China motorcycle? NO THANKS! looking at the MotoMorini X-Cape (Chinese)

[@mariokasapi8961]

Excellent points, Brett. Food for thought. In my opinion, we’re loyal to the brand (and the company that controls it), as we feel that no matter where its components are manufactured or assembled, they will maintain their expected level of quality control. I think it’s that simple.

[@alozborne]

Except, it's not that simple. There are many people who rail against Chinese made products because they say it's their patriotic duty to buy products only from US friendly countries, yet manufacturers source components and build bikes all over the world, in countries that are often politically aligned against Western and European democracies (for example, BRIC countries). This isn't unique to the motorcycle industry... Capitalism isn't political idealism, it's about winning market share by producing products at a low cost (of which labour costs are typically a large cost component) and giving investors a return on their investment. Until we change our consumer culture and our political ideology to transform our economy into one that values more than the all mighty dollar, we can expect to have manufacturers make more and more products in low labour cost countries that aren't necessarily friendly to our core democratic values.

[@mannyechaluce3814]

@@alozborne the product is fine, the people is fine, the CCP, well you know how that works..........

[@edgarv.611]

@@alozborneNo, we should not change our consumer culture, it is good the way it is

[@beepbop6697]

An American (or German, etc) design, manufactured in China to American (or German, etc) standards is fine. A Chinese design, made in China, to Chinese standards is laughable and will be junk. Not being racist, just being realistic. Let me know the name of a Chinese branded car or motorcycle and we'll look up the reliability ratings for it together and see how they compare.

[@ioandragulescu6063]

I think the biggest problem with these new made in China mostly, motorcycles is just that, they are new. If they prove to be reliable, sure, why not. Another thing that anoys me is that some companies (wink wink KTM/BMW), make bikes in China where it is cheaper but then sell them on the established markets at not so low prices and pocket the profits.

[@GCTO239]

Well, every single bike I have owned since 1998 was produced in Japan. Also my current bikes...Honda Africa Twin 1100 DCT and XL 750 Transalp. I check that before I buy because it is important to me that my Japanese bikes are actually produced in Japan. Never had a single issue with my Kawas, my Suzuki and my Hondas...quality control in Japanese plants is second to none!

[@MichaelWilliams-jc2ui]

What does “produced” in Japan mean? Do you mean assembled? Many of the components are not Japanese on your Honda’s and are made in other countries. Many of the current range of Honda’s are assembled and manufactured in India and other countries!

[@jimperry4420]

How does your Transalp compare to your Africa Twin?

[@alexandrecassemiroalvesbra185]

Exatamente !!!!!!!!

[@markspash178]

You can almost guarantee that some components of your 'Japanese ' motorcycle were manufacturered in China

[@eidrag]

​@@markspash178people forget that most of made in xxx actually means assembled at that location, the parts actually came from somewhere else

[@andreasober2740]

Thank you so much for shedding light on the issue that so many motorcycle owners have regarding the brand they ride. I moved from the US to Germany last year and brought my Kawasaki KLR650 Gen 2 with me. Of course, as one would guess, 99 percent of adventure bikes here are BMW. So I get looked down at, here and there. I ride my KLR because it is a legend, and I can sit on it and ride to the furthest corner of the continent and beyond. It has proven itself over decades, and I like to feel the ruggedness. I respect anyone who rides a motorcycle, and it doesn't matter what you ride. We all ride for the same reason, because it's our passion.

[@JohnTanner61]

The quality of BMWs is seriously not what it was! And they have factory's in China and Taiwan.

[@bobholley6202]

This gave me a headache, and a lot to think about. Been guilty of most of those comments myself. Good points Bret.

[@kimeakin1597]

Loyalty to a manufacturer should be based on the SUPPORT they provide, as much as the quality of the product. Long lasting warranties are useless when they aren't honored.

[@endajazz966]

I Just wanted to say THANKS and really appreciate your explanation!!! I own a cfmoto mt650 and couldn’t be happier with it !!! It’s a new era and almost everything is manufactured in China so maybe it’s time to enjoy your bike wherever it’s made … see you on the road and take care

[@benwaddington2475]

For me it's the Quality control that goes into the final assembly that may vary. Also something like the engine made under licence may not be made from as high quality materials as when kawasaki built the same motor. These little differences will add up

[@TheLordFawkland]

nailed it

[@1972moldmaker]

as well as the steel used for the frame. As a moldmaker that works on molds from china i can assure you their steel is junk. @@TheLordFawkland

[@luziosalles324]

Exactly.

[@hexadecimal1517]

The factory decides the QC based on their tooling. You'd be surprised the factories that make stuff for Japanese brands also make stuff for other Motocycle brands. And with regards to "quality of materials used", the grade of materials are also indicated on the design specifications and the raw materials needed to make them are provided by the very same companies that provide it for the other factories. Most of which are actually in China as they are the largest exporter of metals. This is the 2020's now, factories that have survived this long in the industry have greatly improved their tooling and QC practices.

[@marcosepe9956]

@@hexadecimal1517 I pretty much wrote the same thing, if you think the chinese are still scratching their heads trying to figure this out, you are wrong. The years of trial and error took place 20 -30 years ago china has fast evolved since.

[@alozborne]

I have a 2022 Honda CB500X that was designed in Japan, its components come from various countries, it's drivetrain is Japanese made, yet it was assembled in Thailand. I was disappointed that, in Canada, Honda sells this bike with a one year warranty but I bought it because it's a Honda and the engine has proven to be reliable for over a decade. I have no illusions about this being a Japanese bike - it's a world bike, like most bikes. The Aprilia Tuareg 660 is a bike that, on paper, I love. But I'm hesitant to replace my CB500X with it, despite the Tuareg having so many features that I want, because Aprilia doesn't have the same stellar track record of Honda. Same for KTMs. So, my purchasing decisions are based on perceived quality and good value. For that reason, I wouldn't currently consider an X Cape because it's a new model with an unproven reliability track record.

[@darylaboyce]

To buy a lesser known brand, the savings/value proposition would have to be large enough to overcome lack of a quality track record, dealer/parts availability, and poorer resale value. I think this is how Royal Enfield has been able to sell bikes made in India.

[@RollModel724]

RE sells in india because it is an indian company. It only started making competitive sales since they added the himalayan and the 650cc bikes a few years ago. I have owned them and they are great bikes with cheap parts.. but get off an interceptor and sit on a bonneville and the difference is clear

[@alexmanton8940]

I rode RE bikes all over India and loved them. Most of the time. When I recently moved to Australia, I was suprised that RE bikes were nearly twice the price of what they cost in India. Because of that, there are many, many bikes of similar price to be had. I ended up buying a BMW for much less money than an equivalent used RE Himalayan. And I can buy a used Bonneville for less or the same as a used RE Interceptor. As much as I like them and wear their T-shirts, the RE bikes don't have the same price advantage overseas as they do in India. In India, you can get a RE bike fixed for nothing in any village. That's also not true in Australia, the US, or Europe.

[@bobbyschroeder7068]

Biggest thing I look at are parts availability, longevity of the brand and or model, dealer Network. I like things that have been around for a while or plan to be around a while. So aftermarket can get up to speed and forums with lots of experience can develop. I tend to keeps things long term. Great video 😊

[@L--Z]

My guess is the Royal Enfield Himalayan is mostly made in India, just the way I like it. PS The Kove's Dakar performance changed my thinking about Chinese bikes before I heard your excellent points.

