Chinese Motorcycles?

[robert k]

The Suzuki HD 110 I bought has a 10 liter fuel tank was robust and well made got great fuel milage and was quieter than my mothers sewing machine, it was a hand clutch model and was popular for trikes because it was so economical although I think it was underpowered for such use. 48k piso. It also had an oil filter and the service intervals for oil change are much longer than some other motorcycles. I would not be afraid to buy one like it again.

 

The kymco I mentioned above would be fine for general transportation, I bough the Suzuki because the farm needed something like that and it could be converted to a trike for another 20,000 piso. The Kymcos also seem to hold resale value, if not quite as well as a Honda. I would say it's equivalent to the difference between a Honda and Hundai cars. The Honda is just going to hold it's value better.

[Methersgate]

Chinese motorbikes?

I rode this round Beijing for five years, and on one memorable occasion for a ten day tour of Inner Mongolia:



You would not believe how carp the electrics are; let's just say they are best suited to a dry climate such as Beijing for most of the year. It did have some pulling power when ridden down Sanlitun by a helmetless foreigner on a summer evening - you would need a Lambo to get the same effect these days. 

I never rode another bike that was as un-interested in cornering as that one was.

The Philippines general hack that impressed me was the Kawasaki Barako, a 175 single very much in the Kawasaki manner , much favoured for trikes in Pagadian, which is quite vertically challenged, as Filipino cities go:



Something tells me that the Blue Angel would not be happy in the Philippines:

Edited August 16, 2014 by Methersgate

[robert k]

I just realised I was having a brain fart, it's a Suzuki GD110 not a 110 HD. It is a heavy duty thing though. I was just looking on the Kymco website and now they are just calling their motorcycle I was talking about a a Visar, I swear it was a Visa R before. I'm not worried about losing it because they say the mind is the first to go and the  body went long ago. :hystery:

[Jake]

I just realised I was having a brain fart, it's a Suzuki GD110 not a 110 HD. It is a heavy duty thing though. I was just looking on the Kymco website and now they are just calling their motorcycle I was talking about a a Visar, I swear it was a Visa R before. I'm not worried about losing it because they say the mind is the first to go and the  body went long ago. :hystery:

Hey Soldier,

 

Must be all that boom-boom coming out of an Abrams tank that affected your memory.....he, he.  I know

that you specialize in all things mechanic and emergency jury rig is also in your tool box.  I was wondering

what usually goes out on a typical motorcycle made or assembled in PI?  You guys mentioned about the

electrical problems.  Is it wiring, switches or the ignition system?  

 

No matter what brand, is it also important to make a wiser decision based on parts availability or quality?  

 

Nice ride Robert!

 

Sabot Up!

Edited August 16, 2014 by Jake
spil chek

[robert k]

Turn signals, they don't get used enough to keep the contacts clean, of course the headlight bulb never had a chance, it was taken out before it could burn out. :thumbsup:

[cebu rocks]

Turn signals, they don't get used enough to keep the contacts clean, of course the headlight bulb never had a chance, it was taken out before it could burn out. :thumbsup:

Yep its all little stuff mostly connections and to small gauge wire . All the rain and humidity may be part of the problem . All the components seem to last its poor soldering and cheap connectors   

[barryneves]

Agree with Cebu Rocks. I bought a water-cooled Motorstar 155-X to replace my previous XR-200. Better build quality, suspension and overall finish than the Honda. The only thing that let it down was spares availability. The thermostat eventually failed and they have to order a new one from China. This, needless to say, will take months! I eventually sold it, replacing it with an XR-125, simply due to easy spares availability anywhere in the country. 

Overall though, it was a great bike and given the price difference between that and the japanese competition, great value for money!

[Americano]

The Honda XRM seems to still be the favorite motorcycle in the area I live even though a few years ago Honda announced the discontinuation of the XRM model. There are plenty of new XRM's available so the announcement didn't prove to be true.  I believe Filipinos like them due to their dependability, availability of parts, its a small bike so their feet can reach the ground, and its an automatic with no clutch. Most Filipinos can't ride a motorbike that has a clutch.

 

Not being short and growing up riding motorcycles with a clutch I do not prefer the XRM's. I like the larger frame bikes that have a clutch and a fuel gauge.  Many bikes sold in the Philippines do not have a fuel gauge so you will see riders always trying to look in their gas tank to decide if its time to buy more gas.

 

In March 2011, I purchased a new Yamaha 125 YBR because its a larger frame bike, very good quality, is made for on and off road, has adjustable rear suspension, has a fuel gauge, has a 12 liter gas tank, has good lights and turn signals and has electric and kick start. And, after I purchased it I learned that it has plenty of power and gets very good gas mileage. The first 2 1/2 years my wife and I rode it a lots and frequently but didn't have any problems. After we purchased a pickup truck we didn't ride it much which is why the starter relay and turn signal relay started malfunctioning and the carburetor needed to be cleaned as engine running had become erratic. After I ordered the 2 relays from the local Yamaha Dealer and replaced the relays in about 15 minutes and cleaned the carburetor it runs and operates like new again.  I'm very happy with my bike but I'm sure there are other good bikes for sale in the Philippines too. Oh there's one more thing I want to say.  A lot of people mention resale value. That thought has never entered my mind since I never plan to sell my bike. When you buy a good quality bike why would you want to sell it?

[i am bob]

Does anybody ever ride the "Business Class" motorcycles as a personal ride?  I was thinking of the Honda TMX Supremo...  It kind of reminds me of the smaller bikes back in my old Kawi 900 days...  (Yes, that would be the mid-70s...   :mocking: )  Anyway, the Honda TMX looks like it would be more comfortable for a young lady in back along with more room for storing things such as saddlebags (very small saddlebags..), groceries or golf clubs...  

 

:rolleyes:  :mocking:

[sandwichmaker]

Great thread! I generally stick to the humble 125 XRM. I've never risen anything bigger, but would like to.