Reports suggest that new Honda will be made in Thailand.
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Reports suggest that new Honda will be made in Thailand.
Here is the first installment about some extras.
I opted to mount a crash bar. As Felix noted above, several aftermarket options already exist. At first, I thought the "professional protection" would be great ... until I actually saw it, close up. It is HUGE, and does not hug the bike, or follow its lines. There are some pics of one mounted at the premier MC parts shop in Beijing (798 shop), alongside GIVI bags. That "professional protection" looks like you are enclosed in a cage. Frankly, I think it looks butt ugly.
"Professional Crash Bar" mounted on a GW250
And here it is on taobao:
Taobao "Professional Crash Bar"
I was looking for an engine guard, but here in China, they seem to believe that these protective bars are also supposed to protect your legs in a fall. Hence, crash bars are gigantic wings. Total nonsense about protecting one's legs in a fall, but I am not going to argue with 1.3 billion people. I really wish I could find a decent metal fabricator & get my own "engine guard" made.
Anyways, I opted for this one (off taobao):
Taobao Crash Bar
The first one sent did not fit properly, despite the seller espousing "quality control". Sent it back, the seller sent a second one, and it fit.
It is a very simple mounting exercise.
It attaches to the two front engine mounting bolts, at the frame, and two clamp bolts on each side of the lower frame tubes.
1) I was damn nervous loosening off BOTH front engine mounting bolts (what if the engine drops?!?!?!). After removing the nuts from both, the bolts were "loose" which gave me confidence to slide them out. Yeah, it was ok - for some reason the engine didn't move, but I didn't want to press my luck by having it hang on whatever (???) for an extended period of time, so I hustled my bunnies to get the bar on and the bolts replaced. The factory bolts have to be replaced with longer bolts (supplied with the bar), because the bar fitting results in extra width that the bolts have to reach. One trick I learned ... it is necessary to remove the factory bolts on the left side of the bike, but use the longer replacement bolts from the right side of the bike. The longer bolts won't clear some water cooling hoses. But coming from the right side makes it easy.
2) The two lower clamps are somewhat easy (left side is a bit tight), but the bolts didn't look like they were good quality.
Here is a pic of the two front engine mounting bolts (in red circles):
http://i46.tinypic.com/35arlut.jpg
Sidenote: Typical, really crappy "neep neep" horn. However, a really nice feature is the stone guard for the radiator. I wish Jialing would've done that on its JH600.
Here is a pic of a the lower clamp mount.
http://i48.tinypic.com/fz0nrd.jpg
Here are some pics of the mounted bar. I think it looks not too bad, and offers some basic engine case protection. The "quality" is ok (good for China), but would be considered average "MIC" quality in the West. Not my ideal, but one has to cook with the ingredients at hand.
At least it is not one of those "bat wings" ... like on my YBR125 in the background. I hate that crash bar - it looks goofy, and adds too much width to the bike.
http://i47.tinypic.com/2vifaec.jpg
http://i50.tinypic.com/33w791z.jpg
http://i49.tinypic.com/32zqhop.jpg
http://i49.tinypic.com/xqbye.jpg
Hand guards, windscreen, RAM mount, and rear carrier coming (the carrier has been a PITA).
True that you never see crash bars that just protect the engine in china, they've always got to be as large as the bars. I guess it's because there's nowhere to mount your tea flask on normal engine guards.
The ones you got aren't too offensive though, and if you install some spotlights on them they might even look purposeful. And hell if they also do protect your leg in a fall then why not!
Hope you haven't binned her yet, looking forward to your updates!
Haha - right you are, Felix! And until they are mounted, one has to improvise ...Quote:
Originally Posted by felix
http://i50.tinypic.com/153mkbp.jpg
By the way, that is a fake/clone YBR125 that is now being sold in China. Amazing. Up next, more riding impressions, and GW hand guards ...
The thing is a lot of the crash bars seen in mainland China are made from inferior metal, no stronger than tin. The metal used for the application can be found in many instances for motorcycle crash bars, engine guards, car, van or SUV nudge bars and stairway bannister rails and such like. A little hit with a piece of 4x2 (wood) can leave a substantial "ding" in the metal. They may look the goods, all chromey but they are about as reassuring as everything else here is.
