Chinese motorcycles are becoming more advanced every year. On the other hand, just a few years ago, Chinese motorcycles were produced with a powerful engine. Now the emphasis is on handling, electronics, compliance with environmental standards and ergonomic design. For example, every year Chinese motorcycles with a wide range enter the world market. Many of them are more advanced than American and European models.
Chinese motorcycles 2020
The best Chinese motorcycles are lightweight. In addition, they are equipped with high-speed two-stroke engines. Thanks to this, the bikes have become more powerful. The changes affected every component, including the brake system. For example, massive drum brakes have been replaced by perforated brakes.
Chinese motorcycles in 2020-2021
As you know, Chinese motorcycles are distinguished by their small size and handling. They can be used in different types of motorsports. For example, stunting, cross-country and obstacle jumping. The frame of the bikes is designed to withstand shock loads. Chinese motorcycles have the following features:
- Unpretentious gasoline engine, injection or carburetor type. You can even purchase teenage models with an engine capacity of up to 100 cc. cm.
- The engine, depending on the design, can be air or oil cooled.
- The wheels of Chinese sportbikes have a diameter of 10 to 21 inches. This parameter must be selected taking into account the height and other anthropometric data of the person who will operate it.
- Energy-intensive suspension, capable of absorbing and withstanding loads when jumping or driving over rough terrain.
- The technical characteristics of the chassis, steering wheel and seats are balanced. Therefore, such Chinese sportbikes are convenient for tall athletes.
- Special attention is paid to the quality of the metal and welds used, taking into account the loads that will be placed on a Chinese cross-country motorcycle when riding in extreme conditions.
- To reduce the weight of the motorcycle, some parts are made of plastic, but this does not make their strength any worse.
- Riders can choose Chinese motorcycles with automatic, semi-automatic or manual transmission.
Chinese motorcycles 2020-2021 are distinguished by advanced characteristics. In addition, they are safe and easy to operate. The bikes are suitable for performing even complex stunts.
Honda VT750 Shadow
The “Eternal” Honda has a strong reputation as an indestructible and unpretentious motorcycle. From a utility standpoint, Honda is a great candidate. The ground clearance is not bad, but the price of the new motorcycle is not very competitive - for that kind of money you can get a touring version from competitors with bags and a windshield. Moreover, unlike “real cruisers”, Honda does not have platforms for the feet, but ordinary footrests, which helps ground clearance, but reduces the “cruising” element. In terms of instrument design, Honda is somewhere between the high-tech of Suzuki and the minimalism of Kawasaki. Having the smallest volume of its competitors, the Shadow is the weakest in an already not very powerful segment, so driving alone or with a passenger on the autobahn is a big question. In combination with a small tank, practicality drops even lower.
The Shadow is equipped with a cardan or a chain, depending on the “submodel” (750S – chain, 750C – cardan), in Holland only the model with a cardan is sold, so we write it down as a plus. But I didn’t like the spoked wheels even in the VN900 test. But the main drawback for drivers of average height and above is the “compactness” of the motorcycle. In other words, at 180 cm height, sitting is no longer comfortable. With my 185 cm, this is not an option at all.
Unfortunately, there are no other Honda cruiser or chopper models on the European market, so the Shadow is Honda's only cruiser that competes with models from other manufacturers.
Read the second part of the article about choosing mid-sized cruisers.
Best Chinese 250cc
Fans of fast racing should pay attention to Chinese motorcycles with an engine capacity of 250 cc. see Chinese motorcycles are cheaper than their European and American counterparts. On the other hand, the quality meets international standards. The buyer has a wide choice. Among Chinese motorcycles there are simple and luxurious models equipped with electronics.
The popularity of Chinese motorcycle technology is due to its quality and its own model range. From road classics to sportbikes, choppers and cross-country models. Customers rate power and reliability. Therefore, we present the best Chinese 250cc motorcycles.
