Well, its been three months and 2600 km since I bought my four year old Yamasaki from my brother. Now on 8800km I thought it would be interesting to update you on life on the ins and outs of commuting on a bike that cost only £425 new, and I paid just £20 for. Well, its still going. in fact, there is little to report. its had an oil change and a spark plug, got a puncture which I fixed at home with a bicycle repair kit, one indicator bulb blew, and....... uhh, thats it. The cheap battery I fitted when I bought it failed quite quickly, and a check of the charging system reveals it charged at a slightly peppery 14.8 - 15 volts, so its at the top end of acceptable, but not enough to kill the battery. As its got a kick starter, I didn't bother changing the battery - I just kick start it. She starts first kick every time, uses no oil and provides very economical reliable transport. Its not fallen apart, its not tried to kill me, and its just got on and done its job. If you have a modicum of mechanical knowledge and common sense, and commute at the 50 - 60 mph zone they are well worth a look. Its not by any stretch of the imagination a quality machine, but it works, and I have no doubt it will continue to do so for a long time yet. I maintain the issue with chinese bikes is not generally the bike itself but the sort of clueless cash strapped meatheads that often buy them. I read one review recently where someone slated a Chinese bike for the chain rusting after a year. hmmmmmmmm, wonder how diligent he was with the chain lube? my bet is not very. If you have a moderate commute, they are well worth a look - take your own judgement rather than hearsay with you - you might be surprised.
I sincerely hope you don't have Chinese levers on it, I've heard they are made of cheese and that you will certainly die by using them I suggest you pay a ridiculous price and by some Pazzo's. :wink:
I think my 900ss may be Chinese, whenever I take it out for a ride 30 minutes later I want to go for another ride :biggrin:
I had one of them, and it reminded me of an old theory about women from the orient The front pot fins went sideways
last tank recoded 110 mpg. still running very sweetly and doing the job it was bought for loyally and competantly. With regards to the 'problems' associated with chinese bikes, Its all down to the owners - the bikes are too simple to be inherantly unreliable. A little care and thought at the PDI and servicing stage leaves you with a very good little bike. I'd rather take my chances with a new chinese 125 than a three year old Japanese one that has had three careless / brainless owners, and never seen a can of chain lube or an oil change. Reading the comments in things like More Crap than News (MCN) it really annoys me, as they often come from armchair pundits who have never owned one, or spotty oiks that slate it for failing after running full throttle from cold everywhere and never maintaining it. Anything will fail quickly if neglected badly enough.
Guy at work had one it was reliable only thing it suffered from was Chrome was dire and it really rusted after 3 years but it was all just cosmetic stuff. I have an abused ragged lived and ridden about on a farm, was ridden from Bury St Edmunds to Eastbourne most weekends by previous owner. Ridden to Ace Cafe from Ipswich. Was stolen from me and ragged all round Epping forest and recovered all smashed up, put back together 80,000 miles Brazilian CG125 Its a total rusty rat bike worth nothing but worth everything to me as its so reliable!
