcycle gets a 200cc single-cylinder, 4-valve engine. What is impressive again is the fact that it makes 20.69PS and 17.5Nm, which puts it only 0.13PS behind and 0.7Nm ahead of the revered TVS Apache RTR 200 4V. 

A ground clearance of 184mm ensures that its belly is safe in most conditions and an 815mm seat height ensures it’s accessible to riders of all sizes. Its 153 kerb weight puts it on par with its Indian 200cc rivals like the Apache and the KTM Duke 200. To top things off, a claimed 35.6 kmpl fuel efficiency makes it a fairly frugal motor as well. 

Just like the KPM191, the 239 rolls on 17-inchers, with 100/80 and 130/70 sized rubber at the front and rear, respectively. 

While the standard variant of the KPM191 comes at a price tag of 11,980 Yuan (approximately Rs 1,37,379), the ABS version retails at 13,180 Yuan (approximately Rs 1,51,140). The bigger KPM239 carries a price tag of 13,980 Yuan (approximately Rs 1,60,314). That makes them slightly expensive motorcycles, but with the premium kit and the charming retro-styling on offer, they feel like they could be worth the asking prices.

That said, these bikes will probably not make their way to the Indian market. If you’re looking for a cafe racer in India, you could check out the Husqvarna Vitpilen 250 and the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650.