Chinese motorcycles: Blackster 250 V2
Chinese motorcycles
A budget option for expensive American equipment. The motorcycle is universal, has a cruiser format, stylized as well-known variations of Harley-Davidson. A Harley fan won't even look at such equipment. But picky motorcycle racers will appreciate the chopper – the price is quite reasonable.
The V2 engine is four-stroke, liquid-cooled. The engine can produce up to 8500 rpm. Five-speed gearbox. The advantage is that it has an injector, so there are fewer worries than with a carburetor. On the positive side – alloy wheels, disc brakes, double muffler.
This Chinese motorcycle will delight you with a comfortable seating position, chrome inserts and reliable lighting fixtures. The saddle is soft, the steering wheel is conveniently positioned. The Blackster 250 V2 will be comfortable for both driver and passenger. There are hand grips on the passenger seat.
Chinese motorcycles: Benelli TNT 25
Chinese motorcycles 2020
The Italian brand Benelli has been owned by the Chinese Qianjiang Group for many years. Road sports classics. Motor 4-stroke single-cylinder injector, 0.25 liters with liquid cooling system. The speed indicator is decent - 28 horses. The engine allows you to move away from a stop in second gear.
The bike is based on a steel tubular frame. Simple alloy wheels and quite decent disc brakes. The 6-speed gearbox will also please the driver. Benelli TNT 25 –
The equipment is universal for everyday use, it consumes a little less than 3 liters, but you can drive with the breeze, although not so often. The resource of the Chinese engine is limited. The motorcycle is relatively inexpensive and unpretentious. A good option for the “first push”.
MINSK R 250
Chinese motocross motorcycles 2020
An interesting model that has nothing in common with the previous “Minsk”. The design of the model was developed in Italy, the components were made in China. This Chinese cross-country motorcycle has a so-called “birdcage” - a space frame, like on a Ducati. Another distinctive feature is the openwork pendulum made of aluminum alloy. The part is borrowed from Benelli.
The muffler - in the best fashion trends - is located in the center and protrudes from under the seat. The 26 horsepower engine is liquid cooled. Six-speed gearbox. The wheels are 17 inches, cast, equipped with petal brake discs with diameters of as much as 300 millimeters, but there is only one disc in front. A city motorcycle in a classic black and red color scheme looks harmonious and modern.
The Chinese cross-country motorcycle is unpretentious and economical. The traction is excellent. 16 liter tank with fuel gauge. There is a tachometer on the dashboard. LED tail light.
Chinese motorcycles: Patron Sport 250
Chinese motocross motorcycles 2020
Small-capacity Chinese sports bike. This Chinese cross-country motorcycle is similar to a number of motorcycle models. Designers from China have embodied the features of many European and especially Japanese bikes in this motorcycle.
The result was an original model. On the other hand, the plastic is rough and poorly fitted; the front fairing, which has two headlights, looks featureless. But the cost of the Patron is several times lower than its Japanese counterparts. A budget option.
Single cylinder, four-stroke, air-oil-cooled engine. This Chinese cross-country motorcycle has a balancer shaft, an electric starter, and a five-speed gearbox. Among the shortcomings are poor suspension settings.
It’s difficult to reach the speed of 130 km/h stated in the characteristics; 110 is the real possibility of a sportbike. The motorcycle will be comfortable for drivers of average height. The rear passenger seat is just a small, hard cushion.
The advantages of a motorbike include good wind protection, reliability of the engine and brakes, and economical fuel consumption. This Chinese motorcycle is not picky about the quality of gasoline. The capacity of the gas tank is 16 liters.
Chinese motorcycles: Zongshen Winner ZS250GS
Chinese motocross motorcycles
The model was developed by the Chinese concern Zongshen Industrial Group. This Chinese cross-country motorcycle is economical, practical, and comfortable. Designed for urban areas. Popularly nicknamed "Zonga".
Semi-fairing, clip-ons, stylish design - in the best sports biker traditions. You can drive such a vehicle in a reclining position. The tachometer is located in the center of the dashboard.
