Asiawing LX450X / 亚翔LD450 Rider Review

Right.
So after a thorough inspection it turned out that both front and rear rims on my YaXiang LD 450 are bent. I mean, seriously bent.
The shop that sold the bike to me could offer me no assistance. The owner just said he didn't know what to do. If that's the asftersales service in China (country of origin), can you imagine what it'll be for YaXiang/Asiawing abroad?
So I'm a bit stuck here. I have the following choices:
1. Go 90% Chinese bike riders' way and ride it without repairs until it's dead.
2. Buy a set of THE SAME QUALITY YaXiang rims (fully assembled with hubs and spokes) from taobao and get those bent in another half a year.
3. Go out of my way and buy a set of quality supermoto wheels for Honda CRF (say, Marchesini), that'll set me back 2K USD at least and is nearly impossible in China.

Steve,

Have you looked at other China brand motorcycle wheels? You could probably get them laced to your original hubs. My fat ass weighs 130kgs. I have taken my JH600 off road at speed and tested the wheels for sure in some of China's best ruts, pot holes, and even a few jumps. The wheels are at least one thing I cannot yet bitch about.

On a side note, a request for a favor. If you decide to do this, let me know if you find a decent mechanic in Nanjing. I have a good one for the CJ750 but he learned CJ's from the PLA and knows nothing of other types of motorcycles. I have a hard time doing any work in the downstairs parking garage even though we bought a space for the toys. It would be good to know a mechanic /shop if you find one.

Give me a call if you want any ideas on how to get special length spokes etc. I might even get a set from the USA sent over here for you as sample with my company. :mwink: You have the number I think. Anyway, this would have to be much, much, less jiao than USA wheels. I think pfaelzer spent more than $2K to get a set here from Germany.

Right, MAXXIS rims could do. The problem would be finding the right size supermoto spokes and convincing somebody to build wheels :)

Get a sample standard spoke for the ends needed and then a measurement needed. You can then most likely get them from the USA. I go back and forth 4-5 times a year and could carry them back in a suitcase for you if you do not go back and forth that often. I will next go in late July and return to the Jing in mid August. I could bring them then. I will also go back in November.

I have laced wheels up before, you basically need some sort of balancing stand and a pointer. (Take pictures before you disassemble. Don't ask me why I suggest that) We should be able to find someone in Nanjing but if not, you can probably get some suggestions where to ship them to get this done in China from this forum.

Thanks, but no need to worry, I'm getting a new set of wheels (with tires) from a local motocross guy.
He's been pro-racing for a long time and has lots of dual sport/motocross parts available.
Don't know the exact address of his place (I remember it's not far from 大桥南路), but just in case, his
name: 魏广辉
number: 13951028111

As of today I changed 4 rectifier-regulators (all burned out) and still the bike has problems starting. It's either this or that. Either the battery doesn't charge or it gets overcharged and the electric flow burns the RR straight away.
On the positive side: we fit a carbon fiber exhaust on it, sounds better. I also wrapped the exhaust with the heat shield cloth (front and middle). We also fit a Boyesen high-speed pump on it (from eBay).
On the negative side: Boyesen pipe and heat shield didn't really affect how hot the bike runs and it still runs terribly uncomfortably hot in summer.
By this moment I am totally disappointed with the bike, its reliability, its parts quality and non-availability of replacement parts in Nanjing. I don't know if it's worth it keeping it on the road hoping it doesn't fail during that work-home ride. Maybe I should just get a barrel of #97 gas and burn it somewhere out in the field.

Damn Steve, sorry to hear your troubles. However, I completely understand. Did you ever talk to the mechanic at the Benelli shop, his name is Xiao Wu? I just brought my JH600 back from YiXing last Monday so I can take it to him to do try and get the progressive "Works" front springs put in. He seemed to have some mechanical aptitude. Maybe he could help you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Steve_Halt

...Maybe I should just get a barrel of #97 gas and burn it somewhere out in the field.

---

Damn, Steve. I note you've been dealing mainly with the shop that sold you the bike. Any chance of dealing directly with the manufacturer? Shame them into action?

Meanwhile, we'll be watching for plumes of black smoke over Nanjing...

cheers!

Hi Steve,

thank you for your postings here which let me give up the idea to purchase this bike. It sounds like a nightmare to me.

Cheers

Andreas

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TexasAggie

Damn Steve, sorry to hear your troubles. However, I completely understand. Did you ever talk to the mechanic at the Benelli shop, his name is Xiao Wu? I just brought my JH600 back from YiXing last Monday so I can take it to him to do try and get the progressive "Works" front springs put in. He seemed to have some mechanical aptitude. Maybe he could help you.

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I did, but they couldn't identify the problem (-s), so I'd rather be working on it myself with the help of that guy I sent you the address of. Anyways, one more RR burns, the bike goes to the scrapyard.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by euphonius

Damn, Steve. I note you've been dealing mainly with the shop that sold you the bike. Any chance of dealing directly with the manufacturer? Shame them into action?

Meanwhile, we'll be watching for plumes of black smoke over Nanjing...

cheers!

