My new JH600

Not sure about a H-D, but I recently was talking to a BMW dealer in Shanghai, who acknowledged that the F800GS was a bit pricey at around RMB200k after import duty (about US$29k these days), but he said he had a "great deal" on a 650GS at RMB135k, or just under US$20k, though that bike apparently had been sitting around the shop for a year or two.

A couple weeks ago I ran into a team of guys pushing a H-D Fatboy down the street, having retrieved it from a sales event. I watched them roll it up into a van, and asked how the hogs were selling. By his telling, they were flying out of the showroom at almost one a day, and almost all the buyers already had 1200GS or similar beemers in their stables, and wanted the cruiser to tool around town on Sundays. In other words, these are status-laden playthings of the nouveaux riches and are not really even intended for working stiffs and mere mortals like me.

Let's not forget, that RMB 30k price tag on the Jialing already looks prohibitive to 99% of Chinese, and a couple of years ago even this bike was not an option. So I feel honored and privileged to have a chance to match my fledgling skills with that bike, and have pretty much all of China open to me in a way it never has in my 20 years here. I can't wait to get mine, and will do whatever is necessary to craft it into a reliable, fun, rewarding ride.

And thank you, Pfaelzer, for your infectious enthusiasm!

Euphonius,

You are too hard on yourself. We are following the most intelligent option we have open to us at a reasonable price. I know a lot of very successful people who could easily afford to spend whatever they wanted to on their toys but they did not get to be successful by throwing money at anything without due diligence and common sense. After all the owner thread reports from Franki, Pfaelzer, etc. I confident we both made a great decision to buy JH600's. If nothing else, having a Chinese made bike while living in China just seems appropriate!

I got the same quote on a BMW 650 you did. That was the cheap option and still over US$20K. That is 4 times what we are gambling and playing with.

I have a neighbor here that bought a HD bare bones 883 Sporty for around RMB120,000. That is over US$17K for a bike you pay $7K for in the USA. 8 years ago I owned an 883 Sportster for 6 months. Left me walking 2 times due to electronics. I did not give it a third chance. Traded it on a Triumph Tiger to get me 400miles back home when it puked the second time.

There are no guarantees with anything mechanical and electrical, only warranties.

But the adventure has started! We will meet up somewhere between Shanghai and Nanjing for a dual JH600 trail ride I am sure. I am off to the USA Monday and will be back in three weeks jsut as the JH600 is getting to Nanjing. Should be great sporting fun.

We're very much in the same camp, Aggie. If all goes well, I should be riding mine on the Sichuan plain by Wednesday or Thursday.

As for Nanjing, I'll definitely be riding up your way in coming months. You know anything about a brewery there called Oktoberfest? There's a guy there who is trying to start a Chinese craft-brewing club, and claims he can get brewing supplies. This is straying off topic from Pfaelzer's new JH600, but I don't think too many MCM members will complain if the topic of home-brewed beer comes up. Perhaps you've ridden your CJ over to Oktoberfest? (See, that's on topic!)

Happy riding during your little Texas sabbatical.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by euphonius

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.

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Riding a Chinese bike in Finland is zero status also and one might even get a stamp "moron" on the forehead with it too. Haha, I am very lucky to be above that kind of social pressure. Also lucky me I don't have to buy a HD or Ducati in order to get "life style". However how unlucky me to not be able to buy a cruiser, road racing bike, heavy enduro, and light enduro. Hmm, and a medium enduro too xD That would give fine choise on what to ride.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by euphonius

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.

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I would not think a second which I would by: a KLR650 for $5,350 or JH for $4000. Suzuki DR is about $5000 in USA too as far as I know. If 883 HD is around $7000, then how can JH ever sell sell their bikes in USA?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by euphonius

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?

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This I have been thinking too, a marketing and branding issue. In the end I thought that quality and establishing parts sale for customers might be a bigger concern for now for Chinese bike manufacturers. I bet people laughed at Yamaha and Suzuki, yet can't hear them laugh anymore. If your china bike gives zero status it might not give more status with fancy names, and it might not affect sales well enough. If the name is not a total fail it should be good enough.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by euphonius

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.

