Comments on: Chinese motorcycle exports http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2006/01/04/chinese-motorcycle-exports/ Motorcycle News for Positive People Thu, 24 May 2012 03:50:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Cannon http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2006/01/04/chinese-motorcycle-exports/#comment-128303 Cannon Fri, 30 May 2008 17:55:10 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/?p=782#comment-128303 I think the point is that you never know what you're going to get when you buy a Chinese motorcycle. I bought 2 for my boys a while back. Although the 2 bikes were identical one was very reliable and never had a problem (except for the usual rotting rubber hoses and tubes, and poor suspension) while the other was a constant headache. I agree that Chinese motorcycles have come a long way and the fact that they are a fraction of the cost of Japanese motorcycles makes them a tempting alternative (especially for a starter bike). I was recently looking at a Chinese made 250cc dirt bike that looked really good on paper. I was seriously considering ordering one until a got a closer look. This was a brand new bike on the showroom floor and the front fork seals were already leaking on the inverted forks. The spring pre-load on the front forks was so soft that half the travel was gone under its own weight. The rear spring was strong but there was no rebound, so it bounced up and down like a pogo stick. The Chinese would be well advised to get blueprints for suspension components. The Chinese seem to be well adept at copying the external appearance of existing technology, but solely lacking when it comes to functionality. I bought a 4-stroke Chinese bike that was fitted with an expansion chamber.?%$#! Apparently they saw 2-stroke dirt bikes with chambers so they copied it without knowing its particular purpose. This is why you don’t see serious motorcycle enthusiasts riding Chinese motorcycles, and why you probably won’t see a Chinese made motorcycle winning any motorcycle races – at least in our life times. I think the point is that you never know what you’re going to get when you buy a Chinese motorcycle. I bought 2 for my boys a while back. Although the 2 bikes were identical one was very reliable and never had a problem (except for the usual rotting rubber hoses and tubes, and poor suspension) while the other was a constant headache. I agree that Chinese motorcycles have come a long way and the fact that they are a fraction of the cost of Japanese motorcycles makes them a tempting alternative (especially for a starter bike). I was recently looking at a Chinese made 250cc dirt bike that looked really good on paper. I was seriously considering ordering one until a got a closer look. This was a brand new bike on the showroom floor and the front fork seals were already leaking on the inverted forks. The spring pre-load on the front forks was so soft that half the travel was gone under its own weight. The rear spring was strong but there was no rebound, so it bounced up and down like a pogo stick. The Chinese would be well advised to get blueprints for suspension components. The Chinese seem to be well adept at copying the external appearance of existing technology, but solely lacking when it comes to functionality. I bought a 4-stroke Chinese bike that was fitted with an expansion chamber.?%$#! Apparently they saw 2-stroke dirt bikes with chambers so they copied it without knowing its particular purpose. This is why you don’t see serious motorcycle enthusiasts riding Chinese motorcycles, and why you probably won’t see a Chinese made motorcycle winning any motorcycle races – at least in our life times.

]]> By: John S http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2006/01/04/chinese-motorcycle-exports/#comment-92563 John S Fri, 28 Sep 2007 09:56:43 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/?p=782#comment-92563 I own and use a lifan 250cc every day. I Payed 1800.00 for it 2 yrs ago. It dont like cold weather,but once is warm its ok. It gets great gas milage. Tires it comes with are cheap. I put it together. As of yet I havent seen anything real wrong yet. I put 1700 miles on it and at this point Yes I would buy another one. If you are looking to purchase a bike from china purchase it from a large china Co. and but the way Parts are all over the puter John I own and use a lifan 250cc every day. I Payed 1800.00 for it 2 yrs ago. It dont like cold weather,but once is warm its ok. It gets great gas milage. Tires it comes with are cheap. I put it together. As of yet I havent seen anything real wrong yet. I put 1700 miles on it and at this point Yes I would buy another one. If you are looking to purchase a bike from china purchase it from a large china Co. and but the way Parts are all over the puter John

