Motorcycle Forums

I am of an age when Japanese cars and bikes began to be imported into the UK in large numbers.I am also of an age to remember the problems they suffered with rust and parts availability,but they are now products which other's are measured against,and I think Chinese products will,within a few years,be of an equal quality.

I have just bought a Leonart Spyder 125,the same as the AJS Eos in all but name,my first bike for over 35 years and whilst it is only a few weeks old,I am extremely impressed with it and for the princley sum of £3k,where else could you get a full size chopper? I have heard good and bad reviews about these bikes,most of them bad,but as usual it's generally the minority who have had problems that complain the loudest,the ones who are very happy with their bike tend not to shout about it.

Okay'it's not the fastest bike on the road,but when you choose to ride a chopper you choose to cruise around at a more steady pace rather than someone hunched over the fuel tank trying to break the sound barrier,each to their own,that's what makes us individuals.

As has been said by other's,there are many famous brands that are now manufactured or even owned by Chinese or Indian companies (Jaguar,Land-Rover,Royal Enfield) and the reason they are manufactured in China /India is simply costs.

Made in China

My 2010 Wuyang-Honda built Elite 110 (sold in the UK as the Lead 110) has high quality fit and finish and still looks like new when washed (except for a few scratches) after 11 months and 3,200 miles (including one winter on salted roads). The build quality is better than my Montesa-Honda made NT700V (aka Dullsville). Performance has been flawless, except for one case of stalling from probable vapor lock on a 40°C day in stop and go riding (restarted after about 3 or 4 seconds of cranking). And it was only $2,800 ($3,200 with windshield and top box).

So quality products can come out of mainland China with proper management/ownership.
 

YBR 125

I bought one, brand new for £2315, in February of last year and rode it as near as makes no difference every day since come rain, shine, or snow. It's my sole mode of transport. 9.5k miles and counting (short commute 5-6 miles there and back). So far the things that have "gone wrong": The two end caps off the grab rail fell out within a week of ownership. The "fairing", if you want to call it that, wasn't attached out of the shop correctly and subsequently rattles/moves when you prod it. The Yamaha dealership told me it was missing a spacer or a grommet or some minor thing which they'd order me and fit next service. Never did arrive/they couldn't be bothered. Subsequently one of the brackets holding it on has now snapped. The forks are pitted, and pretty much everything shiny is rusted. The exhaust downpipe is literally coming off in chunks. The chain has a seized link. The headlight has gone through 4 low beam bulbs, because it let water in and soaked the electrics. Dealership wrapped them some more and drilled a hole in the bottom of the light. The seat's started to come away from where it was glued on. (Not sure if this is meant to happen so you can take it off, but I've never tried and it did look like a lot of adhesive for a removable part). One mirror endlessly pointed down, despite repeat fastenings, until I got some thread lock on that son bitch. The left rubber footpeg thingy has worn smooth. Aside from those things it's been fine. Nothing largely mechanical has gone wrong, apart from a couple days where she didn't start first time. I'm not sure what conclusion to come to. The aesthetic things ie rust were bound to happen since I ride year round and she lives outside without a cover and perhaps the seized link also. The way it literally started to fall apart in a matter of weeks; grabrail, mirrors, fairing, was a little worrying it must be said. For the amount of time you're going to have it, especially if it's a small capacity first bike, I don't think it'll matter if you buy Chinese. The depreciation of both bikes (from new) over a year will be roughly the same, not much will go wrong in that time, so I'd say buy whatever you want. Chinese might even save you money from the initial spend, but the Jap will get you it back so 6 and two 3's.

Hmm...

Maybe. It would depend what is said about them. I've heard some horror stories and then some stories on the opposite end of the spectrum. Everything from warped brake disks to engine blowouts has been heard of. A lot of it is down to the build quality of these machines being of a lower standard than the jap bikes. This seems to be changing as they realise that this is the reason we don't buy their bikes.

Perhaps in a couple of years we will have chinese bikes just as popular as jap bikes. The chinese certainly have the potential , they just need regulated a bit more.  for me it is either Japanese , UK or Italian bikes. that said I seen a lovely reiju , think it was a tango , so maybe those spanish folks will be on the scene soon too.

Let the battle commence!

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