Chinese motorcycle manufacturers have already entered the market of the CIS countries so tightly that it has become impossible to ignore them. Of course, they do not compete with “adult” models, but in the budget motorcycle market they have successfully won their place in the sun, displacing Japanese bikes due to their significantly lower prices. Therefore, we decided to compile a small top of Chinese motorcycles of different classes, talking about the most interesting models. It is worth noting that all this information is only the subjective opinion of our editors, based, however, on rich personal experience, so this opinion has a practical basis. We will tell you about the best Chinese motorcycles suitable for a variety of purposes.
Cruisers/choppers
In this class, engine size is at the forefront. A distinctive feature of any cruiser is its solid dimensions, significant weight, archaic design and a not very powerful engine, which, however, has impressive torque. With one caveat, however, this motor characteristic applies to “adult” models, and budget Chinese motorcycles often have the same average motor installed as many other bikes.
In this class, you should pay attention to the BM 200 Classic . In conditions of a limited budget, this option is well suited for a beginner, becoming his “entrance ticket” to the world of chrome and leather. Simple and lightweight, the bike is reliable. It can be conditionally classified as “Chinese” - it is assembled in Russia from Chinese hubs under the auspices. And in 2022 it will be replaced by a new model - RoadViking . If 200 cubic meters is not enough for you, you can look for Lifan LF 400 , which were sold in Russia for a time, which are almost exact copies of the popular Yamaha XV 400 Virago motorcycle. Even many of the spare parts on these bikes are interchangeable. And yet, 400 cubic meters is already a more substantial volume. Considering that “volume” cruisers are not produced in China, the Lifan LF400 can be safely included in the top 10 Chinese motorcycles of this class. Its “younger brother” – Lifan LF 250B – is also quite good.
Kawasaki
Kawasaki jumped on the retro bandwagon at the last minute, revealing a new classic model, the Z900RS, for 2022. The classic has 948 cubic cm of volume, 111 liters. With. and 98.5 Nm of torque. A motorcycle weighs 215 kilograms if you put it on the scale. A tribute to the Z1 from the 70s in its purest form.
Fill the tank of the Z900RS with 17 liters of high-quality gasoline, and you are ready for non-stop driving for a distance of up to 300 km. In the future, it is worth repeating the refueling procedure so that the interesting pastime does not end. With this matte green version, Kawasaki wants to appeal to the motorcyclists of the modern metropolis.
The secret of the Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX is the compressor system from the Ninja H2 sports model, which provides the green beast with 200 hp. With. at 11,000 rpm and 137.3 Nm of maximum torque.
If your ambitions are not so high – Kawasaki Ninja 400. The same “supersport” class, but more down-to-earth. If you weigh the sportbike on a scale, you get only 168 kilograms of dry weight, which is 6 kilograms lighter than the Ninja 300. The Ninja will be a little easier to handle.
The Japanese will produce a children's version of the Kawasaki KX65, as well as a KX250F model, visually redesigned, but technically remaining the same.
Enduro
Here again we have to mention Baltmotors with their very successful model BM 250 Dakar . It costs more than most of its competitors, but its characteristics are very impressive, and reviews from owners of a Chinese motorcycle assembled in Russia are generally positive.
Also enjoying popular love is the Lifan LF200 GY , which has been selling well in a number of countries for several years now. It’s difficult to call it a full-fledged enduro - the level of equipment is not the same, but this bike is well suited for bad roads. Its main advantages are its low price, versatility, cheap spare parts and overall simplicity of design, which makes repairs possible in a garage environment.
Fans of more powerful equipment should look at another “Chinese” - Forsage 450 Enduro . Quite light and compact, it is highly powerful. In addition, the manufacturer offers tuning to improve performance - a Japanese carburetor, direct-flow exhaust and other little things that ultimately allow you to get a power output of 44 hp. on the rear wheel (not on the crankshaft!). This is an excellent indicator for Chinese motorcycles. At the same time, the bike is quite inexpensive - at least much cheaper than the 450 cc Japanese ones.
Harley-Davidson
Bagger, Bobber, Cafe Racer, Enduro, Retro-Bike: Harley will delight its customers with a set of technologically advanced and very interesting new products for the 2018 model year. The new Harley-Davidson Sport Glide is coming out. The Softail line of motorcycles appears.
The Glide Sport is based on a chassis with 43mm inverted forks and a monoshock. Removable headlight covers, saddlebags with the possibility of dismantling and lighting equipment with LED technology are also present. The Glide sports bike is powered by a Milwaukee-Eight-107 engine with 84 horsepower.
