446. Chinese Motorcycle Parts and Quality | Kawasaki Z750R

[@DangerousHamsterpup]

Ive had 3 sets of Chinese levers and been impressed with the quality of all of them. One set found the kitty litter @ brands with scratches but no breakages. I also have a full set of Chinese fairings on my R1, its in all my vids. Nothing wrong with them for the prices I paid. I'm thinking a night get some rear sets next for the R1....

[@CalmBiker]

That's good news. I guess they are pretty variable by the different comments I'm getting.

[@paulkeeley4110]

The Chinese are getting better at producing quality steel and the manufacturing of components, much improved and getting better all the time. A number of prominent companies in the USA (I have no idea if HD is one of them) use Chinese factories to supply products albeit under strict QC guidelines. I'm sure they can and are producing good quality components at a fraction of the cost.

[@CalmBiker]

Those QC'd parts should be top notch (you would hope). With the labour force the Chinese have and the salaries, we don't stand a chance of competing for the near future.

[@banditnev]

I have a few pair of the cheap Chinese levers and never had any break but they have faded not the silver or black. The main problem with Chinese motorbikes at the moment is there nuts and bolts mainly the threads and there rubber parts perish a lot quicker.

[@CalmBiker]

Hopefully they'll last on the colour but time will tell.

[@frommyseat7047]

I replaced the levers on my honda hornet. I wanted Pazzo's short levers, but for £190, too much. I got some 'cheap' copies off ebay. £65. They work really well.

[@CalmBiker]

From MySeat That's pretty much what I did. It was cheap ones or stick with the old ones. If they don't work out I can always reinstall the originals.

[@SkeggyCruiser]

I have a Kia Sorento 3.5V6 and to be honest I would put the build quality at least equal to my Range Rover P38 that I traded in for it, some Harley engine parts are actually made in China, my bikes built in Japan and hell of a lot of the chrome on it is Plastic chromed, and more than likely made in China, lol, good video Richard, just subbed you back again, lol, RSM8.

[@CalmBiker]

He he, thanks for the sub :-D Chromed plastic! Ouch.

[@TomFilby]

Great vid, so far two years on and no major problems with the chinese scoot, and the only minor problem i had was the dealer being lazy and not setting the carb up correctly. Saying that though i would still be leaning more towards japanese and european bikes for when i upgrade as they hold their value slightly better. RS

[@CalmBiker]

For bikes, I think I'll be sticking with Japanese too. Maybe Italian :-)

[@TomFilby]

Diavel? ;-)

[@CalmBiker]

Tom Filby No!

[@MotorcyclerideCyprus]

Hey you! lol I own a Harley and have owned many Japanese bikes all my life and now can say that modern Harley's are very reliable! My Harley Davidson motorcycle clothing is made in China and is of the highest quality! but I agree, Tim, who rides with us said he bought a Chinese mirror to attach to his Harley Davidson 1978 80 cubic inch 1340 Electra glide and after only a few months the chrome has pitted and is wearing off!

[@CalmBiker]

So far my chinese levers are holding up well. Many bikes, Japanese, Italian, American, are now made in China. I think the quality is hugely variable so it's a bit of pot luck. I'm considering trying a few cruisers myself and you never know, a HD may be a possibility.

[@MotorcyclerideCyprus]

Oh and Go Pro camera's are made in China right?

[@CalmBiker]

No idea but it wouldn't surprise me.

[@Johny40Se7en]

Good topic. Things always advance wherever they're made. Even some Hondas are built in China or Taiwan now, I got a 2014 CBR500R and that comes from Taiwan.

[@CalmBiker]

I did a bit of work on a friend's Pulse Adrenalin the other day. A few years old and spotless. He does look after it very well though. You can see where they have saved money in places but I was pleasantly surprised and the quality of the mechanical bits.

[@Cp3_james]

You can't really judge all chinese products, I've got a few chinese things for my camera ect and I wouldn't be bothered by chinese parts. My dad had a chinese bike and he treat it like shit. It was still going strong after 7 years up until a few weeks back as he can't find brakes for it.

[@CalmBiker]

Agreed. There's variation in them but then there's variation in all products.

[@bloodyhell451]

The chinese are getting better. I think it sort of depends on what it is. If it's levers - ok.If it's actual engine parts, no way. My garage buddy had a contract with the local supermarket to service the chinese scoots they were selling. I have seen all sorts of things going wrong with the more serious parts. On a different note some of the chinese electronics are very good. I'm thinking ignitions etc. My girlfriend is half chinese and I've got no complaints. Very reliable, but not cheap. Oh dear me no.

[@CalmBiker]

vitaly deuterium Oh dear. I hope she doesn't read the comments :-D

[@bloodyhell451]

I bloody hope not !

[@GentlemanBikerVlog]

They're nice Calm! I've never heard of them snapping under use... That would be pretty worrying though! I think the difference between things made and designed/copied in China and things sent to be made from a foreign company, the ones sent would have a particular spec for metals and plastics used. The Chinese would be pretty much just assembling the bike. I assume...

[@CalmBiker]

I think you're probably right.

[@HnuKei]

Wait. Since when you got the 750 ? Did i didn't see the video ? :D thx

[@suznet]

YES New Bike Reveal

[@CalmBiker]

***** Beat me to it :-D

[@DarrenRobinsonofearth]

My Suzuki car is Hungarian, my Suzuki bike Japanese... I used to work for a British company that imported Chinese-made helmets. I won't name them, but the brand name sounds like something that makes engines go faster. They were as good as anyone else's for the money, and I still wear one. It's the knockoff stuff you need to avoid.

[@CalmBiker]

I think you're right. The problem is identifying the knock off stuff. Some of them look perfect but won't stand up to any hammer.

