Jialing JH-150GY-3 impressions

**fahni** · 07-28-2012, 03:29 AM

Hi Dannywahl,

thanks for this review. Since neither filipu nor myself have a lot of M/C experience, I appreciate the comments from someone who knows what he is talking about.

As for the chain:it is definitely cheap but I had no problems so far as long as I did a good cleaning and lube job.I think Filipu replaced the stock with an O-ring chain.

My two cents about my new (second) one: It is much more quiet than the old one but also seems to lack some power compared to the other. Whether this is real or just the impression of a engine that doesn't rev as loud, I cannot say. Electric starter is definitely a problem. I was surprised to learn that my one cold-starts better in winter than in summer conditions. Another thing is the rear brake light. It is on all the time. I played around with the spring at the footpeg that triggers the brakelight but it seems that the distance when you push the footbrake is just not long enough to make it really work. For the moment I improvised a solution that involves some duct tape but I will have to think of something more reliable.

So far...

**thedannywahl** · 10-27-2012, 11:29 AM

So I've run into a few headaches with this bike lately but overall it's good. Here's the backstory (briefly):

1: Handlebars (and then some!)

bought some hand guards (in blue of course! haha!) and went to install them only to find out that the bar-ends were capped and welded shut. No big deal, bust off the cap and you're on your way. Turns out it's a huge freaking dowel going all the way down to the joint. Well after the shifu snapped his dye in the bar-end and said 没办法 I ordered some aluminum bars. (who knew you couldn't tap and dye with a crescent wrench... oh wait, I did- and I told him it wouldn't work) So now I have 1/2" of 4mm snapped steel sticking out of the end of my grip...

When they arrived I couldn't get the clutch/choke assembly remounted because the cables didn't have enough slack. Turns out that they were extremely taught around the front of the frame and then bolted (pinched) between the tank and the top-tube of the frame (not sure to blame the manufacturer or the dealer for that).

Removed the plastics, seat, and tank - requiring a variety of drivers, wrenches, and sockets of various sizes only to discover that there's still no play on the cables! They were designed exactly for the height/width of the stock bars. Ok I decided to put the stock bars back on and rethink it. Oops! they've already been stolen in the 15 minute timeout I took to go pick my daughter up from ballet at the you er yuan.

Turns out the front brake cable is exactly the same way - not even 1/2" of play.

So now I've ordered new new bars closer to the stock size that can hopefully "just work"

Oh yeah- the hand guards require a 4, 5, AND 6mm hex wrench to install. WTF? Make them all 5!

2: Spark plug

even though it comes with a plug wrench you need to remove the plastics, seat, and tank to be able to seat the wrench (or any other socket) to swap it...

3: chain

I threw a proper 520 o-ring chain after the stock one was crap (as noted previously) and my friend said my bike "sounded like a sewing machine on steroids" for about a week. Turns out there wasn't a lot of space for a wider chain behind the front sprocket and the chain was rubbing the housing. I looked at it and thought about filing down the housing but decided "screw it, it's doing that on it's own" - and it's fine now, but come give me 2mm!

Aside from that there's a lot of engineered friction of the chain track itself specifically top-side from rear sprocket to front. It's kind of like a chain guide but rubber and about 4" long of friction. Why design a chain that way? I have no idea...

4: headlamp

Seeing as it's a single bulb with hi-low I just assumed it was H4. I'm glad I didn't order a high-power bulb w/o checking. Turns out it's an S2 (wth is that?) 12v 35w/35w philips incandescent bulb that's been around for 90 years. it's crappy light that's pretty much useless at night. Fortunately I was able to find a 50w/50w bulb, but for 15RMB I'm not too optimistic about the results (still waiting for it to arrive- will report back on that)

luckily according to the owners manual the bike should be able to output about 110W - which I'm not coming close to stock so bumping another 15 in the lamp shouldn't be a problem... I'm hoping not for the housing or wiring either...

5: Fenders

Aside from being comically large (and floppy) the front fender doesn't really function well at all. Despite having a mud-flap on the back (that block all air-flow to the engine) if the road is wet I'm going to end up soaked from feet to knees - e.g. it's not really functioning that well.