[@ioandragulescu6063]

I currently have a 2023 V Strom 1050. The VIN starts with JS and it was "born" in the Hamamatsu factory and that gives me some peace of mind :)

[@Eresteban1]

Alright, now take any component of your motorcycle and check where it's made. At least 70% of it is made in China.

[@ioandragulescu6063]

@@Eresteban1 perhaps, however I will trust the Japanese to uphold their quality assurance, since the final assembly/testing is done in Japan.

[@flattopwill]

Thanks for making this. I’m so sick of the ignorant who hate on brands and don’t understand the global economy.

[@ecalzo]

a friend of mine [motorbike mechanic] told me this week that the x-cape is a great bike.. it work and handles very well and there's no need to worry about it as soon as you may have some problems

[@OneOldManRiding]

"Strictly follows European design and manufacturing standards." I am laughing in KTM right now! (I own two) - Frank

[@silverianjannvs5315]

Indian made KTM is problematic & parts are hard to find. 390cc single cylinder 😂

[@OKFrax-ys2op]

@@silverianjannvs5315fakey ktm

[@marcoluoma3770]

Thanks, this was fun. We went through the same thing when I worked at Honda in the 90's in Ohio. The Goldwings and Shadows were made there in Ohio, but the HD bros said they would never buy a “J*p bike.”

[@fireice1997]

I love my CFmoto 450ss. I wanted to give the company a shot once I heard about them. Now as a side note I’ve had 23 motorcycles including all premium brands like ducati, bmw(5), Triumph(5) as well as a multiple bikes from all the big 4 and recently sold my Kawasaki ZH2. I sold it because I was reaching for the keys to the CFmoto almost every time I wanted to go for a ride. Why keep an 18,000 bike when the 5500 dollar bike is more enjoyable. The features are great and the bike is simply fun. Also for the price you just feel good about your purchase. When you get a ton of features for a good price you’re happy. It’s just that simple. Don’t knock them till you try them. I like this video and appreciate that you took the time to notice a Chinese bike. Whether you like it or not the Chinese offer something no other brand can and that affordability. I would like to close with this, you can get good things made in America and absolute crap that was made here. My CFmoto doesn’t feel any less premium than all those other bikes I’ve had. Thanks for coming to my TedTalk😂

[@marcsoong]

“Feel Good about your purchase” 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 bought a nice bike recently and yeah… did NOT “feel good” about my purchase. I feel ya 🤣

[@bensimpson9175]

I'm an instructor in Ohio, and one of my students this week bought a CFMoto. The whole class was sharing what bike they ride, and it looked like he almost gulped with anxiety before he told us, so I responded with a lot of excitement for his choice. He loves the bike, and got a SMOKIN' deal on a new old stock model that the dealer needed to clear out.

[@Wheelo40]

I am going to go ride an Ibex 800 next opportunity. The reviews are quite glowing.

[@renatolopes3292]

Great comments; that’s exactly why I traded my versys for a ibex 800 T; I enjoy the features and the price is great….

[@leospeedenmoto8899]

Hello, I have a Morini Scape motorcycle for a year and I have done 13,000 km on it. It has only given me joy. It's a great bike and I come from a lot of Japanese bikes.

[@timon2wheels355]

I just rented an X-cape in Italy and rode it in the Alps. I thought the bike was very competent and comfortable. I am use to a 955i Tiger so there was a lot more shifting on the 650cc Moto Morini. The stock gearing was too tall for the rpm range of the engine but this could be easily rectified. The only other real short coming is the rear shock could benefit from more adjustment. As stated in the video, the major engineering is from Kawasaki and there are many high quality components so I would consider owning one if I was in the market for this class of motorcycle.

[@liununo1993]

I‘m Chinese ,I would like to say ,we are still lack of huge technology, skill ,design and experience to build the good motorcycle ,but you can't say we don't want to .we absorb everything we could get to learn how to build a good bike.we just wanna learn and produce and make everyone could have a good bike with reasonable price like the Japanese bring the HONDA to the world .we are behind but we are learning step by step. please don't ignore the effect we have made and give us a little more time ,we will surprise you guys

[@fausto8932]

Go to Chongqing.

[@santiagolopez2140]

@@fausto8932 what do you mean?

[@Loiczzr]

Nothing to do with Chinese ppl. Everything to do with Chinese gvt.

[@markuswormann8852]

I am convinced you will do.❤On the other hand I am concerned about the jobs in Europe 😮

[@aGentleUser]

It already begins, Kove, Zontes CF Moto are starting to make curious!

[@roaminguero]

Nice video and discussion points. My Japanese branded, Thailand built bike also enjoyed it. For me it depends a bit on the brand’s quality control and track record. A Chinese owned company may behave differently from a Chinese factory that has at least some degree of oversight from the mothership. Kawasaki in my case has clearly got a good grip on their Thai factory from what I can tell. Moto Morini would not put me off but I don’t want to be a guinea pig either honestly so if in 5 years it turns out there many hard ridden high km Xcapes out there going strong then I would happily add them to the list. Otherwise I would default to the Japanese 4 first, then the Euro brands…

[@GreaseAndGravel]

We rode two fully Chinese bikes from Cape Town to Cairo for three months without issue :) Thanks for the research that went into this video!

[@cpuuk]

Based on F9 lab results, the only thing you should do is change the breaking-in period oil very early, as the Chinese engine isn't cleaned well (internally) at manufacturing time. I have a big KTM (100% made in Austria), and it was made by Hans on a Thursday and works reliably. If Otto had made it on Friday afternoon - he really wants to get home to his Käsekrainer - it wouldn't be as reliable. As an aside, 100% Chinese designed and built e-bikes are catching fire with surprising regularity. The key to everything is Quality Control.

[@Janduin45]

You mean 100% assembled in Austria?

[@beepbop6697]

Saw that video -- sawdust in the engine oil (Chinese made).

[@TheAshfishman]

Have you ever thought that the reason there's so many Chinese e-bikes catching fire is because that's where the millions of them are all made? It's like saying "Corollas are shit because there's 20 of them in every workshop"

[@Cabooseified]

If it's a parallel twin the engine was made by CFmoto

[@chrispekel5709]

@@Cabooseified Frame too

[@adv-moto]

Hi! There are several points. 1. Where did you get the information that the motor is produced under license and not just copied? Can you say the source? The design of the internal combustion engine is not subject to patenting. For example, the Kawasaki Neutral Finder is most likely patented, so it is not available on Chinese copies of this motor. If you take the new Versys 650 and the Moto Morini 650, you'll quickly notice that the engines are slightly different - the Kawasaki, for example, is smoother. Again, how do you explain that Chinese copies always have higher fuel consumption, and why the Morini produces less power at a higher compression ratio than the Kawasaki? Or, for example, the existence of the CF Moto 700 MT engine with a modification of the motor, which Kawasaki does not have - Do you think that this is also done under license? 2. Bosch - yes, but this is not the Bosch that is installed on European motorcycles. Chinese motorcycles very often have problems at low revs due to the quality of Bosch components. Look at the tests of Chinese Bosch injection systems, for example, compared to German ones.

