Buying a motorbike in Shanghai/ JLmoto Experiences?

[bikerdoc]

OP if you are after a good quality motorcycle that can be LEGALLY plated in your name, then JLmoto is not the shop to deal with.
1. Questionable backgrounds (probably stolen and definitely shipped through the backdoor in Shenzhen).
2. Serious concerns over the legitimacy of the claimed mileage on many of the bikes offered.
3. All plates offered through JLmoto are not yours, as they are Waide plates and such like.
4. Once you buy, you are on your own in terms of any form of warranty, and possibly plate issues down the track.
5. Seriously, if you research the market on imported motorcycle brands that LEGALLY import into China and the prices which those bikes are sold at, then it's too easy to tell that JLmoto sell ILLEGAL motorcycles!

I have a mate who bought two bikes (BMW R1150GS & KTM250) from Jimmy (JLmoto) at the TianMa circuit (been there many times myself). The BMW had questionable mileage from the get-go based on age etc. It's since had to have a complete tranny rebuild at RMB40000 (all imported parts and rebuilt by 'Ulli' at the Go-carting shop (end shop at TianMa)([addit: March 2014] shop now closed). I accompanied one of my German friends to JLmoto when it was time for the bikes bought from there to have the re-inspection certificates renewed. I could only laugh on the inside listening to the BS excuses Jimmy was telling my friend as to why the certificates couldn't be renewed.

Dont' just take my advice - want some first hand advice about JLmoto offerings then go speak with Ulli (Ulrich) anyway he's the German engineer with the first shop along from JLmoto there at TianMa - he'll tell you some horror stories of bikes sold by JLm.

If you want prices on any of the foreign brands that sell in China just ask (though Lao Jia Hou has prices in the For Sale Classifieds thread), I can assure you those prices are often double-triple what JLmoto might advertise the same model for.

LEGAL foreign motorcycle brands in China include, Piaggio, Benelli, Harley-Davidson, BMW, Ducati (all of which sell >250cc motorcycles). The Japanese & Taiwanese brands (Suzuki, Yamaha, Kymco) generally are limited to <250cc, though times change and some legal imported bikes through official distributors are available again refer to deal from dealers section of this forum.

LEGAL Chinese motorcycle brands in China providing >250cc motorcycles include JiaLing, CFmoto and to a lesser extent ChangJiang (though the latter is not without its issues).

As Pal said, I'd avoid JLmoto with a 10' barge pole. Of course if you ask Jimmy (or the other guys working) at JLmoto, they'll sugar-coat all the answers to any questions you put to them.