Buying my first bike

**OldMan** · 10-15-2009, 09:58 PM

Hi everyone!

As you may already noticed, i'm new here and this is also my first post. I've been reading some of the posts on the past few days and i'm now asking for your knowledge.

So... my first bike will probably be one of those Qingqi 125 SM/Kreidler Supermoto 125/etc.

1 - Are those series of bikes REALLY all the same? I mean, one of the local bike shop is selling the i-Moto 200€ cheaper than the Kreidler. Is the Kreidler really worth those 200€ or is it just the same?

2 - How hard is the maintainence of this bike? I'm a n00b! All i want is to ride the bike without any problems, how often will i need to maintain the bike?

3 - What other bikes would you recommend to a n00b like me for the first bike? My budget is 2300€ more or less.

Thanks

**culcune** · 10-16-2009, 03:28 AM

Welcome! Our resident expert on the Qingqi, Forchetto, will probably chime about now...

**kingmarty45** · 10-16-2009, 04:46 AM

the maintenance isn't too bad for these things if all you want to do is ride around town.

If you brake the bike it in right (see forchetto posts on this sight) all you need to do is keep changing the oil (which is easy) and keep all the bolts on tight and you should be ok.

There is lots of farkling you can do, and most of these guys do it, but it isn't really required.

In any case, after a few weeks you will be keen to have a play around with the bike! Thats what its all about

**CrazyCarl** · 10-16-2009, 01:17 PM

OM,

The level of maintenance on any bike depends on how hard you ride it. A 125 will probably be worked pretty hard nearly all the time. Like KMarty said, break it in right, change the oil and check the various bits and pieces and you should be alright.

The QingQi's use Suzuki DR200 based engines, even in their 125's so I'd go with that. Lots of people all over the world seem to be quite happy with the bikes and you can find a few reviews of them around the web and on MCM.

Not sure about the I-Moto bike you're talking about but I don't think it's QingQi manufactured. Would you happen to have a web page link or a pic?

CC

**OldMan** · 10-17-2009, 10:34 AM

Thanks everyone!

@Carl,
Here is the link to the i-moto local dealer (looks like it is down ATM), and here is the kreidler.

kreidler:

i-moto (this is a photo of the old model, the new one comes with rear disc brake)

btw, how often will i need to change the oil? Is that on the manual?
Thanks!

**CrazyCarl** · 10-17-2009, 04:26 PM

OH yeah, that's a QingQi alright.

Check the following thread for the owners manual. Service manual is also available in Portuguese.

http://www.mychinamoto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=353

The 125 is mechanically very similar to the 200 so mots of the info in the manuals should be usable. That should just about cover you!

Paz,
CC

**OldMan** · 10-17-2009, 05:20 PM

Thanks alot!

So, you're saying that kreidler and i-moto are EXACTLY the same? Then why the 200€ difference in price?

**forchetto** · 10-17-2009, 07:41 PM

Originally Posted by OldMan

Thanks alot!

So, you're saying that kreidler and i-moto are EXACTLY the same? Then why the 200€ difference in price?

Kreidler is an old and much respected name in motorcyling. It's also German, with all that implies in quality and workmanship. The fact that a prestigious firm such as that have adopted a Qingqi and put their name on it shows they believe its a good one...

I should think the extra 200€ difference can be accounted for by stricter quality control requirements of the German importer and decent after-sales service, spares supply and pre-delivery inspections. These things are ofted lacking in lesser importers.

Having said that the Spanish/portuguese importer of the Qingqi is quite good and has a good spares stock and reasonably good pre-delivery inspections. The bikes are delivered to dealers or private buyers completely assembled and ready to roll, they come attached to a big palet and not in a crate in bits ready to be assembled (often badly) by just anyone at the shop.

This is their web site in Portuguese: http://www.qingqi-iberica.com/pt.htm

The Spanish bike market is well down at the moment due to this crisis. The importer is clearing excess stock by putting them on ebay. The bargain of the century must be the cross version of the 200cc Qingqi at only 1090€ delivery and tax included!!!. Here's the ebay page:

http://cgi.ebay.es/NUEVA-ENDURO-200c...%3D5%26ps%3D63

**OldMan** · 10-17-2009, 09:31 PM

@forchetto,

Thanks for all the info!

I'm seriously thinking about buying the i-moto version for 2 reasons:
- cheaper
- the local shop selling them is also the dealer of Kawasaki and KTM, it's a big shop