[@neebob2]

Now here is a subject with endless debate . For me it's simple (because I'm simple minded 😁 ) . If performance is all you are interested in read all the reviews and buy the bike that fits your needs . If you care about where most of the profit from that bike goes than check to see who the parent company is . When given the choice i rather not send anymore money to China .

[@AdventureGlide]

I fully support the idea of Chinese motorcycles if they help more people get into motorcycling. While I acknowledge that Benelli motorcycles have a similar background, it's evident that they are manufactured with cost-cutting measures or older technology. The only time I'm concerned about Chinese bikes is when I'm searching for a motorcycle dealer. If my research shows that they exclusively sell Chinese bikes, I become wary of entrusting my motorcycle to them for any service. It leads me to believe they might not pay sufficient attention to detail. Brett, your channel is fantastic, and I appreciate the excellent video on this topic. Keep up the great work!

[@johnnyblue4799]

Indeed, the dealer network might be an issue, but with the engine being that of a Versys, you find plenty Kawasaki dealers. The other components are also outsourced, so having a MotoMorini dealer nearby might not be that critical.

[@gordonlunna2522]

I've had the same conversation with my friends about our pickup trucks. What is more American, the Chevy that was built in Canada, or the Toyota that was built in Texas? Parts for both are sourced from around the globe. Tough to make a case for either now days. I try to buy American, but it is often hard to figure out. Thanks for the deep dive on this!

[@BretTkacs]

My Tundra is from Texas and my F350 came from Canada. My Tacoma came from Mexico and Christinas' Lexus is Canadian

[@myjudge45410]

Heavy earth moving equipment is the same, Caterpillar equipment is "American" except for some parts, the place it is manufactured, and the materials used can be sourced from other countries. Some Cat equipment loving people get angry when it is pointed out that it isn't only American made. I would rather support American companies, but the isn't truly possible. Good video, Brett

[@timsalabimbombassa]

My Yamaha T7 was designed and developed in Italy and built in France. All around the Japanese CP2 engine. Where’s my bike from?

[@beepbop6697]

@@timsalabimbombassa Yamaha designed bike made to Yamaha quality standards is a Yamaha Japanese bike -- because Yamaha is headquartered in Japan. Nobody will call your Yamaha a French or Italian bike (though that is where it was made).

[@Ed-vi4rx]

A motorcycle is EMOTION!. suppose that sales will go up when the bike is manufatured in Italy. Good vid. Food for thought.

[@Atpaw]

Thanks for putting together this video, Brett. The 'part of that bike is made in china!!!!11 No way I'm buying that!' post is one I frequently see on Advrider and Reddit, pretty much on every single F850GS/F900GS thread. I think the attitude is at best naiive (where do they think their smartphone or computer parts are manufactured?), and at worst, well, let's not go there. In my view what really matters is the QA and QC, regardless of brand and regardless of country of manufacture.

[@SoybeanAK]

My smartphone and laptop were made in Japan. You can find alternatives if you look. It's not about quality strictly, it's about not giving roughly half of the purchase price to the CCP to continue a campaign of widespread genocide and gaslighting the global media about it. The Chinese manufacturers can make quality, but they can't avoid funding the CCP.

[@hibob841]

Offering a superior warranty to that of your competitors is a smart move for an unknown/untrusted newcomer. It literally buys consumer confidence in the short term. In the long term it sort of forces the MFR to maintain reasonable quality, or the warranty claims will likely bury them (and consumers know this). Hyundai used this strategy to great effect.

[@13thearl]

I buy my bikes depending on the perceived quality, dealer network and if it fits my needs. My new to me BMW Scooter comes from China, is four years old and has a two year full warranty with BMW breakdown cover so effectively that is a 6 year warranty! My Honda was built in Japan and had a 2 year warranty but it won't go wrong - never owned a Honda that went wrong! Their reliability is legendary for a reason.

[@cerealtiller]

Honda showed the World how to mass produce high Quality Motorcycles... Have owned various Honda's for 55 Years, all of them well Engineered.

[@briangc1972]

The guys screaming "Chinese Bikes - No Thanks!" are usually typing on their Chinese iPhone, Thailand computer, and they drive a car with Chinese semiconductors surrounding them.

[@SoybeanAK]

I personally have a Japanese made phone- Kyocera, not terribly expensive- and computer, and get the rest from non-mainland sources as well. Manufacturing is global and complicated, but the choice is pretty clear. Do you wanna fund the CCP, or go a little bit out of your way not to buy the cheap option that puts cash in the pockets of genocidal maniacs?

[@zero_grip_gs]

​​@@SoybeanAKright. Genocidal maniacs like the US government. Selling peace for oil. I really like how everyone uses politics to sell their argument on chinese bikes. My dude, there are chinese people who have a passion for motorcycles too, and do like to sell and produce good products. If you judge the people in that country solely on their government views, you get a lopsided argument.

[@chamade166]

@@SoybeanAKYou can say many things about the CCP, but as far as killing civilians, if you are American better keep quiet.

[@SoybeanAK]

@@chamade166 Lol what? No one here condoning the US gov't's actions. But there's private industry in the U.S., massive difference. You're just running free interference for the CCP with weak whataboutism.

[@snow_hound8026]

No one cares soybean 🎉

[@flatcapcaferacer]

Buy and ride what your budget and conscience allows. Personally I'm tired of hearing the old arguments about since everything else we buy is Chinese then one more thing like a motorcycle won't make difference. I do care about how the money I spend is used to support the Chinese Communist Party. China like Russia is using your dollars to bully and threaten it's South China Sea neighbors. Personally I don't necessarily have problems with the Chinese motorcycle manufacturers but I do have issues to where some of this money goes. Many if not most of the things we purchase are Chinese because there are not alternatives currently available but for motorcycles we do have a choice.

[@siciliaexploreradvbygiesse7231]

Hi Bret, i’m italian and see you from Mototrek period. In Italy for many many people the X Cape is chinese… but for me this is incorrectly: the X Cape project is 100% italian… but hand-Made in china… is an hybrid. STOP THANKS BRET FOR YOUR EXPERIENCES IN THIS CHANNEL💪🏻

[@chrispekel5709]

It's a Japanese er6/ninja 650 frame and engine copied by Cfmoto in china and then put into other bikes like this one, which is designed in Italy. So it's essentially a globalised hybrid

[@Carlos-bp1vp]

I am loyal to a well built product. Don't care where something is made or where the money goes as long as it's good. Why punish a company of passionate people building a good profuct that happen to be in the 'wrong' country.

[@diegolainfiesta]

So you don't care that the money is used to built a military that threatens your country?

[@bensimpson9175]

Well stated.

[@FightFilms]

Not buying from someone is not punishment. You are fallaciously polarizing the debate.

[@MotoCocoTV]

Have everyone check where their helmets are made lol..Guys will be Shocked ...PS Bret I'm really digging the mid century looking carpet!

[@LYLEWOLD]

Good rant. For me, reliability is key. I grew up poor, I'll always "feel" poor, so I need whatever I spend my money on to live up to its promises. That's where my brand loyalty comes from. Regarding this bike, I gotta admit they look good and are priced well. I especially liked that SCR in Boot Camp Green. I hope they are as good as they look, but that'll take time to see (or be brave and be an early adopter, which I'm not, lol). Thanks Bret

[@Cj-yw8cs]

I am poor...i buy a bike because of reliability. The klr650 was q buy only because of reliability....I hope!

