My new JH600

[Pfaelzer]

Hi moilami,

you might look at the motorcycle thing from your side of this planet and not from where we are - China. Living in Finnland, I would most likely not buy a chinese motorcycle at all, since the choice of reasonably priced "real" bikes there is surely much bigger. Here in China, choice is limited.

To your questions:

Hey, could you bother to write your impressions on KLX250 vs XTR 250? I would be very interested to read them.

The KLX is a fully grown motorcycle, great suspension, water-cooled and fuel injected engine with reasonable power to play in the woods or do smaller trips. It is just not fair to compare the XTR with such a bike. The old-style Honda copy engine might be reliable (if assembling was done well, which is not a given) but it is no match to the modern Kawasaki engine. The XTR is over-all a much smaller bike, higher gear ratio, built initially for tracks. It feels solid however, and looking at the price tag and being able to ride it in China seems a fair deal to me. I might give you more info after putting some more miles on it.

...Also if someone reading this can confirm negative or positive has Galaxy sent bikes to Finland, I would appreciate big time to get either negative or positive confirm on that, PM is fine if it is too sensitive information. I know this sounds desperate but I could really use that information in order to begin to plan what bike to try to get next, and in order to do the actions needed in trying to get my money back. Pisses me a lot I was so damn big idiot in beginning to take risks with this bike, huh.

Edit: For those who don't know, my issues are with Finnish Galaxy importer, not with Galaxy Inc., but I still need to know are the Galaxies on the way to Finland or is the Finnish importer just fooling me, and that I can't know untill someone who is in close contact with Galaxy Inc. knows and tells.

Well, as to my impression so far, Galaxy has to learn a bit on customer service, which can also be read on some other threads about XTR250s. However, as I see it, they deliver - once the money has been received on their account. So, first thing, you might check if your importer has paid or not. There is a guy named John who speaks (and writes) english quite well. If you don't have his contact, please PM me.

Cheers and good luck,
AW.

[moilami]

Hi moilami,

you might look at the motorcycle thing from your side of this planet and not from where we are - China. Living in Finnland, I would most likely not buy a chinese motorcycle at all, since the choice of reasonably priced "real" bikes there is surely much bigger. Here in China, choice is limited.

AW.

Weeellll..... what is reasonable priced? It might be relative, and we don't have much choise here. Of KLX 250 I would have to pay 2.9 times the price I pay of Galaxy XTR No Honda XRs, no Suzuki DR-Zs, no KLRs imported, but KTMs, Husabergs, Ténérés, BMWs, and Husqvarnas we have. Of KTM 690 Enduro R I would have to pay 5,8 times of the the Galaxy. And so on. So to buy one KLX 250 or three Galaxies? Or one KTM or 6 Galaxies And I don't even want to begin to speak of second hand markets, pisses me too much lol. This is Finland, we have small markets, and driving a bike sucks because the summer is so short. Unless of course you are a freak who thinks driving a bike during the winter is darn big fun, like me. Well yeah, I agree on one KTM 690 rather than six Galaxies, and so on, Par Excellence design and quality costs, however that was not an option. I must go budget now. Maybe later, and then if I have Galaxy it will make a great winter and off-road bike, if it just starts up in winter.

Thanks of the opinions and of the hint.

[Pfaelzer]

Weeellll..... what is reasonable priced?

Weeeellll... my friend from Finnland. I don't know much about your country, just was riding through some parts (Kautokeino?) on my way back from the North Cape. Didn't know that good bikes are so rare there and expensive - well I should know after paying a fortune for a new rear tire in Norway...

After all you also say it all - you get what you pay for!

And it's true, better pay more for a decent bike - but on the other side is the funds available, which sometimes requires compromises. The XTR is not a bad compromise as far as I can see it. If you need my staff to ring up Galaxy, let me know...

Cheers,
AW.

[moilami]

Weeeellll... my friend from Finnland. I don't know much about your country, just was riding through some parts (Kautokeino?) on my way back from the North Cape. Didn't know that good bikes are so rare there and expensive - well I should know after paying a fortune for a new rear tire in Norway...

