Newbie getting into china bikes

**Kobol** · 03-20-2011, 09:18 PM

Hello all,
My names Greg, found this forum looking for information on the Dongfang Bobber, glad I did with all the issues trying to title it. I have owned a Kawasaki EX500 back in the day, but I sold it after I had a nasty wreck in my miata. Got kinda scared after it so I bought a big ol Mercedes SUV to protect me. Now im getting over it and wanna get back into a bike. The problem im finding with the china bikes is top speed. On my way to work I hit speeds up to 65 mph.

If anyone can give me a few pointers on a bike that will do that, it would be appreciated

**jape** · 03-21-2011, 12:52 AM

Welcome!
Of course you realise that big SUVs are some of the least safe vehicles? It is all illusion. Some small cars are far more protected. But that's up to you. I shook for a week after my Lotus Cortina was totalled around me decades ago, it was a true mracle I was unscratched, not even bruised but the car was a complete mangled wreck. So I understand your feelings, they are real. Its just life and on a bike or in a car the odds are there and have to be played, with foresight intelligence and training you can balance them.
In USA you have a few that will do what you want and from the other thread I see you want a road machine not dirt bike? Tell us more, is price a reason for a china-bike?

**Kobol** · 03-21-2011, 03:21 AM

Yeah price and I really dont want used. Id really love a Kawasaki ER-6n or a Triumph Street Triple, but they are out of my price range.
http://www.clevelandcyclewerks.com/bikes/

I really like what they are offering. I need to call them up sometime and see if they have at least the Heist instock to get a feel for it.

**jape** · 03-21-2011, 05:14 AM

Talk to member MJH using PM and look at his CCW thread. Ignore our cat-calls and rasberries.He knows what he knows.

**barnone** · 03-21-2011, 07:13 PM

Kobol,
"On my way to work I hit speeds up to 65 mph."
Hit speeds of 65 MPH and cruising comfortably at 65 MPH are too different things. Most of my 200cc plus China bikes will hit 65 but you would not want to stay there long. Take with a grain of salt claimed top speeds on the net.

I think you should look for a used Japanese bike like your previously owned EX500. You need at least 500cc.

**bojer** · 03-21-2011, 10:53 PM

[QUOTE=Kobol;23823 The problem im finding with the china bikes is top speed. On my way to work I hit speeds up to 65 mph.

If anyone can give me a few pointers on a bike that will do that, it would be appreciated

[/QUOTE]

As already said, it sounds like you "need" a 250+ Japanese modern road bike - almost any of which won't break into a sweat at 65mph for hours on end but 65mph is pushing the effective top speed of most Chinese bikes . You can go far or fast but not both ..........

**richardktm** · 03-22-2011, 02:16 AM

[QUOTE] You can go far or fast but not both ..........

love it haha, a classic tag line for everyone here

rich

**euphonius** · 03-22-2011, 02:53 AM

Not that I'm biased, but the sole exception is probably the JH600. I can push mine at 120kph (75mph) for hours on end without complaint. But, yes, she's got more than a half-liter of thumping displacement.

Is the Jialing even available outside China? And does it carry a "China price" advantage over Japanese thumpers?

cheers

**Kobol** · 03-23-2011, 04:56 AM

Thanks for the info guys. Where I live now I have to get on the freeway to get to work, so 65mph for 10-12 minutes. I will probably end up getting a Gladius or a ER-6n like I mentioned, I can get them brand new around here for 4300 and 4500 respectively.

**barnone** · 03-23-2011, 06:23 PM

Kobol,
Good choices. I like my China bikes but none are freeway capable IMHO. I'm retired so I don't have to get on the freeway.
I'd look at the Versys also.