My Top 5 Made in China Motorcycles...
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- čas přidán 30. 07. 2024
- Just a bit of a fun list or Top 5 video to kick off the new year. What are my favorite Chinese bikes last year... 2023! Any questions please do jot them down in the comments and I'll do my best to reply!
See this bike and others at midwestmoto.co.uk/
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Panniers 🎒: shrsl.com/4chlq
Gloves🧤: www.ironjias.com/?ref=mindful
Action Camera 🎥: www.amazon.co.uk/iZEEKER-iA20... - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Happy new year! Just enjoy your approach to life, ride on!
Happy New Year Richard. Wishing you and your family a great start to 24 😊👍
Happy new year nice to see you and the GoldStar out on new year's day. Can't say I've ever seen any of your choices when out and about so can't really comment but the value for money is quite amazing.
Happy New Year Ian! I'm hoping to take the Goldstar a 1000 miles South, this is the plan anyway so I hope you will see the GS and me in the sunshine soon! Thanks 👍
I'm liking your approach to motorcycling and your content. I was impressed with the footage from the action cam, so I'm pleased you'll continue to use it. Enjoying motorcycling doesn't have to be connected with how much money you poor into it.
I like that you actually talk to your audience - it's a much more professional approach. Looking forward to what you bring in 2024 👍
Thank you TB for the detailed feedback. This makes it a lot easier not to make mistakes on here. I tend to like an informal approach on and indeed off-line... Let's see, I'll keep doing what I'm doing and see what '24 has in store for the channel! Thanks for your support 🙏
Gotta say Sean the backdrop just looked great there , and Voge really is putting out some nice bikes as are the other Chinese makes and improving all the time in the same way that the Japanese did all those years ago so watch out all these super expensive brands 😉👌👍
Water is even higher today! Doubt I would even get down there now. Quite a few nice bikes on the list. I'd be happy with any of the smaller ones myself...
I was beginning my biking career when the first Jap bikes arrived. people made exactly the same comments about them as they do about Chinese bikes today, often without even putting a leg over one, and look how far they got in a very few years.
Still riding and in the intervening years I have had bikes from all over the world, even a Danish Nimbus for a while.
Good summary there Sean. I also really like the keeway cruise v twin, you did a review of it that I remember well.
It's not a hugely well known bike the V cruise but it's my favourite on this list perhaps second for me to actually own is the Voge 525. However I had to place the Voge 300 higher because it is selling well which is usually quite a feat for a Chinese brand...
Really pleased to see the Keeway in there, I have the rkv 125 but hope to get the 302 in the future. It was your review on it that made my mind up. Thank you .
Thanks PF, appreciate the comment. The Keeway 302c is also reviewed positively in RIDE magazine! Great bike and well thought it!
Glad ur back out on the goldstar. I have to say the zontes bikes have great quality hopefully decent longevity. The only issues with a lot of Chinese bikes is the short service intervals. The new benelli trk702x looks like the real deal the 502 has been around for a while and is popular
Thanks Mike appreciate the comment. Yes the GS is going well. We are heading to Spain soon and I'm taking it along. Will be so nice to ride it in the sunshine 😊... Cheers, Sean
Like your choices.
My 125 was the smaller version of the Keeyway 302, I loved it, the little V twin was a joy, I think that's why I went for the Moto Guzzi V7 when I passed my test
You've picked some characterful bikes that's for sure. The V7 in particular seems to be the darling of the retro scene at the moment with Mr Darcy and the Old man placing it first, the Bingly Wheeler bought one for his channel, Freddie considering one. What a bike!
Thanks for the review. THe action camera is great...I can't image a better video and did miss any fancy options. Nevver did like the 360 view that some channels have tried and since dropped.
Oh you have the iZEEKER? How's it going. The memory card retention mechanism broke on mine but they sent me a replacement. Need to get it set up. Edit: Yes I saw that some people were doing 360 view but if you then drop it you've invested a lot in a camera you will no longer use 😬
Can’t disagree with you on any of those choices, my pick of the bunch is voge 300 rally , great looking ,value and build quality, hope to get one when funds allow. All the best for 24.