The air-cooled single-cylinder engine, impressive by Chinese standards, starts with an electric starter. 17.7 hp accelerate the bike to 120 km/h. Disc brakes, 2 discs in front. Wheels 17 inches.
A special feature of this Chinese motorcycle is the fuel level indicator. The gas tank holds 20 liters of gasoline, fuel is consumed economically, which allows you to cover distances of up to 500 km without refueling. This indicator plus economical consumption made the model popular among motorcycle enthusiasts.
Fans of one-wheel racing should be careful with this model. Lifting the wheel up on this motorcycle is dangerous, especially at high speeds. Disadvantages include poor lighting.
Patron Taker 250
Chinese motocross motorcycles
Classic streetfighter. The cartridge proved that Chinese technology can be bright and dynamic. The designers implemented a number of technical solutions in the motorcycle that are not at all typical of budget vehicles. The engineers seem to have studied the achievements of the Japanese motorcycle industry, copied something and the result was the Patron Taker 250 - maneuverable, lightweight, and torquey.
The engine is four-stroke, one cylinder, 25 horses, liquid cooled. The equipment reaches speeds of up to 140 km/h, while the iron horse stops dead in its tracks due to the front brake discs 300 mm in diameter. As for the suspensions, the Chinese engineers did not disappoint. There is an inverted telescopic fork at the front, and a pendulum at the rear. The brakes also deserve attention - there are discs at the front and rear.
The Chinese also thought about the convenience of the passenger, making the passenger part of the seat less sloping. The downside is that the fragile plastic turn signals are not very well positioned. Yes, and there are comments about the carburetor. And so, in comparison with other representatives of the Chinese motorcycle industry, the equipment is reliable, accelerates quickly, handles confidently on the road, the brakes are excellent, and there are no complaints at all about the design.
Chinese motocross motorcycles: Omax 250
Chinese motocross motorcycles
Light sports bike. The engine is a prototype of a Honda engine. Produces 8 thousand revolutions and 25 horsepower. Liquid cooling, four-valve, two-shaft head. The disadvantage of the motorcycle is the absence of an accelerator pump in the carburetor. But this does not affect the dynamic properties. At the same time, the bike reaches speeds of up to 170 km/h.
Omax 250 has a reliable starter and batteries. The engine at 8000 rpm has 25.8 horsepower. The motor is compact. The Omax SK250 X6 model occupies a special place in the Omax motorcycle line. It has multi-spoke wheels and a shortened muffler. On the dashboard there is a tachometer, a liquid crystal display displaying speed, mileage, and amount of fuel.
The seats are removable and there is a trunk underneath. The bike accelerates to 130 km/h. Gear shifting is smooth, without jerking. Thanks to the balancing mechanism, there is no strong vibration at high speed.
Motoland 250
Chinese motocross motorcycles
Chinese motocross motorcycle with good build quality and decent components. Large (2 meters long, almost a meter high, handlebars 83 cm wide), 130 kg motorcycle is suitable for off-road riding and for tall riders. Short drivers will feel uncomfortable on such an iron horse.
The engine is in the spirit of Chinese cross-country motorcycles 169 FMM, power 16 horses. The model name is confusing - in fact the engine capacity is smaller - 250 cc. see Air cooling.
Among the disadvantages of Motoland are not only the heavy weight, but also fragile plastic that breaks down from frequent temperature changes, a rigid suspension and a lack of lubrication in the bearings.
The design of the motorcycle emphasizes its independence and strong character. Fuel tank 6 liters, consumption 5 liters per 100 km. The Motoland 250 is easy to operate and the equipment is unpretentious in maintenance.
Chinese motocross motorcycles: X-motos ZR 250
Chinese motocross motorcycles
The manufacturer X-motos has been producing pit bikes for many years. The motorcycles are successful in the Chinese and overseas markets. Specific products – SUVs. Therefore, tires with deep tread, off-road suspension.
This Chinese cross-country motorcycle is lightweight and compact. Attracts with its bright design. Due to their comparative lightness, engines on motorcycles are horizontal. With a vertical design of the power unit, maneuverability and reliability in off-road conditions are lost. There are no luggage spaces - this is a minus compared to similar Enduro class motorcycles. The disadvantages include the lack of a balancing shaft. Vibration even at low speed.
