Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Which Bike?
Voge 300 GY Rally Voge 300 GY Rally
Register FAQ Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
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 Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



Like Tree8Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 7 Aug 2023
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Tartu, Estonia
Posts: 1,140
Some of them look like they are getting there - I have heard very positive first-hand testimony from CFMoto owners.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 8 Aug 2023
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Devon, UK
Posts: 874
Quote:
Originally Posted by AnTyx View Post
Some of them look like they are getting there - I have heard very positive first-hand testimony from CFMoto owners.
I suppose one could point to Enfield as some sort of evidence that developing nations don't build good bikes without big-brand western backers pulling their strings, but even that venerable brand has vocal supporters. Equally we could look back 50 years to the taunts of "Jap Crap" from British bike owners... it only took about 10 years for the Japanese to wipe out the British bike industry, so why should anyone think the Chinese aren't willing or able to establish themselves as suppliers of motorcycles to rival anything on the market now?

OK they have started with a low cost mindset which does lead to corner cutting for the domestic market, but other Chinese products are already competing with the world's best (they are becoming dominant in the auto market outside Europe, let's not even get onto phones and IT) and they are technically capable and motivated to make something that occupies profitable "high end" markets not only the cheap end.

Write them off at your peril, and in the meantime a wise man will assess their products for what they are, not where they're built.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 8 Aug 2023
Tim Cullis's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London and Granada Altiplano
Posts: 3,172
I've toured the BMW Factory in Spartenburg, South Carolina, several times. BMW has an interesting way of maintaining standards overseas. All the production and assembly equipment for all of the third party suppliers and also the overseas factory, is supplied by BMW, so the metal presses, the robot welders, the marriage gear (when engine/gearbox is mated with rest of vehicle), and so forth.

Not only does this allow standards to be maintained, it also ensures that news of model changes doesn't leak out of third parties or the overseas plant as the gear for the revised model is only delivered a couple of weeks before production starts.
__________________
"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 8 Aug 2023
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Belper, uk, EUROPE
Posts: 573
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tomkat View Post
I suppose one could point to Enfield as some sort of evidence that developing nations don't build good bikes without big-brand western backers pulling their strings, but even that venerable brand has vocal supporters.

Write them off at your peril, and in the meantime a wise man will assess their products for what they are, not where they're built.
Enfield are pulling themselves up in terms of quality - they are not using big-brand western backers. Yes, there are a few niggles but there are with many, many motorbikes and brands.

As you have said, write them off at your peril.
__________________
You will have to do without pocket handkerchiefs, and a great many other things, before we reach our journey's end, Bilbo Baggins. You were born to the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire, but home is now behind you. The world is ahead.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 8 Aug 2023
Turbofurball's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Catalunya
Posts: 371
I've sat on one in a showroom, it seemed ok but the gear shifter was solid so would get bent if dropped which put me off a bit. I later saw the same bike being used on a trail while I was walking my dogs, sounded nice and looked nice.

As for Chinese built bikes in general, I had an UM DSM Adventure for a bit and it was really nice. If the 200cc version was available in Europe I'd be on one of those TBH, the 125 needed a bit more torque for actual off-roading.
__________________
FreeBSD fan since before it was cool ...
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 2 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 2 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes
Hybrid Mode Hybrid Mode

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
My ramblings about why i decided on a CRF250 Rally rather than an Africa Twin The_Feral_Traveller Which Bike? 20 12 Jul 2022 18:37
Honda Crf L and Rally 300! Snakeboy Which Bike? 12 13 Nov 2020 08:56
Rally Around the World First-Leg Ride - Nasvhville TN - Sat July 28, 2012 Bradthompson59 Motorcycle Events around the world 0 6 Jul 2012 21:49

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 00:47.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top