Thanks AWS, appreciate the comment. I do really like the 300 but I don't do enough green lanes to justify it myself. I placed it high on the list because it's selling well which is not a given for a new name brand here in the UK. They've done something right with that bike! Cheers, Sean
While I'll likely end up getting an old used bike, that Keeway/QJ V-Twin is still on my list to try out once spring time rolls around!
Thanks Mark, yes old used is now my go to. Or perhaps used but still quite new 😂. That's said I'm keeping the current steed for a while longer and happy to slowly drain my finances on BSA accessories for now 😂
I can’t offer any meaningful comment on those choices as I’ve never ridden or even seen any of those bikes, but it’s worth saying that none of them come close to the looks of your BSA… happy new year and good luck for 2024 👍🏻
Hi Duncan, thanks for the comment. Yes the BSA just seems to be a winner of a bike, more than the sum of the parts for sure! Happy New Year to you as well!
I have 2 Harleys and a Zontes 310v. The Zontes is a lot of fun to ride and my go to for everything except highway.
I changed the tyres for Mitas sport tyres because the stock ones were too hard with little grip.
Also changed the rear shocks because they had rock hard compression damping. eBay generic shocks for about €60 solved that problem.
No other issues in 3 years.
Thanks Rufus for the comment. I'm interested you changed the shocks cheaply as this is something I'd consider for the BSA! Food for thought...
@MindfulMotorcyclist I was watching the guy from TEC parts the other day and he changed the shocks on his Goldstar pretty cheaply for Hagon ones and reckons it transformed it! Might be worth a view if you haven't already?
Glad your covering these new bikes from China, some say Handphones made in China ok but bikes from there not ok...I have seen quite a few of these Chinese bike close up and they look great and provide allot of features for the money, the CF Moto 450SR looks and sounds amazing and all reviews very positive but maybe a bit uncomfortable for my aging bones. I have a Nimoto Ranger X for 11 years (made in China) and its small 150cc engine has not missed a beat, (35,000 km) dropped it off-road a few times and bent clutch lever only (no guard fitted) and some body panels scratched but can buy online pretty cheap. Guess until they have fully established service centres will need to buy parts online. You get longer warranties in the UK I see too!
Thank you Andy for the comment. I'm excited to see the CFMoto 450 MT and how that compares with the RE Himalayan. I do have a soft spot for a small capacity wallet friendly bike! Cheers, Sean
I'm really liking your train of thought with your videos. I am now more interested in the cheaper end of the motorcycle marked and in my opinion the Chinese bikes are now as good as the cheaper end Japanese bikes. I've just brought a brand new (pre registered) Voge 500dsx the same as your old one (without the panniers) for £3799!!! That is unbelievable value for money in my opinion and I am pretty gobsmacked with the quality of the bike and attention to detail on it. Certainly better than my Aprillia that I brought last year! It actually looks like a really premium product to me and that's coming from someone who has owned a hundred plus bikes! Only time will tell on the whole ownership experience of course but for now I'm chuffed to bits with my purchase!
Hi Neil, well done on your purchase. You paid almost £2000 less than I did for the same bike 😂😂 that is a deal. I also saw the Voge 500AC thats been heavily reduced to around £3700. Will you be touring on your DSX or using it for anything in particular? Cheers, Sean
@MindfulMotorcyclist Hi Sean, I will be using the Voge for everything including touring. I already have a set of Shad panniers and the side rails are only £135 on ebay at the minute so that's my panniers sorted for next to nothing too! I only wanted a small capacity bike this time after really enjoying my Enfield Himalayan I had as a second bike last year. The Voge fitted the bill perfectly as always tend to buy adventure style bikes now and also I have a Voge dealer a mile from my house which is handy! All the Voge models look impressive quality to me and different enough to be interesting.
Only been riding the last 18 months and my first two bikes were Chinese. Zontes 125 and CF Moto 650 (both from your local dealer). The Zontes surprised me as to how well finished everything on the bike seemed. As an engineer I know what to look for rather than compare it with the competition. My CF Moto took me on two trips around Scotland, two trips around the Lake district and all over Wales every weekend. 7000 miles and it never skipped a beat. I loved that bike. I bought a Tracer 7GT in August and it's a fantastic bike but already it's shed a lot of paint from the sump in a few area's. Dealers looking at this under warranty.
