[Polar_Pilot]

Last winter I tracked down a Chinese copy of our beloved TW and a similar clone of the Suzuki - I posted it on the old board



This morning I cannot find the old board and for the life of me cannot remember the brand name of the copy



Can anyone help? I am thinking about a companion for my TW and thought I could save a few dollars

 

[srs713]

Zongshen?

 

[Rohnsman]

Looking at the Zongshen site you definately see some interesting designs!

This might be the one you thought is comparable to the TW200

If the Chinese could improve their quality, they'd be a real contender. I really like some of the designs they are showing here and certainly the prices are great too, but if you bought one of these how would it hold up and where could you get parts and service?

 

[Polar_Pilot]

found this reference and test for the Konker ksm200 which is a Suzuki clone



http://cmgonline.com/content/view/1387/254/

 

[Polar_Pilot]

Anyone know anything about the Lifan GY5?

 

[imnxnyr]

Anyone know anything about the Lifan GY5?

My brother-in-law bought one a few years back, took about an hour to put it together, 24hrs to charge the battery and it fired right up after about 30 seconds. Not a bad bike for 1080 bucks delivered to his house. After about a year the fuel line got so brittle it would turn to powder if you pinched it. replaced that and it was fine. the battery was not very good and getting parts for it might of been a real pain but I think the parts are easier to get now a days. You might want to check the Thumpertalk forums under chinese bikes for more info.

 

[Xracer]

Calling Spud Rider. That's one person that can give you all kinds of info.

 

[davidsonsgccc]

i have the zongshen sierra 200 which is a close copy of the tw. i can tell you these are really good bikes.i have about 11,000 miles on mine and it runs better than when i got it. the engine parts can al be replaced with yamaha if need be. the electrics can be ordered from zongshen. the Q-link brand 200cc motorcycle uses the suzuki engine and from what i read from forum members at chinariders.net they sound very reliable. both bikes are built solid and would prove reliable transportation with mixed trail riding.





spudrider is an excellent source of info on the zongshen sierra motorcycle and could probably answer any questions. he can also be found at www.chinariders.net.



hope this helps. shawn

 

[Snake2715]

Good info guys thanks for this.



Polar were either of these suggestions the one you referenced previosuly?

 

[Rohnsman]

I'm surprised we've not seen the Koreans getting into motorcycles. Look what they've done with Hyundai and Kia. As the quality of these machines improve, the Japanese will need to be looking over their shoulder.

 

[captain_america]

Korea has Hyosung. IMO Taiwan is making some interesting quality stuff. Kymco, Sym

Just bought a small made in Taiwan bike that has a china clone engine. Very impressed with

reliability so far.

 

[T-Dub Ken]

My Kawasaki ER6N was made in Taiwan. I loved the engine but not happy that it was not a Japan made bike.

I've bought a bunch of equipment over the years and have always found Japan first, Taiwan second and China to be junk.



I would not buy a Chinese made bike at this time due to their junk metals.

 

[Alex KLE500]

Hi



I am new to the forum and have been dredging all the posts following sighting

a Chinese clone of the TW200 - sorta.



It is a copy of the Suzuki Van Van in the frame/seat/lights, but has a Loncin

copy of the Yamaha engine in 223cc. It appears that the chain and sprockets are

not up to par and the distributor in Sydney (Australia) will be rectifying this.



From speaking to him, the 100kph red section on the speedo is easily exceeded

and a couple of locals have had them up to 115kph (71mph). Another picked his

up from the distributor (few dealers around) strapped on a couple of 5 litre fuel

drums and rode it home to Adelaide (about 1,800km).



Price is A$2990 + orc (A$3,600 on road)



I will try and get one for Xmas when the next shipment arrives.



Link to the distributor is



<http://laro.com.au/retro250.php>



regards



Alex in OZ

 

[turborob]

Was this you I met Grumpy?



Surely the world ain't that small. Had another uncanny meeting with another chap on a bike last weekend.....

 

[Alex KLE500]

[quote name='turborob' date='01 November 2010 - 06:56 PM' timestamp='1288601811' post='6699']

Was this you I met Grumpy?



Hi Turborob



NO - twas not I, I am on the south coast down from Sydney

and ride a Kawasaki KLE 500.



Are you the bloke that rode from Sydney to Adelaide?



Spent the afternoon poring over one identical to yours at the local

dealer. Snapped many photos as the drizzle was starting.



I notice a couple of shortcomings compared to the TW200, that can be

rectified with time.



Missing bolt from the crankcase underneath, wiring untidy for the blinkers

at the rear and not impressed with the fixed front footrests.



I will have to chase up aftermarket items that can be adapted to suit.

A sump guard will be high on the list as I want this for back country

tracks and use it for camping/fishing in isolated locations.



The KLE is way to top heavy and would never be able to pick it up if dropped.



Snapped pics of the reduction ratios in the handbook to compare it with

the TW200 as I was hoping it is geared low enough in 1st to cope

with river banks etc.



Can you enlighten me is it will run OK at walking pace or less in 1st?



Oh - I gather that the importer will try and get a rubber boot for the spark

plug in future shipments. I also understand that he is testing aftermarket

sprockets from Western Australia.



regards



Alex

 

[turborob]

G'day Alex.



That bike wasn't mine - mine's the TW there.



Spoke to the owner for a while, he seemed happy with it - just used for putting around town. Only had a few hundred k's on it.



Very vunerable off road.



Looking at it, I certainly wouldn't buy it for $3000, or even $2000. If that's the style of bike you want, you can get a great TW for that price; if you're patient.



The Zongshen's pop up a bit too - usually around $1000. See Spud's writing - he has big miles on his.

 

[Alex KLE500]

Thanks for the advice



I guess I will hold out for a good 2nd hand TW200, if one ever comes up.



The clone has to many shortcuts that as you say "make it vulnerable" and would take

some work to make it ready for dirt roads - something the TW is capable of stock.



regards

 

[phelonius]

What was that clone of a Can Am Spyder in the first few pcs of this thread?



Phelonius