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SamWise72 |
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SamWise72 Trackday Trickster
Joined: 16 Sep 2012 Karma :
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Posted: 19:13 - 29 Sep 2012 Post subject: 18000 miles in a year on a Chinese 125 |
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So, I decided to take up motorcycling partly because I just wanted to, and partly because I got a new job. I live in Southampton, the job is in Windsor, and I need to be in the office 3 days a week. It's a 120 mile round trip (actually a little bit more, but that's close enough), so 260 miles a week, or 1500 a month, roughly. I know people say "You won't save money by motorcycling", but actually, my fuel costs so far are about £30 a week, whereas by car it would be £70 or more, plus £36 parking. That means I'm saving almost £400 a month, so the purchase cost of the bike, the gear, and my CBT and tests will be covered in less than half the year.
Now, I've had a lot of naysayers, from those who think I'll find it too cold (I've cycled year round for 3 years), to those who think I'll find the bike to slow and uncomfortable, and most of all, those who think my Lexmoto Arizona will fall apart in short order. Now on the one hand, the Arizona was a poor choice; with hindsight, I'd rather have the Arrow for more nippiness and better riding position, but on the other hand, the Arizona is made by one of the manufacturers who are considered more reputable, so swings and roundabouts.
My plan here is to document the year, how it goes, any issues I have with the bike, the maintenance I do, and any mods I make. One way or another, we should establish whether there are chinese bikes worth having; I think if it gives me those 18k miles without undue trouble, people will have to start giving it a bit more credence. If it gives me big problems, well, here will be the evidence.
Here's the bike. As you can see, I've fitted a large topbox, and also a screen which gives a certain amount of wind protection to my hands.
https://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a322/Samuelw72/20120816_101638.jpg |
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Groove |
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Groove World Chat Champion
Joined: 10 Feb 2005 Karma :
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Posted: 19:18 - 29 Sep 2012 Post subject: |
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I opened this thread thinking you had completed 18k in a year on a Chinese but it turns out that is what your attempting.
I think this could be a short thread. 6 weeks. ____________________ || Past: 1991 Kawasaki ZXR 250 ~ 2003 Honda CBR 600 F Sport ~ 2004 Kawasaki ZX6R B1H 636 ~ 1999 Yamaha R1 ~ 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R J ~ 2004 Kawasaki ZX6R B1H 636 ~ 1998 Honda VTR1000F Firestorm ~ K1 GSXR 600 Track bike ~ K6 GSXR 1000 ~ 2006 Speed Triple 1050 || Current: 2005 R1 https://www.adrucore.co.uk |
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Redoko |
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Redoko World Chat Champion
Joined: 04 Nov 2009 Karma :
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SamWise72 |
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SamWise72 Trackday Trickster
Joined: 16 Sep 2012 Karma :
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Posted: 19:26 - 29 Sep 2012 Post subject: |
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I've had the bike for a month, and these have been my adventures so far.
Picked it up, and 4 days later, did my first ride. To Cambridge. I figured 141 miles would make a good shakedown for both the bike and me! No problems on the way there beyond a sore arse; satnav on my phone guided me, and I took about 5 hours including coffee stops etc. Whilst in Cambridge, I had a nightmare, got flu and had a good friend die, so wasn't in the best of moods for my ride home. Got as far as Bedford before the bike unexpectedly died on me. My calculations told me I had plenty of fuel, and a glance in the tank appeared to confirm it, so after messing around for a bit, I called the RAC. It took over 2 hours for anyone to rock up; they somehow felt that a single cylinder carbed 125 wasn't something they could fix at the roadside and sent a guy with a special recovery truck. He was amazed they hadn't tried, asked me to describe the symptoms, and gave me a funny look. Then he switched to reserve, turned it over, and the bike started just fine. I felt like a total noob. He followed me to the nearest petrol station, where we confirmed that the 16 litre tank I thought I had was a figment of my imagination, and I was on my way. The bike isn't exactly keen on hot starts, but it does get going, and despite still shaking off the flu, and my 2 hours by the roadside, I get home fine.
First week in the new job, and I ride too and from Windsor 3 times with no issues. Week 2, and we have a change of plan. I have to go to Hamburg, and I'm delighted to learn that Gatwick has free parking for bikes. I spend the day at the office, then head across London. I quickly discover that my Satnav's estimate of time to get there was optimistic, and have to improve my filtering sharpish. I park up, get out of my gear, and have to lock my helmet to the rear wheel, as it won't fit in the top box with my textiles. I make it to the departure gate just as the other passengers are boarding.
On the way home, passport control is interminable, and by the time I've worked out how to get out of the car park with my bike, it's midnight and pouring with rain. What follows is a truly horrible 3 hour ride; my trousers leak, my boots leak, it's all twisty, unlit single carriageway, my visor continually steams and my lights are feeble, so I'm struggling along at 40, feeling on the ragged edge even at that speed, given the visibility. I get home at 3 am, knowing that I've started to taste the tougher side of motorcycling.
On the way to the office in the morning, I suffer my first issue with the bike; the speedo packs up. I've done about 1200 miles, and it's a small thing, covered by warranty, but annoying since the bike was serviced the day before, and I'll have to go back. Waterproof overtrousers are keeping my legs dry now, and I've ordered sealskinz socks, a 55w bulb and a Fog City visor insert, as well as a can of ACF50. A much happier ride. |
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SamWise72 |
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SamWise72 Trackday Trickster
Joined: 16 Sep 2012 Karma :
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SamWise72 |
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SamWise72 Trackday Trickster
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mattsprattuk |
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mattsprattuk Super Spammer
Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Karma :
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Posted: 20:01 - 29 Sep 2012 Post subject: |
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I just don't think anyone really cares... 18k is nothing for any bike other than a chinky POS. ____________________ Blue_SV650S wrote: it was a sh1te wheelie, but it proves that he can get it up in 3rd and can do angles. In summery, mattsprattuk is a gobby little sh1tebag, dopehead tw4t, but sadly for all of us, he probably isn't THAT full of sh1te!!
Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith
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mysterious_rider |
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mysterious_rider World Chat Champion
Joined: 11 Sep 2010 Karma :
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Posted: 20:23 - 29 Sep 2012 Post subject: |
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I did 2500 miles in a month last month. Keep up on the mileage, I'm sure that bike will last long enough. Few years at least. |
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TimNorwich |
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TimNorwich Traffic Copper
Joined: 07 Apr 2008 Karma :
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Posted: 20:29 - 29 Sep 2012 Post subject: |
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How much was the bike may I ask?
If it was say... £1200, wouldn't you have been better buying a used Honda 125? I had bought an XR 125 at 17 for a similar price and it never skipped a beat in a years commuting and daily riding. When it came to selling it I got £2-300 less than I paid after a years ownership.
Your bike cost a lot to buy, will cost a lot to constantly fix and will sell for £500 in less than a years time when it falls apart. Then you have the constant ball ache of being late to work, late home and being stuck on the side of the road for hours waiting for recovery.
No brainer really ____________________ Speedshite 50cc > Honda XR125L > Kawasaki GPZ 500 S > 02 Honda Hornet > 05 Honda CG125 winter hack > 04 Kawasaki ER-5 > 99 Honda Hornet 600 > Kawasaki GPZ 500 S > 99 Honda Hornet 600 > 05 Honda CBR600F > 01 Honda Hornet |
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SamWise72 |
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SamWise72 Trackday Trickster
Joined: 16 Sep 2012 Karma :
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Posted: 20:49 - 29 Sep 2012 Post subject: |
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Well that's the test really, isn't it? If you're right, then yes, I'd have been better off with a used CG125. If it actually behaves itself, rarely lets me down, and doesn't fall apart after a year, then maybe the blanket "all Chinese bikes are shit and a waste of money" will need to be revised in favour of "some of them are shit, but some are pretty decent." If it lasts me the year, it'll have paid for itself, and even if i have to admit I'd have been better with a used Jap, it won't be too painful. |
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Nick 50 |
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Nick 50 World Chat Champion
Joined: 24 Jul 2011 Karma :
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Posted: 21:31 - 29 Sep 2012 Post subject: |
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I don't think Lexmoto is as bad as some other Chinese firms.
That being said, the price they sell for new, is ridiculously cheap. They must find a way of keeping costs down to sell them so cheap. Invariably that usually means lower quality parts are used.
You might get lucky and get a good one and with good maintenance it might make 18k miles in a year.
There is a lot of chrome on the bike, make sure you protect it over winter. Salt will eat through it pretty quickly and then the rust will set in. Look after the swing-arm, and rear springs, they tend to rust quickly and badly.
Good luck ____________________ Current Bikes: ZX7r 97 (Black Beauty), VFR400 NC24 (The banana)
Previous Bikes: Aprilia Tuono 03 (The Beast), CBR600f (97)
First bike: A GZ125 Lemon....... |
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anthony_r6 |
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anthony_r6 World Chat Champion
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mysterious_rider |
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mysterious_rider World Chat Champion
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Redoko |
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Redoko World Chat Champion
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SamWise72 |
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SamWise72 Trackday Trickster
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Hobgoblin |
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Hobgoblin Trackday Trickster
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SamWise72 |
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SamWise72 Trackday Trickster
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SamWise72 |
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SamWise72 Trackday Trickster
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P. |
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P. Red Rocket
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jasond |
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jasond Renault 5 Driver
Joined: 17 Jul 2011 Karma :
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Posted: 15:18 - 30 Sep 2012 Post subject: |
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karma for doing it dude, & why not? How boring would life be if you never had any issues with anything....don't post on here about the "problems" you've had, tell us about the "interesting things that happened to me today" instead. ____________________ 1st bike Suzuki EN 125-2 (to break me in) Current bike Honda CBR 400 RR |
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ThoughtContro... |
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ThoughtContro... World Chat Champion
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symonh2000 |
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symonh2000 Crazy Courier
Joined: 20 Feb 2005 Karma :
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Posted: 16:51 - 30 Sep 2012 Post subject: |
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I am in the process of looking for another bike, yeasterday I had a look at a couple of YBR125's.
Both were a couple of years old and I was shocked at how bad the finish on them was.
Exhaust and frames were rusting, and they just felt fragile compared compared to Yamaha 125's of old.
After seeing the YBR, with its poor finish, made in China lable and made in China embossed wheels I am sort of Tempted by a new Lexmoto street once funds allow, I haven't seen one in the metal yet to decide though.
My brother has had a couple of Chinese scooters, generally they were pretty reliable, just a few niggles like rusting bolts, loose fastners, steamed up headlights and stuff like that.
I am interested to see how you get on. ____________________ Four strokes is two strokes too many. |
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Acemastr |
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Acemastr World Chat Champion
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SamWise72 |
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SamWise72 Trackday Trickster
Joined: 16 Sep 2012 Karma :
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GREENI3 |
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GREENI3 World Chat Champion
Joined: 26 Nov 2010 Karma :
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Posted: 18:44 - 30 Sep 2012 Post subject: |
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Why would you have wanted an Arrow instead?
The Street is bigger and faster.
Probably the best Chinese bike on sale at the moment.
P.S - Lovin the 'Showa' stickers on the forks. |
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 11 years, 255 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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