Mini motorbike recall (29 Dec 06)

[apteryx_haasti]

Hi all - just saw this on stuff.co.nz - hope none of y'all got one for your wee ones:

Brakes, wheels dangerous on mini motorbikes

More than 3000 children's mini off-road motorbikes are being recalled by The Warehouse amid concerns that brake, wheel and ignition faults could cause serious injuries.

The Warehouse issued the recall after noticing an "unusual" number of the $299 bikes being returned after Christmas, spokeswoman Cynthia Church said.

She could not say how many bikes had been returned but the recall was for approximately 3400 of the 49cc two-stroke machines.

"We've had a couple of cases where the back wheel locked and a couple of cases where the back wheel bent, so they are not as strong as we would like them to be."

There had been no reports of injuries caused by the bikes but it was possible.

She said the bikes were mainly for children but were rated as usable for people under 75kg.

It was not possible to individually contact the purchasers as The Warehouse did not keep buyer records.

Ms Church said The Warehouse's New Zealand supplier had assured the company they were properly safety checked "but apparently that hasn't been the case".

The Warehouse would investigate to find out what had gone wrong.

The bikes were for sale in November and December and owners should stop using them immediately and return them for a full refund, Ms Church said.

[MattRSK]

Haha I wonder when someone is going to come along and say "I told you so". *runs and hides*

[NighthawkNZ]

i saw that on the news... cheap chinese crap....

[crashe]

yep twas all over TV1 6pm news tonight.


BTW, we have a new KB member just joined us tonight who has a son who brought one of these machines...

They are going to be asking in here (KB) on what is a good off road bike to go and buy instead...

So can we all give them some good advise and what sort of money they will need to be spending etc and where to get a decent second hand bike from.

joss is their logon name.

They got caught out with the warehouse bike.

So lets all be nice an helpful when she finally does ask for help.
Thanks.

[NighthawkNZ]

i would give advise but don't know so i will keep my trap shut :yes:

[Str8 Jacket]

A mate of mine said that the warehouse recalled a similar if not the same product last year as well. I remember seeing them in the warehouse and commenting on how dangerous they looked. They looked real flimsy!

[crashe]

A mate of mine said that the warehouse recalled a similar if not the same product last year as well. I remember seeing them in the warehouse and commenting on how dangerous they looked. They looked real flimsy!

yep the last lot was also RECALLED as well..

So that is two lots recalled from the warehouse...

Hopefully they (the company) have learnt from this and never buy in these bikes again.

[lb99]

I have a mate who has two, he brought them from another importer 2 years ago for about $1000 each, but they are the exact same bike there were some teething problems, like loose bolts and stuff, but these bikes have been rolled bowled and arseholed, by two under 10s and apart from the shoddy plastics breaking they seem to be holding up fine.
I wonder weather the warehouse ones were built down to a price,. I work on the same site as a warehouse off site store, and we assembled one of these things, and I can confirm it is exactly the same as the one my mate brought.

the faults are probably something someone with some mechanical nouse can fix, I bet they catered to the lowest denominator and recalled the lot because it is cheaper than risking a lawsuit.

I'd be dead keen to get my hands on a recalled one and go over it myself, I'm sure it would be fine with sone decent bearings and cables and stuff

[Motig]

I told you so ! I did !!!














Oh Sorry, I didnt, but but I knew ..................................honest, I did really

[Finn]

They got caught out with the warehouse bike.

Sorry, how could anyone be "caught out" by the Warehouse? They sell utter shit. What, you spend $299 on a motorbike and expect it to stay in the family for generations?

When are kiwi's going to grow brains? Bloody colony.

[Motu]

Are they fit for purpose? I'd say they are....I bet Dad's been riding it,and the cousins,and the kids next door...

Like lb99 says - the assembly on all these Chinese bikes,every brand,is atrocious,they just fall apart.A bit of mechanical nouse and most of them would be ok....for utter crap.

[Mom]

A mate of mine said that the warehouse recalled a similar if not the same product last year as well. I remember seeing them in the warehouse and commenting on how dangerous they looked. They looked real flimsy!

