Need your opinion please...

[CanadianRider]

I"m not sure about you brand new, right out of the box mini dirtbikes for sale real cheap - around 599 for a 70cc. their ads claim that these bikes are manufactured by "professional motorcycle manufacturers", which I guess could be taken many ways....i've put a link in for you to look at. What do you think about these for a relative beginner to riding? Is it the same with bikes where you usually get what you pay for, or would these possibly be an ok deal? Thanks for your help guys and girls...

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

this is the link for the red 70cc bike we're looking at picking up for a 12 yr old...

[Dano426]

Originally Posted by CanadianRider

I"m not sure about you brand new, right out of the box mini dirtbikes for sale real cheap - around 599 for a 70cc. their ads claim that these bikes are manufactured by "professional motorcycle manufacturers", which I guess could be taken many ways....i've put a link in for you to look at. What do you think about these for a relative beginner to riding? Is it the same with bikes where you usually get what you pay for, or would these possibly be an ok deal? Thanks for your help guys and girls...

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

this is the link for the red 70cc bike we're looking at picking up for a 12 yr old...

Bike parts for those bikes are very hard to find. Ask the dealers where you can find parts. You can pick up a nice used XR/CRF, DRZ, TTR for $800-$1000. These bikes a very reliable and parts are easy to find. My sons out grew their first bike so fast it was a waste of money to buy new.

[DRGSin393]

Originally Posted by Dano426

Bike parts for those bikes are very hard to find. Ask the dealers where you can find parts. You can pick up a nice used XR/CRF, DRZ, TTR for $800-$1000. These bikes a very reliable and parts are easy to find. My sons out grew their first bike so fast it was a waste of money to buy new.

That just about nails it on the head.

[Florida 393]

If you are considering selling these Chinese made knock offs be sure you do so on a town you don't live in. People will be looking for you when they break. Parts and warranty follow up are non-existent. If you want to buy one take the advice above. These are not reliable bikes and are dangerous in any kind of off road use. Don't even consider an MX track.

Bill

[ossagp1]

It is really hard to recommend those, but it is hard to pass up the price for the really little bikes. There are several of them that are or may be from the same plant running around a neighborhood that I know of. They seem to have everything falling off of them, but don't seem to be blowing up so far.

This is definitely a "pay your money, take your chances" thing. If you are looking for something like that 70, don't pass up the idea of a pw80 either. Very good, and longlasting bike. It will wear out 3 kids before it wears out.

[CanadianRider]

'Nuff said...thanx guys. Definitely don't want or need anything that fits that description. I think we found him a cr80 anyhow,so we're likely gonna try and make a deal to get it for him...thanks again.

[ossagp1]

The CR80 is a way different bike, but a very good one from the factory. If he is less experienced he will adapt to a kx80 or suzuki 80 with powervalves a lot easier. I am kind of shy of the rm80 though for reliability reasons.

The yamaha and honda 80's were pretty high strung. If you buy either probably the best way to have it modified for him for better low speed manners is a big bore kit. In this case you take the cylinder and leave the timing that the boring yields and adjust the compression by milling so you can use pump gas. It reduces the port timing and makes it act a lot more friendly to a new user. Most any 80 will be in need of fresh plating by now. HINT: stay way from or discount a bike with an iron liner installed (it is one of my complaints about the suzuki powervalved 80's).

[noobish]

I knew a guy that bought a used bike once, three months later, BAM! Herpies.

[Billyboypaints]

Originally Posted by noobish

I knew a guy that bought a used bike once, three months later, BAM! Herpies.

[Keetoman393]

Noobish, that was not necessary.

[yz250guy]

Originally Posted by Keetoman393

Noobish, that was not necessary.

I didn't even get it.... Still scratchin' my head on that one....

[Keetoman393]

Originally Posted by yz250guy

I didn't even get it.... Still scratchin' my head on that one....

Me either but it doesn't belong.

[noobish]

Oh man, I am surrounded by old farts. Dont you guys watch Family Guy? its a classic Peter saying, oh forget it, it comes on way past your 7pm bed time. CHAR!!!! Tell the old people to lighten up and to get plenty of fiber in their diets.

[yzernie]

Originally Posted by noobish

Oh man, I am surrounded by old farts. Dont you guys watch Family Guy? its a classic Peter saying, oh forget it, it comes on way past your 7pm bed time.

Here we go again...

[hardlydangerous]

I'm also a mechanic /dealer for a couple import bike/ATV mfg. The thing to remember is all of these bikes are basically the same. Several Chinese companies all produce the exact same bike. Some things on the chassis and plastics may be different but engine wise they are all pretty much the same. IMO the down fall of these bikes is NOT the engines (basic HONDA/Yamaha/kawasaki/KTM clones) but rather the suspension. The good part about it is shocks and forks from other bikes will bolt right up if you have the urge to upgrade. The engines are very reliable.
But maintenace is the key with any machine regardless who makes it. Use good synthetics and grease/lube moving components often and you won't have any problems.
FWIW the newer Chinese knock off bikes are getting a LOT better. Several years ago they were so poorly made it was scary but the Chinese have greatly improved their quality control over the past couple years and it will only get better with years to come. The bad part about many of these places selling these bikes is they do not warranty their products or have a service department. MAKE sure if you buy these bikes that you get some kind of warranty and they have a service department and have a large stock of OEM parts. Pep-boys or Crappy tire will sell you a Baja bike or ATV but they won't fix it, they usually send you to some hole in the wall shop for repairs.
I personally like the knock off and chinese import bikes. For the years I have owned them the costs of repairs do not nearly amout to the cost of a Honda or Yamaha of the same class.
At less then 1/2 the cost I can buy two bikes for the price of one, ride one if the other breaks down LOL

just as an example

Tsunami 200 $1900
Tsunami 250 $2200
Daymak 200 $1750
Daymak 250 w/19" = $2000 w/21" $2100
Honda CRF230 $4400

HardlyDangerous Motorsports

[DRGSin393]

Yea, but whats the lead content? How do I know I wont get sued for lead poisoning when the guy behind me eats my roost?