[@dragoclarke9497]

Well said, I reckon a lot of people feel the same.

[@beepbop6697]

@@Cj-yw8cs Kawasaki makes reliable bikes.

[@chrispekel5709]

This bike is based on the CFmoto 650 platform (engine, electrics, frame are the same as their 650 range). They've been around for over a decade and the early ones had issues mainly with the electrics but they're very reliable now

[@FightFilms]

If you are poor and have at least one motorcycle, why are you still in the market of one?

[@DraganBakema]

Every MotoTuber wanted to make this video but Bret actually made it. And made it well.

[@williammahaffy4642]

Got back on the road in 2021 on one of the few bikes that were available at that time. Benelli TRK502. Owned by Qianjiang Motor Group- part of Geely Holding who also have Lotus and Volvo. The bike was a little heavy for it's power but didn't let me get into too much trouble despite my best efforts. Put 13,000 miles in 14months and not a single hiccup. Bike looked great, ran great, absolutely no complaints. If they ever bring the 702 to the US, I'll buy it sight-unseen.

[@dougfoster5249]

I just bought a 2023 CFMOTO 700 CL-X Heritage. It's a great looking bike and a lot of fun to ride. I watched a bunch of reviews on KZbin and all had good to great things to say about it. Time will tell as far as dependability and parts. But, for a 66 year old looking to get back into riding after 17 years away, so far I have no complaints what so ever. The is a Chinese built bike with ties to KTM and Kawasaki (I believe).

[@desmodare]

Hi Bret. I agree with you most of the part, but one correction Ducati is 4 years warranty unlimited mileage! 😀👋 (I'm in Europe)

[@Avensur]

There you go! Why we have to criticize a vehicle made in another country? Because if it's not made in USA is a bad quality? I worked for a USA company where managed aircraft parts inventory and I notice that, like you commented, a great deal of engine parts are made worldwide. After WW2, all those countries in this conflict started to grow significantly, technologically speaking, and you can see a little bit of them making our lives easier. Doesn't matter where a car or motorbike was made, it can travel to places you never imagined a wheeled machine can reach. THE BEST MOTORBIKE FOR AN ADVENTURE IS THE ONE IN YOUR GARAGE 👍

[@gapper3]

That's why I ride Moto Guzzi. The most European motorcycle of them all.

[@astro61362]

First time watcher. Very interesting video. The FortNine video comparing oil from new motorcycles really scared me away from not only Chinese built bikes but Italian built motorcycles as well.

[@BretTkacs]

Welcome to the channel, I hope you enjoy the other videos I do as well 😁👍

[@metalpolishshop]

I may not own Chinese but I do own Italian Motto Guzzi V85TT. So is Japanese better than Chinese?? Or can both have major issues? Example KTM has had many issues......

[@tailgunnerdenis3331]

Excellent work Bret. It all comes down to Corporate Branding and the guarded integrity of the brand from whichever country one prefers. All the reliable big names do purchase assembled parts from many countries and ensure these parts (for the most part) are designed/maintained to the highest standards and within specs of the Brands quality parameters. This ensures the integrity of the Brand. So, in short, all bikes do (as you clearly demonstrated) contain numerous parts from numerous countries with specifications acceptable to the particular Brand. My Harley’s, my Honda and Yamaha’s all share some similar DNA….and the same garage. Never caught them fighting yet…lol Excellent segment Bret.

[@saddlesore_adventures]

As a Versys owner it is always nice to see a new Chinese motorcycle using Kawasaki's platform. It's an excellent, reliable and budget friendly engine. But using same design doesn't necessarily mean it will meet same level of reliability that Kawasaki is known for. It is manufactured by completely different people (known to produce low quality motorcycles in the past). What difference would it make if the bike has KYB shocks if Chinese engine is low quality? So far there are few statistical points to say if those Chinese Versys clones are reliable or not.

[@BretTkacs]

Only time will tell

[@MOTOPILOT6]

The engine has been in use for years. The proven reliability allowed MM to give it their 3 year unlimited mileage warranty. The best warranty in motorcycling.

[@beepbop6697]

@@MOTOPILOT6 just buy a Kawasaki then. What on this "Chinese" bike isn't outsourced to reputable vendors and what is the quality of _those_ parts? Everyone knows Kawasaki is reliable, but it is disingenuous to use Kawasaki's good reputation for this Chinese branded bike.

[@renerojas5049]

Material sourcing is the best way to cut cost in production. As long as the material or part is not a lemon and quality assurance is observed.. will try out brands that can offer the best value for money

[@JeroenBrosens]

Hi Bret! I recently test rode the X-Cape to see whether it'd be an upgrade to my 47 hp Honda CB500X (from Thailand!). I found it to be nice riding but not so powerful (60 hp, but also heavier). I now bought a Suzuki V-Strom 650 instead with 71 hp, but I still like the X-Cape's styling a lot! Will you do a review video on it?

[@BretTkacs]

I have it for awhile and have about 2000miles of pavement and dirt so far. As far as bike reviews go I think this one needs time and hard use to vet it properly

[@markkumanninen6524]

Many Asian bikes are heavy - and often underpowered. I might consider the new Himalayan if it had 40-45 bhp. So I deduce that what costs in a "good" bike, is the power-to-weight ratio. Titanium is expensive.

[@cantkeepitin]

Stay with 500X😊😊😊

[@CGR89]

While I don’t disagree with your sentiment, yes I do check the VIN for each vehicle I buy before I buy it. The one thing I will say is a Chinese part being sent to BMW will be up to higher standards because BMW will demand higher standards. If parts are below BMW standards they will not be accepted and most certainly will not be shipped to a customer. A Chinese company buying parts from a Chinese company has historically not had the same levels of standards and will ship bikes with poorer quality parts.

[@pravinsaravanan8941]

Chinese manufacturing, that i can trust - cheap & advanced machining. chinese brand, an absolute NO - no spare parts, no service, no quality checking, no research and development and last of all they close the shop whenever they can and open a new fake brand shop.

[@romanbednar5917]

My biggest concerns with these Italian-washed Chinese bikes are not mechanical reliability, but the reliability of their service network. As a Moto Guzzi owner, I should be used to this, but what my friend experienced with his Benelli is bullshit on a whole new level - 3 years after buying it, the importer made him wait a whole season for common parts that he couldn't even deliver in the end... Chinese bikes? nah, thanks.

[@barrymhou]

Just so you know, that the state owns Morini, not a private Chinese firm. The Communist Party, a state owned entity bought Morini along with many other European companies. My point is that the CCP is at a much grander scheme of things in dominating the wealth on this planet and should we be supporting that effort? For me, I would rather spend my money with an honest Italian, Japanese brand even if they were made or assembled outside of Italy or Japan.

[@NakaNakaDerkaDerka]

👏 and that’s why I won’t buy a Chinese owned brand. Ever.

[@turtleneck2156]

Quality control is not the only, or even primary, reason for considering the place of manufacture or source of components for a motorcycle (or any other product). What is very important to me are other things. Does the assembly take place in a democracy? What portion of parts come from an authoritarian regime? What rights and freedoms do the workers have? To what extent does the country currently abuse human rights for others or its own citizens? These are the key questions for me and why I avoid buying products from the People’s Republic of China (when that’s even possible). It has nothing to do with quality control.

