Chinese Copies

[Don Veloci]

What are the opinions on the latest Chinese copy bikes that are now for sale in the UK?

Are they really cheap built unreliable death traps or do they represent value for money products due to cheap manufacturing costs?

I could have a learner leagal 125 for less than a 2nd hand Jap machine but is it worth it?

[Steve_T]

The copy will have very little resale, where a 2nd hand Japanese bike will retain at least some value.

[randlemarcus]

As above - if you want to resell it, buy Jap. If you want a 125 to play with while doing your test, and dont mind about sunk capital, consider something like a Hyosung as a stopgap. Do beware of some of the cheaper ones, as deathtrap is a word that springs to mind...

[Marki]

Watchdog did a feature on them a few months back ,, steer clear i seem to remember the verdict was

[Hooli]

i've had one & know a lot of people who have as well. if you can wave a spanner to do up the loose bits then you should be fine with one. yes they resale for sod all, but then they cost less than a 2nd hand jap new so you take your pic really.
oh though if you get a trialie style one dont take it off road, the swing arms bend on tiny jumps etc

[Marki]

Hooli said:

oh though if you get a trialie style one dont take it off road, the swing arms bend on tiny jumps etc

I rest my case

[Don Veloci]

Marki said:

Hooli said:

oh though if you get a trialie style one dont take it off road, the swing arms bend on tiny jumps etc

I rest my case

Inspires confidence for my 17st and Edinburgh speed humps that does!

I think I'll probably go 2nd hand Jap (I like the CB or YBR style) and I should still have resale potential to the next learner punter.

[Wyvern971]

I learned on one, as did my brother, it's now being passed on to my sister (she's doing her DAS in Feb. when she hits 21.)

there have been a few niggles with it, let's face it you get what you pay for, but it runs OK and is fine as a learner bike IMO.

Once She's passed it'll probably sit in the garage as a spare as the resale is sod all.