Solution: Stick a split-fender from a YGB-125g on the bike. I'll let you know how it functions next time it rains but aesthetically I'm happier with it than the stock one.

-----

Beyond these more-or-less self-inflicted wounds the bike is running great. I have about 3K KM on it now - mostly highway but I've had it in the dirt some too. I'm still extremely happy with it. What was more surprising for me was heading out with my wife riding pillion and NOT noticing a difference in ride-ability: suspension/comfort, power/acceleration, or cruising speed. I'm more convinced than ever that this is a well designed work horse in that regard.

**fahni** · 10-28-2012, 05:21 AM

Hey TDW,

sorry, I should have posted this earlier. I also ran into difficulties with the solid welded ends of the handlebars. I ordered this one which is the stock one without the solid ends. And it is really cheap

Before that, I went through three imported drillheads (12 EUR each) trying to drill all that steel out...

Regarding the headlamp. I agree that it is not great but then again, I almost never ride at night. When I had to for the first time at the end of my inner mongolia/Xanadu ride with Barry and lobotomous, I felt they were ok. We did not go faster than 70 and for that purpose they were sufficient.

Spark Plugs: I took out the plugs a couple of times without taking off anything before, no problem.

Yeah, the front fender is really wobbly...

**filipu** · 12-27-2012, 02:09 AM

I havn't been here for ages. Great post TDW. How did it work with the lamp and fenders? Any new modifications? I'm doing some shopping for next season and I'd like to change some things. Fahni this handlebar is ok? Same dimensions? I still have the old handguards I couldn't fit on the old handlebar.

**thedannywahl** · 12-29-2012, 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by filipu

I havn't been here for ages. Great post TDW. How did it work with the lamp and fenders? Any new modifications?

The fender has worked well - after a snow I had a ride and it actually caught the slush. Front of my boots got wet still but that's far better than drenched up to the knees.

At first I didn't think the bulb was much brighter than the original, when comparing photos I took - but when actually riding it's noticeably brighter.

I'm still looking for three things:

1) windshield - I just want a low one to deflect from my body
2) engine guard - just because
3) proper luggage rack and luggage. I've been trying to get specs on the 大白菜 rack to see if it'll fit.

**filipu** · 01-23-2013, 05:05 AM

I'm thinking to buy these side bags
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=...&id=2658305232
I also have an aldo box.

Didi you find the engine guard?

I just bought handle bar found by fahni, bulb, new sprockets 12 and 38 teeth and new chain.

I've found this air filter today. It says its for Jialing 150gy-3
We have a foam filter. This one would be better right?
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=..._u=nj9kt26fba2

**thedannywahl** · 01-24-2013, 11:33 AM

filipu,

I've been trying to find some specs on the Jialing JH125L "大白菜“ as it has a fair amount of accessories available - it's a matter of compatability with the 150. For example here's a 125 with full racks (including handlebar). It also has an engine guard available:

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=...&id=6282755345

Ok, so that's not really a jialing - it's a little piecemeal but you get the idea...

**fahni** · 01-25-2013, 06:21 AM

Hi there all!

Filipu, I got those bags and they are really cool. A bit bulky and I don't like the color. The material is tough and absolutely water proof.

I replicated the design with the truck tarp which i use to produce my courier bags (15 different colors) and added some features like a plastic board on the inside and a connection between the two bags that can be adjusted according to the width of the seat/rack. Some members on MCM have tested them without major problems. Only thing is you should make sure they don't get in contact with the exhaust. The material of the original bags seems to be superior in that regard.

Let's talk on No bike night if you wan't one of my (superexpensive) saddle bags.

2012-07-24 12.58.33A.jpg 2012-07-24 12.59.55A.jpg

I would also like to have a better wind shield. I guess some 5-7 cm higher would be enough.

I don't think that the accessories of the dabaicai will fit the JH150GY. I seem to remember that the mounting points for the rear rack are different from the JH150GY.

**filipu** · 01-25-2013, 06:27 AM

How super expensive? They are huge!
I thought I've seen before black version of those bags.

How did you protect it from exhaust?

What abou tthe air filter I've found guys? Will it fit?