The best Chinese motorcycles: TOP 10 in 2020-2021

Do you want to buy a motorcycle but don't have enough money? Pay attention to Chinese motorcycles. They are cheaper than motorcycles from Europe or the USA. The best Chinese motorcycles are of high quality and buyers have a choice. Here are both the simplest and the most luxurious models, “stuffed” with electronics.

Why are Chinese motorcycles so popular? Firstly, Chinese motorcycles are popular due to the fact that China produces high-quality motorcycle models. Secondly, several dozen brands specialize in this. Thirdly, each Chinese manufacturer has its own range of motorcycles, which have occupied their niche in the motorcycle community. For example, in China they produce not only classic road motorcycles, but also choppers, sportbikes and motocross models. Next, let's look at the rating of Chinese motorcycles.

The best Chinese motorcycles in 2022

Cruisers, choppers

Any bike is classified. A motorcycle for the road with a slightly modified fork angle - chopper. Although this definition is conditional. At the beginning, they were made almost independently, removing everything unnecessary from heavyweights like Harley. A special feature of the chopper was the elongated fork. This type of design made it possible to move freely along straight highways without even using your hands. It was more difficult to control the equipment when turning or maneuvering.

Fact: Some states have imposed restrictions on fork length, rake angle, and handlebar height.

Choppers are converted from another class of motorcycles - cruisers. Slow acceleration dynamics, low seating position and clumsiness do not allow racing not only between motorcycles, but also with cars. The risk of road accidents is reduced. The advantages include:

• Volumetric fuel tank;
• Wide wings that can protect you from dirt;
• Additional light;
• Some models have a whole space reserved for luggage.

Budget Chinese motorcycle models have smaller fuel tanks.

Difficulties a girl may encounter when riding a motorcycle

Girls, let's make a reservation right away: there is no sexism here, purely objective physiological differences, without which you (on the one hand) would not be so attractive, and on the other, due to which you look weak, defenseless, and encourage men to take care of you. So, ladies are, for the most part, smaller, lower, lighter, weaker than most men. This means, banally, that you need to choose the first motorcycle for a girl with a low center of gravity, low seat height, small or medium (up to 400 cc) cubic capacity, preferably with adjustable suspension, hydraulic brakes... Well, you say, these are standard Recommendations for beginners of any gender? Yes, but there are several more nuances that determine the desired performance characteristics.

To know which motorcycle to choose for a girl, she needs to answer (to herself) a couple of questions:

• The style you like best and the intended use of the bike. Cross racing - racing in the "dirt" - on weekends? Street - wandering around the city? A show-off chopper or a cruiser – is it imposing to drive up to a regular hangout? Sports – burning tires on the track? Or a tourist - fill the trunks with swimsuits - and go to the sea?
• Where is the bike supposed to be parked and stored? In the summer, it can live in an open parking lot, but in the winter, if operation is not planned (and in the first winter, it is, after all, not recommended), it needs to be properly “mothballed” so that it can be ridden in the spring, and not undergo repairs. If there is neither a garage nor someone familiar with a garage, the bike can be handed over for “safe storage” to a specialized service, but this is an additional expense, or it can be stored in an apartment. Then it’s more convenient for it to be a small-capacity model... you understand why.
• Who will maintain and repair the bike? If you plan to carry out independent service (by hand), or stupidly - a trip to a motorcycle service station for any reason - you need to buy a new one, from a trusted dealership, with a guarantee. Then maintenance costs will be less expensive. If there is someone to take care of the motorcycle, don’t worry and just choose according to its capacity. Anyone, the most beautiful one you like.

Another nuance: hands. Women's palms, which are narrower and shorter than men's, do not have great grip strength or endurance. Most motorcycles have a manual transmission, and the clutch is released by squeezing the left lever on the handlebar (there are other options). In the city you have to change gears very often. With a tight “clutch”, a weak hand quickly gets tired, and incomplete squeezing of the lever leads to accelerated wear of the discs, so motorcycles for girls with graceful handles must also be selected according to this criterion. There is one option, more about it later.

It is believed that women are more careful motorcycle drivers, and one can agree with this, but, as they say: “shit happens” and dropping a heavy bike from the stand in the parking lot is a “sacred” thing, even guys sin, so beginners’ motorcycles are usually slightly beaten. The ease of handling a bike at low speeds and when stopping is determined by the ratio of the height of its center of mass and the height of the driver. For short girls, it is easier to cope with a lowered cruiser or chopper, and for tall girls, it is not a problem to “edge” a sports motorcycle or endurik on 19 wheels. Height – be sure to take it into account!

