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VIDEO: Is it about time we accepted Chinese bikes?

If Chinese motorbikes make you think cheap, cheerful and unreliable, then you’re not alone.

When Chinese brands first started importing motorcycles into Britain, they were presented as an affordable alternative to the big brands, like Honda and Suzuki.

But costs had to be cut somewhere and consumers ended up with bikes that looked good but had cheap materials, bad build quality and were difficult to find replacement parts for.

The tables might be turning though, as some Chinese brands now hold a significant stake in the market, especially when it comes to lower engine capacity models.

We spoke to Daniel Frost, Business Development Manager at Lexmoto, to find out why this might be.

For years, Chinese brands like Lexmoto had a bad reputation when it comes to quality, with the general consensus being that you get what you pay for.

But Lexmoto now holds 20 per cent of the 50cc and 125cc market, having only been established in the UK for ten years.

In the video, Daniel explains how Chinese bikes were previously brought into the market without proper support from the brands selling them.

The bikes were hard to care for, with spare parts being near impossible to find, despite the motorbikes often breaking and needing replacements.

But these brands inevitably went out of business, along with the factories that provided their bikes, meaning that the Chinese brands that remain, such as Lexmoto, have earned their place in the market.

What are your thoughts? Use the comment section below to let us know.

Comment 16 Like 5
Andrew 3 years ago
Bought a brand new valiant from local dealer in Hawic k Scot Borders Mar 19. There was a delay with delivery as bike had an electrical fault. Eventually bike wa… Bought a brand new valiant from local dealer in Hawic k Scot Borders Mar 19. There was a delay with delivery as bike had an electrical fault. Eventually bike was delivered, took bike out for a run two times, both times engine warning light came on, phoned the dealer and took bike to him to get fixed. One week later went to dealer, bike still not fixed so issued dealer with a letter saying I was rejecting the bike under consumers rights act 2015 and I wanted a full refund. 4 weeks later I still haven’t had a full refund. Customer service is very poor with this dealer. My advice to anyone is don’t go to this dealer, there are other bike dealers nearby that offer a very good service. And as for lexmoto don’t waste your time with them. They have no interest in there customers.
Andy Knowles 3 years ago
There’s so much rubbish written about Chinese bikes with regard to reliability. rusting etc.Well get this things will get rusty if you don’t look after them wet… There’s so much rubbish written about Chinese bikes with regard to reliability. rusting etc.Well get this things will get rusty if you don’t look after them wether it’s Chinese,Japanese or whatever the country of manufacture.I’ve had my FMS 125 nearly two years and rode through winter time with only surface rust on the exhaust and no mechanical or electrical issues apart from a broken emissions pipe.Look afte rthem and they will last.
Drake 3 years ago
I’m the proud owner of a brand new LXR and so far it’s been awesome, very big for a 125 but stable and a real head turner, it’s very frustrating to read people … I’m the proud owner of a brand new LXR and so far it’s been awesome, very big for a 125 but stable and a real head turner, it’s very frustrating to read people putting down Chinese bikes when they have probably never ridden one, these people obviously have no idea that their so called Japanese bike was probably built in a factory across the road from my Chinese bike
Bill mobey 3 years ago
I’ve got a lexmoto echo and had it 2 year ent had a problem with it still going strong lexmoto are really good bikes… I’ve got a lexmoto echo and had it 2 year ent had a problem with it still going strong lexmoto are really good bikes
Steve Cribbs 3 years ago
I’ve had my CFMoto 650i over 2 years now. It’s been reliable and I’ve not experienced any quality issues. It goes well, handles well, and stops well. I’ve previ… I’ve had my CFMoto 650i over 2 years now. It’s been reliable and I’ve not experienced any quality issues. It goes well, handles well, and stops well. I’ve previously had Japanese and British bikes. They’ve been good, but so has the Chinese CFMoto.
Graham 4 years ago
I bought a lexmoto adrenaline: The rear foot pegs were both left handed. Within a few months the instruments failed, then it developed several oil leaks, and th… I bought a lexmoto adrenaline: The rear foot pegs were both left handed. Within a few months the instruments failed, then it developed several oil leaks, and the following items have fallen off: Rear light, rear axle, engine mount, wing mirror (left) and the whole thing has rusted away. Utter shite.
