The question as to whether buying a Chinese motorcycle or not really has much more to do with individual circumstances than anything else.

First I want to make it clear that there are two types of bikes made in China. The first I'll call a 'joint-venture bike' which is usually a Japanese branded motorcycle, such as Suzuki, Honda or Yamaha, made by many companies Sundiro and Wuyang Honda, Qingqi Suzuki, Jianshe Yamaha etc. Mechanically speaking joint-venture bikes will nearly always be OK for anyone in any country, although are more prone to rust than bikes made in other countries, models include Yamaha YBR125, Yamaha YBR250, Suzuki GSX125, Honda CBF125, Honda CBF150 etc.

The second type of bike I'll call a 'China bike' by this I mean a Chinese manufacturer which isn't owned partly by another company sometimes even owned by the Chinese government, but might even own foreign brands such as Benelli or AJS. These days 'China bikes' can be very good, complete crap or somewhere in-between.

1. You live in China and you want to ride legally without paying a huge amount of money, then you'll need a Chinese made bike. If you decide to buy a 'China bike' it proves unreliable the parts and labor will be cheap enough to maintain the bike cost effectively. Although with 'China bikes' always research the bike you are planning to buy, to make sure it is a good one. Never buy on looks alone. Remember that fuel injection, water-cooling and multiple cylinders can simply add to the problems. Really think about a 'joint venture bike' unless you are certain that you want a purely Chinese bike for some reason such as off-road ability or a multiple cylinder engine. If you buy a 'China bike' you'll need to be mechanically knowledgeable but not necessarily capable as you'll need to know when your bike isn't quite right.

2. You live in a developing country with pretty cheap labor for mechanics and not much in the way of domestically made motorcycles. A 'China bike' could be an option, but only buy if there are many reports that the bike is good and there are parts available. Buying a 'joint venture bike' or second hand imported bike might well be the most cost effective long term solution.

3. You live in a western country such as the United Kingdom, the United States or Australia, really unless you are a professional or keen amateur mechanic forget the idea of buying a 'China bike' unless there are many, many reports that it is a good bike, with an established following parts warranty and dealer back-up. The average 'China bike' will need too much work to be cost effective for the average rider with average mechanical competence. A 'joint venture' bike could be a good choice, but beware the materials are cheaper than bikes made in other countries and the bike may well rust and generally deteriorate faster than bike made in other countries. Often a 2nd hand Japanese made bike could often be the most cost effective option.