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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
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  #1  
Old 7 Mar 2011
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Advice on Chinese motorbikes
Hi,

I have to admit, I'm very new to the world of motorbikes. Took up riding about 6 months ago in Liberia on a 100cc Bajaj Boxer, which is pretty much the only thing I've ever ridden. I'm looking to upgrade, but don't want to spend too much. I don't have the time or patience to find a good used Japanese bike and am looking at a couple of Chinese bikes:
- JCM Superflash 150
- Royal Super RYGY 150-1

However, I can't seem to find much info on these on the net - not a good sign, me thinks. Anybody have any insight into these? E.g.,: are they relatively reliable? Will they fall apart on a longer trip? Or are replacement parts available?

Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

D.
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  #2  
Old 8 Mar 2011
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If you're riding through China they're great, otherwise I'd get something the rest of the world has heard of. ;o)
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  #3  
Old 8 Mar 2011
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I have never owned a Chinese bike but know a few who have, they are generally rubbish with poor build quality and made of the cheapest materials. If you only want to commute a short distance to work or occasional rideouts you might find one useful but for nothing more than that.
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  #4  
Old 9 Mar 2011
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Take a look at the new TBM magazine (uk)

TBM / TRAIL BIKE & ENDURO MAGAZINE / DIRT JUNKIES

They have a review of a couple of Chinese 230cc bikes in there.
They seem to be slightly surprised how good one of them is.......

Andy
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  #5  
Old 10 Mar 2011
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Chinese motorcycles
My wife and I rented a bike in Saigon HCM City. I brought it back to the hotel and they went nuts thinking I was going to drive it to Danang. It was a Chinese one so I took it back and got a Japanese one and they all felt much better with me renting that. It ran fine so I would look further from what they told me.
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Old 10 Mar 2011
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my first ever motorbike was a Chinese 150cc chun-lan which looks like honda innova. it was crap tho. after 2000 miles I've sold it.
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  #7  
Old 10 Mar 2011
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MCN recently did an appraisal of some chinese bikes and said that build quality has gone up and parts availability is OK for 'some' brands, which would suggest you need to research that before you buy.
A guy who lives opposite me bought a chinese bike in a crate, put it together (according to the instructions) and it was a total deathtrap. A quick dissasemble and reassemble with new cables (the main problem - they were too short and threw him off on a slow turn when the revs shot up), carb springs, some better electrical connectors and it was 'ok' but down on power and terrible handling. He got a 15 year old Kwak after that and was much happier with it!

A lot of the Chinese factories are capable of making some decent bikes (Keeway make Benellis now) so no doubt there are some gems to be found and with 100 odd manufacturers out there at the minute I reckon they will be wittled down to a handful over the next decade.
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  #8  
Old 13 Mar 2011
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The problem with Chinese bikes is figuring out who actually manufactures the bike. Every country has their own importers who "brand" them under their own name.

There are a few decent bikes, but this is from a US/Canadian perspective, and being a member of two great Chinese motorcycle forums:

ChinaRiders.net - Your online China Bike community
MyChinaMoto.com - Chinese Community, Forum and News - Front Page

For instance, the manufacturer Qingqi makes some good 200cc enduro bikes--they are also the OEM for Suzuki's DR200. They have received some great reviews from many owners in the US and Canada (and China--ex-pats from Europe/Australia/US/Canada who are members of the forums).

You living in Liberia, I don't know what is available there. Many of the members here are touring/planning to tour/fantasizing about touring long distances, so most Chinese bikes are out due to quality issues/finding part issues. If you are not riding too far, and the dealers there have parts, then the Chinese bikes might be the sensible choice for you.
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  #9  
Old 13 Mar 2011
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Some of those Chinese 150's do quite well. You see a lot of them around.
essentially they're just copies of the Honda XR150L which is actually a very strong bike.

Some are bad some are good I have no idea how you'd tell them apart.
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  #10  
Old 16 Jun 2011
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I owned an Italika 200cc while teaching in Mexico for a year. Italika is just the name of the importer: the bike was actually a "Loncin Cyclone" built in China. The engine was a duplicate of an old Honda XR200 single. I put 4000 KM on it in a year and never had a single issue with it. That said, I just used it for riding in the local area, and never wandered more than 100 KM away from home on it.

If you just want to ride around a local area and the dealer seems like he will be able to handle parts and service, I'd be okay with buying another one to save a few bucks.

On the other hand if you want something to tour any distance, I think you are better off getting a bike from the big Japanese 4 simply to have better service and support network.
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  #11  
Old 22 Jun 2011
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i owned chinese bike re-badge in Malaysia and called Nimota Ranger-X.This bike are copy Honda XL engine with capacity of 150cc-200cc.It have a very good performance and reliable. Will posted some picture

This chinese motorcycle are very popular here in Malaysia especially brand like Nimota and Demak

Me and my brother will using this bikes for our trip to Thailand,Cambodia,Laos,Vietnam this coming December. Parts should be no problem in Malaysia.
Last edited by HippoEleben; 29 Jun 2011 at 06:00.
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  #12  
Old 25 Jun 2011
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Like many have said already, but I'll repeat: there are really good chinese bikes available now. You just need to make sure that the brand you buy is of the good types.
In ZA "motomia", the rebadged name, not sure who actually makes them is a good example. A husband wife couple did over 6000km from Cape Town around South Africa in a few weeks without any mechanical problems at all. Read more at: www.aroundsa.co.za

The obvious benefit is that you get a capable bike for a really good price. Not everyone can do it on the German bikes. Have fun doing it.
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  #13  
Old 25 Jun 2011
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Consider your options....

A brand new Chinese bike is about £2000.. Second hand £1000 perhaps..

You can buy a lot of quality Japanese metal for that.. Maybe a few years old but it will certainly be in better condition and last 10 times longer..

I've dealt with loads of Chinese and Korean bikes and they're all SH*T !!

Don't waste your money..
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  #14  
Old 26 Jun 2011
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Whilst I would agree with Ted on Chinese bikes I have to take issue on Korean manufactured machines. The local mechanic I use for spares and MOTs will not service, repair or touch Chinese bikes in any way but sells Kymco a Korean brand and having spoken to a few owners I get the impression they are as good as Japanese bikes, perhaps this is the exception rather than the rule.
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Old 26 Jun 2011
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I used to sell kymcos. They are worse than bad.
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