patricia angel 4 years ago
ive bought 2 Chinese bikes … Rubbish …. PLEASE DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY… ive bought 2 Chinese bikes … Rubbish …. PLEASE DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY
Dennis Norman 4 years ago
People who simply slag all Chinese products are way out of date and simply repeat cliches and generally have no idea and often work for other manufacturers and … People who simply slag all Chinese products are way out of date and simply repeat cliches and generally have no idea and often work for other manufacturers and are scared of the competition
Martin Brabham 4 years ago
I have owned a Lexmoto Milano scooter, quite good but often needed to kick start, I think the original chinese battery was a bit weak. Quite alot of plastic use… I have owned a Lexmoto Milano scooter, quite good but often needed to kick start, I think the original chinese battery was a bit weak. Quite alot of plastic used in the bodywork. I also currently have a Aspire 125, I like this bike – the side stand switch failed and was hanging off the bottom apart from that no issues after 800 miles . It certainly looks good , excellent gearbox and drives very nicely. Overall I think the build standard is not as good a japanese but 1/2 price
Andy Horne 4 years ago
I have a Titan 125cc scooter not 12 months old exhaust started to rust.
Overall it’s been great for commuting back and to for work
Fuel gauge is a joke
Alex W 5 years ago
I have a lexmoto echo 50 and had nothing but problems, brought from brand new only 9 months old now, had 3 new headlights, a new horn, new variator, I’ve had an… I have a lexmoto echo 50 and had nothing but problems, brought from brand new only 9 months old now, had 3 new headlights, a new horn, new variator, I’ve had an oil leak, my exhaust was blowing, my back tire got multiple punctures by tiny little stones, now my headlight has no low beam. Do not buy a lexmoto.
mick 5 years ago
had a dayang dy200 but the engine seized up due to swarf building up in the engine after running for a short while.not impressed!… had a dayang dy200 but the engine seized up due to swarf building up in the engine after running for a short while.not impressed!
Gus Turner 5 years ago
I’ve a Lexmoto Vienna 125cc. It is less than one year old and the exhaust and other metal parts are rusting.
I had several problems to start my scooter and I…
I’ve a Lexmoto Vienna 125cc. It is less than one year old and the exhaust and other metal parts are rusting.
I had several problems to start my scooter and I took more than one month to the problem be solved.
When I was parking my scooter today, I tried to set the central standing and it broke in two parts, fortunately I didn’t get injuried.
Unfortunately I have to say that Lexmoto scooters are made by cheap materials and it has not a good quality.
dave 5 years ago
Owned 2 Chinese bikes different brands same problems brittle aluminium castings and very poor wiring, the stock tires were frankly unsafe. also the tubing that … Owned 2 Chinese bikes different brands same problems brittle aluminium castings and very poor wiring, the stock tires were frankly unsafe. also the tubing that makes the frame is very thin in the wall. These bikes are all made in the same factory with different styling to suit the marketing. The motors are strong tho clutch springs, hose clips etc boil away in direct sunlight. Cheap. Currently own a South Korean model, very sturdy practical design and nicely finished. Chalk and cheese.
Steve Taberner 5 years ago
Business manager? he’s hardly going to say they sell crap bikes is he?. Lets not get confused here, there is no such thing as anything decent coming in from Chi… Business manager? he’s hardly going to say they sell crap bikes is he?. Lets not get confused here, there is no such thing as anything decent coming in from China. They still unchallenged copy every major manufacturer and make a bad job of it. If you want a cheap motorcycle that Will undoubtedly fail, rust and have no re-sale value then buy Chinese. you have been warned.
Brian Moore 5 years ago
I love my Lexmoto fmx 125. Owned it for just over a year and it’s still going strong. I find them so easy to afford, that I’m thinking of selling soon to buy … I love my Lexmoto fmx 125. Owned it for just over a year and it’s still going strong. I find them so easy to afford, that I’m thinking of selling soon to buy new bike. A newer model.
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