The cost in Russia starts from 1,444,000 rubles.
The Dyna model is retiring, replaced by the firstborn of the Softail series, the Street Bob
Fat Bob
Fat Boy
Low Rider
Choose from 1,745 or 1,868 cc Milwaukee Eight engines with different sounds and power output.
In addition, Harley-Davidson has changed its big tourer. The 2022 version of the motorcycle replaces the chrome with black parts. The motorcycle is powered by a huge 1923 cc Screamin-Eagle V2 engine.
The updated line, dedicated to the 115th anniversary of the motorcycle manufacturer, is completed by the Harley-Davidson Softail Breakout and Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic models. The old brand did not skimp on celebrating its anniversary on a grand scale!
Road motorcycles
This class can perhaps be called the most numerous. It includes both the cheapest and weakest models that copy the popularly beloved Yamaha YBR 125, as well as quite serious equipment. But here we are ranking the best Chinese motorcycles, right? Therefore, we will give the palm to those who objectively outperformed their competitors. And it will be divided between two very serious Chinese motorcycles, which are perfect not only for beginners, but also for experienced bikers.
The first is Stels 600 Benelli. Having bought out an Italian motorcycle manufacturer with a century-old history, the Chinese quickly presented a joint development of Chinese designers and Italian designers, assembled in Russia. The motorcycle turned out to be quite modern - 600 cc 4-cylinder liquid-cooled engine (80 hp!), injector, gearbox 6, stylish appearance. A speed of 200 km/h is not the limit for him. At the same time, it costs less than the Japanese “six hundred”
The Chinese company CFMoto took a slightly different path, presenting to the public its copy of the popular Kawasaki ER-6N bike. The Chinese motorcycle was named CFMoto 650 NK , and in terms of characteristics it is comparable to the aforementioned “Stealth”, representing a full-fledged, powerful and “adult” bike. This gives us the right to include it in our top Chinese motorcycles.
Moto Guzzi
The 1921 Moto Guzzi V7 in a cool carbon version, in black with red local accents, will be offered to buyers in Europe. With the start of sales of a special model, the Italians want to remind everyone of the year the company was founded (marked in the name of the motorcycle version).
Three versions of motorcycles: Carbon, Milano and Rough - differ in attachments, and in particular tires. “Rougher” tires are for roads of not the best quality, road tires are for normal conditions, the carbon version of the motorcycle is made for fashionistas.
Creating a motorcycle anew, around a new engine, is a task that not all motorcycle manufacturers undertake. At least, you don’t see this often these days. The Italians took a chance and made an updated version of the off-road model.
Engineers from the Apennines built a motorcycle around their 850 cc 80 hp engine, reminiscent of the rally bikes of the 80s. The V85 model, according to the developers, should fit perfectly between the V7 and V9 versions.
Touring enduro
Small-capacity motorcycles of this class are almost never found in nature for obvious reasons - for long journeys you need something powerful. A striking example is the Honda XL125 Varadero, developed for the European market and failed miserably in sales, and therefore was quickly discontinued. Therefore, the Chinese took into account the experience of their Japanese colleagues and presented the public with more serious equipment.
was noted for two similar models at once - Stels 400 GT and Stels 400 GS . Both of them externally copy the style of the BMW GS series. The first one is more “tailored” for asphalt, and the second one – for off-road use. These Chinese motorcycles are distinguished by good reliability, and this is the main advantage of bikes in this class.
Don't ignore the CFMoto 650 MT . This model is more likely to be an “all-terrain vehicle” rather than a full-fledged tourenduro. The closest analogue is the Yamaha TDM, which in its turn became one of the first two-wheeled crossovers. However, modern design, excellent performance and an affordable price allow the CFMoto 650MT to compete with the Kawasaki Versys 650, of which it is, in fact, a clone. This is one of the best Chinese motorcycles in its class.
Suzuki
Against the backdrop of such a deep expansion of the line, Suzuki acted much more modestly. In 2016, the Japanese returned the classic SV650 to the model program. A twin-cylinder engine and some eye-catching colors add a new twist to the old concept's charm.
Let's not forget about the chic Cafe Racer Suzuki SV650X, which combines the styles of two different eras.
The large Burgman 400 scooter has been modified by Japanese engineers and received a slightly different aero body kit. The front wheel is larger and the engine appears to be more powerful.
