Galaxy Motorcycle Factory Visit

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07-18-2009, 03:03 AM
Supersignet

Galaxy Motorcycle Factory Visit

Last Tuesday ChinaV, Franki, Franki's friend Jon and I went to visit the lonley motorcycles at the Galaxy motorcycle factory here in Guangdong. I'd heard a fair bit about Galaxy and their bikes over the past year, but I never thought they were anything more than an assembly house that was throwing together bikes made from other company's parts.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...y/_MSG5849.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...y/_MSG5836.jpg

It turns out that Galaxy is actually a smaller subdivision of one of the larger motorcycle makers here in China and that Galaxy was started to gain export interest from the foreign motorcycle market. The team at Galaxy is young seem to be trying hard to come out with something special for the foreign and domestic markets. We saw things like the development of their own Kawasaki based DOHC water cooled 250, their own F.I. application, some nice CNC work and some higher quality craftsmanship.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...y/_MSG5847.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...y/_MSG5842.jpg

The bikes themselves seem well built. Using the same trusty China clone Honda CB engine series. The forks we were told are their version of a KTM adjustable USD forks. The fork tube diameter, long travel and good damping was a surprise. If the seals inside the big beefy things can hold up to some abuse it looks like they could be very good. The real swing arm we are told is crafted in house and has some of the nicest welding I have ever seen on a Chinese made motorcycle. The rear shock however looks to be the same as we have seen on many China bikes of this kind and should really be upgraded is any serious riding is undertaken.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...y/_MSG5814.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...y/_MSG5808.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...y/_MSG5782.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...y/_MSG5788.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...y/_MSG5793.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...y/_MSG5796.jpg

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http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...y/_MSG5758.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...y/_MSG5745.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...y/_MSG5747.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...y/_MSG5749.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...y/_MSG5739.jpg

After going over the bikes in the waiting area ChinaV and I strapped on the gear and went for a ride. We got to test 2 bikes on their track. One was the Galaxy XTR 250 (really a 230) and the other was a smaller 150. I wasn't really impressed by the bikes we were given to ride. Neither were well setup and both seemed to be mules that had been beat quite badly. One was missing parts, like an exhaust heat sheild and I dammed near cooked me bike pants riding around the small test track. It's things like this were Chinese factories really fall short. If people come to look at your setu and test your equipment one would think that you as a factory who is proud of your product would provide the best means possible for demonstrating the selling points of your product.

to be continued.....
07-18-2009, 11:16 PM
kojack

these are the same as pitster pro in america i think...what is the liquid cooled version like?

im looking agetting a enduro 250 l.c and even sellin them ....

is the 250/230 the same motor as the honda crf 230?
07-21-2009, 02:33 AM
eddie

Quote:

Originally Posted by kojack

these are the same as pitster pro in america i think...what is the liquid cooled version like?

im looking agetting a enduro 250 l.c and even sellin them ....

is the 250/230 the same motor as the honda crf 230?

It is the same basic bike, but the Puzzey/ Pitster is made at a different factory.
07-21-2009, 08:12 AM
kingmarty45

these bikes actually look really nice with a quility build. Thanks for sharing Mike. :thumbsup:

... not like my bike that has broken plastics everywhere, needed a new battery and a new master cylinder 3 weeks after the warranty ran out... sonofa... :hellfire:
07-27-2009, 06:00 PM
Gele

this looks veru nice is this new brand or......
07-29-2009, 11:42 PM
culcune

Where is the "sMc" brand from? I only can see the partial "southern..."

I don't know if Pitster and Galaxy are closely related, but I noticed that the off-road MX bike which used to be shown on Pitster's site as "coming" (while the enduro and moto were in stock) is not shown on Pitster's site anymore. They only show the enduro and moto now, and both are discounted to $3k from $3400.

Is sMc from the US, and is that the reason Pitster won't carry the off-road only bike?
08-01-2009, 04:02 AM
chromedioxide

Quote:

Originally Posted by culcune

Where is the "sMc" brand from? I only can see the partial "southern..."