The choice of Chinese enduro

A Chinese motorcycle is no longer just a moped or scooter. The enduro class is a tough and patient vehicle designed for crossing rural areas. Enduro is further divided into heavy and light. The first ones are intended for long trips on moderate off-road conditions, alternating with well-paved roads.

Lightweight models are suitable for short trips on bad roads. For such trips, cubic capacity is not particularly important. What is more valued is the balance of the unit, simplicity of design, and the ability to restore equipment if it breaks down in a garage.

250 cubes

A Chinese 250cc motorcycle can hardly be called a very easy vehicle to drive.

Rating of the best 250cc motorcycles:

• Minsk R250, despite the name, it has nothing in common with Soviet motorcycles. It is assembled in Belarus, but calling it Chinese can only be conditional. Only components are supplied from China. Among the advantages:

1. Frame. A similar one is installed on Ducati;
2. Aluminum swingarm, similar in appearance to Benelli.

The liquid-cooled engine is capable of squeezing out 26 horsepower. The vehicle is equipped with petal brake discs only at the front with a diameter of 300 millimeters.

• The company from Izhevsk offers a worthy model, the Patron Sport 250. This model once again confirms that the Chinese moto industry has firmly established itself in the global market. Among the advantages:

1. The presence of brake discs on both wheels;
2. 4-stroke engine with one cylinder.

The sporty design of the unit also attracts attention. Power was 15.7 horsepower.

• Lifan LF250. This is a full-fledged cruiser that meets the requirements of reliability and comfort. Torque is evenly distributed by a 5-speed transmission. Review and operation of the motorcycle brought it to the top of the best in its segment. Many note the good build quality, stability, and classic design. An additional advantage: in the event of a breakdown, spare parts are easy to find.
• An old-timer in the domestic market – Zongshen Winner ZS250GS. The motorcycle of this brand is a little outdated in comparison with previous models, but has not lost its relevance. The bike has optimal sporting characteristics with a low engine power of 17.7 horsepower.

A spacious 20-liter gas tank allows you to cover long distances without refueling. Like other sportbikes, the ZS250GS has a stylish design, excellent dynamics, and economical fuel consumption.

300 cubes

Chinese motorcycle manufacturers have long been looking at producing units with an increased number of cubes. Previously, they produced mostly equipment within 150 cubic meters or less.

Dual-purpose ttr motorcycles, two-cylinder units. However, 300 cc motorcycles made in China are quite a rarity. Among their advantages:

• The resource exceeds the mark of 70 thousand kilometers;
• In case of breakdown, you can always find spare parts;
• 300 cc motorcycles made in China are much cheaper than their European or Japanese counterparts.

The catalog of specialized stores is replete with favorable offers both in price and in product quality. Motorcycles of any Chinese brand with such a cubic capacity are a reliable “horse on two wheels” with economical fuel consumption.

400 cubes

You can choose 400 cc units.

Help: Chinese 400 cc motorcycles are easier to buy in the CIS countries than “Japanese” ones with similar performance, since Japanese-made 400 cc motorcycles are intended only for the domestic market. In China, it is very difficult to find equipment with large cubic meters; such bikes are intended strictly for export.

The main advantage is power, but they are also popular for their brutal appearance. In this class and not only in it, the weight of the motorcycle is important.

Advice: In practice, there is no motorcyclist who has not fallen at least once, so the ability to get him up is an important factor. Sometimes you just have to roll the bike.

Among the additional nuances when buying a first motorcycle for beginners, it is important to remember that a motorcycle with a large cubic capacity has a fast take-off. Among the advantages is the possibility of high-speed driving. Some models can accelerate to 200 kilometers per hour.

The main models have two-cylinder engines. But, a definite plus is the stable price in its segment.

450 cubes

450 – cc bikes are not very different from the previous category. These can be crossovers, touring motorcycles or sportbikes. You can look at them in the photo and not see any differences. The cubic capacity is usually indicated in the characteristics of the equipment.

Dual sport

These motorcycles are designed for riding in the city and off-road. Dual use is possible thanks to special equipment.

Yamaha TW 200

The universal motorcycle SUV was first released in 1987 for the North American and Japanese markets. It features a well-thought-out seating position with low-mounted footpegs, which allows the driver to feel comfortable even during long rides over rough terrain. A wide handlebar with a large turning range and an ergonomic control panel on the handlebar provide high maneuverability of the bike. There is a spacious trunk.