[@JEmmertz]

Interesting questions on many levels! Since I'm involved in IT I have very good reasons to avoid a lot of Chinese brands or Chinese parts. When it comes to cars, motorcycles and other stuff it spills over. How's the manufacturing standards, MTBF's, actual quality of raw materials, welds, soldering etc? Labour is cheap in China, but to do you want to buy and encourage that, or do you want to pay a little bit extra so that the workers actually can live on their wages?

[@DJPTEXAS]

Exactly !

[@thanosgeorgopoulos9813]

For someone involved in IT, that every single component you touch is made in China, from your phone or your keyboard you typed that comment, that is a strong statement. lol.

[@lear60man]

I avoid Chinese bikes for a few reasons. A) They tend to cut corners and dont care about longevity as a brand. B) Good luck getting quality parts to repair your XYZ and C) As a whole, they are into domination instead of cooperation. Ive had almost every major brand across the years. Still have an older MV that has thankfully been fairly bullet proof. Now that its almost 20 years old, its now a piece of working garage art. Daily duties get handed to the KTM 990 ADV. I was thinking about a Kove 450 Rally, but dont want to be holding the bag when something breaks and I have to beg for parts to make it from China.

[@mannyechaluce3814]

as long as we avoid supporting the CCP as much as possible, right now that is practically impossible to do since CCP has the monopoly on manufacturing, but at least we try to avoid supporting CCP

[@philobrien5114]

For me it’s country that owns the brand. I don’t think you looked at the manufacturer’s process. BMW for example will likely have a German management team and quality control processes in place to ensure the brands quality. Chinese brands will have Chinese management and control systems. Historically the Chinese have a much lower standard of quality control.

[@MoroMagrew]

Thanks for bringing attention to this! I get tired of brand snobbery and country criticism! It’s all about quality control, if the brand is in the factory they can ensure that it meets the expectations of their brand. Manufacturers have more than one brand at different prices coming out of their factories in any industry, as long as their customer demands high standards that’s what makes the difference.

[@royandtracyboling5969]

I bought a Kawasaki Versys 300 X back in February. I have just over 5,000 miles on it thus far. I liked the look and feel of it on the test ride. I liked that it was small enough to move around easily and large enough engine to be freeway usable. It was barely used, 4 miles on my test ride, which saved me some cash on the purchase price. It came in about $6,000 out the door. It is paid off. I also went with an inexpensive bike, since it is my commuter. If it gets wrecked or stolen, it is easily replaceable. Since it is inexpensive, the likelyhood of itbeing stolen is slim anyway. I returned to riding Spring of 2022 after getting a 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650. I liked it, but it was too heavy when I went down alone on dirt. I began looking for a lighter ADV after that weekend. I still like the concept of a lighter weight off road capable bike that is still relatively comfortable on a street ride. On the Versys, I had no trouble keeping up with the big baggers and cruisers on a ride through Sequoia Kings Canyon National Parks. On the open straight highway, I have to work to stay with pack, but it is doable.

[@Cabooseified]

I had one as well and a CRF250Rally and can gladly say I liked the X-300 more. Suspension and engine made it a much better bike. However I do wish they would put the 400 engine in it and put a taller 5th and 6th gear. Gets buzzy from 65-75.

[@jamesfairmind2247]

Great video! I have back to Yamaha after decades of KTM because ironically the T7's we get in the UK are made in France. So ironically a British brand is built in the Far East but a Japanese brand is made in Europe! My other bike is Moto Guzzi V85TT and it is definitely still all manufactured in Italy at the historical factory although who knows what components are made elsewhere?

[@aasphaltmueller5178]

KTM is an Austrian Brand, Thriumph is made in Thailand, though

[@jamesfairmind2247]

@@aasphaltmueller5178 I said Triumph was built in the Far East, and re KTM, did you not watch this video? A lot of KTMs such as the 790 are fully built in China and others in India. A lot of their components are now built in China too.

[@aasphaltmueller5178]

@@jamesfairmind2247 I know, but it is not a british bike

[@jamesfairmind2247]

@@aasphaltmueller5178 I didn't say it was. I said it is a British BRAND which in its relaunched form built its bikes in Britain for 20 years from 1991 until it decided in 2012 to just design and develop all its bikes in Hinckley in the UK and manufacture them in Thailand under British management. KTM has always been an Austrian BRAND and is now going to follow Triumph's example by developing its bikes in Austria and manufacturing them abroad in China and India. So what please is your point exactly?

[@charmingmander331]

​@@aasphaltmueller5178A bunch of KTMs stuff is made in China.

[@esdrubaldino]

Triumph is also manufacturing the new Scrambler 400, which uses a Bajaj engine (India), they even said so on their KZbin videos.

[@MOTOPILOT6]

Fantastic perspective. A lot of this mfg. information is rarely exposed. I remember when everyone used to slam Japanese motorcycles. The rides are changing.

[@beepbop6697]

Curious, when were Japanese motorcycles ever slammed for quality? Honda came on the scene and destroyed the HD market share -- then HD got butthurt and cried to Reagan who put import bans in place against Japanese large cc bikes (equivalent cc to the HDs). A low horsepower bike compared to a high horsepower bike and the larger always wins in perceived quality. Anyhow, thanks to Reagan, the Japanese innovated and cranked out high horsepower bikes with small cc engines, thereby dooming HD who is incapable of technical advancement.

[@DanielHelc]

Good point to discuss. There is COVE as well to consider that might give all the brands good run for the money. As the recreational vehicle, all I care is how it looks and rides plus the engine and exhaust sound. Reliability is bonus.

[@lunar-firefly]

A lot of people definitely seem to forget the variety of parts, and origins in the manufacturing of motorcycles. And cars. And commercial vehicles. Brand loyalty is fine, but recognizing there's a widespread collection of participating countries should be a reminder of this versatility in components. I was chatting with some people in a motorcycle group about it and there were a few who were very against CF Moto just on the sole premise that it was a 'Chinese Motorcycle'. And it is. But it's also shown tremendous growth in their standards. They actually listened to the feedback and have made a lot of improvements overall. That kind of thing should be what a motorcycle (or ANY vehicle) should be based on. I support your opinions in this completely. Just because a country may have a bad rep, doesn't mean there aren't legitimate, quality companies within its borders.

[@billwaterhouse5894]

Complex indeed. To me it’s where the profits mostly end up. If in China, I decline.

[@dandersonjr]

Well laid out video and very informative and for me it's about who owns the majority of a company and where the majority of the profits go. I'm okay with many countries that manufacture motorcycles except for a few and one of those few on my list is China.

[@MacAlex007]

Exactly! We can't have control over everything, but if we avoid the companies on top of the piramid that belong to those countries, we can at least minimize their profit.