]]> By: Peterfen http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2006/01/04/chinese-motorcycle-exports/#comment-91374 Peterfen Tue, 18 Sep 2007 20:41:48 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/?p=782#comment-91374 I bought a Loncin 125cc off road bike, (very chinese), towards the end of last year. I have to be honest and say that it has been a journey. At the 1000 Km warranty service it was discovered that there was a problem with the cylinder and it would have to be replaced. (At the time I didn't ask what it was and now they can't remember). No 125 parts were in stock here in Cape Town, (the tip of africa but surprisingly first world. No, lions don't walk in the street at night) so they suggested replacing cylinder, piston & crank to 200cc (at no charge under warranty). Brilliant! First problem was the exhaust having to much back pressure which has been solved in the short term by removing the last section of the baffle pipe. (A noticable improvement but noisy). The rear wheel sprocket had to then be changed for R500 (+/- $72). I can comfortably do 100Km/h and push it to 120Km/h. Quality is a big issue every day. Front light bulb needs to be replaced, clutch has started slipping like there's no tomorrow and last night the electric starter packed up, (I suspect crappy starter switch). All I can say is thank goodness I am a practical D.I.Y type as that is the ONLY person who should be allowed to buy Chinese bikes!! I am enjoying the frontiersman like challange of owning this dodgy technology & good luck to all the future "chinese" buyers I bought a Loncin 125cc off road bike, (very chinese), towards the end of last year. I have to be honest and say that it has been a journey. At the 1000 Km warranty service it was discovered that there was a problem with the cylinder and it would have to be replaced. (At the time I didn’t ask what it was and now they can’t remember). No 125 parts were in stock here in Cape Town, (the tip of africa but surprisingly first world. No, lions don’t walk in the street at night) so they suggested replacing cylinder, piston & crank to 200cc (at no charge under warranty). Brilliant! First problem was the exhaust having to much back pressure which has been solved in the short term by removing the last section of the baffle pipe. (A noticable improvement but noisy). The rear wheel sprocket had to then be changed for R500 (+/- $72). I can comfortably do 100Km/h and push it to 120Km/h. Quality is a big issue every day. Front light bulb needs to be replaced, clutch has started slipping like there’s no tomorrow and last night the electric starter packed up, (I suspect crappy starter switch). All I can say is thank goodness I am a practical D.I.Y type as that is the ONLY person who should be allowed to buy Chinese bikes!! I am enjoying the frontiersman like challange of owning this dodgy technology & good luck to all the future “chinese” buyers

]]> By: John K http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2006/01/04/chinese-motorcycle-exports/#comment-90067 John K Thu, 06 Sep 2007 14:58:53 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/?p=782#comment-90067 Harley does not hold a trademark on the sound of its exhaust, nor does it hold a patent on the 45-degree V-twin. Although Harley holds trademarks that it enforces vigorously, and holds other patents that it enforces as well, it ceased efforts to trademark the sound of a "V-Twin, common crankpin motorcycle engine." If anyone can provide evidence that Harley holds the sound trademark or a patent on a 45-degree V-twin engine, please do so. Harley does not hold a trademark on the sound of its exhaust, nor does it hold a patent on the 45-degree V-twin. Although Harley holds trademarks that it enforces vigorously, and holds other patents that it enforces as well, it ceased efforts to trademark the sound of a “V-Twin, common crankpin motorcycle engine.”

If anyone can provide evidence that Harley holds the sound trademark or a patent on a 45-degree V-twin engine, please do so.

]]> By: Brian S http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2006/01/04/chinese-motorcycle-exports/#comment-77074 Brian S Mon, 14 May 2007 22:11:05 +0000 http://thekneeslider.com/?p=782#comment-77074 I almost bought a "honda defiant" on ebay today. But before I did, I started snooping arount to see if I could find some information about the Honda Defiant. Finally, I called my local Honda dealer to see if anyone there had ever heard of a Honda Defiant. No such luck. Honda doesn't make a defiant... Sooo, needless to say I will not be buying a defiant. But I did find more info here on this site about the defiant than any other site that I've visited. Thanks I almost bought a “honda defiant” on ebay today. But before I did, I started snooping arount to see if I could find some information about the Honda Defiant.
Finally, I called my local Honda dealer to see if anyone there had ever heard of a Honda Defiant. No such luck. Honda doesn’t make a defiant… Sooo, needless to say I will not be buying a defiant. But I did find more info here on this site about the defiant than any other site that I’ve visited. Thanks

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