Equipped with a single-cylinder four-stroke engine with a power of 16 hp, a 5-speed gearbox, front disc and rear drum brakes. It reaches speeds of up to 120 km/h with a fuel consumption of 3.5 liters per 100 km when driving in city mode. Fuel tank volume - 7 l. High profile tires cope well with off-road conditions and sandy soil. High-quality lighting technology ensures coverage of a large section of the road.

Pros:

• presence of an electric starter;
• fast start;
• high maneuverability and excellent maneuverability.

Minuses:

• uncomfortable mirrors;
• hard seat;
• small tank.

If you search hard, you can find such a used motorcycle for 100,000 rubles.

Road motorcycles

Among the variety of motorcycles, a separate class of motorcycles stands out - road motorcycles. This is the most budget segment, characterized by low fuel consumption and good maneuverability.

Information: In China there are over 130 production facilities producing road motorcycles of a wide range of models.

Under their auspices you can find:

• Cruisers, distinguished by chrome parts, low landing;
• Choppers are classic motorcycles that have undergone tuning;
• Bobbers with large blown wheels, which lost their relevance after the advent of choppers;
• Baggers, the main difference of which is the presence of built-in luggage cases and special wind protection;
• Cafe racers are a lightweight version of a cruiser with a narrow fuel tank, clip-ons instead of a steering wheel and a flat seat that looks more like a bench.

Touring enduro

Motorcycles with small cubes are practically not found in this class. For long journeys, you need to choose more powerful equipment. They are capable of both asphalt roads and off-road conditions.

The class has been formed for several decades and is divided into subclasses. Initially, touring enduros were distinguished by the width of the handlebars and a raised muffler. Now these differences are much greater. They show cross-country lines and elements of cruisers. This is both a rigid design and a full-fledged bike that is pleasant to ride.

Each enduro model intended for tourism has its own technical and operational characteristics. When producing them, manufacturers rely on the needs of their potential buyers.

Sportbikes

A modern sportbike can be purchased thanks to a combination of large selection and high-tech features. Most often, these are two or four-cylinder units. Injection engines have already reached their perfection and operate without any complaints.

The number of cubes in them can be completely different. A 300cc sports bike can be chosen for sprinting and so on. A special feature of this class are light alloys. They come from the factory with a steering damper, which controls steering and prevents the unit from falling during the slightest maneuver.

Due to the development of high dynamics and speed, high-performance brakes are installed in them. The exhaust system can be straight or semi-direct. Due to this, the sportbike has a very loud exhaust.

Content:

1. Cross and enduro
2. Sports
3. Road
4. Choppers
5. Maxiscooters

Seeing the world from the saddle of a motorcycle is the dream of many, which remains a dream due to a limited budget.
In fact, a bike is not a luxury, or even a means of transportation. It's part of the lifestyle and quite affordable if you have around $1,500 to spare. Is it possible to buy a motorcycle for around 100,000 rubles? Yes, but first you should go past showrooms and dealerships and look at the secondary market. When choosing a used motorcycle, you should be especially attentive to its condition, and it is better to exclude mileage on Russian roads. It won’t be difficult to find a suitable option at a motorcycle auction in Japan. Yes, prices here will be slightly higher than on Russian bulletin boards and car markets. But for all lots, honest mileage is indicated, a detailed technical condition map and an expert assessment are attached. It's time to figure out which motorcycle you can buy on a minimal budget.

Pitbikes and motocross motorcycles

Cross-country motorcycles immediately stand out due to their design. There are still differences from other motorcycles in this segment. Cross pit:

• Two-dimensional wheel dimension;
• Classic steering wheel that can be upgraded;
• Rubber. It is selected taking into account the size of the wheels.

The main emphasis in their production is on compactness, lightness and build quality.

Review of popular models

Next, taking into account the rating, several popular models will be presented with photos and their brief characteristics among various classes. In terms of reliability, it is better to purchase new motorcycles with good characteristics. Here are 250, 300 and 400 cubic units of various designs and classes.

Chinese motorcycles review:

• Chinese enduro 250 – Lifan LF200GY opens a catalog of popular favorites. The motorcycle has been successfully sold in many countries for more than one year. Despite the meager equipment, it easily overcomes the difficulties of bad roads. The downside is the meager equipment, but tuning can work wonders.

• Kayo T4 Enduro 250 – air cooling, carburetor fuel supply system, disc brakes, electronic ignition, telescopic front suspension. The net weight of the bike is 107 kilograms.

• STELS Flame 200 is one of the representatives of the rich line of this brand. Its tank holds 17 liters. It has maneuverability, lightness, and an electronic ignition system. The unit is easy to operate, economical fuel consumption, and has an electronic dashboard.