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Uh, hello lady you better chose with whom you drive based on what bike you drive, and not blame the bike of your wrong choise in your review. Or of course if you know you will drive with highway speeders you should buy a road racing bike. It just doesn't make sense to write a review of street enduro and say it sucked in autobahn. Or maybe it does depending on the target group, if the target group have no idea of different bikes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pfaelzer

Kawasaki KLX250 - maybe a bit more (I just rode one of those in Indonesia).

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Hey, could you bother to write your impressions on KLX250 vs XTR 250? I would be very interested to read them.

Also if someone reading this can confirm negative or positive has Galaxy sent bikes to Finland, I would appreciate big time to get either negative or positive confirm on that, PM is fine if it is too sensitive information. I know this sounds desperate but I could really use that information in order to begin to plan what bike to try to get next, and in order to do the actions needed in trying to get my money back. Pisses me a lot I was so damn big idiot in beginning to take risks with this bike, huh.

Edit: For those who don't know, my issues are with Finnish Galaxy importer, not with Galaxy Inc., but I still need to know are the Galaxies on the way to Finland or is the Finnish importer just fooling me, and that I can't know untill someone who is in close contact with Galaxy Inc. knows and tells.

Hi moilami,

you might look at the motorcycle thing from your side of this planet and not from where we are - China. Living in Finnland, I would most likely not buy a chinese motorcycle at all, since the choice of reasonably priced "real" bikes there is surely much bigger. Here in China, choice is limited.

To your questions:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by moilami

Hey, could you bother to write your impressions on KLX250 vs XTR 250? I would be very interested to read them.

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The KLX is a fully grown motorcycle, great suspension, water-cooled and fuel injected engine with reasonable power to play in the woods or do smaller trips. It is just not fair to compare the XTR with such a bike. The old-style Honda copy engine might be reliable (if assembling was done well, which is not a given) but it is no match to the modern Kawasaki engine. The XTR is over-all a much smaller bike, higher gear ratio, built initially for tracks. It feels solid however, and looking at the price tag and being able to ride it in China seems a fair deal to me. I might give you more info after putting some more miles on it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by moilami

...Also if someone reading this can confirm negative or positive has Galaxy sent bikes to Finland, I would appreciate big time to get either negative or positive confirm on that, PM is fine if it is too sensitive information. I know this sounds desperate but I could really use that information in order to begin to plan what bike to try to get next, and in order to do the actions needed in trying to get my money back. Pisses me a lot I was so damn big idiot in beginning to take risks with this bike, huh.

Edit: For those who don't know, my issues are with Finnish Galaxy importer, not with Galaxy Inc., but I still need to know are the Galaxies on the way to Finland or is the Finnish importer just fooling me, and that I can't know untill someone who is in close contact with Galaxy Inc. knows and tells.

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Well, as to my impression so far, Galaxy has to learn a bit on customer service, which can also be read on some other threads about XTR250s. However, as I see it, they deliver - once the money has been received on their account. So, first thing, you might check if your importer has paid or not. There is a guy named John who speaks (and writes) english quite well. If you don't have his contact, please PM me.

Cheers and good luck,
AW.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pfaelzer

Hi moilami,

you might look at the motorcycle thing from your side of this planet and not from where we are - China. Living in Finnland, I would most likely not buy a chinese motorcycle at all, since the choice of reasonably priced "real" bikes there is surely much bigger. Here in China, choice is limited.

AW.

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Weeellll..... what is reasonable priced? It might be relative, and we don't have much choise here. Of KLX 250 I would have to pay 2.9 times the price I pay of Galaxy XTR :eekers: No Honda XRs, no Suzuki DR-Zs, no KLRs imported, but KTMs, Husabergs, Ténérés, BMWs, and Husqvarnas we have. Of KTM 690 Enduro R I would have to pay 5,8 times of the the Galaxy. And so on. So to buy one KLX 250 or three Galaxies? :lol8: Or one KTM or 6 Galaxies :lol8: And I don't even want to begin to speak of second hand markets, pisses me too much lol. This is Finland, we have small markets, and driving a bike sucks because the summer is so short. Unless of course you are a freak who thinks driving a bike during the winter is darn big fun, like me. Well yeah, I agree on one KTM 690 rather than six Galaxies, and so on, Par Excellence design and quality costs, however that was not an option. I must go budget now. Maybe later, and then if I have Galaxy it will make a great winter and off-road bike, if it just starts up in winter.

