Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Anyone have experience with the modern Chinese motorcycles? Specifically any of the Grom clones, like the KP Mini, Condor, or Vader?
20 years ago, I would never have considered a Chinese bike, but it looks like they have improved a lot over the years.
I still wouldn't touch one for the mere fact that they typically have two quality standards; one for the local consumption/sale, generally the much better quality stuff and second one is the low quality products that is typically "exported".
They have to cut corners. So, at the very least, either the workmanship or material has to be of inferior quality compared to patented items or foreign orders produced based on a quality standard and control.
Personally, I would much rather pay the extra $$ for something that is tried and true.
I still wouldn't touch one for the mere fact that they typically have two quality standards; one for the local consumption/sale, generally the much better quality stuff and second one is the low quality products that is typically "exported".
They have to cut corners. So, at the very least, either the workmanship or material has to be of inferior quality compared to patented items or foreign orders produced based on a quality standard and control.
Personally, I would much rather pay the extra $$ for something that is tried and true.
I’ve had a number of motorcycles in the past (two different Kawasaki dirt bikes and a Victory street bike), and I currently have a Polaris ATV. All have been great, never a single problem. I sold my motorcycles nearly 20 years ago, and I’m thinking about getting back into it. I’m either going to buy another street bike (probably a FJR1300), or a bar hopper of some sort for cheap commuting and putt-putting around town. For a small commuter bike, keeping it inexpensive is a priority.
The guys I know locally with the newer Chinese bikes have generally had pretty good luck with them. A commuter bike <$2,000 is pretty appealing.
I’ve had a number of motorcycles in the past (two different Kawasaki dirt bikes and a Victory street bike), and I currently have a Polaris ATV. All have been great, never a single problem. I sold my motorcycles nearly 20 years ago, and I’m thinking about getting back into it. I’m either going to buy another street bike (probably a FJR1300), or a bar hopper of some sort for cheap commuting and putt-putting around town. For a small commuter bike, keeping it inexpensive is a priority.
The guys I know locally with the newer Chinese bikes have generally had pretty good luck with them. A commuter bike <$2,000 is pretty appealing.
I am definitely a bit biased due to my general experience buying different Made in China equipment/appliances/tools over the years but motorcycles might be different especially if there is a known, reputable big motorcycle company behind it like GasGas (awful name, imo) and KTM.
Grom types bikes would be ridiculously small for a guy my size. Even a mid size cruiser like Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom which I loved, seemed it was a bit too small after getting a very similar looking but bigger bike like Honda Fury.
I can relate to you, I am looking for a bike to putt around town so I want something lighter, smaller and fun but at the same time, living in a bigger city, you are likely to take freeways more often than not so it has to be a bike that can handle freeway speeds as well.
I prefer getting the used bike from a reputable manufacturer vs getting a brand new one (even if still cheaper) from a new or relatively unknown one.
You also have to consider how well is their dealer network, OEM and aftermarket parts availability?
Is there a web forum for the make and model or any other way you can get technical info if you would be doing any wrenching or maintenance on your own?
If you can find any long term reviews (people who have been riding the bike for a decent amount of miles and time) on the bike and they are promising, then sure, go for it!
I was talking to my ex riding partner who relocated to TX and left me hanging by myself, again, and we both agreed that dual-sports type bikes are the popular types right now, so they are sought after iow in demand, which makes them more valuable than they actually are, even in the used bike market.
Much like him, I will probably end up getting a suitable cruiser to get something on the cheap and enjoy it.
Good luck with your bike hunt, and if you end up getting one, let us know!
PS. I always liked the look of the FJRs but never got one.
Location: IN>Germany>ND>OH>TX>CA>Currently NoVa and a Vacation Lake House in PA
3,259 posts, read 4,326,350 times
Reputation: 13471
Quote:
Originally Posted by TaxPhd
I’ve had a number of motorcycles in the past (two different Kawasaki dirt bikes and a Victory street bike), and I currently have a Polaris ATV. All have been great, never a single problem. I sold my motorcycles nearly 20 years ago, and I’m thinking about getting back into it. I’m either going to buy another street bike (probably a FJR1300), or a bar hopper of some sort for cheap commuting and putt-putting around town. For a small commuter bike, keeping it inexpensive is a priority.
The guys I know locally with the newer Chinese bikes have generally had pretty good luck with them. A commuter bike <$2,000 is pretty appealing.
The biggest problem that you'll have with them is that they are pretty much disposable. Parts will be difficult to source for them and will be of the same low quality as the bike itself. Resale value will be horrifically low as well. I wouldn't touch one personally.
The biggest problem that you'll have with them is that they are pretty much disposable. Parts will be difficult to source for them and will be of the same low quality as the bike itself. Resale value will be horrifically low as well. I wouldn't touch one personally.