[@chrispekel5709]

Why? This really seems to be an American thing. In other parts of the world (Europe, Australasia) Chinese bikes have proven themselves as being good for the money. Here in Australia in places like Sydney you see heaps of Cfmoto bikes (usually the 150nk) being used by Uber eats delivery drivers, they really like them. The Moto Morini is built on the Cfmoto 650 platform

[@MacAlex007]

@@chrispekel5709 I'm from Europe. 🙂 Why do you think European Commission is investigating Chinese automakers and planning to increase their import duties? Thanks to Russia, Europe is learning not to put all the eggs on the same basket, and China already has too many European eggs... 🙄 The reason I won't buy Chinese bikes, has nothing to do with their price or their quality. They can sell them at half the price. I won't buy them! It's a matter of principle! China is the country with highest CO2 emissions, talk about saving the planet... Also, child labor, no freedom of expression and so many other reasons to not buy from them... Buying from them is to give strenght to these problems to go on. People should think more on these things and not just on their pockets. 🙄

[@dandersonjr]

@@chrispekel5709 You are right. It is an American thing, but we like people from Australia so if you folks would build a bike we would probably buy it. You've got some of the best testing grounds in the world.

[@chrispekel5709]

@@dandersonjr manufacturing here is dead. We have some specialised industries around defense (which are subsidised by government) but very little is made here. The car industry completely disappeared a few years back. It would be great if we could get back to building things, but it's unlikely to happen as the cost would be too prohibitive here. Something could be Australian designed but they'd built it in china or Mexico

[@czaszi]

I rode the MotoMorini X-Cape this year and it is a Chinese bike as for me the quality of it is what I would expect from such product. Plastics are cheap, controls very basic. It has an LCD screen - yeey? - nope. It is dim and sluggish. Engine is not very exciting either. Other brands mentioned - BMW, KTM do have some of their models made in China and it shows. In my opinion there is significant quality difference between an BMW G310R and R1250GS. Yes, they are different bikes and different price points but I am referring to pieces like plastics, controls, etc. What is more, quality control in Chinese factories can be different for different manufacturers and as it is expensive process, it will translate to additional cost of a unit. Now, if any of the points above would not bother me, I could consider it but since they do, I won't consider a Chinese bike any time soon regardless if its MotoMorini, BMW, KTM or any other manufacturer.

[@ivey77426]

In-house chinese motorcycle were notorious for low quality of engineering and materials used in the past. That's why people hate them. I saw with my own eyes many failed chinese motors where the problem was simply poor alloy quality and something just cracked inside motor itself, it was a common issue in our repair shop. Of course, that doesn't make this Morini motorcycle as bad as those we encountered in our shop. Using good brands parts and motor designed by Kawasaki IS a good start. But only time can tell if it's actually reliable, because as it IS manufactured by chinese company without external quality control, those engines could be well susceptible to same materials issue I described.

[@MOTOPILOT6]

The MM 649 engine has been used for several years, proving itself as reliable

[@bio4564]

Spot on. Thanks for challenging assumptions and teaching me more about globalization. More people need to hear and understand this message - not just for motorcycles - to allow us all to make better informed decisions. I like the way you objectively framed the question to what people want to support without judging because I don’t think there is a wrong answer on what makes a product appealing- as long as it’s grounded in accurate information!

[@erisaweasel]

China is a communist country. That means, at the end of the day, everything is “owned” by the Chinese government, and therefore is controlled or run by the Chinese Communist Party. As to Moto Morini, it is a Chinese manufacturer that is ultimately owned and / or run by the CCP. Other companies may source parts from China or contract with Chinese owned factories, but they are not controlled by or run by the CCP. As for me, while I would greatly prefer that BMW, e.g., not build anything in China, at least when I buy a BMW I’m not directly putting my money in the hands of a repressive communist regime that (1) has no regard for human rights, (2j would like nothing more than to replace the US as the dominant superpower, and (3) has no problems committing genocide against its own people. That is why I, myself, will not purchase any brands owned by Chinese companies (if I can avoid it).

[@BretTkacs]

It is getting harder to support those ideals we value through what we purchase. It will be interesting to see if the COVID works shut downs alter the worlds interdependence between countries of opposing social policies. The Ukraine/Russian conflict is another example of the interdependence between conflicting politics as demonstrated with EU countries continuing to buy Russian energy

[@MOTOPILOT6]

You contradicted yourself. You claim everything is controlled by the CCP. And the MM factory falls under that regime. But then seem to claim that the China factories used by other brands aren't CCP controlled. Explain how that works.

[@Euryheli]

No, that's not what it means. Yes, some of the companies are owned by the government, but the majority are privately owned. What you are saying WAS true decades ago, but today it is mostly in the large utilities, telecom and banking.

[@NakaNakaDerkaDerka]

I agree with your sentiment, but as others have said not all companies are CCP owned. But they are also incorrect in their responses. ALL companies in China are CCP controlled. The CCP will step into any companies operations for whatever reasons they need. For those who think supporting a regime like the CCP is ok, I could not disagree with you more. Whilst you can’t avoid made in China, in whole or parts, you can avoid sending the finished goods sales back to a regime that claims the pacific as theirs, wants to go to war with any country that speaks anything about China they don’t like to hear, and slaps economic coercion on others whilst crying others don’t follow international trade rules. So I agree with your final comments, I also won’t support any Chinese or Chinese owned brand, even part owned.

[@briangc1972]

Where was your cell phone made? Where was your computer made? I agree with your sentiment of "not putting my money in the hands of a repressive communist regime that (1) has no regard for human rights, (2j would like nothing more than to replace the US as the dominant superpower, and (3) has no problems committing genocide against its own people. " Blame Congress for giving China a favored trade status instead banning communist controlled countries from selling to the US.

[@boxermeister1968]

The German philosophies of efficiency and quality control is a major reason why I purchased my 2019 BMW R1250GS. It is assembled in Berlin by real live Germans, with the parts I've seen mounted on it coming from Germany, Hungary, Italy, etc, from everything I can tell. NOT FROM THE CCP.

[@zeplin4078]

What an eye opener. Excellent video. Although I am KTM loyal, I will think differently about Chinese motorcycles.

[@podunkman2709]

"Eye opener" 😂

[@zeplin4078]

@@podunkman2709 doos

[@ToddBryantsr]

I remember that for forever I imagined that Honda was a American brand and when I woke up from this dream it caused me to question why I had entertained that thought for so long in my mind. It turned out that I was projecting my affections towards my bike and the reliability I had placed on it to deliver me to my various adventures and pursuits. Of course Honda is not an American brand -- but it ticks the boxes on the things that make me feel like it is. Honda seemed to understand my values and skillfully crafted those into a brand, a model, a bike. Today I ride Kawasaki and Yamaha bikes for the same reason and in my mind, I kind of imagine that the best parts of the bike were made here in America although I know that is probably not true. Yet, I make them true which confers to me that all of this is just about warm affections and I think that's ok as long as a bike doesn't leave me stranged in the back country of Vanuatu during monsoon season. That would be bad and would probably inspire me to create a equally yet contrary affection in my mind and so it's all just an illusion. I'd ride anything as long as it's reliable, safe and doesn't require expensive parts to repair. As long as it's predictable and makes me feel confident as I go about in the execution of my ideas, I'd really ride anything and I wouldn't think twice about it.

[@jonepomuk]

The only real issue I see with these new brands is the question of long time supply of spare parts.

[@petrzeman8581]

Sorry but there is a big difference between, for example, BMW, which has its factory in China, making its motorcycles, and a Chinese company that makes Chinese motorcycles, called buying a European brand.

[@NakaNakaDerkaDerka]

It’s not about where parts come from, it’s about where the money goes when sold. Don’t want to support a country that constantly threatens others with war or economic coercion. Chinese… no thanks .