Thanks of the opinions and of the hint.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by euphonius

We're very much in the same camp, Aggie. If all goes well, I should be riding mine on the Sichuan plain by Wednesday or Thursday.

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Sichuan plain? Do you mean a flat piece of ground in Sichuan? Do report your findings when you see one.:lol8:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by moilami

Weeellll..... what is reasonable priced?

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Weeeellll... my friend from Finnland. I don't know much about your country, just was riding through some parts (Kautokeino?) on my way back from the North Cape. Didn't know that good bikes are so rare there and expensive - well I should know after paying a fortune for a new rear tire in Norway...

After all you also say it all - you get what you pay for! :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

And it's true, better pay more for a decent bike - but on the other side is the funds available, which sometimes requires compromises. The XTR is not a bad compromise as far as I can see it. If you need my staff to ring up Galaxy, let me know...

Cheers,
AW.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pfaelzer

Weeeellll... my friend from Finnland. I don't know much about your country, just was riding through some parts (Kautokeino?) on my way back from the North Cape. Didn't know that good bikes are so rare there and expensive - well I should know after paying a fortune for a new rear tire in Norway...

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Yeah, they are because of taxes.

Norway is very expensive country even in Finnish standards. I have plans to go there this summer with XTR, or to Russia. Or to Western Europe. Or just explore everything in 100km radius where I live. A woman I like lives in Netherlands, and it would be interesting to see can I find dirt roads in Western Europe, but I like Norway big time too, not to speak of Finland. Also I have this thing called wanderlust, so Russia definetly is an option. Kola Peninsula, anyone? :deal: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kola_Peninsula

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Pfaelzer

And it's true, better pay more for a decent bike - but on the other side is the funds available, which sometimes requires compromises. The XTR is not a bad compromise as far as I can see it. If you need my staff to ring up Galaxy, let me know...

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Yeah, compromise, that's why the Asian wisdom about being content what you have hit me hard. And things have many sides. Without a need to do this compromise I would had never found this very good motorcycling forum.

FRONT SPROCKET

I always wanted to try out more options with the chain transmission. I already had a larger rear sprocket built but so far I didn't look much at the front sprocket. One reason might be, that a smaller front sprocket would bring the chain even closer to the swing arm. So with the recent question from Prosa (and our mold-shop being in low season) I have picked up on that idea again.
I do not know, which international motorcycle brand has the same shaft design as on our Jialing because then it would be easy to find a smaller or larger sprocket on the market.

- if anybody has information about this, please let us know -

Therefore the fastest option is to make a sprocket by ourselves on our milling machines. Here the design drawing:

http://pfaelzer.smugmug.com/Motorcyc...ocket14-X2.jpg

I will show some pictures, once the part is done and tell you some more about the steel and treatment to make the sprocket durable.

Cheers,
AW

REAR SPROCKET

I felt, that the torque could be better at low rpm and also, while riding slow through villages, 2nd gear is usually too high (loud engine), whereas the ride is too slow for third gear. In order to improve this, I was looking for a larger rear sprocket.

So far, I could not find out, if Jialing is using any of the "international bike models" sprocket dimensions as their standard or if they have developed their own style. Didn't spend much time on this yet. So if anybody has an idea - please let us know here.

Luckily I came across a blank aluminum race sprocket with 48 teeth, 3 more than on the original sprocket. All I had to do was a little milling job:

http://pfaelzer.smugmug.com/Motorcyc...38_i7doN-L.jpg

Of course I copied the original hub measurements and bolt positions.


http://pfaelzer.smugmug.com/Motorcyc...84_3fGpr-L.jpg

Here you can see all sprockets and the new chain, which I replaced at the same time.

Rear sprocket original: 45
Rear sprocket replacement: 48
Front sprocket: 15


http://pfaelzer.smugmug.com/Motorcyc...29_N9V7B-L.jpg

Of course, only 3 teeth larger, does not make a huge difference in the sprocket diameter as you can see on the picture above. The new sprocket is under the original one in front.


RIDING EXPERIENCE:
Even though, the diameter difference is not that big, there is a noticeable change, when riding the bike. It is definitely more responsive now.

