Hans,

I think the frame metal and paint on the QingQi is similar to the Suzuki DR200 and likely better than any of the other Chinese produced bikes out there and currently available. Many of them are improving and in the future this may change.

You will get rust on certain items like the header and exhaust components but most of the body panels are colored plastics so there's no worries about paint. The fuel tank is painted but is easy enough to keep clean and waxed. The clear coating on the aluminum parts (engine and fork sliders) is also pretty tough so should not give you any problems. I don't recall having any problems with rusting screws except for maybe the four handle bar clamp screws which tend to collect water because of their orientation.

Otherwise, as long as the QingQi is kept clean, you shouldn't have many major problems.

Would you happen to have any pictures of your Guzzi side-car around?

CC