My Chinese Motorcycles

So far, I have owned 2 Chinese manufactured motorcycles. The first was a 2006 Jialing Viva VX200SX. It seemed like a nice bike to me at the time but I was very concerned about the quality of the frame. The welds were a little suspect. I did some nice work on it but a broken rear shock mount (totally my fault) sealed the Viva's fate.

After I parted out most of the Viva, I purchased a 2006 QLink X-Ranger form a B&M dealer in Milwakee, WI. When I got the bike home, I noticed the frame was bent and since then I have been trying, unsuccessfully to buy a new frame for the bike. Recently I gave up on that search after some good advice from people that know more about these bikes than I do. QLink turned down my request for a new frame under warranty. Stating the bike was wrecked. Which it wasn't.

Right now, I'm just waiting for my next bike to come along. I'm very interested in the Shineray that Supersignet owns. I may try to aquire one of these as my next bike. I still have the X-Ranger. It will soon be parted out on ebay. To finance my next motorcycle.

Great site! I'm looking forward to getting another new Chinese motorcycle. For Christmas last year my wife purchased a new 2008 Kawasaki KLR650 for me. She's awesome! The Kawasaki was manufactured in Thailand. Not quite China but close! Before the KLR my previous daily ride was a 2005 KTM 950 Adventure S. I tend to see bikes as parts. To date I have parted out 6 motorcycles and done very well at it. The KTM is being parted out as well. Nobody wanted to buy it and it's taking up too much space in my shop.

Pictured below are the Jialing Viva , the QLink (Zongshen) X-Ranger 200 and the Shineray (that I would like to purchase).

Thanks!

SamM

http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/8586/img1488el5.jpg

http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/1047/cimg0092qa0.jpg

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/9...4035372ya2.jpg

Sam-O!

Thanks for chiming in! I like the Shineray too and I like the over 5 gallon tank it has! Seems like a good candidate for the Trans-America Trail and some deep woods riding in Canada as well.

I've been meaning to ask you why you stopped riding the KTM?

CC

Hey Carl,
Great site you got here. Looking forward to seeing how these bikes change and get better over the years. I think we're all going to be surprized with what comes out of China in a few years! I can't wait! You know I'm a big fan of the C-Motos. Sure I've had some problems but I'm not dwelling on them and I'm not letting them push me away from some great values. For the future, I've decide that I can do much more with much less!

The KTM 950! Well, it's easily the best bike I have ever owned and ridden. I love the motorcycle and have taken it on several trips and commuted daily on it for a few years. The bike has over 16k miles on it and I've loved every one of them. With that said, it's also the most expensive and complex bike I have ever owned and ridden. Not only price wise but also the cost in fuel, ownership, and maintenance. Everything on, or associated with the KTM is more expensive. It cost me over $13,000 to purchase. It was my dreambike and I fell for the marketing hook, line and sinker. The oil they recommend for the 950 is from Switzerland. Big bucks! That's crazy! It has a triple redundant oiling system. Overall, the bike is more complicated than is required for a street driven motorcycle. But remember it's a racebike. A racebike without a race. The 950 was banned from Dakar a number of years ago. The bike is not truely a dualsport, as it weighs over 500lbs with the stock bags. Sure it can be taken off-road but it will be destroyed in doing so. The fuel tanks cost $1100, EACH! The KTM 950 is a streetbike for guys that like dirtbikes. That's about it in a nutshell. The 21/18" wheels are a huge handicap on the street and the Scorpion tires are the same off-road. Sure the tires can be changed but then you have 21/18" knobby tires on a 500lb streetbike. Which is just a much bigger compromise.

In the end, the KTM was costing me too much. I decided after a 1600 mile trip in October that the 950 was going to go down the road and that I would never ride it again. During that trip a buddy of mine was on his '08 KLR. I was very impressed with this bike. He was averaging over 60mpg and was riding right with us at 90mph on the interstate. I was getting just over 30mpg during the same trip. That is unacceptible to me. I had already been trying to sell the 950 and had come down to $8000. There was zero interest in my bike. It was advertized in local trade papers but nobody ever called me about it. Parting it out seemed like a very good option for me, as I have done it before. So far, I have made over $6000 on it. I'll easily make back over $11,000 maybe more on it! I can live with that.

My 650 will be down on power from 950 for sure, but I'm hoping to up the horsepower on the KLR. A Schnitz Racing 700cc kit, Stage 2 headwork, a new exhaust and carburetor settings, along with a Rekluse clutch will be added next Winter. I think 50hp is possible.

My thought was to cut my cost of ownership from the 950 and I believe I have easily done that. Very cool bike though.

SamM

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/5/cimg0275mp4.jpg

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/6504/dsc03995np8.jpg

It's too bad about the Qlink it's a good looking bike.