[@briangc1972]

Where was your cell phone made? Where was your computer made? Where was your TV made? Where were the semiconductors in your car made? Blame Congress for selling out to Wall Street demands of opening up trade relations.

[@kl9518]

Who has threatened and been at war with the most in the past century. US or China. Syria, Iraq, Vietnam, Korean, Yemen...atomic bombs in Japan..Afghanistan...and so on. How many countries are the US sanctioning around the world?

[@rotorhead5000]

Because the USA has never threatened war over nonsense, committed human rights violations, or actively worked to destabilize other parts of the world for economic gain...

[@christophedifo1623]

I'm no fan of the Chinese government, that's for sure. But everything you stated about the Chinese government can be said of the United States. The United States uses economic coercion, backed up by the threat of force to dominate weaker countries. I'm not saying that's even a bad thing. That's just how the world works. I'm just saying that let's not pretend that China is doing something that the United States doesn't do.

[@steveh545]

I agree with Bret. But don’t disagree with nakanaka. It’s a buyer’s choice how they spend their money. On bikes, or beer, or whatever. Their decision doesn’t have to make sense to me. Just to them. There have been some crappy Chinese bikes sold. Can’t deny that. But agree you can’t throw the baby out with the bath water. Let each bike stand on its own. Let each buyer make the call. Just saying “Chinese bikes are crap” in the comment is just agitating, but that’s what some people do for a living.

[@joakimf4868]

Without taking a stand on whether or not the Moto Morini is a good bike, it is 100% a Chinese brand and a Chinese bike. So is Benelli. The only Italian thing on these bikes are the names. They say it’s designed in Italy, this may be true, but that is just because of the image they want to create of a ”re-born” Italian brand, they pay a few guys to sit in a design office in Italy, but all decisions, all manufacturing etc. happens in China. It might as well be designed in China. I am not saying this is a bad thing, but it’s just the way it is. The Chinese buy these ”dead” European brands because we in the western world are more likely to buy a Benelli or Moto Morini than a Zoungyang. The same thing is happening in the automotive industry, eg. with MG.

[@701SUMO]

A lesson on global economy for xenophobes... good job Bret

[@dtrex392]

So you’re ok with the CCP enslaving the Uyghurs? You’reok with organ harvesting? You’re ok with the 90 million CCP members controlling the lives of 1.4 billion Chinese? You’re ok with the persecution of Christians and Falun Gong and any other religion? That’s xenophobia?

[@AdventureBert]

We Just Got a Kove 450 Rally and its build quality is pretty outstanding so far. People said the same about Japanese bikes in the 70s and 80s and we know how that turned out.

[@brianholland8290]

Ive had kawasaki yamaha triumph and honda ive just bought a benelli trk 702X if i took the stickers off the tank i wouldnt know i was riding a chinese motorcycle im absolutly made up with my purchase and can buy two for the price of one triumph it doesnt have all the bells and whitles and rider modes but neither did my honda things i dont need loads of dealers now in the uk so ive no concerns whatsoever all i can say is the bike rides just as good as all the japanese and uk triumph bikes ive had and test rode Im having exactly the same fun on the chinese bike as i did on all the others Im convinced china has turned the corner and catched up the japanese now if you doubt it just book a test ride like i did i was in no doubt the honda was being traded in as soon as i got back from test riding the benelli trk702X i wasnt bothered in the slightest were it was designed nor were it was built and produced all i cared about was having a superb riding motorcycle that i could throw around the twisties coming off the cb500x the benelli is on another level in my opinion fantastic riding experience with all the power you need for road and street riding DONT KNOCK THEM UNTIL YOU TRY AND TEST THEM YOU MIGHT GET THE SURPRISE I DID safe riding guys take care thats my honest unbiased opinion for what its worth

[@HW100]

Excellent video. 4 Year Warranty here in the UK for the CF Moto, ho are partnered with KTM. I had a look at one here and very good build quality and tech level, for a lot less money. People are Brand loyal for sure, if you have £20,000 for a Bike then why not. However, in the real World, most don't. Lots of people buy every incarnation of Iphones, it doesn't make it the best, in fact most other phones out there are as good if not better, each to their own. These people that don't like Chinese stuff should look into what they own, throw out anything Chinese made and see what they have left. I am not a Chinese cheerleader by a long way, but its the way things are going, when profit is King, the expensive brands with add cheaper parts so quality will dwindle slowly. I own a Triumph Tiger, Triumph, owned by a British Billionare, with factories in the UK, Thailand and Brazil. Most of the Flagship Bikes are made in the Thai factory. Certainly not a Triumph in the true Heritage sense, in fact about as far from one as it could be.

[@dochonk961]

Finally, someone is calling a spade a spade. So far, I have not seen a post that illustrates this topic in such a way. Bravo!

[@NEINLIVES999]

I own a 2023 XCape. I've owned BMW's, Yamaha's, Kawasaki's and Harley's, and I'll tell you, this bike is the best bang-for-the-buck on the market! I recently sold my BMW R1250RS due to only needing one bike in my quiver. The XCape checks all boxes for commuting and my moto-camping needs.

[@simulacrae]

It's not about manufacturing or where parts are sourced, it's about not supporting the Chinese state more than necessary, there's a reason the Chinese bikes are half the price of whatever western bike they've copied.

[@cheekonghan7549]

No matter what brand, I get on it, it make me happy, that's it. That's the bike I want.

[@PrimoStracciatella]

But - the happiness depends on the brand! ;)

[@RolfAnthonyYoung]

Bravo! 🎉 As a new rider and new owner of a Moto Morini Seiemmezzo SCR it was ❤ at first site! I test rode a Triumph Bonneville T100 and thought this classic would be my 1st bike. But the MM really provided a lot of new tech and the style plus performance is amazing. Then price figured in and though the Triumph was 1k cheaper a new MM just felt right. 3 weeks after purchase, 300 miles clocked, I know I made the right decision. I will say I love all types of bikes and the MM is definitely my gateway drug to exploring all makes and models of bikes. As far as your video goes it’s really spot on. I just say to all the hater’s…it’s a global economy brother 👍

[@SandraOrtmann1976]

I do not believe that any bike is actually produced in the country the brand is located. However, I believe you get what you pay for. I tried a very similar brand to Moto Morini: Benelli. I loved the looks of the Leoncino 500. It was also very favourably priced. However, one major defect happened after two weeks of riding: the rear brake got stuck. And as I was about to mod its seat, I was shocked by the thinness of its plastic base (during removing the staples, it tore. I had to fix it with resin). I wondered what might lurk beneath that thin shell. Did not care to found out, happily exchanged it for a Yamaha Tracer 700 (I exchanged its seat for a heated version, so I got to see the seat shell as well. It is strong and sturdy, just as I expected). I am sure China is perfectly capable of producing bikes comparable to anything produced elsewhere (yes, even Germany or USA). But there might be different levels of production quality and quality control. Hence you get different levels of quality. As long as you actually pay less for lesser quality, I am fine with this. Just know what you get yourself into. However, if you pay premium e.g. for a BMW or Harley, I expect equally flawless bikes. No matter where they are manufactured.

