Chinese bikes

[slparry]

I've hated them with a vengance, the build quality on the ones I've seen has been dire.

However, this one

http://www.whateverwheels.co.uk/smsimg/wk650tr.pdf

appears to have received a favourable review, and is being offered for £5100 with a 5 year parts and labour warranty!!! here

http://www.whateverwheels.co.uk/m3b0s38 ... r-Warranty

Surely that has to be the commuting bargain of the century doesn't it?

If you commute on it for the 5 year warranty period it's a grand a year or £20 per week plus fuel etc, and just throw it away and get a new one in 5 years time

[Gromit]

You know Steve, I quite like that, and good to have Alan Cathcart as the guy writing about it too.

[slparry]

You know Steve, I quite like that, and good to have Alan Cathcart as the guy writing about it too.

It sort of looks like a mini St1300 Pan

[conkerman]

Shame its not a shafty.

Is this the one using the ER6 clone engine?

[Topcat]

Got a pretty good review in the latest Bike mag - just poor suspension but I guess they are used to the latest high tech stuff.

The Chinese stuff is getting better. I posted somewhere else about my daughters Kymco 125. Lives outside, she has no idea what a bike cover is let alone bike cleaner but can't kill the thing with a stick - which a couple of low life tried a few years back after stealing from the front of the house. Wife and daughter found it 100yds down the road at the back of a car park, on its side with dents on the instruments and tank from being hit with a bar! Muppets couldn’t start it.
Stood it up and damm thing started on the button. Still going strong and she does now know what a lock and chain is!

[conkerman]

I thought Kymco were Korean?

[slparry]

I thought Kymco were Korean?

They are, and ISTR they're the ones who supply the engines for the BMW scooters the C600 Sport and C650GT

[conkerman]

Didn't know BMW made a maxi scoot. They want pretty stiff money for it though.

The idea of a maxi scoot is beginning to appeal. For commuting purposes only.

Kill me now.

[bikesnbones]

Surely that has to be the commuting bargain of the century doesn't it?

No.
Some years back I bought a Yamaha 900 Diversion for £900 from a BMW dealer who'd taken it in and just wanted rid quickly.
It was fairly tidy, came with Givi panniers, and had done 40,000 miles. Over the next 4 years I took that up to 80,000 miles.
I used it as a daily commuter all year round, all weathers, pretty much never cleaned it and only did the most basic servicing.
It never went wrong, and never failed an MOT.
I sold it for £300 just before moving down to the South West.
£600 for 4 years hassle free riding, is what I call the commuting bargain of the century.

[slparry]

Didn't know BMW made a maxi scoot. They want pretty stiff money for it though.

The idea of a maxi scoot is beginning to appeal. For commuting purposes only.

Kill me now.

Having sat on one they're really nice and I too have been fancying one for a while, as you say they're an horrendous price tho'.

Aprilia do a v twin 800 cc one that's a bit of a goer. I reckon it would make one heck of a tourer, and wouldn't the sports boys get upset at a scooter whizzing past them

[slparry]

Surely that has to be the commuting bargain of the century doesn't it?

No.
Some years back I bought a Yamaha 900 Diversion for £900 from a BMW dealer who'd taken it in and just wanted rid quickly.
It was fairly tidy, came with Givi panniers, and had done 40,000 miles. Over the next 4 years I took that up to 80,000 miles.
I used it as a daily commuter all year round, all weathers, pretty much never cleaned it and only did the most basic servicing.
It never went wrong, and never failed an MOT.
I sold it for £300 just before moving down to the South West.
£600 for 4 years hassle free riding, is what I call the commuting bargain of the century.

very very true

[conkerman]

Agreed, but I reckon the big scoots are the ideal tool for commuting, better than the ubiquitous GS even.

Just leave your machismo at home.

[cros]

I've hated them with a vengance, the build quality on the ones I've seen has been dire.

However, this one

http://www.whateverwheels.co.uk/smsimg/wk650tr.pdf

appears to have received a favourable review, and is being offered for £5100 with a 5 year parts and labour warranty!!! here

http://www.whateverwheels.co.uk/m3b0s38 ... r-Warranty

Surely that has to be the commuting bargain of the century doesn't it?

If you commute on it for the 5 year warranty period it's a grand a year or £20 per week plus fuel etc, and just throw it away and get a new one in 5 years time

Didn't we say that about the jap crap in the 1960`s or am I to old to suggest

.

[cros]

Didn't know BMW made a maxi scoot. They want pretty stiff money for it though.

The idea of a maxi scoot is beginning to appeal. For commuting purposes only.

Kill me now.

Having sat on one they're really nice and I too have been fancying one for a while, as you say they're an horrendous price tho'.

Aprilia do a v twin 800 cc one that's a bit of a goer. I reckon it would make one heck of a tourer, and wouldn't the sports boys get upset at a scooter whizzing past them

I have just parted with a Piaggio X9 500 that would top 110 mph and would sit there all day at 85 mph, 65 mpg, good for long commutes, good comfort. I do not know if it will go good up the ponderosa!

[eyore]

[quote="cros
Didn't we say that about the jap crap in the 1960`s or am I to old to suggest

.[/quote]
Yes , buy the difference is the Japanese were innovators, the Chinese are plagiarists who have so far shown themselves unable to invent anything of note.