Given that the 125cc engine on these is the same as on the Honda Cub, the largest selling motor vehicle in history, parts availability isn’t that much of a problem. Body plastics may not be available at your local mainstream motorcycle dealer, but there are importers and dealers of these motorcycles all over. Some parts are specific to the Chinese bikes, while others can use actual Honda branded parts.
Given that many (most?) mainstream motorcycle manufacturers have manufacturing facilities and partnerships in various developing countries around the world, including China, I don’t think “Made In China” is a disqualifying condition.
FYI. . .
(Not my list, from another website)
Honda CBR300R - made in China, assembled in Thailand
Honda CRF125F - Made/assembled in China
Honda CRF250L - Made in China, assembled in Thailand
Gas Gas 250 cami - Engine Made in China, assembled in Spain (Pre 2014 bankruptcy)
BMW GS650 - Made in China, assembled Germany
Suzuki GSX250R - Made in China, assembled in Indonesia
AJP - Made in China, assembled Portugal?
Harley Davidson - Made in China (partially), assembled in the USA
Honda XR70 - assumed to be made and assembled in China.
Polaris (All) - Made in China or Taiwan and assembled in USA or Mexico.
CCM - Made in China, assembled ???
SWM - Made in China, assembled ???
How reliable is that source?
I am pretty certain Japanese motorcycles, at least the mainstream models, are made in Japan.
Assembly is the only thing that might done partially or completely elsewhere but the actual motor and core components are all made in Japan not China.
Shame about Harley Davidson though. As premium their price tags are, they were made and assembled in Mexico in the later years and I heard the production was going to China but didn't really believe.
Some of the manufacturers were actually switching from China to other closer locations due to freight/transportation costs but not sure how accurate or applicable it is.
If the parts are made in China, then I am sure they did so to save from labor costs but they would typically have their own people doing strict quality check.
Couldn't say the same for a Chinese company doing their own thing....
I like CFMoto. They have a great reputation good dealership network. CFMoto build KTMs. I think the view of Chinese manufactured goods is outdated about 10 to 15 years old. If Chinese stuff is so bad, why is China a strategic threat to the US/West. Because China is the newest boogeyman of the West.
I would look at Benelli TNT 135 for a Grom Clone. I also like CSC Motorcycles in Azuza, CA. SSR makes great dirtbikes. The Iphone is made in China. No one complains about Iphones and Apple makes huge margins. China's Motorcycle market is larger than the US. China also has the largest EV Market in the world.
From Year 0-1820 China or India had the largest economy in the world. The economy is just returning to normal.
Given that the 125cc engine on these is the same as on the Honda Cub, the largest selling motor vehicle in history, parts availability isn’t that much of a problem. Body plastics may not be available at your local mainstream motorcycle dealer, but there are importers and dealers of these motorcycles all over. Some parts are specific to the Chinese bikes, while others can use actual Honda branded parts.
Given that many (most?) mainstream motorcycle manufacturers have manufacturing facilities and partnerships in various developing countries around the world, including China, I don’t think “Made In China” is a disqualifying condition.
FYI. . .
(Not my list, from another website)
Honda CBR300R - made in China, assembled in Thailand
Honda CRF125F - Made/assembled in China
Honda CRF250L - Made in China, assembled in Thailand
Gas Gas 250 cami - Engine Made in China, assembled in Spain (Pre 2014 bankruptcy)
BMW GS650 - Made in China, assembled Germany
Suzuki GSX250R - Made in China, assembled in Indonesia
AJP - Made in China, assembled Portugal?
Harley Davidson - Made in China (partially), assembled in the USA
Honda XR70 - assumed to be made and assembled in China.
Polaris (All) - Made in China or Taiwan and assembled in USA or Mexico.
CCM - Made in China, assembled ???
SWM - Made in China, assembled ???
How reliable is that source?
I am pretty certain Japanese motorcycles, at least the mainstream models, are made in Japan.
Assembly is the only thing that might done partially or completely elsewhere but the actual motor and core components are all made in Japan not China.
Shame about Harley Davidson though. As premium their price tags are, they were made and assembled in Mexico in the later years and I heard the production was going to China but didn't really believe.
Some of the manufacturers were actually switching from China to other closer locations due to freight/transportation costs but not sure how accurate or applicable it is.
If the parts are made in China, then I am sure they did so to save from labor costs but they would typically have their own people doing strict quality check.
Couldn't say the same for a Chinese company doing their own thing....
Then why did motorcycle parts increase the last few years? Supply chain issues revolved around China not other markets. Most of China's factories are automated. Using 5G technology and robots. Quality is now world class.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
