My new JH600

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Originally Posted by Pfaelzer

KTM UFO - that may be - BUT... ever ridden one oft those 990s? Very addictive I can tell ya. The UFO look is one thing, which doesn't make me switch over from GS boxers... Based on your taste you must be rather in my age-group I guess. One thing we have to get used to: The XT500 times are over. Material has technically improved a lot and we all appreciate quality. Therefore we sometimes need to compromise a bit and get away from the old looks. Not really true because having said that, this is the ride I built recently with my friends in Germany and went to Iceland on it:


http://pfaelzer.smugmug.com/Biking/I...4_wHCEe-XL.jpg


Together with my wife:


http://pfaelzer.smugmug.com/Biking/I...71_9JSM4-L.jpg


"Old stuff" still rules... :riding::riding::riding:

AW.

(This is my post no. 100 - so it has to be special hahaha)

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Yes, airhead GS rules, and it will take tens of years if ever anything can beat the sheer authority of tastefully modded GS like yours here. I liked a lot of your versions, BMW badge white/blue colour scheme on the chassis and on the bench and that reflector on the fork. Too much praise so have toi criticise too, I would had liked to see a bigger headlight, it could contribute to the utilitarian authority and give some "all seeing eye" punch to the bike :) In addition to giving more light.

Some day I am gonna buy a book which tells me everything of develepment of GS BMW. I want to know what the engineers thought.

EDIT: Those two GS are more than bikes, they are like faithfull assistants with strong personality and character made to serve well in both good and bad times xD

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Originally Posted by moilami

Yes, airhead GS rules,... have toi criticise too, I would had liked to see a bigger headlight,....

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Absolutely agree. As usual with me, the game never ends and no project is ever really finished. We went to Iceland, in summer... headlights on this trip were only necessary for the traffic authorities. I have seen a nice mod, where someone has installed a larger headlight from a different beemer, which doesn't change the original look of the R80 GS Basic - it's gonna come at time...

BMW engineers thought and built aircrafts before they - kinda - had to give that up and started to build bikes.

Cheers, AW.

Hi TexasAggie,

this update is for you - some more details on the hand-guards here:

HAND GUARDS - edited 05-01-2010

any other questions to that let me know. I hear your suspension system has been ordered. I hope it will really come with all discussed changes.

Cheers, AW.

Thanks as always AW. I hate to say but I am in the wait for delivery mode to accomplish much more. I did find a possible good link to local support today. Seems the PLA version of our bike is popular here in Nanjing. There are several leads on good support from some of these guys. I am looking forward to receiving the bike and doing some riding.

Dear Aggie,

You're saying there are Nanjingers who are riding a two-wheeled PLA version? That's interesting indeed. Here in Shanghai, all five JH600s that have been sold are olive drab with sidecars, i.e., JH600B. Their referred to as the "police model" by locals. If there is in Nanjing a cohort of olive drabbers who cherish the interplay of speed, gravity and centripetal force rather than three-point stability, that would certainly be a cohort worth exploring! If they are in Nanjing, maybe they can be found near Shanghai too!

Keep us posted.

Hi,

I have updated the post on wheels and tires. See the link below:

WHEELS AND TIRES - edited 05-02-2010

hope you like it. I am excited...

Greetings, AW.

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Originally Posted by Pfaelzer

http://pfaelzer.smugmug.com/Motorcyc...84_RDApg-L.jpg

Job done. Looks great I think. Now I feel more and more, that this black plastic chain-guard has to be replaced with something better looking...

I just made one test ride so far. The feeling is different of course and more to the direction I am used to. A clear difference made the larger rear sprocket (will post on this separately). The bike feels now more like dual-purpose and now I think that I have to sit a little higher. I ordered a new seat and plan to play around with the seat-cushioning later.

One modification seems to always ask for more. I am still enjoying doing it. Going pout for a ride adventure is of course the best thing to do. But if time doesn't allow for big adventures all the time, then some wrenching is good too.

Guys, let me know your thoughts on this modification.

Cheers,
AW.


...back to modification list.

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Dunno I have to say like a miracle it now looks much better than before. Been puzzled how it can be so, does the new relative proportions of wheels and the rest of the bike affect or is it those black wheel rims or the sum of everything.

