Buying 2 Jialing 150s in Zambia - looking for advice on spares

**John Smallberries** · 03-01-2015, 08:35 PM

Hello;
I am very glad to find this forum as it is the only one so far with ANY information on the Jialing JH150 GY3. I am planning a moto trip in Zambia, Africa this June and plan to buy two of these dual-sports for the trip. We will donate them to a non-profit group at the end of the trip.

The bikes will be brand new and we will load them up with camping gear in Giant Loop Coyote bags. I'm looking for advice on any relevant spares to carry.

I've heard some negative comments on the spark plug reliability? I'd like to bring two new ones from the US. Anyone know the model number?

I am also very curious about fuel range. Any experience with this? We will be riding mostly on dirt roads at speeds under 80 kph.

I look forward to hearing from anyone with experience moto-camping with these bikes.

**galenernest** · 03-02-2015, 12:33 AM

I've put about 1000km on my Jialing so far. So, I'm no expert. Here's my advice:

I carry a small set of tools because the toolkit that comes with the bike is pretty much useless except for taking out the spark plug. So, you'll want to put together a nice little toolkit.

For spare parts, I don't carry much: spare clutch and throttle cable, spark plug, and spare tubes for the tires. I think those are the only spares I actually carry with me right now. I need to add some wire and electrical tape to my spares that I carry, though... quite possible a wire could sever and cause problems while out on the road. I would maybe carry a spare brake and clutch lever, but I have handguards so I'm not concerned about those breaking. The tubes won't do you any good unless you carry a pump with you, too... I carry a little 12v pump. Now I'm thinking that I might carry a tube patch kit which would be an easier roadside repair than swapping out the entire tube.

Fuel range isn't great on my bike: I'm burning about 3.3L per 100km. (I calculated this on my trip yesterday, which was a blend of highway, twisty mountain roads, gravel roads and single track, so certainly not representative of easy highway miles). On an 8L tank, that doesn't get me very far. I'm working on an apparatus to carry additional fuel...

There were a few guys on this site that had them a few years ago, but they don't seem active anymore. Maybe they went home? Good luck and be sure to keep us informed of your adventures!

**galenernest** · 03-02-2015, 12:44 AM

Sorry, about the spark plugs:

The original plug is a Torch D8RTC. I swapped mine for an NGK D8EA. The actual cross to NGK is a DR8EA. The "R" designates that it's a resistor plug. So, if you want a perfect cross, get the DR8EA or the DPR8EA-9, but in actuality the non-resistor plug D8EA works just fine and it's what most shops here in China seem to keep in stock.

**John Smallberries** · 03-02-2015, 12:52 AM

galenernest;
Thanks for the reply. At 3.3l/100km, I think I will need to carry some extra fuel. My plan is to bring over a Rotopax mount for their 1.75 gallon can for gasoline and another for water. This will give me another 6.6l and another 200 km for range.

I'll throw and extra plug in the tool kit: thanks for the numbers.

Have you had to use a spare cable yet?

**galenernest** · 03-02-2015, 01:50 AM

I haven't used my spare cables yet. But, when I had the tank off to route the wires for my 12V and 5V accessory plug, I noticed that the throttle cable plastic shielding (the black plastic that coats the metal shield) had been rubbed off at one spot along the cable where it appears to have been pinched between the frame and the gas tank. The cable has almost no slack; it's barely long enough to reach the carb from the handlebar... So, it seems that it's only a matter of time before it fails.

The reason I carry the extra cables is that they're light and small and if the throttle cable snaps, there's really not a lot you can do out in the woods without a spare...

**culcune** · 03-02-2015, 01:56 PM

Extra chains. Read this thread from about mid-page 6 to page 7--the writer's friend flew in to S. Africa to meet the writer, bought a Chinese-made Bashan 229cc bike, and they rode for over 6000 miles, with the only issue on the Chinese bike being a chain that stretched beyond usefulness and they could not find a replacement on the route they were on. INteresting read otherwise, and might be relevant (cannot remember if he entered Zambia, but he has gone EVERYWHERE, so you might want to read through his threads), but if I was to go to Africa and buy Chinese bikes, I will now remember to carry extra chains!

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...fboard-72401-6

**John Smallberries** · 03-03-2015, 03:35 PM

Originally Posted by culcune

Extra chains. Read this thread from about mid-page 6 to page 7--the writer's friend flew in to S. Africa to meet the writer, bought a Chinese-made Bashan 229cc bike, and they rode for over 6000 miles, with the only issue on the Chinese bike being a chain that stretched beyond usefulness and they could not find a replacement on the route they were on. INteresting read otherwise, and might be relevant (cannot remember if he entered Zambia, but he has gone EVERYWHERE, so you might want to read through his threads), but if I was to go to Africa and buy Chinese bikes, I will now remember to carry extra chains!

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...fboard-72401-6

Great feedback!! Perhaps I can get my dealer to upgrade the stock chain with a "proper" chain even before I pick up the bike. A DID X-ring chain (arguably a good choice for durability) is ~$80.