[@lurchonabike]

Load of stuff I work with is made in China. Some is sold with a European badge, some are just a Chinese copy with a different sticker. However, the European stuff was designed over in Europe and manufactured in China to the European designer's specification. The Chinese lookalikes are blatant copies, and not QC'd at all which is where the difference lies. A lot of European stuff will have gone for CE approval which costs quite a bit of money, whereas the China direct stuff is straight off the press in to a box with your name on it. All down to who specified it and who QC'd it basically. Not all cheap Chinese stuff is rubbish by any means, but you just can't tell by looking. 10x the price for sticking a British/European name on the box is appalling though. I appreciate business is business, but if they dropped the price, more people might decide local is worth that little bit more for peace of mind and a bit of come back and support if any issues appear.

[@CalmBiker]

Lurch OnABike If the local ones were £30 there wouldn't have been any question but £130?

[@lurchonabike]

I've had low volume stuff milled and plated in the UK before that's a similar size, wouldn't cost much if you were getting a batch done at all. Rip Off Britain, then add the word "bike" and escalate the price. MucOff used to about £1 when it started.

[@TheGazzatron941]

I'm hoping Chinese stuff has improved considering that Sky broadband and the fibre optic network is Chinese (Huawei). My Fiance is also Chinese, kinda hope she doesn't go wrong either, lol!

[@CalmBiker]

I hope the parts don't fall off or the nuts fall out. Not saying for which.

[@errolpowell2]

I got Kinroad rock looking for parts

[@CalmBiker]

I've not heard of those but just looked them up. Enjoy!

[@DJShadow1966]

I've got a 2008 Honda CBF600s, the handlebar chrome is complete shite! Still got a pair of bars off my old 1982 CX500, been in the shed, cold and damp, and still sparkling! Says it all really mate.

[@CalmBiker]

+Ian Collings I think they're all pretty variable to be honest. Maybe there's a lot more luck in al of this than we hope for!

[@HepcatHarley]

How very very dare you. Mind you I did buy some exact copies of the Harley mirrors on my bike but in black gloss finish and at less than half the price delivered I was initially very pleased, however about 6 months later the black paint was peeling and blooming and the mirroring on the glass was nigh on impossible to clean properly as ghosts of raindrops would keep reappearing minutes after cleaning the glass...very strange. I wonder if the gold anodizing on your levers will suffer a similar fate in time. There's usually a reason something is cheap and I bring forth my old saying...Good ain't always cheap, Cheap ain't always good.

[@CalmBiker]

Hepcat Harley Only time will tell but for £35 for the two pairs it's worth a punt.

[@suffolkandy]

Leave my Harley out of this or I will let my sheep have a go at you lol rsm

[@CalmBiker]

Sorry Andy, he he. I'm now picturing you riding with sheep on the back like in Wallace and Gromit! :-D

[@02bigkev]

CalmBiker you could loose Andy as a sub mate if you keep picking on the Harley's (even if they deserve it ). RSM8

[@CalmBiker]

***** Sorry Andy :-)

[@jrbass62]

Even HD has import parts now!!

[@jrbass62]

I have a set of chinese levers on my 14 V Strom 1000. They work fine!! Measured the same as stock with caliper. USA aftermarket wanted as much as $200 for one!! No Way!! I buy USA when I can, but I'm not stupid!!

[@CalmBiker]

I've had several sets for several bikes now and had no real problems, other than the current set discolouring slightly. Same here with the pricing. A nice set for my Z1000 were £160 locally or £20 for Chinese levers from a local supplier. £140 is a lot of motorcycle miles!

[@kandakumar4376]

had a wk125 for 2years smashing bike , only battery failed once

[@CalmBiker]

A chap who came with us on the first ride out I organised had a WK125 sports bike. Looked very nice.

[@kandakumar4376]

yes copy of a cbr. going to buy a honda hornet in summer

[@CalmBiker]

kanda kumar That's the bike I learned on. Good fun.

[@iSlanderEST]

I have no idea where my bike was built, but I know my car was built in Britain :D

[@CalmBiker]

I don't think it's easy to find out any more. It seems plenty of Japanese, Italian and USA bikes are also made in China.

[@iSlanderEST]

I know that Honda uses 2 different manufacturers for parts. They recalled all the NCs that had one of the manufacturers chain and replaced it with other ones. Also tires are 2 different models. But assembly plants seems to be in Japan. I could actually look it up, but I'm too lazy :D

[@Dracati]

Some good vs some bad... ;)

[@CalmBiker]

I reckon so.

[@Dracati]

I've heard of successful utilitarian parts, thugh, the finish sometimes fades easily, or only last a fraction of time vs. the OEM part...but sometimes, that's all its needed for :)

[@electro1622]

why on earth would you ever put chinese parts/anything on your bike..??

[@CalmBiker]

I've not had any problems with the levers but I guess it depends on the factory and quality control involved.

[@jrbass62]

Why would I pay way over $100 for one?? The USA companies must be paying their employees $100 an hour!!!

[@Cestrianvlogger]

Majority of the things in your house is "Chinese" its a case of "you get what you pay for" for pennies and get pieces of shit, spend more money and get better quality products

[@CalmBiker]

True. Although in some cases you spend the money and later find out it should have been cheap :-D

[@clanmac66]

The problem is, there is cheap and cheerful and cheap and crap quality when it comes to Chinese made parts. The Chinese seem unwilling to set a quality standard. So maybe what is needed is an imported goods quality standard before they can be sold. Any company selling these goods would be forced to withdraw and pay back for any goods that doesn't meet it. Hopefully, eliminating the cowboys and allowing genuine companies to trade in the VFM market.

[@CalmBiker]

clanmac66 That would be good but with everything being sent direct you've not really got any comeback.