[ossagp]

I am more worried about the melamine (I guessed at that spelling).

I am inclined to suggest those same 500 dollar bikes to guys in my neck of the woods this time of year. They have three kids to buy bikes for, and themselves and aske me about 12-20 year old hondas.

My biggest complaing about the shcucks bikes are that the plastic fades.

They come with everything loose too it seems, but a few hours and some loctite (sigh, like the olden days) and they seem at least Ok for first timers.

3500 will get 3 small ones and a 200 for dad so it is hard to argue with it.

[pjg351]

Originally Posted by hardlydangerous

I'm also a mechanic /dealer for a couple import bike/ATV mfg. The thing to remember is all of these bikes are basically the same. Several Chinese companies all produce the exact same bike. Some things on the chassis and plastics may be different but engine wise they are all pretty much the same. IMO the down fall of these bikes is NOT the engines (basic HONDA/Yamaha/kawasaki/KTM clones) but rather the suspension. The good part about it is shocks and forks from other bikes will bolt right up if you have the urge to upgrade. The engines are very reliable.
But maintenace is the key with any machine regardless who makes it. Use good synthetics and grease/lube moving components often and you won't have any problems.
FWIW the newer Chinese knock off bikes are getting a LOT better. Several years ago they were so poorly made it was scary but the Chinese have greatly improved their quality control over the past couple years and it will only get better with years to come. The bad part about many of these places selling these bikes is they do not warranty their products or have a service department. MAKE sure if you buy these bikes that you get some kind of warranty and they have a service department and have a large stock of OEM parts. Pep-boys or Crappy tire will sell you a Baja bike or ATV but they won't fix it, they usually send you to some hole in the wall shop for repairs.
I personally like the knock off and chinese import bikes. For the years I have owned them the costs of repairs do not nearly amout to the cost of a Honda or Yamaha of the same class.
At less then 1/2 the cost I can buy two bikes for the price of one, ride one if the other breaks down LOL

just as an example

Tsunami 200 $1900
Tsunami 250 $2200
Daymak 200 $1750
Daymak 250 w/19" = $2000 w/21" $2100
Honda CRF230 $4400

HardlyDangerous Motorsports

A family in our town just bought 2 of those " chinee Bikes", for his boys. The first one crashed in the first five miniutes and broke the top off the fuel tank! The second one lasted a whole hour before the back sproket departed the scene. We gave the ol'man such a hard time for buying them, and for being a tight a....s! Now he has to go and buy some real bikes and try and sell 2 no make that 1 of the chinee things. He should be able to make 1 bike out of the 2 that are in pieces! So far it's cost him $1200 for about 30 miniutes of ride time, i know which brand is cheaper in the long run.

[hardlydangerous]

Originally Posted by pjg351

A family in our town just bought 2 of those " chinee Bikes", for his boys. The first one crashed in the first five miniutes and broke the top off the fuel tank! The second one lasted a whole hour before the back sproket departed the scene. We gave the ol'man such a hard time for buying them, and for being a tight a....s! Now he has to go and buy some real bikes and try and sell 2 no make that 1 of the chinee things. He should be able to make 1 bike out of the 2 that are in pieces! So far it's cost him $1200 for about 30 miniutes of ride time, i know which brand is cheaper in the long run.

Back to what I was sayin about where you buy them and warranty on the machines. I've personally seen the same thing with most of the big name brands as well. Anyone remember the 660 raptor tranny issues?
Polaris 525 recal?
Honda TRX450ER/R recal
Kawasaki KFX50 and KFX90 recal?
etc etc (see more here [Only registered and activated users can see links. ])
I've seen many people crash brand new ATV's and destroy them, Bikes and road bikes too.

Again it comes down to maintenece and where you buy these bikes. I go over every nut and bolt on each bike before it goes out the door and I've never had an issue with any japanese or chinese bike that i have assembled or rebuilt. Some of these "hole in the wall" shops don't even have mechanics putting these bikes together. Just about any joe blow can import these bikes and put them together and sell them... many of then do so and never use a torque wrench grease gun or set up and test the machines before they go out the door.
The good bikes come from the shops that actually take the time to set the bikes up properly Tuning), go over it checking all fasteners and adjustments and warranty it!

[pjg351]

[QUOTE=hardlydangerous;509476]Back to what I was sayin about where you buy them and warranty on the machines. I've personally seen the same thing with most of the big name brands as well. Anyone remember the 660 raptor tranny issues?
Polaris 525 recal?
Honda TRX450ER/R recal
Kawasaki KFX50 and KFX90 recal?
etc etc (see more here [Only registered and activated users can see links. ])

And that's the difference allright! The big brand names recall their bikes if there is a problem, do your chinese brands do the same?