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Originally Posted by KentuckyDonkey
There's a post somewhere on here by "TheRealWorld" I believe, which gives a lot of details about the Loncin motors. I believe they are Yamaha clones. I have a 300cc Loncin (liquid cooled) in my Taotao utility ATV- only had it a few months so far, so I can't give an opinion as to longevity yet....but in general, most of these better Chinese clone engines are based on the good old reliable Jap engines. Good old simple technology- and are usually quite bulletproof.
I have no worries about Loncin or Lifan motors.
The things you do have to worry about, are: The auto tranny (the Chinese manual trannys are pretty good- I've heard that the autos can fail ...especially if lugging around an adult). Probably O-K for little kids...may be iffy for adults.
The primary thing to look at on these Chinese ATVs are the electrical system and the frames/suspension. The quality on those components can vary wildly from one manufacturer to another.
The electrical system on my Taotao is a nightmare...literally falling apart from the day I got it(new). Thin wires and weak connections.
I'm with you though- I can't justify spending $3K or more for a Jap bike, just to get me around my 27 acres. A Chinky bike for around $1300 is almost always a good deal.
My big Taotao cost $1900- and was not worth that price (horrible electrics...welds misalligned by a quarter of an inch or more in places).
For the price of most 125's...they're almost always a good deal...but I'd think the auto tranny would be the weak link, especially if you're going to mod and/or ride hard (these bikes will not take abuse).
You can probably find a sturdier 250 ATV with a manual tranny for just a few dollars more than the 125...which wouldn't require as many mods to get the same performance...and would be sturdier (the 125's are primarily intended for children, I believe).
There's an adolescent poster here even, who grew tired of his 125 right away, and is always looking to mod it.......and whom I believe is in the mkarket for a new bike already. I'd look for a 250 if I were you.....for a few dollars more, you get much more bike.
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Thanks for the heads up, Im still keen on getting the 125 and modding it, and the bike itself, but i'll also be upgrading within the next year or 2 so its not much of a worry.
After reading this I know its good to know I have mates that are sparkeys and welders.
I've also being working on a Homemader cooling system for the bike, won't be as good as watercooling but it'll work.
Just got a few questions though
Where the hell is the battery mounted? I'll put some pics up
Do chinabikes generally have a fuse for the electrical system?
would running a Halogen lightbar and sound system of the battery call for a bigger battery?
Do these bikes come with a charging system?
could a standard car battery be used as a replacement for the chinese one without blowing the starter motor on any other electric bits?
http://i1.ebayimg.com/03/i/001/28/e0/1300_10.JPG
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Should I give them a go or steer clear?
Also considering buying a cheapo quad and fixing up, currently looking at all options