Am I stupid to buy one of these...

**mebigdave** · 25th August 2008, 10:22

Originally Posted by Oscar

This equine is deceased, why apply further external physical violence?

You can protest all you like, but anyone with an ounce of mechanical knowledge can see the facts for themselves.

As far as those days when people spoke of "Jap Crap", that was mostly true - so I don't see how it helps your argument.

I would also point out, however that it's all relative - the gap between Jap bikes and the competition is nowhere near as great as the gap between these Chinese knock-offs and the rest is today. For example, you could thrash a Bonnie with your RD350 or CL350 and the thing would be as (or more) reliable as the Trumpy. "Jap Crap" may have been true, but the competition was oil leaking Britbikes, temperamental Italians and antediluvian Harleys...

Are we now debating my mechanical knowledge or are we still talking about the bikes? Keep your shirt on mate!

**NordieBoy** · 25th August 2008, 10:30

Originally Posted by mebigdave

Ps I will be collecting my new bike tomorrow which is a direct copy of the XR250L - http://www.compucall.co.nz/images/250LH.jpg

Check your forks. Don't want one looking as bent as the one in the pic.

That does look a tidy copy though.

**Oscar** · 25th August 2008, 10:31

Originally Posted by mebigdave

Are we now debating my mechanical knowledge or are we still talking about the bikes? Keep your shirt on mate!

Anyone arguing the prowess of the Chinese Motorcycle Industry kinda draws their own mechanical knowledge (or lack of it) into the fray....

**awayatc** · 25th August 2008, 10:32

Originally Posted by mebigdave

What I do find with all those china bike bashers, is that they are quick to say how crap they are but never give details... Never any fact. !

Bought a 200 cc "skyteam" for my son a couple of years ago....
Thought get something brandnew rather then secondhand...
Honda copy engine, Italian suspension/forks/ good brakes
same controls as Aprilia etc...
Was Over $4000 new.....supposedly good parts back-up etc, good write ups..
Bike looked great, was comfy,nice position etc...

Importer gave up, parts not available now,
Handlebars broke in half falling of the stand....
Electrical problems due to wire conections coming lose
Engine rebuild after 600kms (warrenty)
Exhaust broke off after bottoming out off road...
Workshop that had to weld a few things back mentioned it was like welding Marshmellow....
Something broke down almost everytime my son took it out....

Sold it with 1000 kms on the clock for around $1500
(yes I did warn new owner off the downfalls....he just wanted a commuter....)

Advise very strongly anybody to stay away from Chinese untill they prove themselves....

**cooneyr** · 25th August 2008, 10:57

Got my wife a marshin cheeta (200GY) as a learners bike and commuter for me. It had 1300kms on the clock and after riding for about another 100kms something went bang in the gearbox. Striped it down and found a couple of issues, then contacted the shop about parts and gasket kits etc to repair it - more than the value of a brand new motor. Get the new motor and go to fit it - electric plugs have changed for some reason, the clutch cable needs some 'adjustment' to make it work but other than that not to hard to fit.

Now the bike rattles and grinds and makes all sorts of funny noises despite me going over everything and tightening, the clutch is ridiculously heavy (heavier than the XTZ750) such that my wife can hardly ride it, the suspension is still complete rubbish, the seat doesn't line up with the tank so it is 'weird' to ride, the seat is way to wide. I hate it so much that I wont ride it and my wife pretty much cant. When she gets her full license it will be gotten rid of for pretty much what anybody will give us for it.

It is probably one of the earlier bikes (not sure of year) but even if they have improve 100% now I'd still rather get an 80's jappa and tidy it up - oh wait I did and am

The XTZ750 cost less than $4k is rideable and needs at most $400 spent on the rear suspension to make it a perfectly serviceable commuter. Its going to get a bit more work that this and will be ridden much more comfortably, much further much harder and still be much more reliable than a Chinese bike ever will.

You will need mechanical skills to own and use a Chinese bike so why not put them to use on a Jappa that is easier to maintain?

Cheers R

**MXNUT** · 25th August 2008, 17:32

Originally Posted by mebigdave

Not true! Vehicle manufactures are required by law to do this!

As someone who works for a major japanese car manufacturer who is involved with vehicle recalls on a weekly basis i can tell you that in this country there is no law covering Vehicle/bike recalls other than the consumers gaurantee act.

I dont think that the majority of chinese bikes sold in this country would pass that act as being of merchantable quality and fit for the purpose they were intened for, which is why most are sold through auction sites like trade me.

**babysteps** · 25th August 2008, 19:00

Originally Posted by MOTOXNUT

As someone who works for a major japanese car manufacturer who is involved with vehicle recalls on a weekly basis i can tell you ....

OMG you're like Edward Norton in Fight Club!

**babysteps** · 29th September 2008, 11:27

A purchase has been made

Pics to come soon...........

**reofix** · 29th September 2008, 19:10

you get what you pay for.... when a bike with a normal retail of 4k to 6k is available for 1695... would you be mad not to buy it ... NO ... ask any owner

**Padmei** · 29th September 2008, 19:55

oh comeon whadidyaget? Let us in on it? Be sure to wear your thick skin though - I can see a flogging coming

**carver** · 29th September 2008, 20:05

dude....
NXR 125!
i gave one of these death.
125kph max.
crashed over 30x
raced around a BMX track.
ridden like a enduro bike.
used for 2 up riding...
wheelied to death
stoppied to death

it was...
indestructable
good on gas
reliable
well finished.

max respect

**carver** · 29th September 2008, 20:07

i have seen 6 month old chinese trail bikes that are worth setting on fire, they are that far beyond repair due to the absoloute shit construction

**CookMySock** · 29th September 2008, 20:09

I see on the news tonight the chinese want to go to the moon. I hope they dont want to go there on one of their motorbikes, coz if the back brake falls of like it did on my kids pocket bike, they wont be able to flick its arse out to get in orbit around the moon. Worse still, if it pinches and locks the back wheel like it did for us, they might lowside the fucker and end up god knows here, and you never come back from there!

DB