In my opinion the black plastic mudguard is fine. What interferes my eye is that squared metal fork thingy under the chain guard, especially as it is longer than the chain guard, but maybe the lenght is okay because of how the front fork is designed. Your bike have some carved curves in it, which are in harmony with the painted curves on the fuel tank fairing, the curves in the fuel tank itself, and with the plastic chain guard. All in all the bike looks kinda curvy now, it begins to look like some mature lady with certain dignity and abilities :thumbsup:I can say now I am pretty eager to take a ride with that bike, or take another closer look if I saw it somewhere. Great job therefore! The pearl detail still in my eye is the engine guard.

Euphonius,
Regarding the Nanjing Jialing riders, alas, I was lost in translation as is often the case. My source thought I was talking about the CJ750. I am already in that loop. My new bike is the first JH600 to come Nanjing just as yours is the first in Shanghai.

This is China, where the impossible is easy, and the easy is absolutely impossible.

Looks like we are establishing the JH600 beachhead in the North East Central part of China. Maybe our friend in Wuhan will get sucked into the JH600 phenom after reading and seeing Pfaelzer's upgrades! I am glad he and Franki have established the process and contacts to get components specified, suppliers identified, and a process to get things in country. I look at it positively that at least we have started to adventure and have something to look forward to. I just wish i had started 4 months ago.

DT

Dear DT,

thanks for the clarification. yes, i suppose we are the bleeding edge. but we are not alone. as franki notes frequently, there are actually quite a few JH600s in the wild supporting adventurous chinese butts, and i know of at least two more expats in this area who are on the brink of pulling the trigger. my bike should be ready for me to fetch on or before 10 may, so i'm champing at the bit to run up to chongqing for this. should i be bothered that i've still not got my chinese drivers' license? i'm boning up on the regs today and tomorrow, and may go in for the exam as early as wednesday. but i'll fetch the bike whether i have the license or not, and take my chances with the pox.

indeed, each post by pfaelzer gets me even more juiced.

oh, and this: four months ago I was riding a motorcycle for the first time in all my 52 years. better late than never...

cheers

I have to return to the USA on the 10th to appease the accountants for mid year internal audit. I will return to China on the 24th. My bike is supposed to be deliverd the same week. I am sure you will already have launched into the fun full throttle. I rode around Nanjing for 4 years without the license. I was always treated nicely by the police. They mainly got upset I did not have a plate after 6 months. I have to admit, I would have caught more grief in Texas for the same offense. Just be nice and it usually woks out with the cops and do not give up on the license. Keep us posted.

I am the same age as you. You picked the right style of bike to ride at this youthful age.
DT

Ahh, you youngun's! Try remounting at 59! I suppose at least I had experience years back but it didn't do me much good, forgot it all apart from the mistakes ... you JH600 lot are certainly enjoying your 'resurgence'; I am glad you didn't get red ones like all the middle-aged sportscar blokes do, and apart from the manbits getting crunched on these machines they do better for the libido than anything blue does that's for sure! Keep on enjoying and keep on posting, I am sure the soon to be realised arrival of the machines will be even better than the dream you are riding now.
AW and Franki surely didn't realise what they had started with that black beauty.

Hehehe

First ride in 1969... Bultaco Lobido 100
First ride in Nanjing 2006...CJ750
Present ride in Texas 2010...R1200GSA
Future ride in Nanjing summer 2010...JH600

I want the blue JH600 cause I do not have a blue one yet. Regarding the red and midlife crisis.......what is you point:riding:
DT

Put me foot in me mouth as usual eh? I was reading Euphonius' post about his test comng up and his first bike and put you both in the same bag, sorry - you are obviously just a bit less wrinkly than me and much more experienced on 2 wheels.
So, talking about a blue one like the little pills that do wonders for us older fellas was inappropriate! My neighbour just got a divorce, laughed at my little chinabike, bought a red convertible as so many do when such midlife crises hit, and promptly started trying to pick up young shielas and take them for a ride, one of whom took him for a ride to stretch the metaphor. She 'borrowed' it, crashed it, insurance didn't cover. Now he is poorer and wiser and I laugh and wave everytime I hurtle past on the Kinlon.
Anyway, enough of my raving, can't wait to see you guys on your modded up, blinged up machines. ps I remember those Bultaco Sherpas thrashed everything when they first came out, what, 2 strokes, thirty plus years ago?

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Originally Posted by euphonius

oh, and this: four months ago I was riding a motorcycle for the first time in all my 52 years. better late than never...

cheers

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Ahh... the whole new world awaits you, lucky you. Just take it easy and maintain some common sense. And first of all, practise (often) emergency maneuvers in a safe place untill you can pull them eyes closed so to say. It can really safe your life, can't say at least what is a better life insurance.