Among the disadvantages:

1. Maximum speed – low;
2. The chain stretches;
3. Insufficient illumination from the headlight.

• The Forsage 450 Enduro is a lightweight and compact unit with high power output of 44 horsepower. It has a number of good technical characteristics for the Chinese industry and low cost compared to Japanese products.

• Stels 600 Bennelli is a Chinese production of Italian quality. The speed of 200 kilometers per hour is not limited. Presentable design and low price made it popular in the road class of motorcycles.

• Reliable – Regal Raptor with water cooling will delight fans of injectors. The maximum speed is 120 kilometers per hour.

• Sukida SK-150 – 4B, the brainchild of the brand of the same name, whose head office is located in Guangzhou. Good characteristics and presentable design made it worthy of its place in the ranking.

• CFMoto 650 MT is an all-terrain vehicle, an analogue of the Japanese Yamaha TDM. The characteristics of the motorcycle can easily compete with Kawasaki.

Bikes specially designed for girls - are there such things at all?

No, this is a myth born of cunning marketers. The most illustrative case is the Harley-Davidson brand: during one of the periods of weakening demand for its motorcycles, it “discovered” a whole layer of consumers to whom they could also be “sold” with a high degree of probability.

Motorcycles “American style” have always been positioned as an attribute of brutal bearded men in worn denim pants and sleeveless vests (leather is a later cinematic cliché, labor bikers wore denim), but when the whole world slowly began to switch to cheaper and more comfortable “Japanese” “, in Milwaukee they sharply backed up, starting the production of bikes with smaller cubic capacity (489, 790 and 830 cubic meters, compared to the classic 1746 Big Twin - generally crumbs), which were recommended to everyone: girls, teenagers and housewives. They say, “it couldn’t be more friendly.” Among the significant changes, in addition to volume and power, there was a slight decrease in the center of gravity of the bike, the width and height of the seat, shifting the footrests to suit shorter heights - everything, according to the designers and managers, their stock models did not require any more modifications for women.

European and Japanese ones came much earlier, already in the 50s. True, they did this forcedly: for some, it was the standard to “squeeze everything out” from a small cubic capacity for the sake of environmental friendliness and efficiency, while for others, consumers were all “compact”, the economy was in the ass, and the traffic was very intense, so they started, unlike the Americans, from 50 “cubes”, gradually increasing the volume. These days “fifty dollars” are not even considered as motorcycles for girls (but in vain, Aprilia RS 50 – have you seen? Appearance is yummy! 8 horses, 110 km/h – only in stock, and the tuned one – generally up to 140–150 km/ h), “spoiled by cubic capacity” consumers look at “liters”, point blank not noticing that there is simply nowhere to realize their potential. Traffic is getting denser, drivers in cities are getting angrier, speeds are getting higher, and no matter how good a motorcyclist’s gear protects him, there is a limit to his strength.

The larger the cubic capacity, the more the motorcycle provokes “unscrewing”, this is cool, serious, but the more powerful the bike, the more experienced you need to be to handle this power at high speeds. That is why beginners always need to start small, gradually “growing” to serious power. Adrenaline and thrill from the rides - even on the “eight-wheel” you can get the sea. Example: “Yobrik” (Yamaha YBR 125) is a very common version of the “starter” motorcycle for a beginner girl, which even evokes warm feelings of nostalgia in many adult bearded men. It’s a pity that finding it in good condition now is almost impossible.

Reviews

Every brand of Chinese motorcycle is worthy of attention. Real customer reviews are such that for beginners, as well as for those who do not have much finance, a Chinese motorcycle is ideal. Whether it has injection engines or water-cooled systems. The main thing here is comfort and the ability to drive a vehicle.

If the motorcycle is made in China, then you should buy new bikes. The availability of spare parts allows you to quickly upgrade the equipment to suit your needs and, in case of breakdown, restore it.

How to increase the power of a Chinese motorcycle

Even if the motorcycle is fast and powerful, over time its owner will want to increase and change something. You can increase the power of the bike using several options. Sometimes just a few manipulations are enough, and sometimes all of them make sense. It all depends on the motorcyclist’s finances and his imagination.

You can bore the cylinder, change the piston ring, remove unused headlights. The easiest way is to change the engine. It is known that 4-stroke engines “eat up” more power. You can make a direct exhaust by increasing the air supply. In a single-cylinder engine the power will increase by two horsepower, in a two-cylinder engine by 4 horses. This option, according to experts, is quite controversial, but economical. It has also been verified by some users that the nulevik and direct exhaust increase power significantly.

Advice: If you decide to increase the power of a Chinese bike (and not only), you should at least know the characteristics of its engine.