LA Times writeup on the Jialing 600

[knothead]

I can't say it's flattering towards Chinese bikes, but it's interesting nonetheless.

Linky

[SamM]

For that kind of money you could almost buy a new '08 Kawasaki KLR650. I was quoted an OTD price of $4895 for one recently! I may be interested if it was $2800 but I could still get a used KLR for that.

[katoranger]

Well he has me pegged. I am cheap.

I wouldn't spend $4k for one either, but maybe $3K. The new and next to new Jap bikes with readily available accessories are more attractive.

Allen

[Dragon]

The newer KLR's are made in Thailand, which is generally worse than China in terms of quality. If people are willing to buy a Thai bike for $5000, I think the Jailing 500 for $4000 will be a smashing hit in the US. Also, these Jailings use high-tech Fuel-Injection while the KLR's use old school carburetor. The Jailing is a lot more bang for the buck, and considering how much mechanical problems KLR owners are reportedly having with their bikes, not sure if it's a function of quality control or poor design, I'd choose the Jailing any day.

[katoranger]

If they come to the US they will probably be a slow seller at $4K even if they are worth it. If it came with a name people recognized it would sell better.

Allen

[AZ200cc]

It was a good read, It pointed out some up and downsides o the bike.
Pretty fair article really.

[SamM]

The KLR is a great bike with 20+ years of history and aftermarket suppliers on it's side. If you have a problem with a KLR, parts are a phonecall away. The Kawasaki can be bored out to 700cc and soon 750cc with a stroker kit. Yes, they're reliable too! Plenty of people are testing them. You're not going to getting anything like that with the Jialing JH600. You'd be lucky to find a Jialing dealer that even knew about this bike. I'd be willing to bet they aren't available or even in the US yet. I'd go further and say Jialing has no timeframe as to when it will arrive either. I'd have to see it to believe it. To say it's better than a KLR... no freakin' way! The KLR has been here for along time. The JH600 has a long way to go to be better than a KLR! :wink: Chinese fuel injection! Yeah, I'd have to see it! Who's gonna fix that for ya! For less than 3k I'd take a chance, nothing more!

Frankly, Jialing has been talking about this bike for almost a year now and we haven't seen anything yet. Let me know when you see it on the showroom floor. Even the Zongshen dealers won't return phonecalls. Do you think Jialing is any different? I called Jialing numerous times trying to purchase a new engine for my Jialing VX200SX. Never heard back from them. I'm a big supporter of these china bikes but I'm also realistic. They have a long way to go.

Oh, I almost forgot! The KLR is just assembled in Thailand. The parts are sourced from China and Japan.

[katoranger]

The American Lifan bikes are the closest to having an established dealer network and brand recognition. I think they will be most likely to succeed and become a player in the industry.

I haven't heard or seen much about jialing. I do like the concept of the bike and the styling.

Allen

[culcune]

I'm with Sam on this one. I think $3k tops, and a dealer network before the bike came this way to the US and Canada. Perhaps member 'Americanlifan' would take some of these suggestions back to his employers? :wink: Perhaps A. Lifan can distribute it, or better yet, have Lifan "clone" it :wink: :roll: and bring us a Lifan 600....

[culcune]

Hey look! They are having a contest. From what I can see, they want to rename the bike something other than JH600, but I could be wrong, as my "Engrish" isn't too good...I have faith in my English, but Engrish...

http://www.jialing.com.cn/newjl/en_web/600_zm.html

Edit: I guess the contest ended long ago! The winner?

[ambassador]

Lifan would really have to step up its nuts, bolts, welds, etc... What's the most we would pay for a 200, 400, 600cc Dual sport??? I don't mind fixing the BS things on my GY-5 but it was $1200 bucks, I don't want to have to fix/prep stuff @ $3000-4000, need a dealer to do that...

[SamM]

The deadline for that contest was July 6, 2006.

[culcune]

Originally Posted by SamM

The deadline for that contest was July 6, 2006.

I figured that out in my edit. I left it for humor because apparently the winning name of the "rename the JH600" went to.....drumroll.....the JH600!!

[CrazyCarl]

HAHAAHAH dude that's par for the course.

It looks like the company spent a little time improving the "Eyes Feast" section. They're slowly coming around to the idea that they need to create an "image" for their company or it will surely fail. Didn't Jialing's US office declare bankruptcy last year?

Anyway it looks like changes are coming and it could be good! I just picked up a QingQi 200GY with the Suzuki dr200 engine and frame. In the US it's sold by Qlink. Only a few hundered kilometers on it so far but I gotta say it's looking good! You guys should see if you can get the non-supermo version with the 21" front in the US. The bike doesn't weigh anything and has good power for trail riding.

"No hindrence but conquert!" okay guys! (You know it wouldn't be so bad but they spelled it correctly on the product page.) :roll:

CC

Originally Posted by culcune

I figured that out in my edit. I left it for humor because apparently the winning name of the "rename the JH600" went to.....drumroll.....the JH600!!