ASIAWING Spark 500 (prototype)

ASIAWING Spark 500 (prototype)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3579/...d6d7a8.jpg?v=0

Even though this bike is on Asiawing's website as for sale it's actually a prototype, and as such is not yet for sale. They think the bike will be ready in a few months time. The bike was very good for a Chinese made bike, and had great torque across the range, with good high end power, and although it's noticeably got a few issues to iron out such as a few vibrations, the clocks and dials and the bar position. Structurally it is a good bike with decent brakes, suspension, frame wheels and tires. It would make a great bike as a commuter or as a first bike in a western country, or a scary rocketship in China. :lol8:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3305/...76b979.jpg?v=0

Front end dials area didn't work, still being worked on...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3544/...e59455.jpg?v=0

Decent looking brakes, wheels and tires.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3481/...9ca553.jpg?v=0

A look at the engine...by the way they really want to put injection on this bike, but this prototype has a carb. The know they'll need it for EPA EEC etc..

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3644/...48a84c.jpg?v=0

Bike has a pretty butt, rear shock and exhaust.

I know that this bike has "sparked" :eek2: some interest in the US since I posted the video link on chinariders, and now that Roketa teasingly shows it on their site. They probably should have stuck the 450 engine in it, but 500 has such an even sound to it...500, 500

I want it!

A 500CC bike in China, you'd be the king of the road! Looks like a good product but could use a belly pan or something to hid all the plumbing.

How would you describe the engines performance? Also, who took the video?

CC

Carl, there's another post under industry news where I put more detail about the Spark review, this is it:

I was impressed with the Spark 500, but it was only a prototype and still being refined. Some of the delay I think is because they need a fuel injected bike to pass EEC/EPA emission standards, as yet they haven't been able to get hold of a suitable injector as yet, but there are plenty of other countries that do not have such exact emission standards, so I'm sure they will continue the development regardless. The guys seemed slightly less enthusiastic about the 500cc engine in this bike, than the 450 in the LX. I enjoyed riding the Spark and it had smooth power delivery (could have almost been a 400 parallel twin in feeling if you didn't know what kind of engine it was) for a 500 single with plenty of low-end torque and high-end power, it seemed pretty typical for its displacement and size in this regard, in no way did it feel gutless at any part of the power delivery, it wasn't as exciting as a multiple cylinder bike of the same displacement, but it is large enough for some serious fun. It seemed that Asiawing have a basically dirt bike philosophy, this I like as this keeps stupid unnecessary heavyweight bling off the bike..this attitude really good for a Chinese manufacturer, shows there is engineering thought not 'make it look pretty to sell it' attitude that is so common in the rest of the Chinese motorcycle industry.

Shenli the English-speaking guy took the video with the company driver in the car using my camera.

A belly-pan, sounds like a good idea, plastic or metal like a dirt-bike? I'll pass on the suggestion. :thumbsup:

Anyone knows if this bike has been EEC approved yet?
I have written to Roketa if they could give me a retail prize of this bike, but they haven´t got it yet. Anyone knows about this?

Niels,

You asking about this as a consumer, importer or distributor?

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Hello CrazyCarl
I am actually looking into the possibility of importing this model to Denmark. Here we got a 180% tax on motorcycles, so the prize in US you can multiply by 3, then you got the prize in Denmark.

This is why Chinese bikes are so interesting for the Danish marked. This bike would be able to sell very well around here, if the prize is right. The other Chinese 250 cc bikes have sold very well, but currently they are only competing with each other. People wants greater displacements now.

I just need the retail prize in order to calculate the market prize. This has of course to be substantial lower than the competitors. I here think about the Suzuki GS 500, which is sold at 13,324 $ for at 2009 model (Yes, I shit you not :eekers:) on the Danish market.

Have you got any contact with the Asia Wing factory by the way? The only infomation got, was that the model is not ECC approved yet.
Regards
Niels
Copenhagen

Contact the factory yourself, Niels. I have been in contact with a guy named Shugrant Guo there, but I have not emailed for a while, so not sure if he is still there, but the factory should be easy enough.

You can get the same information off of Taobao. Bikes for sale over the internet, send us your money and we'll mail it to you. I have no idea what the legitimacy of such offers is however. A shame it is so bloody difficult to buy a bike in a country where they are manufactured.

http://216.239.59.132/translate_c?hl...6ndQtmBXbN1CFA

Think one should stay away from that company anyway, Their adress and other things about their products looked a bit dodgy.
http://resources.alibaba.com/topic/5...RT_LIMITED.htm

Niels,

Well they must have some kind of legit outfit and you could probably work with them if you contact the correct people. :deal:

Not sure who you tried to call but a good start would be their official web page "contact" list.

http://www.asiawing.com/english/direct_view.asp?c_id=7

Also, looks like they have an updated Anime headlight section...

http://www.asiawing.com/english/cont...2132319992.jpg


Paz,
CC

the headlights look cool, but do they actually throw any decent lumens?

