Chinese Bike Question..

[RoadcraftNottingham]

There are exceptions with everything. a good Chinese bike is an exception, as is a bad Yamaha.

Never a truer word spoken. What brands of Chinese bikes were your experiences involving?

I've heard good reviews from pulse (who i believe are a uk company and uk designed designed but chinese made) and lexmoto previously, but I know very little about other brands

Sorry to say but Pulse and Lexmoto, I personally had "Champs"...here's a review of the dealer, bear in mind any overtightened bolts on the parts mentioned would have been from the factory so not necessarily the dealer's fault...

"DON'T TAKE YOUR BIKE HERE!!! i bought mine new on 11 plates in April 2011, since it was serviced their it has fallen to bits... on the way back the head bolt came loose, the fuel tap was left off. then i got home to find the back wheel had come loose, its now developed an oil leak and bolts on the front forks have been over tightened causing the forks to crack. my bike will never be the same again as the engine was fiddled with after the starter motor also dropped off due to over tightened bolts. please do not risk it they are totally unsafe."

 

[66shinobi]

I'd assume they're probably shipped in boxes part-assembled and put together at the dealership to reduce costs. The impression I get from that review is that it's more in relation to the quality of the service that was done there rather than the actual bike itself from new. Although the main issues I've heard of Chinese bikes have always been to do with the nuts/bolts and rusting so I would personally expect it. I'm soon to get a new cbf125 and Ive already spoken to the Honda dealership about the fuel pump as I'm expecting it to go at some point early on as that's the common fualt with the CBF. Research is vital with purchase of anything as it can save a lot of time and money.

If I ever bought a Chinese bike, I'd personally change all bolts etc from the factory fitted ones immediately, ensure the correct torque on each and drown it in the acf50 stuff to keep rust at bay.

I know a lot of the chinese bike dealers now offer pretty good length warranties to rival those of the big 4 jap bikes but personally is always stick to a big brand bike. I think the best approach is to research, sum up the risks carefully and buy the best bike you can afford and maintain whatever bike that may be to the best of your abilities.

 

[Rhydian]

Your not just buying a bike made in China, you're paying half the price of a bike in the same category. They cannot make money without cutting costs in other areas such as parts, technology and quality control.

 

[TheDiabeticBiker]

The way I'm feeling with my Yamaha I wonder if I'd have more luck with a Chinese one.

There are exceptions with everything. a good Chinese bike is an exception, as is a bad Yamaha.

True. At least when I own a Ducati in the future I'll be used to problems like this haha. (Not having a dig at Ducati, I own an Alfa Romeo and they have the same rep)

 

[timtom123]

I've heard good reviews from pulse (who i believe are a uk company and uk designed designed but chinese made) and lexmoto previously, but I know very little about other brands

Lexmoto are owned by lexeter (guess where they are from? ) and are the uk importer for Chinese bikes and arts, dont trust them when my bike broke on the first day of riding it, they wouldnt accept my warranty! I had to threaten to sue them to get them to send me a new engine which is currently sat in my shed haha