I don't know if Pitster and Galaxy are closely related, but I noticed that the off-road MX bike which used to be shown on Pitster's site as "coming" (while the enduro and moto were in stock) is not shown on Pitster's site anymore. They only show the enduro and moto now, and both are discounted to $3k from $3400.

Is sMc from the US, and is that the reason Pitster won't carry the off-road only bike?

http://www.smcgb.com/index.php

found the site, says smc is a american company, but the site is in the uk. :confused1:
08-01-2009, 08:17 PM
culcune

Thanks for the link! I think that SMC is the company headed by the guy named Chris something when Galaxy had their site up and going. He was or is supposed to be one of the guys who helped set up Galaxy as a separate entity from its Yinhe corporate parent.

The bikes should be decent for those UK members looking for an off-roader. When you click on the "news" section there are short articles about SMC in the world, and the August, '08 article is about SMC winning class in the Taklamaken, although I am pretty sure the bikes went under the "Galaxy" name :thumbsup: for the race.
08-01-2009, 11:24 PM
chromedioxide

http://www.galaxymotorcycle.com/

Well it looks like the galaxy site is up and running, but it looks like everything is 2 stroke/air cooled. I hope the didn't discontinue the liquid cooled 4 strokes.
08-02-2009, 02:20 AM
culcune

Thanks for that link! It's nice to know they have some stability, besides this thread of the factory visit. I have a feeling they messed up on the "2-stroke" description in their specs, and their bikes are all 4-strokes.

South Africa and Australia via Puzey, UK via CCM, and the US and Canada via Pitster Pro do seem to get a better bike in the liquid-cooled Loncin engine, although looking at the Puzey site they do show the air-cooled versions being available as well as the higher end liquid-cooled bikes.
08-04-2009, 03:25 AM
chinabikeman

awesome are they available in the US and ? $
08-04-2009, 01:15 PM
ChinaV

I went with the boys to the Galaxay factory and was pretty impressed with their operations. Impressed enough that I bought one and will take delivery at the end of August. The next two weeks I will be riding the V-Strom with my "soon to be" wife, more on that as our adventure unfolds.

I think Galaxy is offering a lot of technology for the price, and so far, they have the most responsive customer service of any factory I have contacted in China :thumbsup:.

Cheers!
ChinaV
08-04-2009, 08:00 PM
CrazyCarl

That's great news ChinaV! Both about the bike and your little dumpling! :icon10:

Questions is... what you gonna do with all these bikes? Knowing you, there must be a master plan! :deal:

Also, how would you guys stack this up against the Shineray X2?

:popcorn:
CC
08-05-2009, 01:10 AM
culcune

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinabikeman

awesome are they available in the US and ? $

http://pitsterpro.com/bike/overview/id/33

http://pitsterpro.com/bike/overview/id/31

$3k shipped

However, from what I understand, the Pitster Pro bikes are not manufactured by Galaxy, but there must be some connection as the XTR 250 name is shared with Galaxy--either way, the Pitster Pro enduro or motard are creme of the crop as far as Chinese bikes go and here in N. America come with a 25 hp liquid-cooled Loncin engine.
08-25-2009, 02:14 AM
chromedioxide

Re: Galaxy Motorcycle Factory Visit

Pitster has dropped the price to 2,699.00, dunno if that includes shipping. Makes me wish I had just a lil bit more $$$
08-25-2009, 02:49 AM
CrazyCarl

Re: Galaxy Motorcycle Factory Visit

They offer financing?

CC
08-25-2009, 03:04 PM
culcune

Re: Galaxy Motorcycle Factory Visit

Quote:

Originally Posted by chromedioxide

Pitster has dropped the price to 2,699.00, dunno if that includes shipping. Makes me wish I had just a lil bit more $$$

I think there is a little box stating "free shipping" for their enduro and motard--a compelling arugument vs. the Megelli offering thru Qlink (not yet available), as well as the brand new Qlink's XF/XP 200 reduced prices of $2299 plus $200 shipping.

