This is why you don't want a Chinese bike

[slowasyoulike]

So, I'm working on this horrible retro Chinese e-ped (Ecobit/Romex/Quazzar/Bumblebee - there are loads of different versions). On removing the leg shield to get to the (faulty) electrics I was greeted by this:

https://i.imgur.com/Q8sVl74.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/U7xj2qA.jpeg

Yep, that's the swingarm. As you can see, the powder coat is still intact, so rust isn't the issue. No, it's the piss-poor Chinesium that the thing is made from. For reference, it's seven years old, with 7000 miles on the clock. Good, eh?

[A100man]

[WD Forte]

I'll trump you a less then two year old Lexmoto Urban scooter
that had the upper shock mount ( single shock) suddenly sheer off the frame causing the suspension to collapse.
It had never carried a passenger, only a delivery box which is far lighter
than any passenger over say 6 years old.

I repaired it under his insistence although it really should have been returned under warranty but the owner
just wanted to keep delivering them pizzas ASAP as downtime was losing him money.

The repair held up well until he got rear ended which caused a skinny
bracket holding the rear mudguard to bend and foul the rear wheel.

I could have straightened it out in 10 minutes but he got the insurance involved and they wrote if off CAT B based on a pic of this minor damage.
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bikers smell of wee

[slowasyoulike]

[jeremyr62]

That's not good.
Welds are notorious for having poor resistance to fatigue cracking so it's not like they wouldn't have known that was a likely point of failure.
Just crappy engineering.

[Ayrton]

[DaddyStu]

My Chinese Zontes 125 was fantastic. Didn't miss a beat and no corrosion worthy of mentioning despite going through 2 winters and being stored outside.

More corrosion on my similar mileage (admittedly older) Yamaha.

Some of those new 700cc Benellis and 500cc Voges look great too with a decent spec list.... if a little low on power:weight.

If in the market for a bike I wouldn't let a Chinese origin dissuade me. Especially as you can save 1000s compared to similar bikes from the major brands.
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Daddystu
Zontes 125-G1 (part-ex'd). Yamaha Tracer 700.

[A100man]

[slowasyoulike]

[DaddyStu]

[Bhud]

Oh but if you say anything bad about Chinese bikes you're just against young people! Don't you know how bad it is for young people. Some of them might not even make it as social media influencers.

[Nobby the Bastard]

Have you heard of the principle 'false economy'?
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[DaddyStu]

[slowasyoulike]

[Nobby the Bastard]

Pretty sure that Honda quality control would massively exceed any chinese company.
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[DaddyStu]

[WD Forte]

yep probably is turning into a chinese is shit thread
so for balance
I'm not anti chinese bikes cos they're chinese but too many
seem to be built to a price instead of a standard
Not all chinese bikes are though and they can do it right at times.
Honda, Yamaha etc get bikes built there, your phone probably comes from there, mine does and I cant fault it.
One of my lads had a Lexmoto Arrow and while it was basically a modern looking Cg125 with typical unspectacular performance, it never went wrong
and it was humble little commuter that just kept going.

What I dont like is the way they seem to pump out new models every two weeks or so and getting spares and detailed tech info can be an arseache too.
Models seem to be obsolete with a year or so.
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bikers smell of wee

[DaddyStu]

Yes I found it near impossible to get parts over here. At least at sensible prices. Dealer networks certainly need work. Aliexpress though was brilliant. Took a few weeks to arrive but everything I ordered arrived and worked well. I've added I think 6 upgrades to my Yamaha since part-exing the Zontes - all from aliexpress. Eyeing up a full exhaust system now for just £50.
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Daddystu
Zontes 125-G1 (part-ex'd). Yamaha Tracer 700.

[Ayrton]

Parts were easy to find for my AJS scooter. I bought a carb and starter motor for mine on amazon with prime with next day delivery and I could get practically everything else on the AJS site shipped from the UK.

I wouldn't say Chinese bikes are shit but it's a bit of a coin toss if you are going to have issues or not. I've talked to people with the same scooter as me that haven't had any issues at all meanwhile mine seems to have a new problem every month. If I had to buy another 125 I would gladly pay extra for a Honda and I'd have a better shot of getting a lot more of my money back when I sell the bike.
I don't think it's fair to say they are good just because Japanese brands are made there either, the Japanese have quality control standards that the Chinese bikes aren't being held to when they make them for themselves.

[Polarbear]

My sons first bike was a chinese 125 twin, a year old with negligable milage and it cost me peanuts. I had no experience of chinese bikes then and thought I had got a bargain - silly moi!

His bike snapped its chain. A bike that wouldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding snapped the chain. Luckily he only had minor injuries from it but from then onwards I happiy slagged off every chinese bike. Still do.

I bought my daughter an SR125 for her first proper bike. It never gave any problems at all until it was nicked and torched by local scrotes.

Jap, European and even Enfield might cost more but at least you know what you are getting.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

[slowasyoulike]

[Bhud]

Engage the handlebar lock on a Zontes 125. Turn the bars. No sudden movements or jerkiness. It shouldn't break. Do you dare?

[jeffyjeff]

[A100man]