Thanks for sharing such a positive note on your experience of these bikes Mick. Those are two bike I would own myself, I just think great value for money and capable machines that you can do a lot on and... dare I say it, be proud of!
that was a good idea for a video ;;; some nice bikes there ,, buyers need to check out dealer support and parts back up on some of the chinese brands ,,,,
Thanks Simon for the comment. Yes they do indeed, or just buy the bike knowing it'll be for a couple of years and use it all the time, all weathers etc...
Good idea..., as I know virtually 'nout about the Chinese, so thanks. When do we get a Part 2? The black Voge with yellow accents was particulary appealing to me. I'ts not about the name on the tank..., it just has to be reliable, fit your wants and budget and most of all, you have to be proud of the maschine that you park your botty on, day after day. H N Y Suzie and Sean.
Totally agree Steve. If you love the bike then it doesn't really matter what it says on it. I'm riding a British icon that's been re-manufactured in India. Some won't like that but it's a bike I really enjoy. Happy New Year to you as well! Cheers, Sean...
Chinese bikes are getting really good. We also forget bmw and ktm make bikes in China, and harley makes some small capacity bikes there too
Have you seen the cfmoto SR500 Voom bike? Looks like a retro inline 4 500cc bike. Crazy nice...
Fair list, most of these bikes are not available in my market, only the Zontes had an importer here, but they didn’t import that model (I think they’ve gone out of business now). The vogue looks cool, and I am interested in a dirt bike or duel sport of some kind! A Chinese bike that I’m interested in is the Brixton 1200, not sure where it’s assembled but I think lots of parts (engine and frame) manufactured in China, and in China they have a locally branded model (Gaokin 1200). Happy new year!
Thanks for the comment. Where is your market? I had to look up Brixton and they are not established in the UK but lots of dealers around Europe... The Cromwell 1200 X looks great from them...
@@MindfulMotorcyclist I’m in Hong Kong, which makes it funny since not many Chinese brands are really available here! I am surprised there are no Brixton dealers in the UK! Their on bike branding has a logo that looks like a Union Jack! My dream bike is a Triumph T120, but brand new there is about £7000 price difference between the Triumph and the Brixton here in Hong Kong. What is a brands value?
@BoobyMagrew I think they know that British people are a bit fussy about badges sadly, and it's on Triumphs home turf. Would be very hard to sell here IMO...
@@MindfulMotorcyclist that may be true, that’s why I always find it weird the Mash 500 has a full on Union Jack on the side, with Mash Motors being a French company who manufactures their bikes in China! British style sells!
It may be a good idea to keep an eye on the Chinese motorcycle market. As the development of these bikes is becoming stronger and stronger. A little like the BYD compared to the Tesla.
Yes I've even seen BYD advertising on UK channels now. Polestar is another made in China brand that I've seen on the roads. They could easily dominate the market with local battery mineral supply and cheaper labour!
My number one would be the Benda LFC-700, an inline four with cruiser styling and a huge rear tyre, the Benda LFC-700 is like no other motorcycle available today.
Thanks David for the comment. I think Benda is the brand that overlaps with Keeway so reasonable to suggest there will be a Keeway 700 in the future, perhaps not for the UK market tho...
My Zontes G1 was a super first bike to learn on! Am most likely sticking to R Enfield but will look at CF moto, Kove. (Think Kove Chinese).
Hi Maurice, sorry just getting back to you. Are you now looking at the RE 450 vs the CF450 or has a new bike Triumph 400 entered the mix!?
@@MindfulMotorcyclist Sticking to Himmy 2023, gonna ride into the ground and learn to service etc
Id have to give the number 1 spot to the moto morini x cape
That's a good shout and the X cape is bike I've ridden and enjoyed. I guess even though the video was titled 'made in china' which the X cape definitely is I was leaning towards actual Chinese brands. Thanks 🙏👍
The Zontes and Voge are amongst the best of the Chinese manufacturers. The Zontes particularly looks well screwed together for the money. But, its the same old problem and that is lack of dealers and support networks.🤔
Thanks Jonathan for the comment, did you get the Aurora Meteor 350 in the end?
@@MindfulMotorcyclist Still waiting for dealer stock to arrive Sean, hopefully in February. Need to see one in the flesh before I commit to purchase.🙂👍
What are the odds on that?🙂
Without watching the video:any CFMoto. Don't know about the others. You have them at
#3. Nick
I guess the 800MT doesn't score that highly for me as it's a big bike which is not really my thing,. Smaller more manageable machines are my pref...