Wow! 30 MPG! That's nuts!

When the new KLR came out I was all about it in the magazines. I think they made a smart move on the redesign except for the paint scheme which I wish they would stick with simple solid colors and some light accents. 60mpg seems much more reasonable and I'm sure it will do 95 percent (maybe more depending on where you want to ride) the same stuff the KTM will for half the cost. Picking up a 500lb bike in the mud just sucks and can actually be dangerous.

If Shineray puts that NX250 engine in a less motoX style bike, that would be a phenomenal all round bike to have...great for commuting and trail running. I had the AX1 (souped up NX250) and it could cruise at 65mph no problem with plenty of room to spare.

Whelp, all we can do is voice our opinions and hope to see some manufacturers on here who will listen. It's a long shot but it's better than none at all!

CC

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jim

It's too bad about the Qlink it's a good looking bike.

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Yeah Zongshen is pretty progressive in the styling department but unfortunately that's about it. I haven't heard anything from them recently and they weren't showing at the ChongQing moto expo. Domestically, in China, they're still quite big though and common to see on the streets.

CC

If I babied the KTM it would do better but not much better. It really is a great bike but it's just to complicated for what it is. I actually have automobiles that get way better mileage than the KTM.

My KLR only cost me $4895 OTD. It's much less than half the cost of the KTM. It's going to be a great bike for me. I hope to have it finished up tonight or tomorrow. She's getting a makeover. All new Moose Racing parts, new Woody's 19/17" tubeless wheels, LED lights, SW-Motoech crashbars and pannier racks. I've had to re-engineer some of the parts that I didn't like. See the pic below.

I still have the QLink. My daughter really likes it. I may try to straighten the frame later and give it to her. She's 13 years old.

SamM

Oops! Forgot the picture! When I tried to download it from my hosting site, it failed. I'll post it later.

SamM

Ok, they fixed the site. Here are the pictures of my new KLR.

SamM

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/9767/cimg0583il9.jpg

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/5676/cimg0581ic8.jpg

Right on man! I see you are in mid-farkle. Would like to see it when it's all done and in the sunshine. You closed her up yet?

CC

Hey SamM, 'culcune' here.

culcune,
Welcome! Glad you found us!

Carl,
She's almost done. For some reason it doesn't want to start. I put a new NGK Iridium plug in it tonight and still nothing. As soon as I get it started, I'll post pictures. It's basically done except fot that. I need to make a couple of turnsignal bracket for the front. That's it.

SamM

Well, I've had a slight carb issue with the bike. I wouldn't start because the vaccuum fuel vlave failed. I removed the guts from it and she works fine now. Now, it seems as if the carb float is stuck or my KLX Needle is not sealing in the nipple and letting fuel pass into the cylinder and exhaust. he bike hydrolocked on Thursday. Should have the carb sorted this week. It's turned out very nice and I hope to be riding sometime this week.

The bike is turning into a proper looking Adventure bike now. These little bothersome issues are starting to cut into my riding time and it's getting old. I am involved in the planning of a Ride For Life (Relay For Life Cancer fundraising event) next weekend. The bike must be running by Saturday, May 10th. A buddy is going to help me early this week. If we don't get her going, it goes to a local shop on Wednesday and they will sort the carb and the jetting.

The bike uses many Moose Racing parts. From the footpegs to the handlebars, and the shifter to the aircleaner. I like the Moose Racing stuff. :drool: Can't wait to ride it!

Here are a few pictures for you Carl!

SamM

The modded fuel valve. New bolts are on the way! basically, I made a new backplate for it and removed the vaccuum operating part of the valve.
http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/9193/cimg0653ed8.jpg

New LED turnsignals. Made new brackets for the fairing to mount the fronts on.
http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/7091/cimg0663ic7.jpg

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/3434/cimg0661pl6.jpg

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/9923/cimg0659dt1.jpg

A few more!

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/9910/cimg0658cs4.jpg

http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/1153/cimg0662rd1.jpg

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/3568/cimg0657wx5.jpg

looking good Sam. We haven't seen you in a while. Stop by more often!

Sam,

That's a nice looking bike. I was thinking about smelling one up after I get back to the US for long distance two-up touring.

Sucks to hear about the carb problem but damned if t hose things are a total mystery. :cursing:

Also, if you haven't seen it already, another ZongShen owner popped up here with a bike like yours and he tricked it out. He sez' 7500kms and no problems! Max-damage is the dude...from Croatia.

http://www.mychinamoto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=114

Going from an Austrian built KTM 950 Adventure S to a Kawasaki KLR650 is a bit of a change and somewhat of a culture shock for me. I've been riding V-twins for quite awhile now! Some of the cheaper parts on the 650 had to go. I knew I would not be happy with the look or the feel of some of it. I think the bike has come a long way and looks great. Better than I had hoped really. The tires and wheels are a huge improvement just in looks alone. I'm sure they'll be much better than the stockers in the handling dept too!