Moilami,

thanks for the encouragement. i spent almost four months experimenting with this new lifestyle during an extended stay in california after 20 years in China. bought a very dusty KLR650, and rode it well over 3,000 miles/5,000 km in that short time, all on twisty northern california country roads. i'm pretty confident now, and certainly know my limitations. selected the JH600 largely because of its similarity to my California Kawi. But we'll see soon enough!

again, thanks for the encouragement!
j

If you have 20 years in country you will be fine! Freaking Taxi in Shanghai is more dangerous than anything a motorcycle will encounter outside the city. I have faith that if you have managed 20 years here in China, and you rode CA for 3000 miles, you will be able to ride as safe as any of us. Of course, I am often considered an idiot so take my comments for what they are worth! Look forward to meeting you in Jiangsu Province soon!

DT

Hey you guys, I don't know if you have gone as far back as one of Franki's original posts in your research of add-ons and bling?
http://www.mychinamoto.com/forums/sh...4-JH600-and-me
if so, I want a set please .....!

And, did anyone ever find out if JH did the costing/research on exporting these machines?

I am reading this thread with too much interest and starting to want one badly in Aus. which must be the ideal country for touring - desert, beaches, mountains, temperate, tropics, just like China apart from expense but Summer here when Winter there and tents and camping are relatively inexpensive. Snakes and spiders though :lol8:.

I have been slowly Google Earthing my way around, looking at possible routes ... some very good roads linking everywhere and also lots of enduro routes. I am starting to talk myself into the idea of a last road-trip before I die (or Visa and the rest catch up with me). I like my Kinlon, well sort of like it, but really not sure it would stand the trip.

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Originally Posted by jape

Hey you guys, I don't know if you have gone as far back as one of Franki's original posts in your research of add-ons and bling?
http://www.mychinamoto.com/forums/sh...4-JH600-and-me
if so, I want a set please .....!

And, did anyone ever find out if JH did the costing/research on exporting these machines?

I am reading this thread with too much interest and starting to want one badly in Aus. which must be the ideal country for touring - desert, beaches, mountains, temperate, tropics, just like China apart from expense but Summer here when Winter there and tents and camping are relatively inexpensive. Snakes and spiders though :lol8:.

I have been slowly Google Earthing my way around, looking at possible routes ... some very good roads linking everywhere and also lots of enduro routes. I am starting to talk myself into the idea of a last road-trip before I die (or Visa and the rest catch up with me). I like my Kinlon, well sort of like it, but really not sure it would stand the trip.

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Haha, I didn't know there are people as crazy as I am. Yes, if you want to set up your bike like mine, I have got the technology:deal: If you just want a JH600P, it can also happen:riding:

Maybe we can organize a tour similar to the Edelweiss guys. Using a support truck that can you can fly and meet the motorcycle after it has been sent to a location such as Western China or other long distance and then having the support vehicle available is a great way to focus on the actual ride that is worth while. With limited free time available, I can not take weeks off at a time to reach the great destinations to ride in China. Anyway, keep me posted as I will be looking to enjoy the new toy off the beaten path after break in.

I loved the picture of Franki playing in the mud a few years ago. Was that an EFI bike then too?
DT

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Originally Posted by TexasAggie

Maybe we can organize a tour similar to the Edelweiss guys. Using a support truck that can you can fly and meet the motorcycle after it has been sent to a location such as Western China or other long distance and then having the support vehicle available is a great way to focus on the actual ride that is worth while. With limited free time available, I can not take weeks off at a time to reach the great destinations to ride in China. Anyway, keep me posted as I will be looking to enjoy the new toy off the beaten path after break in.

I loved the picture of Franki playing in the mud a few years ago. Was that an EFI bike then too?
DT

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If it is a popular demand. This can happen also. The problem may be to get you guys agreed on which route to take. There are so many out there.:goodtime:

Yes, my bike has the 1st generation ECU and had gone thru many upgrades from my feedbacks. What you guys are getting now should be the 4th generation ECU, if I am not wrong.:wheelchair:

Good problems to have.

DT

jape,
Just so you know, I found your hit on red cars and mid life crisis funny. I traded in a perfectly good highly customized Honda Valkyrie and bought a red BMW GSA for my 50th birthday and I spend less than 7 weeks a year in the USA to ride it! I just got tired of the old dual sport Honda 650L and wanted a new better dual sport. I then went stupid.

