- 7th Annual CIMTE Motorcycle Expo -

- Video Report -





Chongqing, a major industrial city located inland on the Yang Tze River, recently held its 7th annual CIMTE (China International Motorcycle Trade Exposition). Given its importance to the motorcycle industry and proximity to my home in Chengdu, I was excited to visit the check out the latest news and an opportunity to tour three of Chinas largest manufacturers motorcycle plants.

Although not considered a major event as moto-expos go, many important names in the motorcycle industry displayed their goods, including scooters, sport bikes, dual-sports, motor cross and ATVs. As most motorcycle conventions would have it, many of these fine curvaceous bikes were accompanied by fine curvaceous women! Lets take a snapshot look at some of the offerings found at this years CIMTE.

Shineray

The most exciting of the new products introduced at CIMTE came from Shinerays new 2008 line-up including the XY250GY and XY200GY-7.

- The new XY2050GY - (Click all portraits for larger images)


One of the more creative displays at the expo, Shineray offered an assembled and fully exploded view of the 250GY to let attendees take a deeper look into the machine. This is a welcome sight and hints at some confidence in their products as well as some thoughtfulness to more progressive marketing and presentation styles.

- XY250GY exploded view -


The XG250GY sports many of the features previously thought missing on Chinese motorcycles and satisfies some of the North American demands such as a more advanced engine with more robust braking and suspension components.

In the braking department, the XG250s front and rear disc are becoming more and more common on Chinese motorcycles but the front and rear suspension has been race developed and tested through Shinerays International Motorcross team which now competes in Europe. (????)

- Single piston rear brake with stock braided stainless line -


- Swingarm and shock assembly -


The most exciting news about the bike however takes place at its heart. Rumor has it, Shineray has used a Honda AX-1 (NX250) based engine giving the 250GY a DOHC, four-valve, high-compression, water-cooled power plant with a 6-speed gear box. As a rider of an AX-1 in the past, if the performance of this engine is anything like the original Honda, we should all welcome the ability to cruise comfortably at highway speeds thanks to an added over-drive gear and still be light enough to kick-up some fun after the pavement ends. Hopefully more official details will follow on this soon.

- NX250 owners look closely! -


- Exploded engine view -



If youre into long distance trail or adventure riding, Shineray also offered up its XY200GY-7 sporting a less complicated 200cc Honda based engine.

- Shineray XY200GY-7 -

To make the long hauls more comfortable, theyve equipped the GY-7 with a long, broad flat seat, F/R disc brakes, with large built-in front and rear racks complete with saddle bag stand-offs. Last, but certainly not least, is the almost five gallon fuel tank which should keep the bike running longer than most would probably like to be in the saddle.

- Built for the looong haul -


Stay tuned for future posts as we take a short trip to the Shineray factory!

- Shineray factory tour -