---

Actually, I went to that shop once. and they said they couldn't help me anyhow. Since then I've been fixing it at a different shop with the help of an "independent" mechanic, who's not affiliated with any shop. The dude's been awesome so far. If it weren't him, the bike would've been long dead. As for the manufacturer, I don't think it'd be worth it, because even though the website of Asiawing is still on, there's been no response to my emails from them. Neither did they ice up hone calls.
I could probably go to Shandong, Tai'An and somehow talk to the factory management, but I work 24/7 which basically leaves me no time to do that. My work is actually the reason I need a RELIABLE bike :)
For all I know that "Asiawing" company might not even be anymore

Quote:

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Originally Posted by blackened

Hi Steve,

thank you for your postings here which let me give up the idea to purchase this bike. It sounds like a nightmare to me.

Cheers

Andreas

---

Dear Andreas, you've just saved yourself lots of troubles with:
1. Wiring
2. Overheating engine
3. Dim headlight
4. Plush brakes
5. Wooden tires
6. Useless engine noise
7. Valve adjustment
8. Broken spokes
9. Twisted rims
10. Immensely uncomfortable seat

Cheers :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Steve_Halt

Dear Andreas, you've just saved yourself lots of troubles with:
1. Wiring
2. Overheating engine
3. Dim headlight
4. Plush brakes
5. Wooden tires
6. Useless engine noise
7. Valve adjustment
8. Broken spokes
9. Twisted rims
10. Immensely uncomfortable seat

Cheers :)

---

Hi Steve,

if you need a phone number of the factory I can let my wife search the mobile number of a guy we met one month ago at the factory. I asked the guy how they will deal in case something will fail with the bike. The guy said, that they will send me spare parts for free in case of small malfunction or pick up & ship it back to factoy in case of bigger problems. Perhaps that can help you?

Cheers

Andreas

You want to burn your bike? Steve, where's your environmental awareness!?

Here's a plan: box it and send it to me. I can solve аll the problems that you mentioned, and even have an idea what to do with "useless engine noise" - I will scare people all over my village.

You do not need to pay me even a dime - I will take it with no charge. I will, as a token of appreciation, send you a bottle of my own three year old slivovitz, plus another bottle of last year's apple brandy, just because you're from the "Northern Venice".

For details, PM me anytime.


:lol8:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by blackened

Hi Steve,

if you need a phone number of the factory I can let my wife search the mobile number of a guy we met one month ago at the factory. I asked the guy how they will deal in case something will fail with the bike. The guy said, that they will send me spare parts for free in case of small malfunction or pick up & ship it back to factoy in case of bigger problems. Perhaps that can help you?

Cheers

Andreas

---

Yeah, that'd be great!
Appreciated.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zorge

You want to burn your bike? Steve, where's your environmental awareness!?

Here's a plan: box it and send it to me. I can not solve аll the problems that you mentioned, and even have an idea what to do with "useless engine noise" - I will scare people all over my village.

You do not need to pay me even a dime - I will take it with no charge. I will, as a token of appreciation, send you a bottle of my own three year old slivovitz, plus another bottle of last year's apple brandy, just because you're from the "Northern Venice".

For details, PM me anytime.


:lol8:

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:)
But where's the fun??
"useless noise" is that the Db level doesn't quite match the Nm level that thing has.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Steve_Halt

Yeah, that'd be great!
Appreciated.

---

Steve,

here it is: 15166487593

But looks like the guy is just speaking Chinese. You can tell him that you got his number from the German guy from Qingdao. Hope he can remember his words regarding the free spare parts.

Good luck!

Andreas

I speak basic Chinese, should be enough to ask him a couple of questions :)
Thank you!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Steve_Halt

I speak basic Chinese, should be enough to ask him a couple of questions :)
Thank you!

---

Keep me updated.

Cheers

Andreas

Quote:

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Originally Posted by blackened

Keep me updated.

Cheers

Andreas

---

Texted him first thing in the morning - no answer. Called him - the call goes through but nobody pics up.

The same phone number is on the Asiawing website, "contact us" section:
http://www.asiawing.com/direct_view.asp?c_id=7
Sent them an email, see if they answer it.

Looks like they do not like to answer in case of problems. Too bad.....

Well, a non-reliable bike from a non-reliable company. TIC.

Maybe it is a kit-bike - "some assembly required".

(No pit, but kit, as a kit-car.)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zorge

Maybe it is a kit-bike - "some assembly required".

(No pit, but kit, as a kit-car.)

---

Yeah, maybe I should treat it like my personal assembly kit. Chinese take on LEGO for adults :)
Actually I've already put quite a lot of effort in diassembling/assembling it (properly) that I feel I can do most of it with my eyes closed. Probably that's what Asiawing wanted of their end-users, since they never supplied any user manual with the bike...