Pfaelzer, Franki, ChinaV, and Euphonius are evil and have me going down the same path here in China. Of course I am loving it like I was still in my 40's. Hardest part is waiting. I am actually glad I have to travel for a few weeks back to the USA so I can ride "The Red Beast" and not think so much about the new "Big Blue"

DT

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Originally Posted by TexasAggie

Hardest part is waiting.

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You said it! I have been waiting three months for my XTR. At times I feel like rage cancelling the order, but manage to cool myself down by promising to never do it again (to order a China bike).

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Originally Posted by TexasAggie

Maybe we can organize a tour similar to the Edelweiss guys. Using a support truck that can you can fly and meet the motorcycle after it has been sent to a location such as Western China or other long distance and then having the support vehicle available is a great way to focus on the actual ride that is worth while.

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You are on to something. I remember seeing an online article last year or two from the L.A. Times about a company offering trips in China. The interesting thing was the article mentioned them offering the JH600 as well as BMW's (not sure of the other brand brand, but I remember the writer who took the tour mentioning Jialing JH600s).

On the international site, Horizonsunlimited.com in the "hubb" section (the forums), there are always members insisting on riding China on their own bike as part of an international tour they plan to take. They always reach out and ask what others have done to ride China as a tourist, and often won't take people who have tried and failed answer that it is near impossible. Without ever having tried it, from what I understand, unless China has eased tourists bringing their own bikes in, it is near impossible to do so, and the best and most efficient way is to buy one, or join an orgnaized tour.

I know there are a few of you connected members who could probably organize a rental business or a tour operation. I would think that a rental/purchase would be a good deal in which a bike is sold at a predetermined amount to someone, and promised to be bought back at a predetermined amount provided the miles and condition are good enough. Of course, the purchase part is if it is wrecked or stolen, or the buyer could sell it for more, possibly to another tourist or to someone in China.

I have a feeling that one of you in China could come up with something, especially with the JH600.

hey all. Just back from a long weekend of riding with 4 riding companions on TaoHua Dao (Island) off the coast of Ningbo. Caught the ferry Saturday morning and spent the afternoon and following day riding round the island. Photos and info to follow in a post shortly. There was a Suzuki M1800R, Ducati 600 and Yamaha Dragstar 1100's made up the rest. The reason I'm posting in this thread is that the guy riding the Ducati 600 also owns a JH600 (one of the first models) he bought it new, and it cost him 元6000. When I told him the new price of the current model he laughed. He basically said that he would never pay the kind of money >元30k even with the improvements he'd want since the original model was released. As he said, he'd rather spend three times the current asking price of JH600 for a new HD 883 sportster in PRC. I just thought it was an interesting perspective to throw into the discussion.

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Originally Posted by culcune

I remember seeing an online article last year or two from the L.A. Times about a company offering trips in China. The interesting thing was the article mentioned them offering the JH600 as well as BMW's (not sure of the other brand brand, but I remember the writer who took the tour mentioning Jialing JH600s).

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Here's that LATimes story...

latimes.com/news/printedition/highway1/la-hy-throttle28nov28,0,1676739.story

http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2007-11/33984751.jpg

THROTTLE JOCKEY

China's Jialing JH600 dual sport is not quite ready for the U.S.A.

It's a nifty ride, but China's Jialing JH600 dual sport bike would need refinement and a price cut before cracking the U.S. market.

By Susan Carpenter

Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

November 28, 2007

KASHGAR, CHINA


Riding 1,700 miles in eight days isn't anything I'd normally brag about. But I was riding a Chinese motorcycle. In China. Over pavement and gravel. Across the Tianshan mountains and the Taklamakan desert. From elevations of 13,400 feet to sea level. In temperatures from freezing to 100-plus degrees. So forgive me if I seem a little self-congratulatory for trekking the Chinese wilds on a Jialing JH600 dual sport.

Considering my stateside experience riding a few Chinese death traps and China's recent mishaps with poisoned pet food, lead-tainted toys and bad tires, my expectations when I saddled the bike were so low as to be underground. I really didn't think the JH600 would survive the trip with anything more than the handlebars intact. I wasn't sure I was even going to survive, but I was curious.

I'd signed up for a motorcycle tour of the Silk Road and noticed that the tour group -- Edelweiss Bike Travel -- was offering a Chinese bike in addition to the usual BMWs. If one of the world's largest motorcycle tour companies was using the bike on one of its most challenging trips, it couldn't be that bad. Could it?

Like most people in the U.S., I'd never heard of Jialing. It turns out Jialing is one of the oldest and largest motorcycle manufacturers in its home country. China Jialing Industrial Co. makes 20% of China's motorcycles, scooters and mopeds, or 2 million vehicles a year.

