It certainly looks the part but being Chinese there's the temptation to tar it straight away with its predecessors shortcomings. And if it's only going to be £4000 or so how good can it be for that sort of money? I've no idea really but it did get me wondering about the rush to judgement that seems to accompany most Chinese offerings.

It was only a week or so ago that the Mutt 250's shortcomings were highlighted here. Is this another Mutt or have there been any Chinese bikes that are worthy of consideration - not just as value for money, but actually good bikes, and with a dealer backup that's more than 'while stocks last'.

A cheaper less reliable CRF 300 rally? It's good that it exists, but it's not for me.

Mate of mine sells Lexmoto scooters. Sells 1 or 2 a week and, he says, that they rarely come back with issues, just for servicing.

If people are looking at this as an alternative to the CRF300 as an overland travel bike my concerns would be spares availability and resale value rather than quality, the Chinese seem to be getting better with how they build their bikes but the back up will take a while to match Honda.

20% more power.

According to the manufacturer or a 3rd party test ?

The problem in China is almost cultural. They lie. I'm yet to meet a Chinese supplier who regrets anything except getting caught. The driver has never been to supply the best casting/circuit board/brake chamber or the best value for money, but to do the least work for the most personal gain. Many a quality manager has openly told me this, which is perversely honest and entirely workable once known.

This is why there is a vast difference between a proper western brand made in China and something entirely Chinese. Set the task and measure sucess ( with personal financial rewards) of protecting the brand by making a good vehicle and the Chinese will do it. Leave them alone and they are yet to decide to (unless you were to expect Sym to share the cultural aspects, in which case "mainland China" will get there in 50 years time).

Comparison with India or Thailand is as crazy as including Munich or Detroit, unless you want to go back to Victorian times before Heinz, Kelloggs, Ford etc. decided to brand build.

Eventually a Chinese brand with limited experience of Japanese or Western longer term practices will do it. They'll stock parts, honour warranty etc. to build their brand. I'll let someone else find out if this company is the one. The fact they decided not to market it under some defunct western name encourages me.

Andy

And then I found MUTT motorcycles!

250cc used to be the learner limit of course. https://muttmotorcycles.com/collecti...for-sale/250cc

With all the 20mph zones in London it might make sense to go for a low power bike.

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"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)

Some of them look like they are getting there - I have heard very positive first-hand testimony from CFMoto owners.

The problem is definetively cultural, no doubt about. As long as quick profit can be done - everything goes. Some of the chinese products I have bought and I have seen others bought are simply so bad that it will be incorrect to call them junk. Its below that. Just saw a fb posting about an adjustable sidestand for a motorbike. It broke/fractured the first day!

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In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....