Next I will try to find a 14 teeth front sprocket - curious to see this difference then.

Cheers,
AW.


UPDATE!!!

Hi,

I had a nice ride today to the coastal area of Lianjiang. This was the first ride to really test the new sprocket set-up in different conditions. By now its is decided for me 100%. This change is really upgrading the performance of the motorcycle towards my riding style. The biggest really feel-able feature is the increase in torque at lower rpm. Exactly what I need. You go at low rpm through villages or off-road, open the throttle and the response is there right away. In general you can ride the bike at much lower rpm now without the engine being "snappy" or shaking. Now it is even possible to get little drifts in bends off-road, just by twisting the throttle (sorry KTM and performance bike guys - this is not a given of the JH600 from the beginning - some clutch help is needed for that).

For some folk the down-side might be the lower max speed. However, this set-up gives 5300rpm at 110km/h - not too bad, considering the red starts at 8.000rpm.

I am really hyped about that change now and will start to research the standard, Jialing is using for this bike, so we can order nice after-market sprockets. Not sure how long my aluminum sprocket will last.

To give some of you a better understanding, of what it means to ride cross country roads in China, here some "impressions".

http://pfaelzer.smugmug.com/Biking/C...41_FJeAv-L.jpg

http://pfaelzer.smugmug.com/Biking/C...67_fERT7-L.jpg

http://pfaelzer.smugmug.com/Biking/C...01_RemWu-L.jpg

http://pfaelzer.smugmug.com/Biking/C...30_uDnAT-L.jpg

http://pfaelzer.smugmug.com/Biking/C...31_6nzzb-L.jpg

http://pfaelzer.smugmug.com/Biking/C...52_g6wZm-L.jpg

http://pfaelzer.smugmug.com/Biking/C...70_5J52A-L.jpg
Yeah, this looks a bit steep - actually was riding that path of the previous picture above back again and had to stop for that picture.... :eek2:

http://pfaelzer.smugmug.com/Biking/C...24_gDjC8-L.jpg

http://pfaelzer.smugmug.com/Biking/C...36_efvCz-L.jpg
Nothing happened - here she stands at the beach....

http://pfaelzer.smugmug.com/Biking/C...95_ekytg-L.jpg

http://pfaelzer.smugmug.com/Biking/C...73_ioydS-L.jpg


Well, of course, there are also "normal" roads. But where is the fun at fighting trucks and busses all the time and breathing black smoke?

Hope you like the pix.

Cheers,
AW.

...back to overview.

Hello,

here just a brief update on the fender raiser. Originally this was made with bolts and spacer tubes. Now I am designing a nice CNC milling part.

WHEELS AND TIRES - edited 05-11-2010

Guess the part will be ready next week. More pictures to come then.

Greetings,
AW.

Hello,

just received a nice pair of inner bags - take a look at the details on the post below.


ALUMINUM PANNIERS - edited 05-12-2010


Next week I will be up in Fuzhou again. Hope to get the new front springs so I can post some more updates.

Cheers,
AW.

Hey Pfaelzer, will those boxs work on a both sides of a sidecar outfit (JH600B) or are they to wide to mount one between the sidecar and bike?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by blazeafar

Hey Pfaelzer, will those boxs work on a both sides of a sidecar outfit (JH600B) or are they to wide to mount one between the sidecar and bike?

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Well, I think based on the picture only, there is not enough space but you might find a way to fit the 2nd box somewhere to the sidecar.


http://pfaelzer.smugmug.com/Motorcyc...72_krXwm-S.jpg http://pfaelzer.smugmug.com/Motorcyc...30_mzCgK-S.jpg

Here the dimensions:

42 liters per box
42cm X 25cm X 40cm L X W X H including the cover

Including rack, the boxes add around 30cm to each side of the bike. Don't you think the sidecar has enough luggage space? Anyway, what is enough, right? Do you own a JH600B in Brazil?

Cheers,
AW.

Hi Pfaelzer, thanks for the rely.
I do not own a Jialing but the JH600 has drawn my attention. Jialing does have partner company here in Brazil "Traxx" but currently do not produce the JH600, only the smaller bikes up 250cc.
http://www.traxx.com.br/
Late last year Traxx announced that they my produce the JH600 and JH600B some time this year but still no work on that yet.