Like most Chinese motorcycles, Jialings are made in the Southeastern city of Chongqing, an area best known for its panda bears and hot-pot cooking. Jialing is the name of the river that runs through the city. What the JH stands for in JH600, that's not clear, but it could be Jialing Honda. Since 1981, Jialing has been working with Honda Motor Co. on its technology, and it shows on the JH600. The 600 cc single has four valves and is liquid-cooled. It gets about 60 mpg and meets Europe's E3 emissions standards.

Because Europe's standards are tougher than the Environmental Protection Agency's or even California's, the JH600 could, in theory, be certified for sale in the U.S., but Jialing hasn't tried that -- yet. According to the company's U.S.-based rep, Jialing hasn't figured out whether the cost of meeting U.S. government requirements will pay off in sales. Jialing bikes are relatively small, and Americans, who are significantly larger than people elsewhere in the world, continue to want large-displacement bikes.

It's just as well. When you buy a motorcycle in the U.S., you aren't just buying its technical capabilities or its fit or its style. You're buying into a culture and a brand's rep and status. Riding a Chinese motorcycle in the U.S. has zero status. Basically, you're telling everyone you're cheap.

A growing number of people don't seem to care about that. While the Motorcycle Industry Council doesn't track sales of Chinese bikes, per se, it's seen a 4.3% increase in sales of non-MIC brands in 2002-05. In 2005, they accounted for 13.7% of the market.

The JH600 is a surprisingly good bike, but it costs too much. The JH600 sells for about 30,000 Yuan in China, or $4,000. To succeed here against dual sport faves like the Kawasaki KLR650, which costs $5,350, it would have to come down in price by at least half or seriously ramp up the refinement.

The JH600 is a dual sport, but the suspension is not adjustable, unless you want to take the fork apart and futz with the oil. The styling is passable, but it won't win you any compliments. Then there's the name and the logo, which both look as cheap as the packaging on a toy from the 99-cent store. If I were in charge of the world, I'd change the make and model names to something more playful, bold and provocative. Anyone for the CJ Taskmaster?

New for 2007, the JH600 is one of the largest-displacement Chinese bikes on the market. It may also be the first Chinese bike with fuel injection, which worked perfectly, adapting to dramatic changes in altitude and temperature, though the idle speed setting seemed off. Whenever the bike slowed to stop, it conked out. It did, however, start right back up again every time.

My biggest issue with the bike was its lack of power. It wasn't at all fun trying to keep up with the autobahn-loving Germans in my group, who all had 1200 cc BMWs. The JH600's maximum torque is just 12 pound-feet, and horsepower is only 40 at 6,500 rpm. Claimed top speed is about 100 mph, but I only got it up to 94 mph, which is faster than I should have been going anyway. In the province of Xinjiang where I was riding, you can break the speed limit by 50% but you'll say goodbye to your Chinese driver's license if you go any faster and get caught.

By the time I got the JH600 up to this sort of speed, it had pretty much won me over. It didn't shake at high revs as I raced toward mirage after mirage on desert freeways. Taking corners in the majestically snow-capped mountains bordering Tajikistan, it didn't flop.

Dodging the numerous taxis, donkey carts, scooters and veiled pedestrians that strayed into my path on the streets of Kashgar, Korla and Urumqi, it was agile. And stopping, the single-disc front brake with the dual-piston caliper was sufficient for the numerous times I was forced to slow for goats and other livestock.

For the 100 or so miles I rode through dirt, the suspension also worked well. I wasn't taking jumps as I did battle with soot-spewing dump trucks, but the fork never fully compressed as I barreled through ruts. Even better, the pegs didn't snap off.

If my 1,700 miles with the 2007 Jialing JH600 proved anything, it's the adage that expectations are your worst enemy.

FOR THE RECORD:
Motorcycle review: In last week's Highway 1, a torque figure for the 2007 Jialing JH600 was incorrectly listed as 12 pound-feet at 4,500 rpm. The bike's maximum torque is actually 37.6 pound-feet at 4,500 rpm. —


susan.carpenter@latimes.com

2007 Jialing JH600

Base price: 30,000 yuan, or $4,000

Powertrain: SOHC, four-stroke, single cylinder, four valves per cylinder, fuel-injected, water-cooled, five-speed

