Recommendation which moto to buy

[bikerdoc]

40,000 is fair, and for that price they'd sell a lot. I think parts are taxed at 20% when imported.

50,000 is just too much. I think some people are getting greedy for scared. Someone probably thinks that KTM are a 'premium European product like BMW' and want the price to reflect that. Or they are worried that at 40,000 they would kill off much of the demand for the 650NK, BN600 etc.

However if it's made in India and assembled in China I struggle to see the 'premiumness'. Even though 20,000 more a Thai made Honda CB500 is probably better value, as its going to be better manufactured and better assembled.

I agree wholeheartedly to some extent - not sure about the extent to which various components attract duties and taxes etc. Some might argue that an Austrian brand is still a premium brand (not necessarily a luxury brand), despite where it is built, and the price reflects that. I don't necessarily agree with that, but some premium and luxury brands have discovered that when 'they' entered the PRC market, products did not meet sales forecasts. This left these companies scratching their marketing dept. heads - why?

When some potential consumers were asked why by market analysts ... the brands in question discovered that the locals perception was one of perceived value perception vs. price sensitivity. Upshot being that prices were seen as soft (set too low), and once the luxury brands responded by repositioning prices for the intended market (more expensive) sales increased exponentially. Those sluggish sales very quickly increased beyond sales targets initially set.
Most of us will know of these luxury brands...
TIC! - LFZ!

Anecdotally the KTM-CFMoto Duke390 is selling very very well - if the info I have been provided is to be believed. Supposedly just the volume sold through a newer Hangzhou store has seen supply unable to keep pace with demand. CFMoto (KTM) cannot keep up with demand - is my understanding. But who knows... smoke and mirrors, and all that jazz...

[ZMC888]

I agree wholeheartedly to some extent - not sure about the extent to which various components attract duties and taxes etc. Some might argue that an Austrian brand is still a premium brand (not necessarily a luxury brand), despite where it is built, and the price reflects that. I don't necessarily agree with that, but some premium and luxury brands have discovered that when 'they' entered the PRC market, products did not meet sales forecasts. This left these companies scratching their marketing dept. heads - why?

When some potential consumers were asked why by market aanlysts ... the brands in question discovered that the locals perception was one of perceived value perception vs. price sensitivity. Upshot being that prices were seen as soft (set too low), and once the luxury brands responded by repositioning prices for the intended market (more expensive) sales increased exponentially. Those sluggish sales very quickly increased beyond sales targets initially set.
Most of us will know of these luxury brands...
TIC! - LFZ!

Anecdotally the KTM-CFMoto Duke390 is selling very very well. Just the volume sold through a newer Hangzhou store has seen supply unable to keep pace with demand. CFMoto (KTM) cannot keep up with demand - is my understanding. But who knows... smoke and mirrors, and all that jazz...

As always I'm analyzing what bike I want next, and realistically that's every three years, and my bike is only a year old, but it's still nice to stay up to date with the things that are happening as it can keep my opinions valid. I'm quite a greenie so if I lived in my home country I think I'd have a Zero SR or something like it for commuting, but when the prices could drop a bit lower in a few years. Then if I could afford it something like a Triumph Daytona or CBR600F for track and various other kinds of riding, quite easy choices.

However in restricted China things get complicated. I really would be torn between the KTM Duke 390 and Honda CB500F right now if I were buying again. Actually the KTM might win, just because of the more attainable lower price, but being made in India and assembled in China it really does some leave some scope for worry. Sure you'd get a warranty, however it is somewhat likely you might need at some point to claim on it with all the annoyance and frustration that can entail, this is really much less likely with a Thai made Honda IMO.

[bikerdoc]

^similar thought process ZMC888.
I'd have a Zero DS or if someone did a maxi e-scoot I'd be a potential customer if the prices were realistic, and there were better range offerings - range anxiety is more than just an emotion but a reality as I discovered having owned several e-scoots here over the years. I've been known to push previously owned ranges of e-scoots. I've had to call on the services of the local Suzuki dealer to come collect me and my 'flat' e-scoots in their Ford Transit, in days past.

As for the petrol moto offerings, with the Thai manufactured KLE650 (Versys) offering at 83500, and the likely availability of the Thailand manufactured Honda CB500X... maybe these will help just the push of the local market flood gates most of us wish for (fingers croxxed).

To my mind the locally manufacured moto's offer few attractions other than supposed part affordability and availability - and even sometimes these are mere concepts than a reality.

[kikikillercat]

what is the best for the money etc.... big price difference,,, the Jialing 223 is 13800, Yamaha 250 is 23000:
jialing223a.jpgyamaha250ysb.jpgyamahays250a.jpg

Jialing has rear disc, whereas the Yamaha doesnt...which isnt a deal breaker at this weight.

Input appreciated..........

[ZMC888]

This is a bit of a curve ball. There's advertising it's a 230cc, a 223cc, a 250cc and a 200cc. Obviously it's really a 223cc single and being Jialing it could be an engine taken from Honda genuine blueprints, as I believe Honda do have one in this size adn Jialing have a joint venture with Honda for generators and other household products. Also Jialing have a solid reputation as far as Chinabikes go, and price is very tempting, saving 10,000 is a fair bit of money. If these are exported and there are good reviews, then put it on the maybe list, but remember being 223cc it's 3KW down on the YBR250, and each kw at this engine size makes a big difference, and that's where some of the price difference has gone.

Also another point in favor of a drum brake on the rear of a small bike is that it is protected from mud, dust and water at least partially. Dirty roads with cheap pads and disks can often lead to pad and disk contamination or sometimes rub.