Yeah, they are because of taxes.

Norway is very expensive country even in Finnish standards. I have plans to go there this summer with XTR, or to Russia. Or to Western Europe. Or just explore everything in 100km radius where I live. A woman I like lives in Netherlands, and it would be interesting to see can I find dirt roads in Western Europe, but I like Norway big time too, not to speak of Finland. Also I have this thing called wanderlust, so Russia definetly is an option. Kola Peninsula, anyone? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kola_Peninsula

And it's true, better pay more for a decent bike - but on the other side is the funds available, which sometimes requires compromises. The XTR is not a bad compromise as far as I can see it. If you need my staff to ring up Galaxy, let me know...

Yeah, compromise, that's why the Asian wisdom about being content what you have hit me hard. And things have many sides. Without a need to do this compromise I would had never found this very good motorcycling forum.

[Pfaelzer]

FRONT SPROCKET

I always wanted to try out more options with the chain transmission. I already had a larger rear sprocket built but so far I didn't look much at the front sprocket. One reason might be, that a smaller front sprocket would bring the chain even closer to the swing arm. So with the recent question from Prosa (and our mold-shop being in low season) I have picked up on that idea again.
I do not know, which international motorcycle brand has the same shaft design as on our Jialing because then it would be easy to find a smaller or larger sprocket on the market.

- if anybody has information about this, please let us know -

Therefore the fastest option is to make a sprocket by ourselves on our milling machines. Here the design drawing:



I will show some pictures, once the part is done and tell you some more about the steel and treatment to make the sprocket durable.

Cheers,
AW

REAR SPROCKET

I felt, that the torque could be better at low rpm and also, while riding slow through villages, 2nd gear is usually too high (loud engine), whereas the ride is too slow for third gear. In order to improve this, I was looking for a larger rear sprocket.

So far, I could not find out, if Jialing is using any of the "international bike models" sprocket dimensions as their standard or if they have developed their own style. Didn't spend much time on this yet. So if anybody has an idea - please let us know here.

Luckily I came across a blank aluminum race sprocket with 48 teeth, 3 more than on the original sprocket. All I had to do was a little milling job:



Of course I copied the original hub measurements and bolt positions.




Here you can see all sprockets and the new chain, which I replaced at the same time.

Rear sprocket original: 45
Rear sprocket replacement: 48
Front sprocket: 15




Of course, only 3 teeth larger, does not make a huge difference in the sprocket diameter as you can see on the picture above. The new sprocket is under the original one in front.


RIDING EXPERIENCE:
Even though, the diameter difference is not that big, there is a noticeable change, when riding the bike. It is definitely more responsive now.

Next I will try to find a 14 teeth front sprocket - curious to see this difference then.

Cheers,
AW.


UPDATE!!!

Hi,

I had a nice ride today to the coastal area of Lianjiang. This was the first ride to really test the new sprocket set-up in different conditions. By now its is decided for me 100%. This change is really upgrading the performance of the motorcycle towards my riding style. The biggest really feel-able feature is the increase in torque at lower rpm. Exactly what I need. You go at low rpm through villages or off-road, open the throttle and the response is there right away. In general you can ride the bike at much lower rpm now without the engine being "snappy" or shaking. Now it is even possible to get little drifts in bends off-road, just by twisting the throttle (sorry KTM and performance bike guys - this is not a given of the JH600 from the beginning - some clutch help is needed for that).

For some folk the down-side might be the lower max speed. However, this set-up gives 5300rpm at 110km/h - not too bad, considering the red starts at 8.000rpm.

I am really hyped about that change now and will start to research the standard, Jialing is using for this bike, so we can order nice after-market sprockets. Not sure how long my aluminum sprocket will last.

To give some of you a better understanding, of what it means to ride cross country roads in China, here some "impressions".














Yeah, this looks a bit steep - actually was riding that path of the previous picture above back again and had to stop for that picture....




Nothing happened - here she stands at the beach....






Well, of course, there are also "normal" roads. But where is the fun at fighting trucks and busses all the time and breathing black smoke?

Hope you like the pix.

Cheers,
AW.

