Quote Originally Posted by Steve_Halt View Post
OK, questions:
1. Is it worth its price tag?
2. Any ideas on how it compares to CFMoto 650 NK?
3. Heard rumors about metal dust in oil, have you noticed anything of that sort when changing oil?
4. How does ECU behave? Any electrical problems overall?
5. Is it comfortable for, say, 1-hour-plus rides? How does the pillion feel?
6. Have you added anything aftermarket on it? If yes, why?
7. How's power delivery at low RPM? I mean, is it OK for stop&go city traffic?
8. Does it feel well planted on the road?
9. What kind of support do you get from the dealer?
10. How's the headlight at night? Does it shine where it's supposed to? Is it bright enough?
11. Are the stock tires good for wet tarmac?
12. Is there any hesitation in throttle response?
13. How's it better that your YBR 250?
14. Are the gauges readable? Are the readings correct?
15. Does it overheat?

Those are some I'd want to ask.
Thanks.
Steve
Hi Steve,

Here are my answers:

1. Is it worth its price tag?

After 5 days riding, already over 2100KM I should say yes it worth its price tag of 39000RMB. So far I haven't get any problem or dispointment. To be honest I have bought the bike without riding it before but just my feeling was positive about this bike...

2. Any ideas on how it compares to CFMoto 650 NK?

I never tried the CFMoto 650NK so it's difficult to answer this question. Just feel the CF is not aging well at all...time will say for the Benelli...

3. Heard rumors about metal dust in oil, have you noticed anything of that sort when changing oil?

I sort the oil after 800KM, the oil was very dirty but I didn't notice that much of metal waste inside. I got the Castrol 15W50.

4. How does ECU behave? Any electrical problems overall?

ECU seems to behave well. No electrical problem at all, Everything is working very well so far. Last Wednesday I went to Moganshan/Anji and have to ge back to Shanghai under strong rains. The motorbike didn't fail at any moment even under 1 hour ride under the rain. The motorbike was indeed very stable.


5. Is it comfortable for, say, 1-hour-plus rides? How does the pillion feel?

Wednesday I ride for about 600km+ in the day. Shanghai, Daxi, Moganshan, Wuxi, Shanghai and I was very surprise by the comfort of the bike. To be honest, I was stopping not because of uncomfort of the seat but because the gas tank was to small...I feel like spending my day at the gas station...(it should be around 150km to 200km for the tank capacity. Since i don't want to go to low for the level I stop quite often then...).
The motor is relatively nervous and the shocks absorbers not as soft as the YBR...
Regarding the pillion I solely drive with on a long ride...but i would strongly not recommend for long distance...Exhaust pipe are just under the ass...lol plus the seat is relatively small.

Second ride, went to Qiandaohu, around 1000KM in total. Intensive night road and the bike was easy to ride. The lighting system is quite performant so far. I firstly wanted to change it to HID but finally cancel this change as they went great.

6. Have you added anything aftermarket on it? If yes, why?

I changed the tires to Bridgestone Battlax 023R. 180/55ZR17M/C (73W) for the rear and don't remeber the front but also the same with smaller size...haha.
Original Metzeller from Germany were showing great at first. But since I am putting great importance at tires I ordered them before the bike. Then I realize the original Metzeller were from good quality too . I might use them when my Battlax will be done. Have to do 3 emergency braking with the bike over 100Km per hour and the bike behave greatly.

I also buy a tank bag to store some lights belongings...LEM bought from spidy.


7. How's power delivery at low RPM? I mean, is it OK for stop&go city traffic?

As a 4 cylinders bike, the engine is showing greater performance around 6000 to 8000RPM. Start is delivering great power too. I rode yesterday with 2 KTM 990 (One Super Duke and one 990 Adventure) and I can follow them withut problem.
Forget about city driving. It's nice for showing off at week end but not as a main transportation in city. It's go hot very quickly and this bike need to go over 80km/h to be happy. lol

8. Does it feel well planted on the road?

Yes very well planted. Easy to go and moove around despite the 220KG...

9. What kind of support do you get from the dealer?

No special support from dealer, except I have been trusting Yang Jie for the past 3 years, I bought 3 bikes from him now. YBR 125, YBR 250 and BJ600 last week. To be honest, I know Yangjie doesn't know much about this bike, but he is my friend and I wanted to buy from him. Since it's a local bike it's fine. He has excellent contact with the other dealers around so it make no doubt he will always find a solution to help me. I guess thats the way its working in China anyway.

10. How's the headlight at night? Does it shine where it's supposed to? Is it bright enough?

As mentionned previously, the headlight is great and I will finally not change for the HID.


11. Are the stock tires good for wet tarmac?

Haven't tried the Metzeller on wet tarmac. But my Battlax behave perfectly so far.

12. Is there any hesitation in throttle response?

No hesitation at all. Power is always there and with fast response.

13. How's it better that your YBR 250?

They are too different bikes. I got around 20.000km in 1 year on the YBR250. The YBR is perfect for city and week end escape. Fine for a pillion and I also can put my top case to carry my stuffs around or go shopping. It's amazing what you can store on it...(from my ikea shelves to my bike, the beer cases, and so on...
The Benelli is perect for a solo week end ride with other bikes. A lot of fun and sensation.

14. Are the gauges readable? Are the readings correct?

Gauges are perfect during day and night. Easy to read. You can also swith from Miles to KM. The button are not very to push....


15. Does it overheat?

Yes a lot during these days. I also call QJ motor to speak with a technician to share my concerns. In city I sometime reach over 100c. The technician told me 109c is fine but if you go to 110c you have to stop immediately. It's very easy to reach over 100 in city at that period so you better let the beast riding at a faster pace (over 60 to 80km) if yu want to get the engine around 88 to 93c.


Another poitn is about the poor quality of some parts; They looked already oxydize or sometimes rusty or damage despite the bike is new...I will follow closely about this issue....

I will post pictures

Cheers