I guess you'll have some military airplane/heli right next to you in no time if you try flying it in BJ or SH!
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I guess you'll have some military airplane/heli right next to you in no time if you try flying it in BJ or SH!
Not sure about the Chinese law, but there are plenty of paragliders in China. It's still not tightly regulated, but there are plenty of pilots already. I was practicing regularly last year, now broke and don't have anymore time. One pilot flew over the west mountains near Kunming and missed his original landing spot. He landed right in the middle of the military base, with a camera strapped to his chest! There are also many people flying over the great wall. Paragliding is much simpler than it looks, but the above picture is overkill, I think it takes all the fun out of flying. Just thought it's related to Jape's post.
So its Friday, now we want to know :chinese:Quote:
Originally Posted by ChinaV
and how much :chinese:
After a lot of thought, my final decision came down to the Galaxy TGR250 and the QingQi QM250GY-2D. Why?
Galaxy TGR250
It's a small step above the Galaxy XTR and a small step bellow the Shineray XY250GY-2 X2. I need a weekend enduro machine, and the TGR is very cost effective at ¥12,800 (¥1000 more expensive than the XTR and ¥4000 less expensive than the X2). If I was only going to have one China moto in the garage, it would probably be the Shineray X2, but the extra power and water cooling aren't really necessary for the kind of dirt riding I do. I also like the simplicity of the Galaxy's air cooled engine and close proximity of their factory when I need parts.
QingQi QM250GY-2D
The QM250GY-2D has everything I loved about the QM250GY-B(ASD) with a bigger gas tank and much better seat. The bike is based on the QingQi "Rock" X-Bike that CrazyCarl helped QingQi envision. It's a great platform for me to start building a lightweight China adventure machine from. A smooth, air and oil cooled, single cylinder 250 with decent suspension and ergonomics. Also a fun little bike to have in the garage when friends come around and want to go for a ride.
Once I get everything sorted out, I'll start some new threads showing all the little details of both machines.
Regarding the Xingyue XY400Y-2 & the Asiawing LX450...
Xingyue XY400Y-2: I scanned several threads on the Chinese forums and also read some reviews of the Pitster Pro version. None of them left me feeling like the bike is right for me. It's probably a nice step above some of the 250's with its big liquid cooled 6 speed, but it just wasn't "dirty" enough for my enduro needs with its power to weight ratio (145kg/22kw). I also didn't feel right about spending ¥18,800 when you can get the same bike in America from Pitster Pro for ¥13,300 ($1999).
Asiawing LX450: I really wanted to get this bike, but ¥26,800 for a Chinese moto is a lot of cash, and I'm not serious enough about my enduro riding to plunk down that kind of investment. For the price they are asking, I expected more CNC bling bling like you get from Galaxy. Could it be turned into an adventure bike? Maybe, but that would call for further cash, and I don't think the engine was designed for long haul touring. It's a serious big bore dirtbike, and I probably don't have enough "cahones" for such a beast off road. I've heard good things about Asiawing, so I'm going to keep an open mind and maybe look at one next year. Hopefully they will think about an adventure touring version.
So that's where I'm at, which is probably much different from where you're at, as we all have different views on what we like to ride. Thanks for the input from everyone who commented.
Cheers!
ChinaV
So you're saying you got both? Congrats!!
I can't wait to see the QingQi in person, what color did you decide on?
I feel some weekend rides coming on..
Congratulations on the new fleet ChinaV!
So actually... you replaced your Galaxy 250 and Qingqi 250 with a Galaxy 250 and a Qingqi 250. Way to upgrade! :eek2:
Bu Zuo :thumbsup:
Have fun and continue sharing your expierence.
I was watching this thread, was hoping for something new.. now I kinda feel bettter knowing I'm stuck with my bike.
For now only the Galaxy 250's and the Shineray X2 are easily registered in China ? I'm talking about 250 CC dualsport bikes.
Motorbikes are just frustrating in China. Have a look at this thread over at ADV ... Cheep bike < 1500$
In any other country, you could get a decent bullet proof used bike for peanuts.. Bikes are cheap. . FI started 20 years ago, i think :confused1: , but they're still trying to figure it out in China. So we're stuck with copies of 20 year old bikes, only the not as well made as the originals...
And then there's dealing with mechanics, if like me you promise to do your own maintenance and never get around to buying tools.. I've just moved to a new place with a garden, maybe I'll man up and buy a toolbox now.:diggin:
In case you're still around and interested, still have to try getting parts..
Oh well, all ads to the adventure
Hi Slabo,
I feel your pain, but look at the bright side.... we get to ride in a place that most people will never have a chance to experience. Sure, the Chinese motorcycle industry is a total cluster#$^%, but in twenty years we will look back with nostalgia and remember these as the good old days. By the time they sort out making great bikes and pave over the entire country, it won't be worth seeing.
Congrats on the new place, nice to know you will have tools and workspace for my next trip through Yunnan :icon10:.
Cheers!
ChinaV
Here's a big ol' +1 to ChinaV's comment. Sure it's nice to have a sweet bike, even a reliable one, but one thing China has taught me is it's more about the individual than their toys.
A fellow rider in the US has a sig line which I think sums it up very nicely...
"Great people don't always have the best of everything, they just make the best out of everything they have."
CC
And chinese mechanics are usually a great source of local info as regards where to eat, stay and where house's of ill repute are in any town :mwink:
I was complaining, yes, but being on anything with two wheels is pure bliss. Anything, I mean anything. I've been on two wheels for a long time now. Sometimes the 'contraption' was rusty, other times it was a classic, and sometimes it was just ok... you're right Carl, it's just another toy. It's only my perception that changes, and what I can do with what I have. But I also know pain is real, uncomfortable seats are a real pain in the ass, so are vibrations.. etc etc ..
But the best part of the day is passing through traffic on a bike, looking at cagers stuck in their boxes. I just smile from ear to ear. Just feels great being able to get across a city in 20mins anytime of the day. That just makes up for being stuck with the crappiest two wheels you could throw at me.
I lived in London for two years. Had mtb first, then a hybrid (that was stolen), then a rusty raliegh that went sideways instead of tracking a straight line, then finally a old Ryenolds 631 steel frame roadbike. With the roadbike, I could cross from far west to south east London in 75 minutes, whatever the weather. And I wasn't really lightning fast, the crazy ones were the couriers/messengers/fixie riders.. Do that in a porche!!
My real complaint is this::
Before I came to China I had a 1992 400cc Honda Cruizer, or Steed as it was called. That was a 22 year old bike that passed through I don't know how many owners, yet it served me well. I cruised at 140 kph all day, and won't break my back. I only had to do the basic maintenance once in a while. I payed 1400$ for it. I can't expect anything near this with a brand new ChinaBike, no matter the price!
Conclusion:: I still ride, everyday, I ride through whatever conditions/wet/dry/hot(sometimes not)/cold/day/night... two wheels whatever the price, I just can't help it!
Of course! Any MCM'er is welcome. I still don't have furniture or a fridge yet, but, more importantly, cold beer is never too far in China nowadays. I also have an extra room or you can hang a hammock between the two trees up front. Still trying to convince the ol' lady it's a good idea to park the bike indoors :lol8:Quote:
Originally Posted by ChinaV
ChinaV is right, though china is possibly the biggest headache-inducing country to ride a motorbike in, it is also worth every hour and migraine spent getting the paperwork together. It really has the some of the most incredible geography on the planet and it is worth seeing now, regardless the hassle, before the relentless march to destroy all of it has taken its toll. Sure we could be riding better bikes somewhere else and it's highly frustrating that we're stuck with shoddily built 20 year old technology, but i'm grateful that i'm here now before it's all paved, tolled, littered by/with tourists and gone.
It is indeed a great idea. Besides all the obvious reasons like safety and the joy of living in your garage, explain to her how the smell of petrol and fork oil and whatnot makes us men more potent.Quote:
Originally Posted by slabo
FORK OIL! mmmmnn.. :naughty:
Picked up the TGR yesterday and rode her home. I'll start a new thread about my TGR experience soon. Overall, happy with the bike... purchasing from Galaxy and registering in Jiangmen was a snap. Everything including bike, registration, insurance etc. was about ¥15k.
http://www.contactdi.com/2010/nw/1080396.jpg
I also stopped at the Jiangmen division of QingQi to discuss my other upcoming purchase. Unfortunately they didn't have the QM250GY-2D there, but they did have a QM250GY-B(ASD). Looked very nice.
http://www.contactdi.com/2010/nw/1080337.jpg
The garage overfloweth...
http://www.contactdi.com/2010/nw/1080429.jpg
http://www.contactdi.com/2010/nw/1080452.jpg
Just wanted a couple pics before the boys come to take the XTR and QM250 away. :sad:
Cheers!
ChinaV
That just a couple of grand, you guys are so fortunate! A beautiful looking machine too.Quote:
Originally Posted by ChinaV
many congratulations on the fresh bike chinaV, she's a real beauty!
You know, if all your bikes weren't so pristine, your front yard would really look like some redneck trailer park!
:riding:Thats after a ride in the sand quarry:riding:
Oooh man... I think there's a mullet for ChinaV in the cards here somewhere.
Hey and what's up with that funky kick stand? Looks like it's too short from this angle.Quote:
Originally Posted by felix
CC
Galaxy have not yet figured out how to make a kick stand, they're either too short, too bent or rub the swingarm down to dust. And mine recently broke off so i have to lean it against a wall now.Quote:
Originally Posted by CrazyCarl
I think i recall seeing a picture of ChinaV with a mullet somewhere, could you possibly dig that one out for us ChinaV? Though i'm not really one to talk either
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5169/...a75ff79f78.jpg
Leave my mullet out of this...it was 1990 and they were in fashion then, what's your excuse?Quote:
Originally Posted by felix
This may or may not be me with a mullet.
http://www.contactdi.com/2010/whatmullet.jpg
And yes, Galaxy kickstands are poo poo.
Cheers!
ChinaV
Thank you sir, that may or may not have made my day!
My excuse is that i had long hair and was gonna cut it all off, so i thought i'd rock a mullet for a couple of weeks before chopping the rest off. And rock it i did.
I'm going to engineer a telescopic sidestand for
the XTR now we are sharing the same block of
Wood.
It's perfect with supermoto wheels and about 50mm
short for offroad wheels.
I don't mind it falling over with dirt wheels
thou.
Looks great in black chinaV.
Is the power upgrade kit available yet???
Not to rub salt in your wound, but I own that qingqi here in Peru------A fantastic bike! Plenty of muscle for a 250, --but it has no gas guage, or trip odometer to judge how far you can go on a tank......they kinda dropped the ball on that part...it sells for 7,800 nuevo soles here, or about $2,300 USD. no smog stuff either. Here it's called a Qingqi "Challenger XT 250" ---planning on bending up some nice luggage mounts for it soon----overall, very happy with this bike!
Hi Rotortrash, please keep us posted on your progress with the luggage mounts and share some pics of your bike. I mentioned the same issues as you in my QM250 thread and I'm wondering if you have these gauges on your bike? I saw them at the factory this week but forgot to ask if the digital one might have a trip meter.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rotortrash
http://www.contactdi.com/2010/nw/1080351.jpg
Cheers!
ChinaV
Those are the same shape, but mine are the analog gauges ------maybe I could find those and change them out if they have a trip odometer...... I think it does as that's probably what that little button is for in the lower right hand corner---the trip reset....
I'll be bending the mounts up sometime in the next month, and I plan on using a couple of Pelican Cases to use as boxes----they are tough, waterproof, and less than half the cost of tourfella, or tourtec boxes. I be sure to post some photos if I can figure out how to get them uploaded-----------thanks for the piture of the other gauges, that's the first time I've seen those!
ooooo, those gauges look promising! Now if only QingQi were interested in actually providing after sales service (read: even answering e-mails).
Looking forward to hearing how things went with your factory visit ChinaV! *greedily rubs hands together*
:lol8: QingQi answer an e-mail :lol8: as if...
Unlike Yingang Motor, Who took all of 48 hours to confirm everything I needed to know about the YG250NF and will ship mine tomorrow.
http://www.contactdi.com/2010/nw/DSC_0059.jpg
Not only did they act quickly, they followed up each of my e-mails with a phone call to be sure everything was the way I wanted it. :thumbsup:
I will still try to work with QingQi on one of their bikes, but at times I really start to wonder why I have to put so much effort into spending money on their products.
Cheers!
ChinaV
ChinaV, am I reading this correctly? You tried to buy a Qingqi 250 to replace your Qingqi 250, but couldn't persuade Qingqi to actually follow through with the sale on terms and support you could live with, so you are switching your affections to Chongqing maker Yingang and buying its YG250NF? I have to say, it's a nice looking bike. Dual front disks. Very nice geometry (ZMC888 will appreciate!). A black (anodized?) engine and cylinder? A strange tubular/quasi-trellis frame. Mag wheels. Seriously questionable routing of the exhaust tube....
Now this is looking adventurous!
Do keep us posted!
cheers