...back to overview.

[Pfaelzer]

Hello,

here just a brief update on the fender raiser. Originally this was made with bolts and spacer tubes. Now I am designing a nice CNC milling part.

WHEELS AND TIRES - edited 05-11-2010

Guess the part will be ready next week. More pictures to come then.

Greetings,
AW.

[Pfaelzer]

Hello,

just received a nice pair of inner bags - take a look at the details on the post below.


ALUMINUM PANNIERS - edited 05-12-2010


Next week I will be up in Fuzhou again. Hope to get the new front springs so I can post some more updates.

Cheers,
AW.

[Prosa]

Hello Pfaelzer
Did you find any alternative smaller front sprocket with lower number of thooth (14).
I have a Buggy , (Jocsports) with a similar to this engine (JH600B) fitted and I wanted to reduce the speed and increase the torque but I was unable to find a front sprocket on the aftermarket for other motorcycles (Honda or other) , that fits in the JH600 front sprocket shaft. I already have a huge back sprocket.

Regards

Hello friends,

let's get back again for a moment to the main topic: Modifications.

I felt, that the torque could be better at low rpm and also, while riding slow through villages, 2nd gear is usually too high (loud engine), whereas the ride is too slow for third gear. In order to improve this, I was looking for a larger rear sprocket.

So far, I could not find out, if Jialing is using any of the "international bike models" sprocket dimensions as their standard or if they have developed their own style. Didn't spend much time on this yet. So if anybody has an idea - please let us know here.

Luckily I came across a blank aluminum race sprocket with 48 teeth, 3 more than on the original sprocket. All I had to do was a little milling job:



Of course I copied the original hub measurements and bolt positions.




Here you can see all sprockets and the new chain, which I replaced at the same time.

Rear sprocket original: 45
Rear sprocket replacement: 48
Front sprocket: 15




Of course, only 3 teeth larger, does not make a huge difference in the sprocket diameter as you can see on the picture above. The new sprocket is under the original one in front.


RIDING EXPERIENCE:
Even though, the diameter difference is not that big, there is a noticeable change, when riding the bike. It is definitely more responsive now.

Next I will try to find a 14 teeth front sprocket - curious to see this difference then.

Cheers,
AW.


UPDATE!!!

Hi,

I had a nice ride today to the coastal area of Lianjiang. This was the first ride to really test the new sprocket set-up in different conditions. By now its is decided for me 100%. This change is really upgrading the performance of the motorcycle towards my riding style. The biggest really feel-able feature is the increase in torque at lower rpm. Exactly what I need. You go at low rpm through villages or off-road, open the throttle and the response is there right away. In general you can ride the bike at much lower rpm now without the engine being "snappy" or shaking. Now it is even possible to get little drifts in bends off-road, just by twisting the throttle (sorry KTM and performance bike guys - this is not a given of the JH600 from the beginning - some clutch help is needed for that).

For some folk the down-side might be the lower max speed. However, this set-up gives 5300rpm at 110km/h - not too bad, considering the red starts at 8.000rpm.

I am really hyped about that change now and will start to research the standard, Jialing is using for this bike, so we can order nice after-market sprockets. Not sure how long my aluminum sprocket will last.

To give some of you a better understanding, of what it means to ride cross country roads in China, here some "impressions".














Yeah, this looks a bit steep - actually was riding that path of the previous picture above back again and had to stop for that picture....




Nothing happened - here she stands at the beach....






Well, of course, there are also "normal" roads. But where is the fun at fighting trucks and busses all the time and breathing black smoke?

Hope you like the pix.

Cheers,
AW.

...back to overview.

[Pfaelzer]

Hi Prosa,

I did not do a lot recently on the JH600 except for some smaller rides in the area, but I am still around (in case anybody is wondering...). I am also quite curious, to which international motorcycle brand the sprocket is compatible. I don't believe, that Jialing has its own design there.

In case anyone has some information - glad for input here. I will have one original sprocket shipped to some friends in Germany, they should be able to find that out too. Until then, the only option would be custom-milling. Not a really hard job for a good work-shop.

Cheers,
AW