I purchased hand guards from taobao:
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=15776665616
Very easy to install, although it requires a bit of playing around with the puzzle of which/where, etc., as there were no instructions.
Anyways, a few things were noticed:
1) These are WIND protection only. They would most certainly NOT protect your hands in a crash, or bump. There is no bar reinforcement (they are only a bendable plastic), and the mounting hardware would collapse in a moment. Nevertheless, they do seem to provide good wind protection for cold riding days (becoming more frequent in Beijing).
2) One end of the wind guards mounts on the bar ends, the other end mounts with a supplied metal strip that clamps under the clutch/brake lever bolts. Here is where it got interesting:
a) I mounted the clutch side first. No problem. When everything was tightened up, the clutch lever still operated normally.
b) I then mounted the brake side. When everything was tightened up, the brake lever was frozen. Huh? Well, it seems that the material that the brake lever mounting (i.e., Suzuki OEM, not the wind guards) is made from is easily bent, allowing the brake-assembly to be squeezed onto the lever. I went back to the clutch side, and that material seems very rigid (I couldn't get it to squeeze the clutch lever, limiting its movement). The two sides appear to be made of the same material, but the brake side is definitely more pliable.
Here are some pics taken with my crappy mobile phone (sorry, I will try for better pics after the windscreen is mounted).
The GW and YBR, side by side ...
http://i46.tinypic.com/2vj4bbl.jpg
Another side by side, with some extra eye candy :) ...
http://i50.tinypic.com/9a1mw2.jpg
Focus on that eye candy ...
http://i45.tinypic.com/2rcpibm.jpg
An experienced rider, she has been "evaluating" the GW ... and she "loves it" ...
http://i49.tinypic.com/15p236f.jpg
She has put a few hundred kms on it, in the city, on expressways, etc. Her comments are:
1) Very smooth
2) Great cornering
3) Heavy, but not too heavy for me (she is about 45 kgs!)
4) Easy to get on the center stand, but tough to get it off
She has also ridden YBR250s, which she also loves, but she says she has a preference for the GW (it is "pretty").
Here is the end of bar mount of the wind guard. It fits well.
http://i48.tinypic.com/fy3frr.jpg
And a front view ...
http://i48.tinypic.com/29vj875.jpg
And a poor pic of the inside mount ...
http://i50.tinypic.com/24gixec.jpg
So, the bottom line for me is:
1) These are good wind guards, but definitely NOT hand guards.
2) It is nice that they are designed for the GW, so no modifications & no swearing is required.
3) It was an interesting discovery about the pliable brake lever assembly material.
4) I pick pretty "evaluators" to help the MCM community!
True enough.Quote:
Originally Posted by bikerdoc
I don't really understand the "crash bar" idea. I am only looking for engine guards that would protect the cases if the bike was knocked over by wind, soft ground, error, or idiot (see below) ... or a low speed drop. The idea that a "crash bar" would somehow protect a rider in an "at speed" crash seems silly. If so, you would think MotoGP riders would be taobao's biggest customers! If I ever drop a bike at speed (knock on wood), I'd be thinking of my own "case", not the bike's!
Speaking of idiots, wtf is it with strangers thinking it is perfectly acceptable to walk up to your bike and hop on it to try it out? Damn, this is my #1 pet peeve in China. The pinnacle of p'd off was when I arrived downstairs to see that some "dressed-up" girl & a photographer were using my Harley for their photo shoot! Neither saw any problem ... "we're being careful". Seriously, how can you respond to such insanity.
I now cover all my bikes, locking the cover to the front wheel, and also using an alarmed disc lock (any movement and that thing screams - good for remembering it, too!). Anyways, I am sure these idiots would drop the bike and just walk away. Grrrr. /rant.
Read the three through. Very informative. I think GW 250 will be my wife's next bike once she grows out of her EN 150.
