I like that the Chinese are getting into the market, sure you get what you pay for but they are slowly lifting their game. I bought a 250 Atomik (Chinese) for Jodie a couple of years ago, figured she would not ride it hard so it might be ok, after 3 rides it took a tooth off 1st gear, after fixing that it stripped the spline on the starter-motor shaft.
Even after all that I am still prepared to give the Chinese a go, hell no one had a nice word for the Japanese when they started making bikes but they got better. If the Atomik goes bang again I will slot the '76 TS185 engine in that I have here. The Atomik suspension actually has damping and the brakes are good.
Rather than rebuilding the Atomik engine I just bought a complete brand new engine for $300, I don't mind if that's the way the market is going, I really don't expect the old guys here, who live in the past, to agree.
When the pit-bike rage started 10 years ago, I was sent to China by one of the importers, to work with the Chinese on design & quality issues, they are trying to do the right thing, and not all the Chinese manufacturers are the same. Most are driven / guided by the various importers around the world.
I agree John , everyone rubbishes anything that doesn't come out of Japan or Europe . I partially agree that you get what you pay for but there's also horses for courses . Motorcycling in general is FUCT in my opinion and the blame lies partially at the door of the big manufacturers but mainly at the foot of every voter in the western world who let the PC mongrels get their filthy mits on manufacturing and every other walk of life.
As a result a new jap or Euro dirt bike cost at least 5 times what this thing does and parts are again about 5 times the price , this thing cost less than the depreciation on a main stream bike the minute you start it.
I cant see how the fork they justify the bullshit cost of new bikes and parts these days . Some clever Flucker will be along soon to put me straight that with inflation considered bikes are cheaper now than in the 70s , maybe but compared to the 70s fork all bikes are sold today, WHY
??.
As for magazines today and the spineless Weasels that publish them, Firkos covered that one .
Tatey will get all high and mighty about the economy etc , and yes Joan in a perfect world everyone would be earning plenty and spending plenty. Mate that boat has sailed into the sea of bullshit PCness and micro management driving the cost of everyday items beyond the reach of the common man, leaving sweet FA for luxury's like motorbikes.
For what its worth I would love to live in those times again ( of course I wouldn't be communicating that fact instantly on here though ) but like it or not we aint going back, unless you can hitch a ride with Marty ,
Doc and that DeLorean
Bikes like these give everyday people the opportunity to own a motorcycle ( I know they could buy a used mainstream bike for the same money ) but maybe just maybe they would like something NEW out of the box regardless of others opinions of it and it fills the needs of todays throw away mentality society.
Times are changing and nobody has put up a bigger fight than me to try to stop that . All that did was made me unhappy fighting a battle I will never win, If you don't like this stuff don't buy it
but like it or not there is a growing market for it and the quality improves with every shipment .
Sure the quality is still sub standard in some cases but in case you have been in a coma for the last 20yrs you must realise people don't care
we live in a disposable world . Remember when in most households the family car was your 2nd biggest asset after your house and a treasured possession ? no me neither , well just about
I would rather see people out there enjoying motorcycling at their own level and budget than see them lost to mountain biking or something else .
The whole anti cheaper knock off mentality smacks of snobbery and something I gave away modern MX for VMX to get away from .