We spotted them in the shops a couple of weeks ago, had a bit of a look, the worst thing for me was the fact they were toting them as suitable for up to 15year olds.....pleeeease they are toys, cheap, shitty toys......lets hope we dont see them for sale again next year :done:

[Fub@r]

Are they fit for purpose? I'd say they are....I bet Dad's been riding it,and the cousins,and the kids next door...

Like lb99 says - the assembly on all these Chinese bikes,every brand,is atrocious,they just fall apart.A bit of mechanical nouse and most of them would be ok....for utter crap.


Apparently my ex got one of these things for my son for Xmas. My son was telling me how they superglued the leaking fuel tank! And now seeing my ex doesn't watch the news or read the newspaper I can have the pleasure of ringing her up and saying I told you so and get her to return the piece of junk.

I can't believe anyone would buy from this second batch after the first one gots recalled. Did notice that there was no rush over Xmas to buy them, all Warehouse's had plenty on display at all times

[NighthawkNZ]

they are made in china... what do they expect... they are cheap shit that should not be on the NZ market

[gijoe1313]

A sucker born every second ... and boy, do I have a bridge to sell to you! :msn-wink:

Damn, I have a Pikachu that needed his own bike - would have suited him fine since they're both made in China! :whistle: I told him that a nice yellow Hornet would suit him better :msn-wink:

[Skyryder]

I wonder what story lies behind these bikes.

Steps in the entry certification process

Once a vehicle has been imported into New Zealand, it must be border-checked, certified, registered and licensed for use on the road. The key process is entry certification, where:

* the owner's legal entitlement to the vehicle is established
* it's established that the vehicle met the required safety and emissions standards when it was manufactured
* the vehicle is inspected and tested to determine whether its structure, components and systems meet New Zealand safety requirements.

Just how did they get off loaded here in NZ??


Skyryder

[White trash]

The problem is, the people who are buying these bikes for their kids have not a shred of mechanical know-how in most cases.

They are cheap chinese stuff, but I've persoanlly sold quite a few of the exact same machine and offered the new owners tips on how to look after and assemble their machines correctly, should they not already know.

Fizzerman has one for his kids and it's going briliant and will continue to, because he knows what he's doing.

[ArcherWC]

The worst bit is the dumb ass parents who buy these, then go out and buy a $20 bike helmet to "protect" their kids heads.

and dont say "no way", because i saw just that on boxing day, luckly the bike shop owner was a mx'er as well and said no way buddy,

[Coyote]

Are they assembled in the shop to save space in their crates when they're shipped? Or are they small enough for that not to be a problem? Cause the Milazo range of push bikes suffer many problems from being assembled by clueless warehouse employees, plus their components are just plain cheap, rusty shit

[JMemonic]

The worst bit is the dumb ass parents who buy these, then go out and buy a $20 bike helmet to "protect" their kids heads.

I am sure there were some helmets on display around these bikes at one warehouse store, I was in a bit of a rush at the time but had a rapid look at them for the safety cert and markings on the box, none was visible to me. Your comment about $20 helmets, reminded me did anyone else take a look at these things and if so was there any safety ratings on them ?

[JMemonic]

I wonder what story lies behind these bikes.

Steps in the entry certification process

Once a vehicle has been imported into New Zealand, it must be border-checked, certified, registered and licensed for use on the road. The key process is entry certification, where:

* the owner's legal entitlement to the vehicle is established
* it's established that the vehicle met the required safety and emissions standards when it was manufactured
* the vehicle is inspected and tested to determine whether its structure, components and systems meet New Zealand safety requirements.

Just how did they get off loaded here in NZ??


Skyryder

Easy none of these steps apply is the vehicle is not for road use, the border check is a MAF check and a check to ensure that the paper work is in order ie the de reg papers, not a stolen vehicle, and is on the approved list for vehicles currently allowed on the road. MX bikes and toys don't fall under the safety list that gets stopped at the border.

The steps you list are mostly preformed at the certification stage when a vehicle gets a VIN allocated, these things would have come in as toys and so long as they meet the requirements around what ever classification they come under then they would be fine

The problem is the warehouse would not have had to submit any of these for testing but just provided paperwork from the manufacture stating the specs and matching requirements. They are possibly perfectly fine units when assembled correctly, (ie bolts tightened and not done up with an adjustable spanner or worse slip jaw pliers), and used correctly, not had some 80+ Kg (Christmas lubricated) father showing his kids how its done and bending the wheels/frame.