Well I tried to contact the factory on their email on that link, at first they informed me that it was not EEC Approved yet, but they didn't reply to my following mails. I found some other suppliers on Alibaba though.

Probably not, but one nice thing about the lens type lamps is they're better to use HID systems with since a properly focused lens system should reduce scatter and blinding other drivers or pissing off oncoming cops. :icon10:

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by kingmarty45

the headlights look cool, but do they actually throw any decent lumens?

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Niels, I'm curious about the %180 price mark-up you talked about...is that an import tax/tariff? And wouldn't you have to pay that on any bike you bring in and register? If so, is your goal to find a cheaper bike that will cost less befor the mark-up? Or are you going to import hundredsof units and start a business.

Have you looked at the Highland bikes, a Swedish/Chinese joint venture? They may just be vapor-ware, I don't know.

PJ

Yes it is an import tax on cars and bikes; it is not exactly 180% of the whole retail prize. The newest updated tariff calculation from the Danish Tax administration is like this 105% of the value up to 79000 DKKR (15154$) and 180% of the value over this amount.

Meaning that for example a Suzuki SV 650 cost 15.340 $ on the Danish market in 2009.:eekers:

But this is also why the Chinese bikes are sold at nearly the same prize in Denmark than abroad, the retail prize is simply so low that the taxation system does not impose any large amount. The Asia wing Spark would "only" get 1726 $ added on.

I know the Swedish Highland bike, http://www.highland.se/ It cannot be sold here, and the prize would be astronomic.

Anyway I am getting out of this plan of importing Asia wing. I just found out yesterday that a Danish company is planning to get them in. They also said that there, at the moment were some technical problems, which they wanted to be solved before it is getting on the Danish marked. But I might be inclined to buy one once it gets here.

There is of course a lot of debate about our tax-system, but it is a way to finance our well-fare state, and if they abandon it, they would just impose high road prizing,
Regards
Niels

OK, thanks for the info. I like to consider the business plans of other places and people. I'm somewhat familiar with the Danish system, as one of my good friends here in Milwaukee is Danish born.

Would the taxing scheme be the same if you became the "manufacturer"? One business model I've seen is to import the parts, and assemble them on your soil - sometimes this can avoid taxes and tariffs. Frames come from one place, engines from another, and assembly is relatively simple. IF this is an option you could create jobs AND still provide bargain bikes. TNG in the US uses this model.

Take your time. I'm sure you've already figured out the China has many assemblers...hundreds. Focus on the top ten or twenty. Do you search for Manufacturers on Alibaba dot com?

PJ

Well yes, the tax would still be imposed if one assembles the bikes within the country.

Believe me, people have tried all kinds of tricks, including getting a rusty HD from the forties or fifties from the states, or the EU and then pay the tax, which is very low for old-timers. After this they rebuild the bikes, so they become virtually new. If this is discovered by the police and the Tax administration, they are facing a very big fine.

And of course there is the well-known Danish scam to buy a Bike or car from another country and ride around with the foreign number plate. If discovered, and every year it happens, the person faces the tax and a fine which is the same as the tax. So they end up paying the tax two times, quite expensive bill, if one rides a HD Fat Boy....

One of the reasons why this system operates is the fact that there are no car or motorcycle factories on Danish soil, so the different governments wanna get their share on the excessive import.

Well that doesn't suprise me. I'm not suggesting that you break any rules. Knowledge of the system is the best way to find a new business model.

So, it sounds like you either pay lots or ride a bargain bike. I suppose that bikes keep high resale values there. Vintage bikes must be insanely priced!

PJ

You bet. This is a search on HD on the danish version of Autotrader. 133,126 $ for the first HD on that list: Harley-Davidson TOURING CVO FLHTCUSE3 1808, '08( but then it has only run 2500 km. huh:thumbsup: A bargain!)
http://www.dba.dk/asp/soegning/soegn...ler=0&txDrop=2

Yikes! Here in Milwaukee, I can find a lightly used HD Sportster 883 for around $4500 any time.

No wonder that the sub $2000 USD Chinese bike has appeal. Mid-sized engines (450-750) are just starting to pop up from Chinese manufs. A clever fellow could find a new brand and start something. Or, start a motorcycle club, and when you get 50 members(who want a bike)...buy a container load of bikes. Club money???

PJ

Well Denmark has one of the biggest Chinese moto clubs around so if any place could do a club buy, it would be them wacky Danes! :icon10:

:scooter:
CC

I'm going to contact the factory soon as I want to sell my current bike and I want the best road legal 'ccc certified' bike I can, but I suspect this bike is still a prototype....alas