It will take probably 20 years for Chinese motorcycles to be sold to masses worldwide.
No Benelli on the list, surprising. I want to see the CF Moto MT450 in the flesh. Looks better than that hideous looking new Himalayan.
I could've said Benelli 502x I suppose but I've never ridden it. Very popular bike though. Yes I would probably prefer a CF Moto 450MT to the new Himmy. I think it's more powerful and probably cheaper... Can't wait to ride one. Cheers, Sean
@@MindfulMotorcyclist Seems to me at the moment that the Chinese are putting some nice looking bikes out on the market, but dealer network and parts availability are a big concern.
Been riding bikes for 50 years, British, Japanese, Italian, American and German. Would never consider a Chinese bike, pride of ownership thing.
Fair comment Splodge, you have to have pride in your bike!
@@MindfulMotorcyclist
Until you actually look at one and you realise.. times have changed .
I own a Mash TT40 as well as others.... everyone I know is amazed at it ,yes really
40 years ago there were lots of people who said they'd never own japanese.
things change, boomer.
From a moral perspective I would NEVER buy any Chinese product if there is an alternative. Considering the atrocities of the Chinese state, including genocide, it would be like buying motorcycles from the Nazis.
Please keep this in mind when promoting or buying Chinese products!
I agree wholeheartedly.
👍there is a choice of what bike we ride and I take pride in ownership. No Chinese bikes in my garage.😊
Absolutely! @@splodge5714
for same moral reason I never bought Japanese car nor bike , because of their atrocities and genocide in Nanjing China and all over South East Asia at past time , its an extreme brutal history , and they never apologize full heartedly , i bought German car and bike , as they apolozing about Nazi time,,, - i never bought American bike nor car either , as they blew off atomic bomb on Japan teice , and hydrogen nuclear bomb near to Bikini island Pasific at 1940s , for experimental reason , its cause lots of inhabitant of Bikini island died and suffer of various cancer later on , its so viciously demonic , i have also Italian bike , its nice to ride with clean concience ,
I guess you don't shop at Aldi then
Video is better if picture features bike. with u narrating over them. U could then be anywhere .
I don't like that, prefer to speak directly to the camera. Thanks though, Sean
I owned a Mutt Hilts 125cc before i got my full licence. Absolutely bloody awful! Truly shocking! Got ripped off. Resale value is practically zero. Never buy one. 😢
Well Mutt is a British bike made using Chinese parts. My Dad had a Mongrel 250 he lost a lot on his trade in as well....
It is all "faux Steve McQueen" with Mutt bikes...I don't think he would have touched one!!😊
Poor quality. I was actually advised against Mutt by a Mutt dealer.
I bought my excellent Royal Enfield Hunter 350 from same dealer that very day.......
I’ve owned 4 Chinese cars, 2 Chinese petrol retro bikes and 2 Chinese electric motor-scooters. Add to that Italian, American, Eastern European, French, Indian, British and Japanese. Every generation Chinese products are getting better. I’ve also noticed the dealer networks are becoming more mature and larger dealers with better resources getting involved. I also get the comments on the Chinese state. But the factory workers, their families and rich culture of a nation can’t be boiled down to and written off because of oppression here anymore than the rest of the world. The more we start thinking about living on a planet and encouraging global trade, tolerance and education, the faster we break down barriers. Look at what we achieved through the global pandemic. Let’s keep global trade strong, share, embrace, evolve, that’s how it’s done.
Well said Lumpy. I get it that China is involve in quite some unpleasantness within it's internal borders and of course the island building we are so worried about. OK so go then and buy a Harley, Indian, Triumph or Norton! Oh wait then you're supporting the West with a foreign policy that has killed a million Iraqi civilians, destroyed then abandoned Afghanistan, Libya, supported a war in Yemen and now watching Israels back while they delete Gaza from the map, all while pushing NATO up to within a stones throw of St Petersburg. Edited: everyone is entitled to have their own views however!
Anyone's allowed to comment and have an opinion.
No Chinese bikes for me, a Honda rider that was made in Thailand.😊
Yes that's true, I do believe anyone is entitled to a comment and opinion. I'll edit the above 👍
They're kayaks, not canoes.