Actually I suspect the issue is more to do with the fact the ones I saw were some assembly required and the lack mechanical skills in the general population. Didn't the same outfit have an issue with simple old push bikes a few years back that were some assembly required then change their bikes to be fully assembled units?

Just realised it looks like I am defending the retailer here but that is not the case, all retailers should learn a lesson from this, and just because you provide instructions saying not to do something don't assume they will be followed.

[Skyryder]

The reason I ask is that I thought that with the new ammendments to the Land Transport Act etc off road vehicles needed a WOF

Skyryder

[onearmedbandit]

The reason I ask is that I thought that with the new ammendments to the Land Transport Act etc off road vehicles needed a WOF

Skyryder

Pardon?? How would an RM, CRF, YZF etc get a WOF??

[davereid]

Yeah Skyriders sort of right - lots of off road places are now "roads".. I think the law now defines a road as "any place to which the public have access whether by right or not" - at least as far as needing rego etc is concerned.

Around here the local cops are having fun down on the beach ticketing old codgers going fishing for having a quad without it being registered. They have put up big signs saying the beach, foreshore, sand dunes etc etc are all places you have to have rego and a warrant.

Just more arseholes making life difficult.

Still, I for one can assure you that my yamaha big bear quad will go through soft sand that stops a police Nissan Navara 4x4 in its tracks. Sorry I didn't stay to help buddy, I had fresh fish to get home.

[skidMark]

damn i could make a massive rant but what would be the point.

hmmmmm does this mean ill be able to buy a whole heap of recalled shitboxes cheap?

i need a new can opener

[skidMark]

Pardon?? How would an RM, CRF, YZF etc get a WOF??

well you see frankie i know a guy who knows a guy and he knows this guy, ya know?

[skidMark]

I wonder what story lies behind these bikes.

Steps in the entry certification process

Once a vehicle has been imported into New Zealand, it must be border-checked, certified, registered and licensed for use on the road. The key process is entry certification, where:

* the owner's legal entitlement to the vehicle is established
* it's established that the vehicle met the required safety and emissions standards when it was manufactured
* the vehicle is inspected and tested to determine whether its structure, components and systems meet New Zealand safety requirements.

Just how did they get off loaded here in NZ??


Skyryder

before mini choppers etc came in the law for mopeds stated that some did not need registration if they were under 49cc and the rider was under 14 thus classing it as a childrens toy

and aside from that on a different tangent....

these are clased as a toy not ijntended for road use which basically makes them a ride on mower.....would you need a warrent for an imported ride on mower?

they are toys they r cheap rubbish people go beyong thier limits ....

but this is not to say all of these little bikes are junk and more specifically not all chinese ones

but in saying that yes there is some absolute junk out there and then there is other chinese bikes which are fast gaining on the quality of that of suzuki and honda etc.

[onearmedbandit]

Yeah Skyriders sort of right - lots of off road places are now "roads".. I think the law now defines a road as "any place to which the public have access whether by right or not" - at least as far as needing rego etc is concerned.

.

Sure, for vehicles used on anything considered a road. But not all off-road vehicles are going to be used in these places therefore they shouldn't need a WOF. IE moto-x bikes. Or are these defined as competition vehicles and therefore exempt.

[pervert]

they are made in china... what do they expect... they are cheap shit that should not be on the NZ market

Fuck, thats a big call to rag on EVERYTHING made in China. I would be positive you would own plenty of items made in China that you are quite happy with.



The reason I ask is that I thought that with the new ammendments to the Land Transport Act etc off road vehicles needed a WOF

Skyryder

You are just a big pot of mis-information aren't you...:yes:



Yeah Skyriders sort of right - lots of off road places are now "roads".. I think the law now defines a road as "any place to which the public have access whether by right or not" - at least as far as needing rego etc is concerned.

If it's behind a gate (e.g. your own land) then its not a public road and you can ride and do whatever you want to an extent.

[davereid]

So, if the gates open ya need rego then ?

[crshbndct]

i saw that on the news... cheap chinese crap....


funny story:

i bought my 3 year old girl a barbie bicycle for christmas and she was riding it along when the back wheel valve just popped (under the trmendous force of 28psi of air pressure) and i picked it up looked at it and said exactly the same thing "stupid chinese crap" and as i said it a family of chinese people walked past (i didnt see them)

they all turned, looked at me and looked very offended. the most embarassing thing was that i said it while walking with my mrs her mum and family (who i only just met)

[pervert]

So, if the gates open ya need rego then ?

That's where the 'whether public has access by right or not' part comes in I believe.

If someone can freely drive onto your property its an issue, but if it's fenced and gated its sweet.

[nudemetalz]

funny story:

i bought my 3 year old girl a barbie bicycle for christmas and she was riding it along when the back wheel valve just popped (under the trmendous force of 28psi of air pressure) and i picked it up looked at it and said exactly the same thing "stupid chinese crap" and as i said it a family of chinese people walked past (i didnt see them)

they all turned, looked at me and looked very offended. the most embarassing thing was that i said it while walking with my mrs her mum and family (who i only just met)

ha ha ha that's great !!!

[MVnut]

The Warehouse should have to replace the crap minibikes with better quality ones, then they might think differently in the future.

[MotoGirl]

When I have kids eventually, I want to get them a little bike. :rockon: We saw these ones at the warehouse and thought they looked 'cute' but we're going to invest the money in proper bike that won't crap out!

I feel sorry for the kids who received these bikes 'cause mummy and daddy will now have to fork out for a more expensive version or tell the kid that santa stole their present :bye:

[NighthawkNZ]

The more cheap shit that we import from china or anywhere else in the world and the more out sourcing of work we do... the less jobs in that field we have here in NZ...

Classic example is I where I work we import pens (there is no company that makes them in NZ) we also print on them... We are getting more and more people wanting us to do it cheaper which is kinda far enough however more and and more are asking to get them printed in china as well... if we got all the pens printed over in china then I and 5 printers are out of a job...

There is already a company that is set up in NZ that sends out pens to every company in NZ every so often... what most people don't realise is that this is an irish company, the and the pens are from china (you do the math)

Im all for imports and exports but to a limit... a certian amout of cheap disposable, a certian amount of medium quality and a certian ammount of top gear...

If you flood the market with cheap shit and people buy it because its cheap and thats all they have to buy... you have to remember just that its cheap... We get complaints that refills in pens dont last... (a couple of months) well for fark sake 9 times out of 10 its a cheap throw away pen with a 2cent refill

If you want quality... pay for it.

[B]WAKE UP NEW ZEALAND... for crying out loud, if you buy cheap you will have to buy again in 6 months time if you buy quality you have pay the extra and the item should last longer. I bought a pair of Nike Airs for $80 and the lasted 8 years, I bought a pair a cheap sneakers from BigRed for $20 about 6 months ago and I need to replace... you do the math

[/END RANT]

[MattRSK]

The more cheap shit that we import from china or anywhere else in the world and the more out sourcing of work we do... the less jobs in that field we have here in NZ...

Classic example is I where I work we import pens (there is no company that makes them in NZ) we also print on them... We are getting more and more people wanting us to do it cheaper which is kinda far enough however more and and more are asking to get them printed in china as well... if we got all the pens printed over in china then I and 5 printers are out of a job...

There is already a company that is set up in NZ that sends out pens to every company in NZ every so often... what most people don't realise is that this is an irish company, the and the pens are from china (you do the math)

Im all for imports and exports but to a limit... a certian amout of cheap disposable, a certian amount of medium quality and a certian ammount of top gear...

If you flood the market with cheap shit and people buy it because its cheap and thats all they have to buy... you have to remember just that its cheap... We get complaints that refills in pens dont last... (a couple of months) well for fark sake 9 times out of 10 its a cheap throw away pen with a 2cent refill

If you want quality... pay for it.

[B]WAKE UP NEW ZEALAND... for crying out loud, if you buy cheap you will have to buy again in 6 months time if you buy quality you have pay the extra and the item should last longer. I bought a pair of Nike Airs for $80 and the lasted 8 years, I bought a pair a cheap sneakers from BigRed for $20 about 6 months ago and I need to replace... you do the math

[/END RANT]


Free trade with china. WOOHOO.

