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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.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



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  #16  
Old 26 Jun 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
I used to sell kymcos. They are worse than bad.
I take it then you would not recommend one for a 5 year RTW trip?
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  #17  
Old 26 Jun 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mark manley View Post
I take it then you would not recommend one for a 5 year RTW trip?
I wouldn't take one for a 5 minute "round the block" lol..

They are simply dreadful. 70% return rate on some models. The carbs were made by fisher price and used to overflow and flood all the time, the electrics were wired by children and the fasteners and fittings would rust overnight..

I used to plead for customers upgrade to a used Jap model but they still used to come back and complain even though I told them they were shite !!
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  #18  
Old 27 Jun 2011
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Japan Vs China
You will be able to find one that is fine if you treat it with care and check it all the time but I chose my bike based on the info that it was much less likely to break and then if it did could I access parts and help relatively easily.

Go for the best you can get that fits your budget but I would get a Japanese bike if I had the choice.
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  #19  
Old 27 Jun 2011
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You often here it said about Chinese bikes
"it's a copy of an XR200 so it must be fine"

Just to put that into perspective, I could have a go at making a copy of Helicopter but I doubt you'd want to fly in it.

My mate bought a "Honduki" or some such name, CG125 clone for his wife to learn on and do her test. After only a few months, everything was rusty and corroded. It had about half the power of a proper CG and all the controls were crap and bits fell off. She did complete her test but the bike was prety much scrap by the time she did.

Some Chinese bikes must be OK as most "Western" manufacturere of almost anything get some/most/all of the parts made in China.

But, I'd rather ride an older Jap bike any day.
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  #20  
Old 27 Jun 2011
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Well that's it ! They are catching up and I think it's only a matter of time before one of the big Chinese/Korean firms starts making much better bikes...

Just like Daewoo and Hyundai did in the car market...

They won't as good, but they will be good enough, and probably cheap and easy to fix, reliable and simple....

That sounds like a good recipe for a travel bike to me.
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  #21  
Old 29 Jun 2011
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to Demak and nimota model,picture just followed this links > Malaysian Biking Forum.

Nimota Ranger-X

Demak Scram 250 / 230 / 160

Demak are now introduce new model 200cc,250cc wated cool engine. For RTW 5 years trip better used japanese model rather then chinese bikes in term of parts ability.

nowdays.....especially in Asian coutries most motorcycle are know CKD and manfacturer in most Asian Countries. Kawasaki KLX150r assemblies in Indonesia rather then Japan to cut costs but the quality of build cannot compare to Japanese spec. The price are also still expensive for us around RM9,500 (USD2900) compare to Demak RM6800(USD1800)

My brother have it for 4,000km and still going strong without any problem. I will posted some review here after back from Thailand-Vietnam trips.
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  #22  
Old 29 Jun 2011
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Originally Posted by HippoEleben View Post
My brother have it for 4,000km and still going strong without any problem. I will posted some review here after back from Thailand-Vietnam trips.
Please do... frankly, 4,000 KM is not much distance to base an evaluation on. Most motorcycles aren't even broken in at that point.

If it gets to say 40,000 KM with no major issues that will be a lot more impressive. ;-)
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  #23  
Old 29 Jun 2011
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Not all bad!
Well we had an AJS / Regal Raptor NKT1 for 2 years in which time it did nearly 6000 miles. Apart from crap in the petrol meaning the carbs needed cleaning she started day in day out, rode well, returned 100mpg most of the time and looked good too. I'm only talking commuting here and it wasn't on a par with my Trannie or 650GS, or even the RE Bullet for style and ride enjoyment, but for a brand new price of £1500 and a resale of £750 after 2 yrs or so I reckon it was good. A few rust issues especially on the pipes and collector box. I would say for the price, this model, this manufacturer it could not be beaten. That's my two pennorth!

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  #24  
Old 30 Jun 2011
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It's quite funny to see the replies from those based in the UK to a thread that started in Liberia!

Chinese bikes are the same as any other bike in that you get what you pay for. But they are tremendous value in some parts of the world where you can buy 2-3 new ones for the UK prices mentioned here.
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  #25  
Old 1 Jul 2011
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Value for money and very reliable
For 500 pounds you can buy a brand new small chinese bike capable of doing 190 000km and still going. Reliabity has arrived, they have gotten it right.
For a starter bike it's great and gets the job done.

Some interesting reading: Proof is in the pudding
MotoMia bikes are reliable
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  #26  
Old 11 Jul 2011
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Are all Chinese bikes equal?
I'm currently working for an Importer of Chinese Bikes in the UK and there are vast differences between the different factories that produce bikes in China. What China has is a large workforce and new facilities. What they lack is experience. This isn't always the case though as the standard of Chinese bikes is improving. The manufacturers that do well are getting repeat business and the factories that are doing poorly are being whittled down as you'd expect. Companies like Zongshen, Znen, Sanben, Wangye, Baotian, Kaiser, and Dafier are producing some good kit. There are of course occasional issues but the standard is a huge amount better than what they used to be.
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  #27  
Old 19 Jul 2012
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Who says I can't?
Quote:
Originally Posted by mark manley View Post
I take it then you would not recommend one for a 5 year RTW trip?
Funny you should say that... it's not 5 years or RTW, but I've bought one of these and am part way through riding it across south amerca.
Here's mine below:


It's an enduro style bike, the farings lie "250cc" on the side, then the manual admids 229cc, 16HP, I met a guy with the same bike who's manual claims 23HP from an identical engine, his has blown up twice after less than 9,000KM... and neither of ours can hit 100KPH, it doesn't inspire a lot of confidence in my machine, but either way it should make a good read for someone.

-If anyone's interested to read about some of the adventure and bike specs it's all here Making it up on a motorbike. | China's 2 wheeled revenge on Latin America.


Enjoy!
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  #28  
Old 19 Jul 2012
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Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
I used to sell kymcos. They are worse than bad.

I had the chance to ride a little bit on a hyosung 250 comet and I don't think the Hyosung bikes are such crap (but i admit they are not refined as a japanese bike). They have now a 450cc (RX 450) that looks really interesting and i'd like to have the chance to try it someday.

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