Minimalist Touring Thread (250cc and under)

[Slipinn]

Originally Posted by GlennR

It's good to hear that the Chinese bikes are decent bikes and are available for affordable prices. How much do they cost in the US? I have an XT225 that I really like and would like to see how the Yami copies compare. Maybe I'll see if there are any on Craigslist.

It is a shame that they copy Japanese engines, which I'm sure they pay no royalties for. You would think that a country with over a billion people would have a few engineers.

Does South Korea offer any dual sports to the US market? Their auto companies have really rocketed to the top.

Does anyone know if china makes a dual sport with a engine larger than 250cc.
I am glad to hear some good reports on the Chinese bikes. Maybe they will make the main mfgrs get their pricing more reasonable. I remember when kawasaki first started selling in the US. They had a great price point and a decent although 2 stroke engine. Did not take them long to be a major contender in the market.
Xr250l 1996 1100 actual miles on it and just trying to get it set up for touring. So far I have a windsheild, tank bag,saddlebags and tail bag.. I still need a rack and a bigger gas tank.
Chuck

[Birdmove]

I believe that they do now, but I bet Spud Rider will comment on that, and he really knows about this subject.

I want to get another dual sport bike, and on the Big Island of Hawaii prices are pretty crazy on new and many used bikes. J. P. Motorsports in San Diego sells the Qlinks, and I could have one shipped to Hilo from Pasha in San Diego for not too much. They want well over $5000 here for a new Honda CRL250F.

I'm going to do a search to see if the ZongShen motorcycles are still available in the US. Spud Rider's has been a good machine for him.

[Rango]

Originally Posted by GlennR

It's good to hear that the Chinese bikes are decent bikes and are available for affordable prices. How much do they cost in the US? I have an XT225 that I really like and would like to see how the Yami copies compare. Maybe I'll see if there are any on Craigslist.

It is a shame that they copy Japanese engines, which I'm sure they pay no royalties for. You would think that a country with over a billion people would have a few engineers.

Does South Korea offer any dual sports to the US market? Their auto companies have really rocketed to the top.

Converted from European prices:
$4532 Yamaha XT125R
$2616 Zongshen ZS125Y
Prices in America will differ. This is just to give an idea how they compare to each other in Europe.
Crudely said one can for the price of a second hand Yamaha with 7,000 miles on the clock buy a brand new Zongshen with a year warranty.
Parts are affordable, which is not one of Yamaha's otherwise above standard traits.

Zongshen is one of the three largest producers of engines in China. The group is one of China's top companies.
They have an annual output of 3 million motorcycles.
They have an all chinese racing team that performs well in the Asian circuit.
Zongshen has joint ventures with Piaggio (Italy) and Harley Davidson (USA).

On the point of engineering, name me a few of civilization defining inventions that were not made by Chinese? Paper, hydro-power, printing, gunpowder, rockets, silk, seismological equipment, astronomical gear, compass, porcelain, ...
Shall I continue?

[GlennR]

That is a big price difference.

I wasn't saying the Chinese aren't inventive and can't engineer anything. I just meant I find it unusual that they choose to copy Japanese engines, instead of producing their own designs.

[Spud Rider]

Originally Posted by GlennR

It's good to hear that the Chinese bikes are decent bikes and are available for affordable prices. How much do they cost in the US? I have an XT225 that I really like and would like to see how the Yami copies compare. Maybe I'll see if there are any on Craigslist.

It is a shame that they copy Japanese engines, which I'm sure they pay no royalties for. You would think that a country with over a billion people would have a few engineers.

Does South Korea offer any dual sports to the US market? Their auto companies have really rocketed to the top.

The Chinese flooded the U.S. market with bikes in 2006. The bikes didn't sell, so the excess inventory was greatly reduced in price. In 2008, I bought my leftover, 2006 Zongshen 200GY-2, new, in-the-crate, for $950. About two years ago the QLink/Qingqi XF200 bikes were selling for $1,499, delivered, new, in-the-crate.

Now the economy is worse, and the Chinese aren't exporting many motorcycles to the United States. The few bikes currently being imported from China are priced entirely too high relative to Japanese motorcycles. Therefore, I believe the golden days of the low-priced, Chinese motorcycle in North America are gone.

Spud

[sandalscout]

Originally Posted by GlennR

That is a big price difference.

I wasn't saying the Chinese aren't inventive and can't engineer anything. I just meant I find it unusual that they choose to copy Japanese engines, instead of producing their own designs.

I've always thought that it stemmed from the existing relationships (and trade mentality) that China has had with Japan for the last few decades. Japanese companies were licensing Chinese companies to build engines for them, and then licensed clones for the Chinese markets. China continued to do so when they started to export their own brands.

