250cc options in China.

**dewsnap** · 03-15-2011, 01:51 PM

Here's another one. I've never seen this bike before but wouldn't it be nice?

Yamaha 250

yamaha 250.jpg

**td_ref** · 03-15-2011, 02:14 PM

Those smuggled goods in fact are much more complicated

than "second hand grey import".

**dewsnap** · 03-15-2011, 02:17 PM

Precisely what i'm saying. I'm new to the whole China bike scene and trying to learn as i go.
Hence my conclusion stay away from second hand bikes.

**euphonius** · 03-15-2011, 02:21 PM

TD, you sayin' these bikes are not "second hand" but "still owned by people who are wondering where they are"? That'd be my guess too.

**td_ref** · 03-15-2011, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by euphonius

TD, you sayin' these bikes are not "second hand" but "still owned by people who are wondering where they are"? That'd be my guess too.

that is just one of types regarding its origin. Tricky....

**dewsnap** · 03-21-2011, 05:24 AM

I've finally made my decision and put a deposit down on the Regal Raptor DD250G-2N. It should arrive straight from the factory in a couple of weeks. 23k yuan including tax, insurance, and the yellow C plate. And they even gave us two free t-shirts. Haha

My wife has spent a couple of weeks fishing around the MOTOFANS forum and found a nice community of Raptor owners here in Shanghai. They mostly have positive things to say about the bike. A lot of them admitted that there'll be a few teething issues with the bike for the first few months but generally the bike lasts quite well, and they put some serious miles on theirs. They all meet up every other weekend and seem more than happy to have a foreigner joining their ranks. Very accomodating.

I also met Wrangler down at the Pubei Lu store on Sat and he seems very happy with his Raptor 250 cruiser, i met his Italian friend who has just bought the Raptor 350 Daytona so their are plenty of Raptor owners to go on rides with and share experiences.

Wrangler kindly showed me the Taobao site for Raptor parts, everything is dirt cheap so i shouldn't have too many problems buying parts and upgrades for the bike. Which played a big part in helping me choose this bike.

Another factor in my decision was the sales woman at Pubei Lu. She's been fantstic, really friendly and fairly knowledgable about bikes. My wife likes her so that has helped a lot. The official store (Pubei Lu) is fairly close to my house and the mechanics there really know their stuff. So, all in all a good decsion made, i think. I'm soon to be a proud motorbike owner.

My wife and i also went to the Shanghai moto market and blew a load of cash over the weekend. It's an amazing place for bike enthusiasts. I bought a horn, HID lights, HJC helmet, Alpinestars summer jacket with armour, matching gloves, Martian alarm system, Hamlock armour warrior disc lock, rim and tank stickers, carbon fibre look indicators, and those motor cross brake levers that China V has on his Yingang. I'm pretty much set to go.

I just wanted to thank everybody for their advise and helping me make an informed decision. Safe riding to all.

**jape** · 03-21-2011, 05:32 AM

Excellent, a grand solution and all the local connections make it even better. Enjoy, I am envious!

**dewsnap** · 03-21-2011, 05:35 AM

This isn't mine. Just a few images lifted from Baidu.

I know this bike has been reviewed to death but i'm so excited i'll start my own thread soon with pics and my initial impressions.

new bike.jpg
new bike2.jpg
new bike3.jpg
new bike4.jpg

She's a beauty aint she?

**dewsnap** · 03-21-2011, 05:36 AM

Thanks Jape. I'm a happy man.

**euphonius** · 03-21-2011, 05:41 AM

Sure looks like the bike ZMC888 was riding when we swam through floods in Qufu last summer. A lot of braking muscle in those twin front disks.

Yes, she's looking sweet in all black -- you could crash any cocktail party in Shanghai, especially with the lovely red springy accents.

Next step: your driving test!

Congratulations