Cheap Imports: Too good to be true?

[wanglong]

Hi all,

So my jialing has be crapping out multiple times the last couple days and I am thinking it is time to get a serious bike. I have talked to my mechanic/dealer and they were telling me about these awesome imports of honda's, kawasaki's, yamaha's, and other such bikes for 1200 (125cc)-2500(1325cc) RMB.

Supposedly, these bikes come direct from the factory, and are 'illegal' in the sense that they have not gone through customs. That's the story that they are feeding.

As much as I hope this to be true I am highly suspicious and skeptical. Saw posts claiming that maybe these can sometimes be frankenbikes or have been crashed. The dealer promises they haven't been, and even though I trust him more than others, I am still skeptical.

However, one thing that does inspire confidence is that an online dealer of the same bikes offers an 18 month full waranty (though that is not that long, it seems very good for China!), and 36 months for the starter motor....

Anyone have any other comments or suggestions?