The engine is 4-stroke, liquid-cooled. Despite the 250 cc. see, the motorcycle behaves quietly and calmly.
Jinlun JL 250-5
Chinese motocross motorcycles
4-stroke two-cylinder engine. Air cooled. The engine starts from an electric starter. This Chinese cross-country motorcycle is quite large - length 2 m 12 cm, width 85 cm, height 1 meter. Weight 152 kg. The fuel tank holds 10 liters. This motorcycle accelerates to 136 km/h.
Candidates for consideration
When it comes to cruisers, sooner or later the mantra “there is no replacement for displacement” comes up. But at the same time, there are several points that are not at all in favor of a large volume, namely: consumption, respectively, relatively low mileage on one tank; as a rule, stretched gears (in the city it “doesn’t go” slowly, it doesn’t seem like you need more than 3rd, although on the autobahn it goes far beyond the maximum limit without straining) and weight/ease of control. In general, all this together makes large-volume cruisers (decently larger than a liter) from my point of view not the best choice for daily driving, although with frequent driving on the autobahn (or just a craving for “more” :)) it may be a completely acceptable option.
As a result, the choice comes down to the “golden mean” of medium-sized cruisers: +/- 900 cubic meters. And although they are often classified as “for beginners” (or vice versa, “for old people” :)), this does not mean any inadequacy at all. The only question is the purpose and personal preferences and expectations. Well. Let's take a closer look.
Based on reviews and scouring forums, the most popular models over the past few years are
- Honda VT750 Shadow
- Kawasaki VN900
- Yamaha XVS950
- Suzuki C800
From the general reviews, Ridermagazine and Motorcycle USA immediately come across, and then you can look at individual publications and reviews for each model. Of the main common disadvantages of all models, it is worth mentioning a couple right away:
- One(!) disc brake at the front and one disc or drum(!) at the rear. For some reason, all manufacturers are of the opinion that cruisers don’t need brakes, and that two front disc brakes, firstly, spoil the picture, and secondly, they are a thing for “three hundred liters” (and even then not all of them).
- When driving at a speed of more than 120-130 km/h, all “mid-sized cars” exhibit tremors from high engine speeds, and when driving with a passenger, you need to think about overtaking specifically in advance. But, looking at the technical data of the devices, this seems to be clear.
General reviews of mid-sized cruisers:
- Raider Magazine
- Motorcycle USA
So, let's start in order of increasing priority in the resulting list of preferences.
The best Chinese enduro motorcycle 250cc
Enduro motorcycles were developed for off-road riding. Features of this technology are engines that do not overheat in low gears. The line of Enduro motorcycles includes equipment with engine capacities from 250 to 450 cc. cm.
In the chekushka class (250 cc), new models appear constantly. These are bikes for those who like to travel outside the city. But such motorcycles easily adapt to good road conditions. So, what is it, the best Chinese 250cc Enduro motorcycle? We present several models.
Sky Team
Chinese motocross motorcycles
The motorcycle is produced by a fairly young Chinese company - a well-known manufacturer of Honda clones. Among the Enduror equipment, the bike does not stand out in any way. Weighing 135 kg, outwardly quite attractive and harmoniously built, without any frills or bells and whistles.
Modesty in the absence of aluminum, in the non-adjustable suspension. Despite its outward appearance, the motorcycle has high ground clearance, studded tires, and brakes with petal discs. Air cooled engine. Wheels are 21/18 inch.
Sky Team ST250–2 V-Raptor
Chinese motocross motorcycles
An interesting model. I got into the Enduro class in a strange way. Only wide tires and an upper muffler helped it become an SUV. The engine is normal, 5-speed gearbox. Thanks to the wide, spacious seat, travel will be comfortable. There is a convenient trunk behind the seat. Another convenience is rubber-coated footrests.
