Newbie requesting some advice on Chinabike purchase

[windtrader]

Hello,

I live in California, have done a fair amount of research into Chinese made ATV and dirt bikes, and getting close to making a buy. Found this site and would like to get some assistance in making sure I don't something that I'll regret after paying off the credit card.

Here's a summary of my thinking and learing at this moment.

Essential criteria:
* Buy only an authentic, non grey market unit.
* Buy from reputable dealer.
* Buy a "reputable" brand.
* Reliable parts supply.
* California Sticker (Green desired, Red ok)

Important criteria:
* Quality parts and durable construction.
* Local (or instate) dealer for purchase and support

Assumptions:
* If motor approved on Cal. ARB site, company is not s scammer and has satisfactory backing and likely to be around for support to both end users, dealers, and other OEM manufacturers using their motors.

* "You get what you pay for" - Will pay a premium to get solid unit from a reputable mfg/dealer.

* Will need to go over every nut and bolt and retighten with some locktite. Extra ongoing vigilance for things getting loose or needing adjustments.

* Likely need to replace chain fairly quickly, maybe right away.

* Will not be raced or suffer heavy riding, more recreational, occasional moderate rides.

* Savings from buying online and self-assembling nets to extra cost from buying assembled from local dealer.

Brands I have short listed:

Jetmoto - good quality, fair prices, mfg is only 30 minutes away.

BMS - (seems sourced from Indonesia) good quality, looking stronger as they are now certifying motors themselves in Ca.

Hensin - good quality, seem to be around for awhile

American Lifan - good quality, been around for awhile.

Thanks for your comments.

Don

[katoranger]

Look at the Roketa too. I have seen the Hensin products and they appear to be decent and I can speak from experience on the American Lifan that it is okay.

Allen

[gyjoe]

Sounds like you have done your research. Go for it.

[windtrader]

@katoranger,

My research on Roketa indicates they are not California CARB certified, so can not be sold in California. I remember seeing them for sale in Calif awhile back but not recently.

[katoranger]

I posted a video I found in the ATV forum with a roketa ATV that was sold in California. If they are not CARB approved then I guess they are out.

Allen

[ejcycles]

Hi windtrader

Welcome to ChinaRiders!!
Good luck with the search! You have done some good research already!

[culcune]

Hello, windtrader, and welcome.

Have you gone to Jetmoto? I think they run two retail stores in N. California. CARB approved for off-road. Being only 30 min. away to the headquarters should give you an advantage. The owner is approachable, at least by phone (Eugene) and the parts guy, Dmitri, is knowledgeable, too. At least that was 6 months ago. Not to sound like a commercial, you should start with them, utilizing the power of geography, and if you don't like what you see, move to the next choice.

[liverchip]

Howdy from SoCal. My TMS 200xy is green sticker, I picked up from T-Motorsports. I have had no issues with the bike or dealer, but I know others have. SoCal has several choices for dealers here in the LA area.

[ambassador]

Howdy Wind,
Glad you read the forums, I own a grey market Lifan from T-Motorsports and took my chance and it payed off, my bike is great.. Not sure about Reg. in Cal. though??? Feel free to ask more questions.

[windtrader]

Hi all,

Just an update on my research on the various Chinese ATVs.

As I am in Nor Cal I did drop over to the Jetmoto HQ and there are three main things going for them.
1) They are close by so I can get my hands on parts in less than an hour.
2) They are a "real" importer and have real facilities and are it appears to be in it for the long haul.
3) They produce a high quality product (as far as China bikes go) and seem very committed to continually improving the products and features that are found on the best quality Japanese ATVs.

BMS has HQ in SoCal and they seem quite similar to Jetmoto in terms of general quality and support. Their designs seem more typical of China whereas Jetmoto is better emulating Japanese design and performance.

Hensim is very big and I am most comfortable that finding parts is going to be the easiest over the long term. The drawback with Hensim is their ATV products are lower displacement and do not offer larger ATVS.

Oh - one other new find. Xtreme Motor Co has a ATV called the typhoon and it is by far the best non-Japanese performing ATV going. They seem much more high performance out of the box and the quality seems quite good and of course, great pricing.

Getting close to finalizing decision this week. Will keep you posted. Thanks for the help and advice.

[katoranger]

We don't want any taiwan riders. JK.

Looking forward to seeing what you find.

Allen

[frostbite]

hey come from Taiwan and it seems the Taiwanese stuff generally falls between Japanese and Chinese in terms of quality, pricing, etc.

I believe Kymco is Taiwanese and their quality is very good.

Isn't Taiwan part of China? I guess it depends on who you ask....

[windtrader]

@katortanger - I got new info - the Typhoon is actually sourced from China, not Taiwan. I think it is Kymco that comes from Taiwan. The problem with the Typhoon now is it can not be sold/regged in California. The new motors are still awaiting CARB cert. I called HQ and they say they have them ready to ship, just waiting for clearance.

They do look really nice and get reviews and writeups in some magazines, so they do have some street cred. Even though they are priced very well, they are still more than my budget for one. Oh well....

[katoranger]

I don't know if Taiwan is part of china or not. Will have to google it.

Allen

[maf119l]

Isn't Taiwan part of China? I guess it depends on who you ask....[/quote]

Depends on weather you ask China or Taiwan.China would say yes and Taiwan would say no.