As for the panniers; one can never have to much storage! No really I have no idea how much storage space there is in the hack, never seen one other than pictures.
You are correct, it looks as though the pannier would not fit on the hack side of the bike, I had not seen a pic straight on from the back of the rig.

Anyway, thank for the info and your postings here are great, keep up the good work;
TL

Hi,

I was lucky today to get some time off for a little ride. Actually this is the first bigger ride with the new sprocket set-up on different road conditions. This ride really confirmed to me, that the larger rear sprocket is a modification, which totally makes the bike more suitable to my riding style. I want to keep the topics together, that's why I have edited the "REAR SPROCKET" post with these comments and some pictures of the today's ride. To give you an idea:


http://pfaelzer.smugmug.com/Biking/C...24_gDjC8-L.jpg


Here is the quick-link: REAR SPROCKET - edited 05-18-2010


Cheers,
AW.

Nice, very interesting looking trail.


Edit: Noticed the link and watched all pictures. Really stunning places and a heaven for relaxed enduro driving. I just wonder if you drive in places like those without too much luggage, would it not be more fun with a light enduro? I can though understand it can be enjoyable to get around with that medium enduro too in its own way.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by moilami

Edit: Noticed the link and watched all pictures. Really stunning places and a heaven for relaxed enduro driving. I just wonder if you drive in places like those without too much luggage, would it not be more fun with a light enduro? I can though understand it can be enjoyable to get around with that medium enduro too in its own way.

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Hi moilami,

you are right, sometimes a lighter bike could be more fun but as you say, it's also enjoyable to ride bigger bikes through rough areas. The thing is, there are also roads like this on a tour:


http://pfaelzer.smugmug.com/Biking/Z...34_pQeJc-L.jpg

and this:

http://pfaelzer.smugmug.com/Biking/Z...96_AYgcT-L.jpg

I got this XTR 250 of my friend here in the garage, which is rather small in its build. Fine for rough areas but on roads like those above - and to cover some distance - the JH600 suits me better. I know, there are guys touring on an XTR like Franki. BUT, there is a 40kg body weight difference between Franki and me - so if he rides the XTR fully loaded, his bike will still be lighter than me on an XTR without luggage... The XTR is still fun for me on little trails - I might consider to get a lighter bike too, for riding close to my place. So I fancy a bit with the Shineray 250, Enduro set-up (civil) with water-cooled engine. Just for the fun of it and also to find out more about the difference of this bike to a KLX 250 or the XTR250.

So far however, the JH600 is the only street-legal and registered bike I own in China and I'm having more and more fun with it.

Cheers,
AW.

Looking at many of those roads I would suggest a para-wing or parachute add-on as the next accessory pack ...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jape

Looking at many of those roads I would suggest a para-wing or parachute add-on as the next accessory pack ...

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Base-jumping with motorcycles - isn't that illegal in China :chinese:??? :naughty:

:pigsfly2:

Suggestion for your aluminum panniers. I just had my BMW panniers coated with a black epoxy originally used for USA Pickup Truck as a spray on bed liner. I was lazy so I paid the price but they also offer this spray on epoxy from a can. It is almost bullet proof and it covers lots of defects from crashes. It also keeps gear from getting the black from the aluminum. Jsut a thought for the JH600. I think my JH600 is coming with fiberglass panniers but I might bring a few cans of the truck bed spray liner for touching up after taking soil samples.
Texas Aggie
Attachment 1602Attachment 1603Attachment 1604http://www.mychinamoto.com/forums/im...isc/pencil.png

Apologize for shite pictures but you get the idea from them. Pfaelzer always has great ideas and I thought I would try and offer some too.

DT

they don't work mate! ( the PICS I mean) says invalid attachment

Here is the spray Liner website that I used.
http://www.line-x.com/

Here is the canned off the shelf spray on liner available in the USA
http://www.plastikote.com/products/T...ner-Spray.html
DT

Cannot vouch for the cheap spray on for pannier but it worked for a KTM gas tank great.

I can vouch for the professional spray on for the panniers. It cost me US$300.00 but I slid out and no real damage.

DT

Let me try this picture?

Attachment 1605

that one works!

sorry, I am too old and thick for this blog stuff. Thanks for confirmation

Attachment 1606Attachment 1607