However, I need a little more money, too!! :eek2:

Carl, I don't think they offer financing, but I haven't asked, either--maybe I can figure out a layaway :naughty::naughty:
08-31-2009, 02:36 AM
motochina

Re: Galaxy Motorcycle Factory Visit

If Galaxy doesn't make the Pitster Pro XTR, who does? What factory is it?
08-31-2009, 09:41 PM
culcune

Re: Galaxy Motorcycle Factory Visit

A guy on Thumpertalk who seemed to have connections to Pitster as a supplier or something said they are made in a factory called SPX China or something like that--don't know if the factory actually exists, though...
08-31-2009, 11:06 PM
chromedioxide

Re: Galaxy Motorcycle Factory Visit

http://www.diytrade.com/china/4/prod...tard_bike.html

Found it! :lol8:

I'm still confused though, same bike varying manufacturers. I think we're going to need a list of many names like for the qingqi bikes
09-01-2009, 12:54 AM
culcune

Re: Galaxy Motorcycle Factory Visit

Chrome, the Qingqi's are far easier to maneuver--we know the factory, it's the "brands" around the world who deny the Chinese connection :chinese:

I think that whoever makes the CCM/Pitster/Puzey bikes, and assuming they are a seperate company, do get some of their parts from Galaxy.

Puzey does describe itself as an OEM, so might have an interest in a small factory that they use almost exclusively to build their bikes to their specs; however they can't do it all, so get some parts from others.

I don't know, just speculating. I bet Carl, or someone in China, could answer the independent factory theory...:confused1:
09-01-2009, 01:39 AM
motoviva

Re: Galaxy Motorcycle Factory Visit

Hi Guys!: Thanks for the report about the galaxy bikes its great!I want to know if the motor that they are develop its the klx or kxf.Also the tgr its ready on production.What are the real numbers(HP) of the lonin motor?Also thats its another thing thats dont belongs to Galaxy but i want to know.The frame on the mikilons are High tensil steel or cronmoly( both the standar frame and the new KTM style frame.Well guys i know thats are a lot of questions but you are information center for Chinese companies.Bless you all! Motoviva!
11-17-2009, 03:23 AM
eddie

Re: Galaxy Motorcycle Factory Visit

Quote:

Originally Posted by culcune

I think that whoever makes the CCM/Pitster/Puzey bikes, and assuming they are a seperate company, do get some of their parts from Galaxy.

SPX is a separate factory in Jiangmen. I do not believe that Puzzy has a stake in the company, he is just an OEM customer. SPX does not get their parts from Galaxy, but they have do have common suppliers for some parts as both factories make limited parts in house.
11-23-2009, 11:20 PM
motoviva

Re: Galaxy Motorcycle Factory Visit

Hi guys! I been searching and i discover that the Pitsterpro/puzy are made by a company call Shuopu Science and there web site is shounpuscience.com but what its interesting is that Puzy have the Galaxy model (Air cooled ) 230cc and Pitsterpro dont.Also puzy its registred in the internet by the guys of pitstrepro.What i dont know is why they dont have the Galaxy models available in the USA? To me they are outstanding products considering what 10 years ago was supply by the Japanese in the d/p and trail & off road models in the USA at that time.I wish they will come with more models and displacements in the future.Well done Pitsterpro!
11-24-2009, 12:45 AM
culcune

Re: Galaxy Motorcycle Factory Visit

Quote:

Originally Posted by motoviva

Hi guys! I been searching and i discover that the Pitsterpro/puzy are made by a company call Shuopu Science and there web site is shounpuscience.com but what its interesting is that Puzy have the Galaxy model (Air cooled ) 230cc and Pitsterpro dont.!

It seems to have to do with US EPA rules and regs. The liquid-cooled engines have passed EPA, while the non-water-cooled 230cc engines either didn't, or no one has bothered to get them through the regs.
12-10-2009, 12:55 AM
motoviva

Re: Galaxy Motorcycle Factory Visit

Hi guys! Last week i saw the new Galaxy models on there site.What i dint not see was the TGR with Loncin motor (Galaxy Factory visit).I wrote to them but not answer yet.I wish they show up with the new l/c engine on the TGR frame.Well i hope somebody tell if they will build it or not.:gun_bandana: