Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Which Bike?
Advice on Chinese motorbikes Advice on Chinese motorbikes
Register FAQ Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 7 Mar 2011
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Monrovia, Liberia
Posts: 10
Advice on Chinese motorbikes
Hi,

I have to admit, I'm very new to the world of motorbikes. Took up riding about 6 months ago in Liberia on a 100cc Bajaj Boxer, which is pretty much the only thing I've ever ridden. I'm looking to upgrade, but don't want to spend too much. I don't have the time or patience to find a good used Japanese bike and am looking at a couple of Chinese bikes:
- JCM Superflash 150
- Royal Super RYGY 150-1

However, I can't seem to find much info on these on the net - not a good sign, me thinks. Anybody have any insight into these? E.g.,: are they relatively reliable? Will they fall apart on a longer trip? Or are replacement parts available?

Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

D.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 8 Mar 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Staines, UK
Posts: 59
If you're riding through China they're great, otherwise I'd get something the rest of the world has heard of. ;o)
__________________
More malformed, irrelevant opinions here.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 8 Mar 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
I have never owned a Chinese bike but know a few who have, they are generally rubbish with poor build quality and made of the cheapest materials. If you only want to commute a short distance to work or occasional rideouts you might find one useful but for nothing more than that.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 9 Mar 2011
Ten660's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Whitchurch
Posts: 79
Take a look at the new TBM magazine (uk)

TBM / TRAIL BIKE & ENDURO MAGAZINE / DIRT JUNKIES

They have a review of a couple of Chinese 230cc bikes in there.
They seem to be slightly surprised how good one of them is.......

Andy
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10 Mar 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Worthington Mn USA
Posts: 185
Chinese motorcycles
My wife and I rented a bike in Saigon HCM City. I brought it back to the hotel and they went nuts thinking I was going to drive it to Danang. It was a Chinese one so I took it back and got a Japanese one and they all felt much better with me renting that. It ran fine so I would look further from what they told me.
__________________
Larry Davis
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10 Mar 2011
ozhanu's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Izmir, Turkiye
Posts: 794
my first ever motorbike was a Chinese 150cc chun-lan which looks like honda innova. it was crap tho. after 2000 miles I've sold it.
__________________
ozhan u.
website under construction
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 26 Jun 2011
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,680
I used to sell kymcos. They are worse than bad.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 26 Jun 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
I used to sell kymcos. They are worse than bad.
I take it then you would not recommend one for a 5 year RTW trip?
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 26 Jun 2011
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,680
Quote:
Originally Posted by mark manley View Post
I take it then you would not recommend one for a 5 year RTW trip?
I wouldn't take one for a 5 minute "round the block" lol..

They are simply dreadful. 70% return rate on some models. The carbs were made by fisher price and used to overflow and flood all the time, the electrics were wired by children and the fasteners and fittings would rust overnight..

I used to plead for customers upgrade to a used Jap model but they still used to come back and complain even though I told them they were shite !!
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Last edited by *Touring Ted*; 27 Jun 2011 at 06:56.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 27 Jun 2011
gixxer.rob's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Back in Melb
Posts: 287
Japan Vs China
You will be able to find one that is fine if you treat it with care and check it all the time but I chose my bike based on the info that it was much less likely to break and then if it did could I access parts and help relatively easily.

Go for the best you can get that fits your budget but I would get a Japanese bike if I had the choice.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 27 Jun 2011
Big Yellow Tractor's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: England
Posts: 649
You often here it said about Chinese bikes
"it's a copy of an XR200 so it must be fine"

Just to put that into perspective, I could have a go at making a copy of Helicopter but I doubt you'd want to fly in it.

My mate bought a "Honduki" or some such name, CG125 clone for his wife to learn on and do her test. After only a few months, everything was rusty and corroded. It had about half the power of a proper CG and all the controls were crap and bits fell off. She did complete her test but the bike was prety much scrap by the time she did.

Some Chinese bikes must be OK as most "Western" manufacturere of almost anything get some/most/all of the parts made in China.

But, I'd rather ride an older Jap bike any day.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 19 Jul 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Travelling
Posts: 32
Who says I can't?
Quote:
Originally Posted by mark manley View Post
I take it then you would not recommend one for a 5 year RTW trip?
Funny you should say that... it's not 5 years or RTW, but I've bought one of these and am part way through riding it across south amerca.
Here's mine below:


It's an enduro style bike, the farings lie "250cc" on the side, then the manual admids 229cc, 16HP, I met a guy with the same bike who's manual claims 23HP from an identical engine, his has blown up twice after less than 9,000KM... and neither of ours can hit 100KPH, it doesn't inspire a lot of confidence in my machine, but either way it should make a good read for someone.

-If anyone's interested to read about some of the adventure and bike specs it's all here Making it up on a motorbike. | China's 2 wheeled revenge on Latin America.


Enjoy!
__________________
For more silly comments like the one above, visit
www.makingituponamotorbike.wordpress.com
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 19 Jul 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Brazil
Posts: 134
Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
I used to sell kymcos. They are worse than bad.

I had the chance to ride a little bit on a hyosung 250 comet and I don't think the Hyosung bikes are such crap (but i admit they are not refined as a japanese bike). They have now a 450cc (RX 450) that looks really interesting and i'd like to have the chance to try it someday.

Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes
Hybrid Mode Hybrid Mode

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Cheap chinese bikes for 2 Mande Mande sub-Saharan Africa 9 11 Sep 2010 18:58
Advice on Selling Motorbikes Sub-Saharan Area Bikinalong sub-Saharan Africa 3 27 Mar 2009 09:11
Chinese visa in UB Alex Rubtsov Northern and Central Asia 0 6 Sep 2005 15:02
chinese border Alex Rubtsov Northern and Central Asia 1 10 Aug 2005 00:29

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
New York: October 9-12 NEW!
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

2026 Confirmed Dates:
(get your holidays booked!)

Virginia: April 23-26
Queensland: May 1-4
CanWest: July 9-12

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 18:53.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top