Personal impression: front fender kind of on the ugly side, but why not if it does the job? The spec sheet shows the bike must be a pleasure to ride casually, like daily commuting or something.
hehehe my wife drives my EN150, but I worry that the gw is too heavy for her, so I dont know if she can grow out of the 150Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve_Halt
I was thinking the same thing, basically why i haven't attached my KO 66 protector bar yet...Quote:
Originally Posted by Lao Jia Hou
I did however get the 66 chromed back rack so its easier to bungee net things to the back of the bike when I boot around... this way i dont have to always take a back pack with me... I don't really want to get side boxes, but the ones that you showed in the link above look pretty awesome, i might consider getting a set of those for longer travels...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lao Jia Hou
One thing they are good for is you can more easily install good wind shielding for your feets on them.
http://arcticbutt.files.wordpress.co...3a4-sakke2.jpg
Good point. Sorry folks, I haven't updated this thread regularly. More later, but for now the GW continues to operate perfectly (although not often as it is winter).Quote:
Originally Posted by moilami
Dear LJH, if the time ever comes that you actually drop a bike, you'll discover the central benefit of those crazy crash bars -- they substantially reduce the chances of your foot or leg getting pinched, caught or crushed under the weight of the bike in a getoff where you don't quite, uh, get off. Needless to say, I hope you continue your incredible run of uprightness!
cheers
Just seen this come up in recent news
Attachment 10965
Kennon
I think that fairing'd bike is the "police version", but put into the regular production line for average-Joe customers.
The dealer I bought my GW from (Qili Motors in Beijing) has great customer service. The first bike I bought from Qili was in 2010, when it was a small, messy, hole-in-the-wall shop - but it had a good reputation in the Chinese motorcycling community for being honest. Zoom ahead 3 years (2013), and that consistent no-BS business model has resulted in Qili expanding to take over a city block, on two sides. In the past 6 months, it has sold several dozen GWs (and quite probably literally hundreds of other bikes).
Now, with Beijing's riding season starting up, Qili offered free oil changes, bike check-ups & adjustments to any GW owner that showed up at the doors of its new Service Center. It also had Suzuki's factory service manager on hand to chat with customers.
A very rare "breath of fresh air" in Beijing, especially where certain expat-focused shops "deal" in rip-offs. Kudos to Qili for taking those crooks' business away, and understanding that customer loyalty is built, and valuable.
Here's my Baby B getting some love & attention ...
http://i50.tinypic.com/xlgi7k.jpg
another shot, with my buddy "Mr Red" GW in the background ...
http://i50.tinypic.com/2mqqdc0.jpg
More pics of the event on a Chinese forum (click here).
Qili is smart - while they were giving me a free oil change, the owner steered me over to a shiny bike he thought I might be interested in ... yeah, I am probably going to buy another toy. So much for my "free" oil change. :lol8:
If that faired version ever goes on sale, I'd consider it as a reasonable step up for my wife (from her EN 150, that is). Wonder how much more will the faired version be over the regular one...
3k more...unofficial price
this is really one nice bike. in turkey ppl dying to get one( shipment still didnt arrive yet) and price is way more expencive there compare to china
about 11.000 turkish liras which is about 38000 CNY
Makes it be about 25000 - 27000 yuan without the plates... Fine price except for I got my 2nd hand car for 25500...Quote:
Originally Posted by xtoss
I had a quick ride on a GW250 yesterday, not where I'd really like to ride it on a mountain road, but in a busy city. However I did get a chance to have a 5 minute test ride.
Sitting on the bike impressions are good, lowish riding position, really good tacho cluster, slightly racy but comfortable seat position, super comfortable seat.
Railed corners with confidence, excellent brakes and a tad more torque and power than a YBR250. I wouldn't buy one, a 250 just isn't enough power for me with viable, legal 600cc options. It's a shame because those 600cc plus bikes are opening a can 'o worms in terms of reliability, but they are too much bike to ignore. I'd recommend the GW250 to anyone unfamiliar with Chinese roads and who needs a reliable machine to tour the sealed roads in China.
Quoted price 23,000, plus 500 registration.
Dealer swore the whole engine was made in Japan. I said I couldn't believe that, and that some of the parts like bearings would be made there, but surely not the whole engine. Anyone have any ideas about this?