IRBIS TTR 250R
Chinese motocross motorcycles
A truly popular model. The motorcycle is perhaps the most popular Chinese Enduro. Cross-country tires allow you to use off-road equipment. But to ride on asphalt, you will have to spend money on additional tires.
Unforeseen expenses can happen in principle - low-quality plastic, a weak engine that is sensitive to overheating, and a frivolous suspension. The IRBIS TTR 250R can handle leisurely walks to the country and fishing trips.
C.Moto 250 4V
Chinese cross-country motorcycles
Enduro sports class. Fast-paced and modern. The bike's power is 32.6 horsepower. Liquid-cooled engine, four-valve, twin-shaft cylinder head. Among its Chinese counterparts, it confidently leads in power. The suspensions have a full set of adjustments. The C.Moto 250 4V offers two modifications - an Offroad SUV and an urban Motard variant.
Sportbikes
Old Japanese 400cc sportbikes are real sports machines with souped-up engines. They have not been produced for a long time, and all modern Chinese analogues are just stylizations of full-fledged racing equipment, and none of them reaches the 400 cc capacity.
Examples
- Honda CBR400RR. Removed from the assembly line at the end of the 20th century. During the years of production it was wildly popular. The technical characteristics of this model can outshine all modern 400s.
- Honda VFR400, also known as RVF400 (in a different modification). A real racing machine. It’s just a pity that it’s difficult to find a “living” specimen.
- Kawasaki ZZR400. A phenomenally popular “zizer”, which, strictly speaking, refers to sports tourists. The bike is reliable and practical, but due to its age, most Zizers have a problem with third gear in the gearbox.
- Yamaha FZR400RR. A now rare sportbike, produced before 1994 and even officially supplied to the markets of other countries.
- Suzuki GSX-R400. At the time of release, it was distinguished by excellent power (59 hp), very low dry weight and modern design.
The best Chinese 450cc motorcycle
Many Chinese motorcycles with an engine capacity of 450 cc. see, there is a 4-stroke power unit, with 1 cylinder, the power of which is 45 hp. Fuel is supplied through an injector or carburetor, which depends on the specific model. The engines are started using a kickstarter or electric starter, while many models are equipped with electronic ignition.
According to some analysts, the best Chinese 450cc dirt bike is the BSE M8 450E. Year of manufacture – 2022. The peculiarity of this bike is that it has a special aluminum frame made using patented technology.
The manufacturer equips this motorcycle with 21/18 wheels with durable CNC hubs. The bike also boasts a Keihin PWK 38 carburetor and Zongshen ZS 194 MQ engines. This combination works great, resulting in 44 hp. and 9000 rpm. Gear shifting is carried out by a 6-speed gearbox.
Chinese motocross motorcycle 125 cc
The main feature of Chinese cross-country motorcycles, with an engine capacity of 125 cc. see that they are suitable for beginner athletes from 16 years of age. They are also popular due to their ease of control, low cost, and lightness.
The Chinese 125cc cross-country motorcycle is a fairly powerful and cross-country bike that can cope with the increased loads that come upon it when jumping over obstacles and riding over rough terrain.
Such motorcycles are also in demand because they reach speeds of up to 120 km/h, but they are purchased not for riding on smooth city streets, but on rough terrain.
Rating of Chinese motorcycles
Every year, Chinese motorcycles delight fans with new products, so ratings are compiled that are constantly changing, because Chinese manufacturers compete with each other, introducing new technological solutions. The rating of Chinese cross-country motorcycles is compiled according to the following parameters:
- Economical. Fuel consumption can be up to 4 liters per 100 km. And with an impressive tank volume (15 liters), this makes it possible to drive for several hundred kilometers without refueling.
- Affordable service. Even if you use the services of a service station, the cost of repairs and spare parts will be adequate.
The rating of Chinese cross-country motorcycles includes models with two- and four-stroke engines. The advantage of two-stroke models is good torque and simple design. Four-strokes are less reliable and not as powerful, but at low speeds they are superior to two-strokes.
