Durability and Longevity

[truthfriend7]

Are the newer china enduros better-made than those of a few years ago? What seems to be the best enduro for durability these days?

I've been using my Roketa 200 for a 45 mile commute to school about once a week for a couple months, but I've already broken down 3 times. Chain brakes, Bearing brakes, front tire pop, electrical problems, broken plastic. This bike has about 3500 miles on it and now it seems like it's nearing the end of its life. I try to take good care of it, but I'm at the point now where I'm afraid to take it on the street. Every little sound or shake makes me wonder if something else it braking. I'd love to save on the gas money, but I've got a daughter on the way, and I'm afraid of what else might brake at 60mph. Any thoughts? Should these bikes be retired after a few years or can some of them stand up to pressure better than others? Are the chinese street bikes better as far as longevity goes? Thanks.

[culcune]

It seems like my experiences with my Jetmoto. Some members have been getting quite a few miles (er, kilometers depending on speedometer, LOL).

If you like the enduro style (I do) I would suggest the more expensive models, such as UM or Qlink. From there, you're into Japanese territory.

As far as street bikes go, couldn't tell you. The one bike that seems to have the goods for the price is the Zongshen 250cc sportbike (appearances can be deceiving, however) Then, you're into Kawasaki Ninja 250 territory for more $$.

[Q]

Please describe your problems.

A too tight chain will break, or cause something else to break.
Bearings without grease will fail before long.
A poorly installed inner tube, loose spoke, out of place rim strip, etc., can cause a flat tire.
Misrouted wiring, poor connections, etc., will cause electrical problems.
Cheap plastic will crack pretty easy while good plastic is pretty tough.

When I set up my 07 Lifan GY5 I noticed the owners manual gave incorrect information on chain adjustment that would have caused a broken chain at best or a broken output shaft at worst. Fortunately I know the proper way to adjust a chain.

The wheel bearings had very little to no grease so I greased them. They surely would have failed in a few hundred miles.

The suspension bushings were dry and would have quickly worn out had I not greased them during setup.

Spokes were loose after a couple hundred miles which would have caused a flat tire had I not adjusted them.

The wiring harness was misrouted causing it to be pinched between the frame and the gas tank. This would have shorted it to ground eventually.

Had I just taken the bike out of the crate, assembled it, and rode it, I would have had problems similar to yours.

Q

Chain brakes, Bearing brakes, front tire pop, electrical problems, broken plastic.

[warrior91]

:wink:

[truthfriend7]

Q You make very good points. Many of the things you say, I've had to learn recently. I didn't know that you should replace sprockets with the chain, and that you CAN grease sealed bearings and some of the other things you mentioned. This was my first street-legal bike. I'm concerned because the china bikes have a particular appeal to brand new riders. They're cheap. I bought mine used for $600 and I think it was decently maintained. But still, it would be nice to know if some of the newer bikes are getting better with this. I'm afraid to ride again and find out there was something else I didn't know.

[Q]

A good dealer setup really pays off for anyone who hasn't been riding and working on bikes for a long time. It would probably have saved you a lot of grief. Unfortunately many motorcycle shops have the setup done by an independent contractor who hires inexperienced cheap labor to assemble the bikes. Or the dealer does in house setup but puts their least experienced (high school students) mechanic in charge of setup. Either of these cases is not much better than having an inexperienced owner setup the bike.

I wish I could give you some advice on how to be sure your bike won't break down again, but I can't. Perhaps you have the bugs worked out now.

Q

[culcune]

I see where truthfriend is coming from. I had a '90 or '91 DR250 in the early to mid-90's. The only thing I really had to do with that thing was change the oil and put in gas--it never gave me problems. However, it cost me more $$.

To me, it would be worth your while to find a premium Chinese brand such as UM, Qlink, or Diamo and pay the mid to upper $2K (I think the UM is hitting $3k or over, so really think about that one). They seem to be the closest, new, to a Japanese bike, new, for alot less cash--yet have worthwhile warranties, and in Diamo's case, they will pick you up if the bike strands you and tow the bike to the nearest authorized diamo dealer, no matter how far it is (according to their site). That is either some confidence in their product, or they are lying through their teeth (they do seem reputable, so will probably back up their claim).

...or buy Japanese for $4k+ and have piece of mind.

[TeamCheap]

United Motors-07 DTF200 @ $1995 (http://www.csaperformance.com/shop/showcaseproductdetail.htm?ID=-79814&Brand=-1330&Type=1514)

[SamM]

IF, I was going to do it again! I would go for one of these. This one is the United Motors SMF-200. My local UM dealer has apparently gone belly up, as they are no longer listed as a dealer on the UM website. If I could get one for $1995 right now, I'd probably just buy it. The 196.4cc engine is just not big enough for my planned use. Which is getting out of it's own way. Sorry, I couldn't resist! I do think the Zongshen 250cc engine would bolt right into this model. If so, it would be a great little, cheap bike to have around as a spare.