I've heard that same story. There was a first batch of GW250s released in the early/mid summer of 2012, but there was a transmission problem. After a 2-3 month delay, the next batch was released with the new transmission and a few other updates. A group of us were told, as we were waiting, that the engine/transmission assembly was coming from Japan. BTW, the early adopters were given the updates. Although, if I was buying a used GW, I'd look for one with a September/October 2012, or later, registration.Quote:
Originally Posted by ZMC888
Maybe internals are mostly made in Japan, cases in China?Quote:
Originally Posted by LJH
Quote:
Originally Posted by ZMC888
Im almost certain its imported from japan.... Just like MItsubishis's MIVEC engine thats being use to series of LANCER EX models here in china, reason why a lot of chinese consumers still going for lancers inspite of its outdated features and designs. The fact that the engine is imported thus realible is enough reason for the car to sell itself.
Are you sure? Where is your information from?Quote:
Originally Posted by xtoss
I had a Sundiro Honda CBF150, 100% reliable all made in China, also Loncin make a BMW engines here for export. Surely it's just a rumor that helps sell the bike most likely, as importing engines from Japan will massively increase costs, and that's the last thing these companies want to do.
I purchased an aftermarket windscreen for the GW250. It works well to keep the airflow off my midsection. It is taller than a typical sport windscreen.
The one thing I do not like about it is the mounting parts which attach to the mirror stems were white – not a good color for a bike that comes only in black or grey. I will paint them later. Also, the adjustable bars seem to be a bit long, but that is ok, for now. When I move my bench grinder and polisher into the clubhouse, I will cut the length & polish the ends.
There is a small gap under the windscreen (over the headlight housing), which must allow some air through, but I don’t feel it.
http://i42.tinypic.com/34i1vfm.jpg
http://i40.tinypic.com/21ou5qg.jpg
http://i43.tinypic.com/30s95py.jpg
http://i42.tinypic.com/2ah7ggn.jpg
http://i42.tinypic.com/5nrjus.jpg
I also purchased a GPS mount.
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=...id=20645168053
It was nicely done, with a replacement head bolt. The one shortcoming is that the holder does not compress enough to hold an iPhone. Ii is ok, in my case, because I will be using a larger dimensioned Garmin Nuvi. Another minor shortcoming is that the replacement head bolt (with the “S” emblem) doesn’t line up perfectly – I will require some appropriate thin washers.
Here is the original, smooth, head bolt.
http://i39.tinypic.com/30uclet.jpg
Here is the replacement head bolt (notice the “S” is off alignment)
http://i44.tinypic.com/2ptnynp.jpg
The standard plastic mounting stalk
http://i43.tinypic.com/2eq57r4.jpg
And my old iPhone … the phone is too small to be properly gripped by the mount.
http://i43.tinypic.com/2mo8dwz.jpg
I will now need to find an appropriate position to mount a USB outlet. That will require removing the dash to see if there is room behind the lower face plate of the dash to flush mount a marine-grade, water resistant, USB outlet. Probably get something from West Marine. In the interim, I’ve ordered one of these off taobao:
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=...id=21141720023
just to check out the quality, and see how it mounts. But I don’t expect it to be great.
By the way, I noticed on the ride home that my LCD display in the dash has begun showing a solid bar with the word "Maintenance" inside it. Hmmm, I will need to check into that - the owner's manual I received is, naturally, all Chinese. I will need to find one in English, at some point.
The GW250 is not listed as an approved model yet with the US EPA, when it is it will detail were the bike is manufactured and detail also the engines country of origin separately. So if the engine is made in Japan it would state that or at least it should.
Honda sells a 50cc scooter made by Sundiro the Metropolitan in the USA, the GW250 will be the first Chinese manufactured motorcycle sold under a major brand name in the USA. Not counting the 50cc Honda scooter.
A link to a pretty dubious article on Visordown.com about the CW250 design: http://www.visordown.com/features/lo...ion/22663.html
"Desirable B-King concept"!? :eek2:Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve_Halt
B-King is grotesque.