Cheap Chinese levers - first impressions

**vifferman** · 29th July 2010, 08:23

Originally Posted by imdying

No, it comes down to theft of a design, which isn't a problem in China. I wonder if it is actually legal to import these into New Zealand?

Don't see why not - they're available in the USA and Canadia (where Pazzos are made, IIRC). The same discussion and arguments have come up on other biker forums too, although apart from the Gixxer one ('leavers', LOL), I haven't read any reports of them misbehaving.
I'd fit 'em, but I'm not sure I'd try the wave rotors also made in China. A friend of mine in Canadia has them on his VFR, but he's being very careful - first sign of misbehaviour and they're in the trashcan.

**Biggles08** · 29th July 2010, 13:44

I thought it may be time for me to put my two cents in...why buy 'imitation' when you can get the real deal 'TITAX' Levers for only $295 A PAIR, any colour combination you want! That's less than $150 per side (if only just). These are EXACTLY the same levers they use in WSBK and MotoGP teams, not some unknown Chinese manufacture. These levers are TUV certified (ISO 9001) so you know what you are getting. Personally I wouldn't mess around with your braking system unless you are 100% confident in the product quality, that's why I haven't used aftermarket levers until I found these as I personally know what its like to have no brake lever at 190kph. PM me for details or go to www.bigglesracing.co.nz if your interested

**imdying** · 29th July 2010, 14:33

Originally Posted by vifferman

Don't see why not

I'm not sure either. Customs have a list on their site of companies they they protect the trademarks of on incoming goods. I'm not sure who the genuine Pazzo importer is, so can't check to see if they're on the list. They have put me onto the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. If they say it's not legal, then I'll find the importer, pass the details of what I've found onto them and Pazzo. If you want them, you should get stuck in now; I have no problem spending a little time getting them removed from this country and the parasites who're importing them prosecuted, should it turn out they're not legal to import into New Zealand. If it turns out that it is legal to import counterfeit goods like this, then it's down to each persons own conscience I guess.

**ital916** · 29th July 2010, 16:12

Originally Posted by R6_kid

What's your price?

we have them priced at $114

**Ivan** · 29th July 2010, 20:59

I am not going to say the price of a stock lever you buy from the shop as it might upset some companys but I can tell you the prices are stupid I can tell you these "cheap Chinese Knock offs" were 30 bucks more but I have no problem with them they are just as good as any other lever I race with myne and have not had any issue I love the fact while rding you can adjust the brakes on the go to

Also what is illegal about this? and Whites branded brake levers which are direct copies of OEM levers except a shit load less the price? these here are not Pazzo or Titax they are GP PRO or some name similar come in a nice package alot better than your plastic lunch bag OEM lever and look like a Pazzo Etc they are just a stubby lever with clickers rather than a long OEM lever with a round dial adjuster

**AllanB** · 29th July 2010, 21:24

If it is a direct copy you may have a chance to stop the import by a NZ agent - to get around these copyright issues many companies take a brilliant design and modify it slightly - in short, right or wrong, they get away with it

And then there is all the others - I see lots of CRG bar-end mirror copies available in NZ at about half the cost.

It is interesting that there is not some form of standard that critical items like brake parts should have to meet.

**Biggles08** · 29th July 2010, 22:22

Originally Posted by AllanB

It is interesting that there is not some form of standard that critical items like brake parts should have to meet.

VERY good point, for every other part there is...like braided lines etc! I would like to think common sense would prevail in this instance myself...but hey, Darwin's law I guess!

**DR650gary** · 30th July 2010, 20:34

Before everyone gets too outraged at knock offs and copies, we recently had to buy a stock OEM outboard part for a Johnson. $425 (with discount) from supplier in Whangarei, $167.00 delivered ex USA from a dealer in Adelaide. Same part number etc.

Look at many dealer/importer margins.

It's not just Auckland cafes, we are being robbed in this country.

Cheers

**98tls** · 30th July 2010, 20:41

Originally Posted by imdying

I'm not sure either. Customs have a list on their site of companies they they protect the trademarks of on incoming goods. I'm not sure who the genuine Pazzo importer is, so can't check to see if they're on the list. They have put me onto the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. If they say it's not legal, then I'll find the importer, pass the details of what I've found onto them and Pazzo. If you want them, you should get stuck in now; I have no problem spending a little time getting them removed from this country and the parasites who're importing them prosecuted, should it turn out they're not legal to import into New Zealand. If it turns out that it is legal to import counterfeit goods like this, then it's down to each persons own conscience I guess.

Have you seen the thread on the TL site re the knock off set doing the rounds?

**imdying** · 31st July 2010, 09:30

Just popped over to the planet for looksie. That's the first time I've heard (apart from the thread about the poor fitting on R1s) of actual quality problems. In a way it's a little surprising, but not in another... I mean, the Chinese are really good at making knock offs so I expected they'd be fine... but then I guess I shouldn't be surprised that they have poor quality anodizing, fitment problems and poor quality fasteners of the incorrect type.

Cosmetic issues aren't the end of the world, I guess you just have to hope like hell you don't get a set with deeper problems?

Digital photos are both a blessing and a curse... they look really good on the auction sites, but the close up shots, not so good.

**Ivan** · 31st July 2010, 10:18

i must be running something slightly differnt then cause myne are perfect and fit with ease

**Grubber** · 2nd August 2010, 16:02

Originally Posted by dipshit

Exactly. Why go cheap just to save yourself a couple of hundred dollars when it comes to your brakes..!

See this... http://www.gixxer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=274298

This is kinda the answer i came searching for!
thanks Dude.

**Grubber** · 2nd August 2010, 16:12

Originally Posted by imdying

I'm not sure either. Customs have a list on their site of companies they they protect the trademarks of on incoming goods. I'm not sure who the genuine Pazzo importer is, so can't check to see if they're on the list. They have put me onto the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. If they say it's not legal, then I'll find the importer, pass the details of what I've found onto them and Pazzo. If you want them, you should get stuck in now; I have no problem spending a little time getting them removed from this country and the parasites who're importing them prosecuted, should it turn out they're not legal to import into New Zealand. If it turns out that it is legal to import counterfeit goods like this, then it's down to each persons own conscience I guess.

I know you can get them from the fastbikegear.co.nz.

**aff-man** · 2nd August 2010, 16:45

Having worked a bit with chinese gear I can say this..

There are imitations and imitations.

For instance we brought in some bolt set samples that were rubbish and then got some more from a different supplier that looked identical and they were miles better.

That being said the fully adjustable rear sets we brought in were incredible, stood up to a good binning a lot better than the italian counterparts we were also bringing in...

OEM stuff can be rubbish as well, just look at the quality of the alloy they use for gixxer frames!!

I like the look of them stubbies so would probably look at a set if the CRG's break due to unforseen incidents