I've seen MaxDamage's bike and I believe we have even conversed a little on another board. He wanted some of my parts. Shipping would have been too expensive. I may give the Zongshen to my daughter for her 14th birthday. We'll have to see! She likes it and it fits her nicely! I have a few months to sort it too.

I've been busy with planning a Ride For Life for next weekend and trying to finish this bike. We have also been working on a good buddy's Ducati. Broke into his barn yesterday and took the rear wheel off to have a new Metzler mounted Monday morning. He's in North Carolina vistiting relatives. He had a clutch problem which one of the guys fixed yesterday. He'll be happy with it and it will be ready for our ride next weekend.

I'd love to be here more, just really busy right now! Building bikes, building houses, trying to keep the wife happy and working 12hr shifts! I've got a full plate.

SamM

looking good sam can't wait to go ridin

pumpkin,
Well, I'm ready! Fixed the bike this evening. Tomorrow, I'm going into town, to finally pay the taxes and tranfer the plates. I should have it at work on Wednesday. :clap: She sounds and runs great! The first oil change will also be done tomorrow. She's getting 10W-40 Castrol GTX and a new filter. All my parts came in and I couldn't be happier with it. Kurt and I helped get Rob's Ducati finished earlier today. New clutch mastercylinder, bled and rear tire. Then we started on mine. It was an easy fix! Rob came up later and helped us finish up bleeding the brakes too. I'm finishing up a few things tomorrow (front turnsignals) and she's done!

SamM

Lookin good SamM'r. Get out there and ge some action shots

Should have some on Saturday. My Church is sponsoring a Ride For Life as a fundraising event for the cancer research charity Relay For Life. We hope to have a good turnout. It will be a great time. I'm hoping pumpkin can make it on his Lifan C-Moto. He can wake some people up, if he brings that bike a does the ride. We've gone further on rides before. This would be an easy ride for the Lifan.

I'll post some shots next weekend, if it's ok?

SamM

Next week would be just dandy. Man's got priorities. Biznet first. Pics later!

:clap::clap::clap:

CC

I may be able to post a few pics of the finished bike later today!

SamM

Sam i'll be there hopefully i'll be able to bring my camara.

by the way can't wait to see the klr.

She's finally finished. I have a slight issue with the new LED turnsignals. That should be fixed soon.

SamM

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/1720/cimg0674oo4.jpg

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/8537/cimg0677iq0.jpg

Dude she's really pretty! Would like to hear how she sounds after the modifications.

CC

Carl,
If you want to hear how it sounds, it's gonna cost you a plane ticket. China is far from WV and I don't have any trips planned just now. Seriously, I'm not that computer savy. The bike is not loud but it's slightly louder that stock. The Big Gun exhaust has the baffle and USFS screen installed. I'm using a KLX Needle with the clip at postion #4 and the stock KLR 145 Main jet. The only real mod was the drilled slide in the carb. The jetting seems to be spot on. I'm pulling the plug on Friday.

SamM

It just may happen there bub. Don't be surprised if I land in your neck of the woods in the not so distant future. :wink::thumbup:

CC

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SamM

Carl,
If you want to hear how it sounds, it's gonna cost you a plane ticket.
......
SamM

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CrazyCarl,
West Virginia is an awesome place. Great roads, but you know that already. Pumpkin and I will be on Rt.50 tomorrow. If you do show up someday, I'll buy the steaks and let you ride the KLR.

I got the wheels fixed yesterday. The front tubeless wheel failed and I had to put tubes in them. The company that built the wheels refunded my money, so it's all good. I'm bummed that the sealing system didn't work but those are the breaks, I guess. I can feel the difference with the tubes in but hey, it's a dualsport not a sportbike. I probably wouldn't have gone with the same size wheels and tires if I knew the seals were going to fail. I may send them back next Winter and have all that sealing crap taken out of them.

It's raining like crazy here but I've been riding everyday. Gore-Tex is a wonderful fabric. My Teknic Monsoon ridng gear is great. I also highly recommend Belstall gloves. They're the best. I'll be out on the bike today finishing up some errands and testing things out. So far everything seems good on the bike. The new shifter fits nicely, same with the footpegs and new handlebars. Much nicer than the stock parts. Overall, I am very pleased with how the bike turned out. I have a lot more in the works for it. PIAA fog lights, sliders for the crashbars, Pelican cases for the SW-Motech rear racks, and maybe a new front fender and black bodywork. The Red is nice but I like to be different.

Take care!

SamM

You know I was just telling Supersignet the other day that if I had your bike I'd go black with it. Would look sleeker in black I think!

CC