OK, so after 4 burnt regulator-rectifiers I felt that might go down to the battery cables (or their connection). Turns out power wire (+) that goes from the battery to the starter relay was superthin, bent and of lousy quality. Ground wire (-) that goes from the batter to the engine/frame was connected on the left side of the engine, close to the ground, near to the front sprocket. In the dirtiest place on the bike, that is. I relocated the cable and mounted it on the frame, at the place where the engine mount is.
BTW, when I did that, I checked all the engine mount bolts and they were loose. I somehow expected that and tightened them up. I guess they went loose because of the engine vibration, but I'm not sure. Could've been like that right from the factory.
The new cables that I installed are actually car grounding cables from an HKS set. Cost me some 30 yuan on taobao.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Steve_Halt

OK, so after 4 burnt regulator-rectifiers I felt that might go down to the battery cables (or their connection). Turns out power wire (+) that goes from the battery to the starter relay was superthin, bent and of lousy quality. Ground wire (-) that goes from the batter to the engine/frame was connected on the left side of the engine, close to the ground, near to the front sprocket. In the dirtiest place on the bike, that is. I relocated the cable and mounted it on the frame, at the place where the engine mount is.
BTW, when I did that, I checked all the engine mount bolts and they were loose. I somehow expected that and tightened them up. I guess they went loose because of the engine vibration, but I'm not sure. Could've been like that right from the factory.
The new cables that I installed are actually car grounding cables from an HKS set. Cost me some 30 yuan on taobao.

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Dear Steve,

Rather than torching this POS, I suggest you just (further) loosen every screw, nut, wire, connector, part, etc, let the thing fall into a heap, pack it all into one of those red, white and blue migrant worker bags ("Peasant Samsonite") and ship it COD to AsiaWing, along with a note asking for a refund.

Oh, and be sure to post pictures to every motorcycle site in English and Chinese.

cheers!

It'd be ironic in a big way if I loosened it all and the thing stopped malfunctioning :)

OK, so before doing away with the 亚翔 in some unsightly way, laoban and me decided to give it one final shot.
The list of replacement parts included:

Front Rim 17 – 3.5:
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=2991338701&

Rear Rim 17 – 3.5:
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=3000413263&

Kenda Inner tire (2):
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=5077596148

Kenda 140/70 – 17 Rubber (2):
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=4130955155

17’ spokes set (front & rear):
http://trade.taobao.com/trade/detail...37793292837568

DID Chain:
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=14484516275

Oversized front brake rotor with relocation bracket:
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=15090795149

Carbon Exhaust:
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=1..._u=3k0i86r0c25

Heat Isolation for pipe:
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=13935823887

Boyesen high speed water pump:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Boyesen-Supe...ht_2980wt_1008

Baffles from 250cc Regal Raptor
http://trade.taobao.com/trade/detail...47539293847568

Steel wool:
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=15030754779

Original rims on that bike aren't worth sh*t. When we took them off, they were, well, twisted. The spokes had to be cut since they won't unscrew. Comstar rims went on nicely (except for that Comstar customer service lady was a beatch to deal with).
The oversized rotor required new brake pads (luckily laoban had those in stock). The problem was the relocation bracket - they sent it to me with one bolt only, whereas it required 2 to be mounted on the forks. Sure enough, the salesperson from taobao won't do anything about it claiming he didn't have another bolt and advising to use the original one (which, in fact, is twice smaller in size and thus can't be used). Laoban had to machine the bolt somewhere.
Boyesen water pump I got through a father of a friend of a friend in Lithuania was for a different Honda CRF (and not for 亚翔 at all), but it had the same mounting points, so we just had to re-route coolant hoses (which was a pain, since the space down there is very limited and the hoses go to 2 radiators).
The carbon straightflow exhaust turned out to be a very-very-very loud thing which leaned the mixture btw (which accounted for the off-throttle farts). still it was lightweight and looked cool and was carbon...and we decided to keep it but muffle it somehow. Actually, here go a couple of words about the original muffler: it sucks. It's heavy, it has something rustling inside and it muffles none.
So, for that exhaust note thing we used a Regal Raptor baffle tube wrapped up in #0 steel wool. It worked wonders: the sound level dropped like three times, the low-end torque increased and the can stopped farting when off-throttle. Guess my neighbors will be all happy-happy now.
Last but not least, the clutch. The clutch's a b*tch. It has been giving me problems since day one. Laoban had to take the whole assembly apart and put it back together. Long story short, there's some kind of fork or pushrod or something and that didn't go straight. Which resulted in frustrating clutch behavior. Now it's a different story. it's smooth, it's soft and...wow...I can find neutral at standstill with my engine running. Unbelievable. Way to go, Asiawing! Guess why they just don't buy your bikes in all those markets you've pushed them to.
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I was tempted, as a last resort, to add to the deal I proposed, a really huge chunk of smoked "Adidas" bacon (pickled cucumbers and rye bread are not included), but seems that you have no more murderous intentions toward innocent bike. That's good! :lol8:

How do you say "Airhawk" in Mandarin? It should solve the problem with the fifth point of contact.

Have you checked whether the side bags, more precisely, the right one, when is filled with things, bends the white plastic side panel and pressing it to the muffler?

BTW, potentially useful tidbit for your bike- http://www.thumperfaq.com/not_free_carb.htm