SamM

http://www.umamerica.com/site/assets/360/360/SMF%20200/SMF200-ACTION1-large.jpg

http://www.umamerica.com/site/assets/360/360/SMF%20200/SMF200-ACTION4-large.jpg

[truthfriend7]

Boy, I'm no expert, but that sure looks stronger than the bikes I've got. For one, the bars on the frame rap all the was under the engine. On my bikes, the engine seems to be utilized as part of the frame (nothing underneat it).

Thanks to all you guys for you good insights. You know I wonder if there would be some pieces that could be added to the cheaper bikes to help bullet-proof them. Then again it might take so much trouble that it would be worth paying for a better bike. I just bought a panterra 125cc for $200, and I've already noticed that the frame, plastics and many other things seem more durable than what's on my 200 roketa. I'm tempted to see if I can just register that thing for the road instead.

[TeamCheap]

That UM SMF-200 looks good but I prefer the DTF since I mostly ride offroad.

[culcune]

That UM SMF-200 looks good but I prefer the DTF since I mostly ride offroad.

Slick willy UM salesman--"...well have we got the bike for you!! You want to ride on the street and the dirt, try our DSF 200...all the versatility of street riding like our SMF, but goes off-road, too!! You really can have it all!!!"

[TeamCheap]

Thanks for your time Slick Willy but I'm going to the suzuki dealer. :lol: :lol:

[culcune]

Thanks for your time Slick Willy but I'm going to the suzuki dealer. :lol: :lol:

slick willy -- "...oh, you want a Suzuki? I also deal in Qlink--not 'clink' but q link--some say that they build Suzuki's Dr200 in China for Suzuki--this one is about half the price--all the Suzuki--half the price!!"

[TeamCheap]

OH OK yeah I believe you because thats exactly like my chevy tracker, It says chevrolet on the outside but everthing underneath says SUZUKI. :lol: :lol:

But qinky dink or quacky link or whatever :lol: :lol: :lol: doesnt have a 400cc do they.(I guess I could slap some 400cc stickers on it)

[tcs]

To me, it would be worth your while to find a premium Chinese brand such as UM, Qlink, or Diamo and pay the mid to upper $2K (I think the UM is hitting $3k or over, so really think about that one). They seem to be the closest, new, to a Japanese bike, new, for alot less cash--

This is true, but then it's not that hard to pick up a low hour, late model used Japanese brand D/S in the UM/Diamo MSRP price range. You wouldn't get a warranty, but you would get Honasukaha's well-earned reputation, large, stable dealer network and resale.

Now at the price point of,say, a $1300 American Lifan - not to mention truthfriend7's $600 Roketa! - it's much bigger gamble to buy a used Japanese D/S. Unless you're getting an insider deal from your favorite uncle, those bikes are going to be a lot older and have a lot more wear and tear. They might be gas-n-go, and might need a lot of work and give a lot of trouble.

tcs

[culcune]

I agree to a point. That's why I mentioned new vs new. Used Japanese bikes could have some pretty serious (unknown) repairs that seem to cost alot to repair (i.e. $3000 '01 DR650 that needs $1000 in repairs a few months down the line).

[Imech9]

How the H**L do you grease a sealed bearing
??????????

Thnaks Mark

[truthfriend7]

I carefully pop off the little side seal with a tiny flathead screwdriver. Mine come off real easily. Then jam a bunch of grease in with your thumb and push the seal back into place. Everyone should do this. It's not fun to have your bearings go out at 60mph. And you will probably find that there is not nearly enough grease in there to begin with.

[warrior91]

Actually ,there is a needle you can buy that attachese to grease gun hose...you can insert needle between rollers/balls and squirt grease into the bearing that way...less messy and better greasability than pressing in with finger.

[fatboy250]

Over 13k miles on my daily driver '06 Roketa. Only real problem has been breaking rear spokes.

[PorterzCustomz]

Over 13k miles on my daily driver '06 Roketa. Only real problem has been breaking rear spokes.

you should post a pic of your speedo :D

[fatboy250]

Not sure that would be all that great. The speedo cable broke around 5900 miles. The digital one would also only show up as just over 3000 because it trips every 10,000 miles.

[PorterzCustomz]

Not sure that would be all that great. The speedo cable broke around 5900 miles. The digital one would also only show up as just over 3000 because it trips every 10,000 miles.


aww.. see u cant hold the record if its not official =)

[fatboy250]

O well :lol: