Chinese motorcycles - any good brands?

[EJK]

Steve

Chinese invented an Airbag-built-in steering wheel. 2 in 1 benefit.

[Devil]

Waht about Lifan - I see that have a good website here and a lot of dealers?

They'd have the biggest presence here, and also the greatest level of backup. I've heard some reputable people in the business say some good things about them.
If there was any reason for me to look at a chinese bike, it'd be Lifan and only Lifan.

[CookMySock]

Chinese invented an Airbag-built-in steering wheel. 2 in 1 benefit.

Thats just to the airbag can bash you in the face before the steering wheel cuts your head off at the shoulders.

Steve

[imdying]

If their mini motos are anything to go by, then the quality is scarily bad

[crazyhorse]

Would suggest you stick with common brands - at least you know parts are available and reliability.

[The Pastor]

zongshen are ok for what you pay.... know someone who had one, parts were dirt cheap and he did the coro loop on it a few times

[Insanity_rules]

Ever heard the term "goes like a chinese motorcycle"? They OK, reliable enough but nothing stellar. Enough room for the whole family too.

[kjames]

The future...

i think the quality will get better...

i design glass facades on towers / buildings and now regularly use Chinese suppliers / contractors. They've hired the best european / american guys they can. Kitted out their factories with state of the art equipment. They’re implementing top notch QA procedures and have a genuine desire to do things better.

They are now producing equal quality products to more of less anything in the world.

I’m sure the auto industry will follow this model, just like Japan and Korea have.

But at the moment... don't think i'd buy a bike from them..

[Elysium]

And yet they still pay slave wages.

[toycollector10]

Think Japan in the early 1960's. Many makers and parts suppliers. Copying the European manufacturers. Then, by the 1970's, it was just the big four, Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda and Kawasaki. In no particular order. The small players were taken over and pushed out by the big boys.

In my opinion the 30 plus Chinese makers will be gobbled up by the big producers and there will emerge 3 or 4 big manufacturers, such as Lifan, the same as happened in Japan, and the build quality will be very good. So it will be "look out world."

But, maybe not in this decade.

[graeme250]

Thanks for that chaps - so maybe Lifen, maybe Zongshen but maybe wait a few years. I have seen the Chinese government is keen to almalgamate the car companies so I guess thay will encourage the bike makers to do the same.

Still I think they will catch up faster than anyone might think possible. The progress in cars in the last 12 months is simply stunning. A couple of years ago they said China market would take over the US in 2017 - they have done it this year! The govt only allows 50/50 JV's - so the Chinese get all the knowledge for free. They may not pay big wages but they are not stupid.