Sportbikes
Chinese sportbikes are a very vague category. The fact is that a sports motorcycle a priori must be high-tech and powerful, but the Chinese produce ordinary road bikes that simply imitate sports motorcycles due to their appearance and modified fit. The PRC does not produce full-fledged sportbikes as such, but it should be noted that Chinese motorcycles of this class will still be a good choice for those who have a limited budget and who want to switch to a full-fledged sportbike in the future. A similar fit and other nuances help develop the necessary skills and gain experience.
The Minsk R250 looks interesting . It has nothing in common with the old Minsks except the name, and it is assembled in Belarus from Chinese units. For the money, this is a very good bike, worthy of inclusion in the top of the best Chinese motorcycles. Also worth a look are the Patron Sport 250 and the Zongshen ZS250GS , an old-fashioned but time-tested Chinese sportbike. But it is better to avoid less common models like the Genata YZF-R 250 - spare parts for them are very difficult to find, and the quality, according to reviews, leaves much to be desired.
Pitbikes and motocross motorcycles
Fans of off-road racing have long appreciated the Chinese brand Kayo, which produces good and at the same time quite high-quality motocross bikes, as well as pit bikes. The Kayo K6 250 is popular - a full-fledged sports equipment that can give a lot of adrenaline. Among the budget pit bikes from this manufacturer, the Kayo KRZ 125 deserves attention. Light and compact, it is inexpensive, and its maintenance is not too expensive.
Forsage 125 Cross is another good option. The Forsage brand, specializing in off-road motorcycles, has long established itself on the positive side, and the 125 Cross model has become very successful. And for lovers of “more powerful” models, the Forsage Cross 450 was released. But it is unlikely to be suitable for beginners due to the really high power and higher weight.
KTM
KTM sees the new 790 Duke as an uncompromising ground weapon for victory. The pendulum and rear part of the frame are made of light alloy; launch control will allow you to take off smoother and safer. The compact LC8c engine delivers 105 horsepower at 9,000 rpm. The naked model weighs only 169 kilograms. Cool!
Essentially the same model, only for off-road use, the KTM 790 Adventure. Is enduro popular again? KTM wants to believe it!
KTM motocross motorcycles should get fuel injection starting in 2022. The technology will be used in the 250 EXC TPI and 300 EXC TPI models. The carburetor is becoming a thing of the past with off-road and sport models.
Total
The Chinese will not soon be able to seriously compete with Japanese and European motorcycles. But in the budget segment they already feel quite confident, pushing out well-known competitors on all fronts. Therefore, the ratings of Chinese motorcycles are growing, and more and more new models are released every year. The day is not far off when we will see real Chinese cruisers and sportbikes. In the meantime, beginners, and not only others, have plenty to choose from, especially if there is no money for a new “Japanese”, and you don’t want to buy a very shabby unit.
Honda
Honda Stars are the new models of the CB series. Sports naked bikes come with small 125 cc (13.3 hp) or 300 cc 31 hp engines. With. The most powerful option is 145 hp. With. there is still the CB1000R model (photo above). Note that the four-cylinder engine of the top model is visually very similar to the engine first shown on the Neo sports Cafe Concept.
The little CB125R received a six-speed gearbox, a new chassis and upside-down fork, a monoshock absorber and LED lighting. The changes are more global, but since the sales market will be mainly in Japan and Asia, this model is not so interesting to study.
The legendary Africa Twin model received a new type of “electronic” clutch, modified traction control and a more powerful exhaust sound. It has become lighter thanks to a new battery (weighing 2.3 kilograms) and, according to Honda representatives, copes even better with the difficulties of real off-road conditions.
For the 2022 model year, the top-of-the-line Africa Twin version, the CRF1000L Adventure SPORTS, is offered. It has a higher seat position, higher ground clearance, longer suspension travel and heated control grips as standard. The tank holds 24.2 liters instead of the previous 18.8 liters of gasoline.
Additionally, Honda is offering a luxury tourer that is 50 kilograms lighter than the previous Goldwing. The changes made during the work can be called profound: the model has changed visually and technically by 2022. The 126-horsepower six-cylinder engine should easily cope with the Goldwing’s 383 kilograms of maximum “live weight.”
The motocross theme was also developed by Honda in the new year. The CRF 250R received a 5 percent increase in power and a reduction in weight. The standing start will be more intense, which means fractions of seconds and meters won at the beginning of the race. As you know, cross-country races are won in the first meters after the start, so Honda has prepared a great gift for athletes!
Small improvement, big progress: the CRF 450R gets electric start as standard!