[Spud Rider]

Originally Posted by Slipinn

Does anyone know if china makes a dual sport with a engine larger than 250cc.
I am glad to hear some good reports on the Chinese bikes. Maybe they will make the main mfgrs get their pricing more reasonable. I remember when kawasaki first started selling in the US. They had a great price point and a decent although 2 stroke engine. Did not take them long to be a major contender in the market.
Xr250l 1996 1100 actual miles on it and just trying to get it set up for touring. So far I have a windsheild, tank bag,saddlebags and tail bag.. I still need a rack and a bigger gas tank.
Chuck

Yes, the Chinese are now manufacturing several dual sport motorcycles with engines larger than 250cc displacement. However, none of these motorcycles are being exported to North America. The motorcycle in this class which interests me the most is the Shineray X5, which probably employs a faithful copy of the Honda NX400 engine, which is an XR400R engine with an electric starter.







However, it's apparent to me Honda is now seriously competing with the Chinese in the world market for small displacement, dual sport motorcycles. With an MSRP of $4,499, I would purchase a new, Honda CRF250L before I bought a Chinese bike. When I purchased my Zongshen 200GY-2 for $950, new, in-the-crate, it was an exceptional value. However, I'm convinced the golden days of inexpensive, Chinese, dual sport motorcycles are past.

Spud

[Spud Rider]

Originally Posted by Birdmove

I believe that they do now, but I bet Spud Rider will comment on that, and he really knows about this subject.

I want to get another dual sport bike, and on the Big Island of Hawaii prices are pretty crazy on new and many used bikes. J. P. Motorsports in San Diego sells the Qlinks, and I could have one shipped to Hilo from Pasha in San Diego for not too much. They want well over $5000 here for a new Honda CRL250F.

I'm going to do a search to see if the ZongShen motorcycles are still available in the US. Spud Rider's has been a good machine for him.

Zongshen is no longer manufacturing my Sierra 200GY-2. However, the QLink 200XP, manufactured by Qingqi, is an excellent little motorcycle, and it will serve you well. The Chinese are also exporting some 250cc, dual sport bikes to the United States. However, I would compare the price of any Chinese bike to the price of the new, Honda CRF250L. Since it is manufactured in Thailand, the CRF250L is being sold at a very competitive price, and represents an excellent value.

Spud

[GlennR]

But the Honda CRF250L weighs 320 lbs, which is a lot for a 250cc bike.

[Yokomo]

Less than a WRR right?

[Rango]

Confusing messages regarding the Honda CRF250L. First claimed to be priced at less than 4000 euro, it's now advertised at 4,490 euro.
Would still be the cheapest of the Japanese bikes. Arriving july 2013 over here.

[GlennR]

Originally Posted by Yokomo

Less than a WRR right?

No, but it is 4 lbs less than a DR650.

[Yokomo]

Wow, well I guess it should get good traction then, no worry of wheel hop in the rough stuff.

[Rey & Vann]

Originally Posted by Goon310

Weird!
I lived in Westport/Aberdeen from age 4-20.
All my family on my mothers side is still in that area.
Aberdeen sucks, but I prefer it over the city I'm in now.

Really enjoying this thread, owning a DR200 and all.
I want to someday take I-5 from here to Olympia...
Dad's already told me "That bike is too small, and too weak for that"
Now I have to do it!

Ha Ha Ha! That's funny. I grew up in So Cal, all my family is still there and I'm itching to go back!

I'm heading that way in a few weeks to see my family and do a little work at my Mom's house. Will be sticking the Sherpa, my "09 KLX250s and 09 KLR650 in the trailer to do a 3 or 4 day runaround with my brother and 2 of our nephews.

I-5 is a tough ride for our smaller displacement bikes, though a lot of folks have done it. Not sure what part of Cal you're in, but 99 is a great alternative for the wet side, and 395 for the dry. I've done 395 a few times now, and I love it! One of my favorite side trips off 395 has been the "Bodie Loop", going in via the turnout from 395, going through Bodie and taking the dirt road to the NW out and just meandering along. GREAT high country riding, plenty of solitude and stealth camps galore. Absolutely beautiful, and your DR would be perfect up there!

Let me know if you decide to head up this way. We'll get your bike up on the lift, serviced and make sure it'll get you back in one piece!

















These are all from the Bodie Loop. The route I took dumped me out north of Bishop, I think... Don't remember that well. I was all over the place on that trip

[Rey & Vann]

Originally Posted by Rainier_runner

I have a 250, and am located in Rainier. Outside of Olympia. I'm not sure how much longer I'll have it as I've got a buddy looking at it to learn how to ride. However, I'm always down to ride. Whether on my 250 or 650. Pm me if your interested.

Definitely! I've been hitting Gifford Pinchot Nat'l Forest the last two years, and did the south 1/3 of WABDR on the Sherpa last year, only had the weekend to ride, but am really tempted to do WABDR from the north, then hit the ORBDR.

I know... Long way to go, but what the heck, you only live once, right? Why make it easy???

Keep me in mind when you hit the road/trail, too.