Displacement: 600 cc

Maximum torque: 12 pound-feet at 4,500 rpm

Maximum horsepower: 40 at 6,500 rpm

Seat height: 32 inches

After 6 years here in Nanjing. I will take my chances with the RMB 35,000 new JH600. I went cheap with the CJ750 and then doubled the price redoing it to get some reliability. I did not save anything long term and had lots of headaches. I looked at several "grey" market used bikes. They were trashed and rough condition for more money. One guy was selling a Suzuki Storm that had jury rigged the lighting to be able to turn it off. When I asked why, he stated the cops could not see him coming on the illegal bike with the lights off until it was too late. I am not interested in that type of excitement. A New BMW650 is US$20K here in China. That is more than I paid for new R1200GSA fully loaded in Texas. The GSA is over US$40K here in China. If I fail with the JH600 I might go the way of the BMW650 but it was worth the gamble for me personally for that kind of savings for a toy. Especially after reading Pfaelzer and Franki's threads, I am optimistic I will enjoy the JH600.

The adventure begins.....
DT

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Originally Posted by TexasAggie

The adventure begins.....
DT

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Well said. And thanks Euphonius of the interesting article. I will for sure comment more later on when I have time, it is nice to talk about bikes, especially when anxiously waiting for one and thusly talking is all you can do.

As he said, he'd rather spend three times the current asking price of JH600 for a new HD 883 sportster in PRC. I just thought it was an interesting perspective to throw into the discussion.

Alright, that was an opinion of some Ducati driver, and Ducati's aren't very famous in doing enduro bikes. If someone says he would rather buy a cruiser than enduro, I would at first think fine, it is his choise, hope if works out good. But if someone says buy a cruiser rather than enduro, I would ask what for? For me personally a cruiser is not an option since it would severely affect how I can drive. I like to see well around me and to be seen well, and most of all I like to be able to do agressive and effective maneuvers with my bike if needed, and there is no way I would accept gimped performance on gravel or trails. So a cruiser is not an option for me, even if it would be of superior quality, and especially it is not an option for me if it is three times more expensive and the only thing I get for that premium is higher build quality. There is tons of "no no" answers and only one "yes" answer, which is regarding the quality, and regarding the quality there comes a question "is the china bike good enough?" Does it get me there and back? If positive, then I would say hello to the china bike.

(I wanted to comment on that because one of my many perversions is theoretical decision making.)

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Originally Posted by euphonius

It gets about 60 mpg and meets Europe's E3 emissions standards.

Because Europe's standards are tougher than the Environmental Protection Agency's or even California's, the JH600 could, in theory, be certified for sale in the U.S.,

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(Just a side note: we have in Europe now E5 emission standards, got them at the end of 2009. E4 was what we had before that since 1999 to 2005. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europea...sion_standards. This can be the reason why EMC bikes had carburator in Great Britain and Galaxies now have EFI.)

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Originally Posted by euphonius

Jialing bikes are relatively small, and Americans, who are significantly larger than people elsewhere in the world, continue to want large-displacement bikes.

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xD Alright, I feel so uneducated now, I have heard everything is so big in the states, but uh, Americans are significantly larger than people elsewhere in the world? Huh, woot??? what does that word "larger" mean? Height? Or weight? If height, then Americans aren't that large, Dutch, Germans, Australians, Finnish, Danes, and Swedish among other are significantly taller on average. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_height If she meant weight, then...........okay I can agree xD

// More to come later, need to go now, that article is so hilarious and begs to be talked about. And sorry of the OT, I could not resist to pinch strange misinformation xD Still laughing at it.

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Originally Posted by bikerdoc

.... When I told him the new price of the current model he laughed. He basically said that he would never pay the kind of money >元30k even with the improvements he'd want since the original model was released. As he said, he'd rather spend three times the current asking price of JH600 for a new HD 883 sportster in PRC. I just thought it was an interesting perspective to throw into the discussion.

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Hi bikerdoc,

three times 35kRMB would be around 15kUSD. Is it really possible to get a brand-new HD 883 on the road in China for this money? I understand there is a 100% luxury duty for importing bikes plus some other expenses to get a bike legally registered. Anyway, I'm not the specialist for these things but I checked out the BMW prices a while ago in Shanghai and they are just beyond of what I want to pay for a bike unless I had some real serious touring plans and the funds of course.
The JH600 has similar power than for example a Kawasaki KLX250 - maybe a bit more (I just rode one of those in Indonesia). The JH does the job for me - a Duc rider and surely a bunch of other people here might see it different, which is alright. Cruisers, crossers or road-bikes - all can be fun, depending on personal taste.

So for my side, until imported bike become more affordable, I'll bother you a bit more with my JH600 enthusiasm.

Cheers,
AW.