Mini motorbike recall (29 Dec 06)

**apteryx_haasti** · 29th December 2006, 19:21

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** · 29th December 2006, 19:23

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

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 29th December 2006, 19:23

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

**crashe** · 29th December 2006, 19:26

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:Me** · 29th December 2006, 19:28

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

**Str8 Jacket** · 29th December 2006, 19:29

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** · 29th December 2006, 19:32

Originally Posted by 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!

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** · 29th December 2006, 19:43

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** · 29th December 2006, 19:57

I told you so ! I did !!!

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

**Finn** · 29th December 2006, 21:18

Originally Posted by crashe

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** · 29th December 2006, 21:26

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** · 29th December 2006, 21:38

Originally Posted by 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!

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

**Fub@r** · 29th December 2006, 21:38

Originally Posted by 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.

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