With each day, cruisers are becoming ever-popular in the Chinese market, and we’ve witnessed everything from air-suspension-equipped 500cc examples to Harley-Davidson-rivalling 1,200cc thumpers. For 2023, it’s the Chinese mammoth Lifan who wants a piece of the cruiser pie with its latest creation, the V600. The motorcycle is no rip-off, packs a decent punch, and aims to beat the Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 in the mid-capacity cruiser space. Let’s check it out.
The Lifan V600 Looks Unique
Unlike most Chinese cruisers, the V600 looks fresh and unique, with no obvious reminiscence from premium brands. It features a round headlight, followed by a bulbous fuel tank and a sleek tail. All this, together with the simple alloys and dual chrome exhausts, gives the Lifan an identity of its own. Yes, it might not tickle all our bellies, but hey, at least it’s not another drop in the doppelganger sea.
Where the V600 feels Chinese, though, is in terms of features. In a good way that is, as you get a digital LCD, keyless ignition, dual-channel ABS, and a camera up top to record your traffic-slicing skills. All-LED lights come standard as well, although there’s no word on smartphone connectivity which the Super Meteor has.
The Lifan V600 Has More Power Than The Harley-Davidson Iron 883
Yes, you read that right. The V600 employs a 600cc, V-twin engine (hence, the name) that whips out 58 horsepower and 41 pound-feet–11 ponies and four ponies more than the Super Meteor and Iron 883, respectively. The power reaches the rear wheel via a six-speed transmission, paired with a belt drive which is an oddity on mid-capacity cruisers. Speaking of wheels, the cruiser rides on 19/16-inch aluminum alloys, each wearing a single disc brake clamped by a J.Juan caliper. These, along with the adjustable upside-down forks and monoshock, round off the underpinnings.
Besides this, you sit aboard a long, scooped saddle, with your hands on the wide handlebar and feet on the forward-set footrests. Couple this with the uber-low 725 mm ride height, and it’s safe to assume the V600 will be a comfy steed. The weight - at 485 pounds - won’t make your life very hard either. For reference, the Super Meteor 650 weighs over 520 pounds.
The Lifan V600 Might Not Make It To America
Lifan is yet to put a price on the V600 in its hometown. And although the Chinese bikemaker sells its small-capacity offerings here, the V600 will probably be a China-only offering. At best, you might see it in Europe, but that too, in a 48-HP trim to meet the A2 license norms. So we suggest you wait for the Super Meteor 650 which will be the costliest Royal Enfield in America.