[RT527]

If it's behind a gate (e.g. your own land) then its not a public road and you can ride and do whatever you want to an extent.

Actually not ...if you can gain access to the road way beyond a gate by opening the gate its still considered public access , as I understand it the gate needs to be padlocked or a controlled access for it not to be public access.

Any track ie farm track, track or driveway which is wider than 1.5 metres is considered a road .


Now who can tell me who they made this legislation for?

[pervert]

Actually not ...if you can gain access to the road way beyond a gate by opening the gate its still considered public access , as I understand it the gate needs to be padlocked or a controlled access for it not to be public access.

Public access and a public road are two different things...

[rok-the-boat]

I saw those cheap bikes in Warehouse and stopped for a second - just a second - then carried on. A second was all I needed to realise they were not good enough for my kid.

[pervert]

Does anybody know anyone that works for the Warehouse and can confirm what is going to happen to the recalled bikes?

I'd love to pick up a half dozen or so if they are dirt cheap, fuck they would enhance drunken evenings with a few mates.

[lb99]

Does anybody know anyone that works for the Warehouse and can confirm what is going to happen to the recalled bikes?

I'd love to pick up a half dozen or so if they are dirt cheap, fuck they would enhance drunken evenings with a few mates.

I tried my best to get my hands on the last lot of recalled ones, but my warehouse contact said they would crush them, to prevent anyone from damaging theirselves

[Sketchy_Racer]

well thats just completly gay.

NZ needs to harden the f**k up.

F****n poofters

[Steam]

but my warehouse contact said they would crush them,

The crushing will be done at a Metal Recycling yard, and you can bet they'll be hawking those motors off at the back door.
I worked at one for a short time in Dunedin and that's the sort of thing that happened there.
It'd be right handy to have a bunch of wee 2-stroke engines around.

[pervert]

It'd be right handy to have a bunch of wee 2-stroke engines around.

For sure, especially considering most of the motors in the Chinese bikes are direct Honda copies because they stole the moulds when Honda tried to outsource the work.

The bikes might be shoddy, but the motors are usually pretty strong.

[Mr. Peanut]

[B]WAKE UP NEW ZEALAND... for crying out loud, if you buy cheap you will have to buy again in 6 months time if you buy quality you have pay the extra and the item should last longer. I bought a pair of Nike Airs for $80 and the lasted 8 years, I bought a pair a cheap sneakers from BigRed for $20 about 6 months ago and I need to replace... you do the math

[/END RANT]
Excuse me while I pick apart your example.
Nike's are cheap, You paid for the logo. Nothing wrong with most $20 shoes :)

[NighthawkNZ]

Excuse me while I pick apart your example.
Nike's are cheap, You paid for the logo. Nothing wrong with most $20 shoes :)

That maybe... :) However that cheap brand that I paid for the logo... the logo was stitched on alot better which musta held the whole sneaker together... :laugh: and lasted 8 years where as my $20 shoes hardly lasted 6 months...

[Mr. Peanut]

That maybe... :) However that cheap brand that I paid for the logo... the logo was stitched on alot better which musta held the whole sneaker together... :laugh: and lasted 8 years where as my $20 shoes hardly lasted 6 months...

But that's one tiny weensy example, that doesn't even have the merit of a statistic.

I usually throw my cheap shoes out because they look ragged, not because they break. Got a 2 year old pair of $20 shoes.

[sinned]

I saw those cheap bikes in Warehouse and stopped for a second - just a second - then carried on. A second was all I needed to realise they were not good enough for my kid.

These bikes are good enough for a few injuries. This cheap crap provides a low cost way to gain a motorcycle injury and will these add to the stats and result in higher ACC levies attached to the annual road registration fee?

[Mr. Peanut]

Yup, my little cousin had his eyes on it. "It's crap, look at the frame welds I sed."

Showed him the Warehouse story yesterday :)

[pervert]

Spending $80 is hardly splashing out on shoes...hahaha...$80 shoes are cheap shoes.

[NighthawkNZ]

Spending $80 is hardly splashing out on shoes...hahaha...$80 shoes are cheap shoes.

that was back in 1985

[pervert]

that was back in 1985

Hahahaha well that makes quite a difference then!!!