Quote Originally Posted by bmic View Post
I've thought about that. I don't consider vehicles as an investment, but rather as a cost of living. A Raptor is only about 15k new which, if I keep it for 5 years is the cost of a scooter per year. That's not a huge expense. If I get a second hand one, it's even cheaper. I know that I'll need to spend a little more keeping it operational, but its a local brand so maintenance shouldn't be too expensive. One concern I have about spending money on a bike it that it'll get stolen or the hand of fortune will take me to a place where I can't ride bikes. Heck, I'm a newbie and I might find that after the novelty goes, I don't care to ride bikes anymore.

So, I'm rolling all these ideas around in my head. The suitability of Raptors to local roads however, is a concern. I have a Harley rider's physique (6'1" and 150kg) so I punish the suspension a bit. A bike with low clearance might have some problems with me riding :D
You're rationalizing the Regal Raptor as being acceptable for a whole host of reasons, your body weight, possible theft, it's easy to fix in China etc etc. Really at the core there is only one reason: price. It's clear you really don't want to spend that extra 10,000 yuan but it's worth the extra money X2 for a Japanese made in China bike. There are two bikes that should be on your short list, as a reasonable price and quality 250cc. The Yamaha YBR250 and the Suzuki GW250 and maybe soon the Honda CBR250R. That's it. Anyone whose ever owned both a Chinese 250 cruiser or Jap 250 made in China bike would implore you with every fiber of their being to buy the Honda, Yam or Suzuki.

Honestly I feel like banging my head on a brick wall sometimes. It's not just you, it's a mistake that has been made a thousand times over, buy a Chinese cruiser, shit quality, shit brakes, crap riding position, shit tires. No fun to ride. Fake Honda engine that doesn't put out even it's claimed power rattles around, unreliable annoying. Why come asking of advice and ignore it?