[@zero_grip_gs]

I own the leoncino 500 trail! Had suzukis, yamahas and one ktm. The only bikes that didn't give me any trouble were my old gs500e and one yz250. I gently "modified" the benelli and been using it almost like a dirtbike, the bike's been getting punished, specially the suspension and the frame. It has about 35k kms, with only a blown fork seal. Faultless so far. Never noticed the seat thing, tho i find it hard to put back in place. Bought this one for looks and perceived quality, and the engine is proven on the various trk forums. Also, coming from track days and dirbikes, i wasn't ready for a 21inch front on such a heavy bike, so I found a middle ground with the 19 😅 Ride safe 👌

[@neilhutton1528]

All valid points. As a Customs officer working in the movement of worldwide goods.... a product is given its origin under the world trade rules of origin legislation. this is a calculation of the origin of the parts + percentages of the processing (manufacture) of the product. The large companies employ very clever people who know the rules of origin and specifically ensure that the end product, in this case a motorcycle, ends up originating in the country of manufacture thus its origin will be china and customs duties will be calculated depending on trade agreements between china and the rest of the world. BMW, Renault, Citroen, Mercedes are all European cars filled with chips and microprocessors, Carpets, tyres from China, Japan, Africa and USA however the end product will have been designed to be German or French when it rolls off the production line (due to the sum of the parts and the percentage of processing/manufacture) whereby the company can declare it's being German or French thus enjoying preferential status with its worldwide trade partners as and when those pesky customs officers calculate the relevant import duties.... This does not take anything away from your argument. I simply thought you might wasn't to know how all this works.

[@antoniovelez9431]

100 percent agree. Good video love the content. I have a 22 ABS Grom. A 2024 CF Moto 450 SS coming. I’m was made in the USA. (1968) And my parents were from Puerto Rico. Wow,l can make my own list. Good work sir I appreciate your videos.

[@JohnLaCroixRenaissanceMan]

I find some folks just want to bash anything made in China. They ignore the fact that products comping out of China today are the same as they were 20 or 30 years ago. When I was growing up, anything that was 'made in Japan' was considered crap and now look how that is so not the case today. People have to realize that the Chinese have been improving their production processes and manufacturing capability just like any other country that relies on manufacturing for their bread and butter. I used to own a 26 HP Chinese diesel tractor, built in 1992. It was based on an old Ford design from the early 1960's. My neighbor had a 30 HP Kubota and it was no contest as to who's machine was out in the field working the most, in any weather. In many respects, small details of the machine indicated that the engineers built things with an eye on being able to make repairs in the field - and get back to work quickly. When I had problems with my machine, I could easily fix most things myself. The trouble was sourcing parts, which often I had to wait to have shipped. I bought it used for about 10K less than a comparable (used) Kubota The lesson I learned was that there are smart people all over the world, and those people know how to do shit just like we do here in the USA. So I wouldn't have any reservations buying a Chinese assembled ADV bike. I love my GS, but anyone starting out ADV riding wouldn't be doing themselves a disservice by starting out on one of these. The only issue I would have would be the extent of the dealer network for service.

[@tHaH4x0r]

What matters is firstly research, development and design, and secondly the quality control. This is what separates the brands. Hell, the 2015 reliability report from ConsumerReports showed that nearly half of all BMW riders have had issues with their brand new bikes! Talk about premium. Ducati only slightly better at 33%. (And yes, those numbers can be slightly skewed for different reasons, but the point still mainly stands). From this though, there is 'loyalty' to a brand, as they are the ones in charge of both the development, and the QC. If they have a good track record in reliability you can have more confidence in their reliability. A poor or unknown track record obviously puts up question marks. In this case, we have know idea about the reliability of this (essentially) new manufacturer. It is not the same Morini from before, and it is true that they are leaning on the 'brands' previous track record. Blindly trusting that, or blindly rejecting it because it is from China, are equally short sighted. Only time will tell, after the pioneers have put hundreds of thousands of KMs on their bike, whether 'modern morini' has done their due diligence in design and QC.

[@RixsterGixster750]

Great topic Bret! The engineering behind products, along with what a brand named company are willing to warrant their products goes a long way with me. You presented a lot to consider, a company's reputation, quality control, engineering, warranty, longevity, maintenance 🤔🧐🤯... Again, great topic, and comments from viewers. Your channel has helped me out in many ways. Thanks and keep up the good work 👍

[@davewalton2358]

Sounds like if you don't want to ride anything with Chinese parts, you are probably going to have to get a horse. I ride a DR650 at the moment (not because it's a Suzuki, but because it's a motorcycle), but I'm happy to ride anything that does what I need it to do, reliably, and is good value and fun!. Not fussed where it comes from, as long as it keeps going. There are some great bikes around. I've always wanted a Ducati (because I love how they look and sound), I'd be happy with many others, and some of the Royal Enfields look fantastic too. We are lucky to have so many bikes to chose from. I think brand loyalty these days is a bit like owning an antique axe that's had 3 new handles and the head replaced, it's still called an axe, it's just not quite the same as it used to be, but it has sentimental value...

[@PrimoStracciatella]

"Sounds like if you don't want to ride anything with Chinese parts" - are you talking about Chinese parts from a Chinese producer or quality foreign-developed parts produced in a Chinese factory under foreign quality control?

[@davewalton2358]

@@PrimoStracciatella I'm talking about Chinese parts as in the video, could be either as it seems like any bike you care to chose contains some parts made in China. Some people take issue with parts made in China, I have no problem with them. Any part made to spec out of quality stock by any producer that doesn't fail is fine with me...

[@richardkrammes2222]

The FACT is, Hondas are the most reliable motorcycles I have owned in 64 years of riding. Rationalize all you want, Japanese branded bikes have the highest quality built into them.

[@d.brayman3165]

I remember a time when we balked at products from Japan. I would prefer products made in the U.S., but in this day and age... Well done, Bret.

[@linharesxt]

I have a bike from Taiwan and I hear that "no thanks" everyday 😠 Thank you for bringing light on this issue! ❤

[@ricardovalentintortul6636]

Very, very interesting... I was the happy owner of a "Japanese" motorcycle (Honda) until y saw in the plate of the chassis "Made in China"... Even though my disappointment that doesn't made my bike any worse, it kept running superbly. Now I own a British Royal Enfield with most of its parts made in China and assembled in Argentina that works fantastic... I don't know what to think... By the way, very nice video Bret. Thanks for your work. Greetings from Argentina.

[@ANABOLIC_1105]

No... RE is made in India

[@ricardovalentintortul6636]

@@ANABOLIC_1105 Almost all parts come from India (engine and gearbox completely assembled) and the motorcycle is put together in the factory shown in the video.

[@faz4181]

I'm only faithful to my wife (for the moment :) today's economy is globalised and in the case of motorbikes, it's essential to test them yourself to get a good idea of the quality: equipment, assembly, finish, ergonomics, chassis, engine, suspension... I tested this X Cape and was pleasantly surprised by its handling and agile chassis, with the added bonus of excellent value for money. It really deserves to be seen. I have a Honda CRF300L and 2 Ducati ST2 and SS950S.

[@jillwebb775]

Excellent rant Bret. Been thinking about these matters a long time. Loyalty to what, fir what. Etc. I like your closing statement essentially saying 'let the bike stand on its own merits'. P.S. one of Mine was made in India and I'm fine with that!