Chinese Takeaway

Dukesox

Dukesox

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Over the weekend I visited Used Motorcycles Northamptonshire | The Bike Sanctuary | Roade which is in between Milton Keynes & Northampton. They are dealers in several brands of Chinese bikes including Benelli Motorcycles & Scooters | Direct Distributor | MotoGB UK which was the range my friend wanted to look at.
I have to say the bikes were a lot better looking in the flesh than I was expecting and apart from cheapish looking switches the quality seemed to be reasonable. They have a 500cc 47bhp Diaval lookalike and another Multi lookalike with the same engine. Apparently shortly 800cc 77bhp versions of both are on the way and they already have 800cc versions of bikes that are similar to a Monster and Scrambler and to be honest I preferred the Benelli versions visually. If you Google Leoncini 800 & Leoncini 800 trail you`ll see them both. I appreciate the Scrambler 800 has similar power but the current Preying mantis lookalike Monster is in another league altogether.
They are planning an open day soon and the option is there to try up to 4 bikes in a day so work permitting I`ll pop along and have a go. Not that I`m interested in buying one but just curious to find out what they are like . Will they be like a cheap Chinese takeaway that is initially ok but after 20 minutes leaves you wanting more or will they just be cheap and cheerful and a new bike for the price of better branded bike that is 3-5 years old ?
 
A mate dealt with (sold) Chinese scooters out of his bike repair business before he retired - he said after a year and a few thousand miles they were fooked. Main issues, poor electrics and poor quality bearings in the engines.

I guess some of the bike manufacturers will use SKF or other premium bearings in the engines, but will they :unsure: and which ones 👀

From what I've seen when out and about the Chinese bikes rust from year 1 (just like Ducati fasteners 🤣) I have seen frames flaking on 1 year old bikes.

The above is very much a generalisation though and there may well be good brands amongst them and they will get better I'm sure.
 
Exige said:
A mate dealt with (sold) Chinese scooters out of his bike repair business before he retired - he said after a year and a few thousand miles they were fooked. Main issues, poor electrics and poor quality bearings in the engines.

I guess some of the bike manufacturers will use SKF or other premium bearings in the engines, but will they :unsure: and which ones 👀

From what I've seen when out and about the Chinese bikes rust from year 1 (just like Ducati fasteners 🤣) I have seen frames flaking on 1 year old bikes.

The above is very much a generalisation though and there may well be good brands amongst them and they will get better I'm sure.
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I wonder if that may be the case but as I mentioned the Benelli bikes looked pretty well made . I import container loads of items from China for work and the quality from there has improved hugely over the last 20 years, some of it easily as good as anywhere else in the world . Some of the factories there have taken on board how important QC and communication are .
 
I was looking at Benellis in the dealership when the G310GS was rolled into the showroom. Maybe if the BMW hadn't put in an appearance, I would have ended up with one.
 
Loz said:
I was looking at Benellis in the dealership when the G310GS was rolled into the showroom. Maybe if the BMW hadn't put in an appearance, I would have ended up with one.
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You do know they were selling them for £500 with free delivery and a pack of Bourbon biscuits thrown in don`t you ? Right up your street I would have thought.
 
Dukesox said:
You do know they were selling them for £500 with free delivery and a pack of Bourbon biscuits thrown in don`t you ? Right up your street I would have thought.
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Those terms were not made known to me :mad:
 
I had a look at a CFMoto whilst at my local Husky dealer, seemed a lot of bike for the money. Build quality was on par with Kawasaki.
 
Exige said:
A mate dealt with (sold) Chinese scooters out of his bike repair business before he retired - he said after a year and a few thousand miles they were fooked. Main issues, poor electrics and poor quality bearings in the engines.

I guess some of the bike manufacturers will use SKF or other premium bearings in the engines, but will they :unsure: and which ones 👀

From what I've seen when out and about the Chinese bikes rust from year 1 (just like Ducati fasteners 🤣) I have seen frames flaking on 1 year old bikes.

The above is very much a generalisation though and there may well be good brands amongst them and they will get better I'm sure.
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I remember when Skoda was not a car to brag about owning, they are a good car now though people don’t laugh at Skoda owners anymore so you never know with Chinese bikes, personally never would I buy Chinese
 
Dirty Leeds said:
I remember when Skoda was not a car to brag about owning, they are a good car now though people don’t laugh at Skoda owners anymore so you never know with Chinese bikes, personally never would I buy Chinese
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And before that Skoda were Rolls Royce's main competitor in the 20's and 30's :)
 
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