Chinese trail bikes

[geoffm]

How bad are the Chinese trail bikes - basically copies of the Honda XLs? And given they are the same price as a 15+ year old Honda XR/Xl, how do they compare. Chinese quality woudl be an issue, and parts I guess. Wonder how the second hand prices will be? WHich brands/ models are better than any others?
This would be for commuting with the occaissional play in the dirt.
Geoff

[Edbear]

China's a bit like the wild west at the moment, and there's good stuff and some really bad stuff. If you want cheap, you'll get cheap but if you're prepared to pay a little more you can get some good buys. Our company imports bikes and offers full parts and warranty backup on them, and they are still very reasonably priced. We can't afford to sell poor quality. Some are fromTaiwan and are as good as anything out of Japan. Did you know Honda gets many of their motors made in China, now? You just have to look at the quality and the company backing them when checking them out. One problem I can see is that the trail bikes, even the good ones are not made for motorcross riding and owners who think that a Chinese trail bike is a CR or YZ will have grief. Ours will go for years if used for what they're designed for, but if you want to motorcross them, get a CR or YZ or similar. It won't be long before the Chinese are making such models as well.

[Wellyman]

I would reccomend an old japper instead of a new chinese bike. the new chinese bikes are very unreliable and annoying. if you get a second hand HONDA, you will be much better of e.g a XR200/250/400.
WM

[Stevo]

Did you know Honda gets many of their motors made in China, now? .

This is true, BUT from most ride reports that I have read of Chinese bikes, scooters, and atvs, it is not normally the build quality that is the problem. More often than not the bike is based on a Japper designed bike, and you suffer poor suspension travel, handling, and power.

[Edbear]

This is true, BUT from most ride reports that I have read of Chinese bikes, scooters, and atvs, it is not normally the build quality that is the problem. More often than not the bike is based on a Japper designed bike, and you suffer poor suspension travel, handling, and power.

I agree with you as regards the trail bikes, they are an older design and as I said made for trail riding and gentler stuff. They don't have the long travel suspension of the mainstream bikes. However, as I also said they are reliable and well suited to their design brief. The modern Suzuki/Yamaha/Honda bikes are usually much higher spec and therefore the main price difference.

[Wellyman]

This is true, BUT from most ride reports that I have read of Chinese bikes, scooters, and atvs, it is not normally the build quality that is the problem. More often than not the bike is based on a Japper designed bike, and you suffer poor suspension travel, handling, and power.

Chinese bikes lack in supension travel as they basically are ridgid, lack of power, and require work, they also have little or no skidplate which means engine damage is possible if you hit a big rock or tree stump on the trail. just my two cents.
WM

[Cary]

Get what you pay for.............

[Stevo]

Chinese bikes lack in supension travel as they basically are ridgid, lack of power, and require work, they also have little or no skidplate which means engine damage is possible if you hit a big rock or tree stump on the trail. just my two cents.
WM

Not real hard to make a skid plate though eh? Good for kids and stuff these chinese bikes. At least you can by them something cheap to start out on. See if they are into it or not. Crash them a few times and beat it up before buying something Japanese (or Italian if you so desire) LOL