List of brands, models, manuf, dealers?

[4redwings]

Is there a list of Dual Sport/Enduro brands and models that includes the manufacturer and dealers on this forum?

[2LZ]

I think one was started at one time but the dealers over history have come and gone....or changed names but are the same basic operation, such as the Manny-related outfits.

Generally speaking, a Hondoid is a Hondoid. CG motor for the most part, most share tons of the same parts. You kind of have to look at them as all the same with different configurations. I pick my bikes by what I want, not brand or manufacturer, per se.

In a Hondoid, I prefer:
USD forks, rear disk, preferably balance shaft motor.

Some now are finally coming with a more modern frame (Apollo) and some are finally ditching that antiquated box steel swing arm.

With these changes, price goes up.

Then there's far more modern units out there such as the Pister Pro line and my favorite, the Qingqi bike (currently SSR or Pioneer) but they are getting scarce.

culcune has far more info. Hopefully he'll chime in.

[culcune]

The dealer part is where I would have difficulty putting down reputable dealers that have a great reputation, not to mention they don't all sell the same thing. I know Pete at Kronik Racing, and he sells a crapload of Vader 125's to very satisfied customers, and while he mail-orders (he hesitated a few short years ago when gasoline was selling for a king's ransom) his primary customers are So. Cal. residents who buy in person since the Vader is California CARB certified. He does have access to Lifan, and shows a KPMini 150 on his site (he is a pitbike racing specialist first and foremost, so likes to show minis as his trademark), but COULD get the larger Lifans if someone asked. But not the common dual-sports such as Apollo, Bashan, etc. because it seems to go back to him not really being a mail-order dealer and the majority of dual-sports other than the TT250 and SSR XF250 are NOT CARB legal in California (although the Apollo is Green Sticker for offroad). Again, being a one-man operation with some family help means he keeps business simple and lucrative for him. Other dealers seem to be hit or miss. Venom Motorsports have done most every, if not every, member here right. But they don't sell all products like TXPowersports aka 'Manny's Minions' does (they are generally hit or miss). Don Hopper has great, but not for every member, as bikes seem to be in limbo for some customers. One dealer which is massive, and seems to have decent customer service is Powersportsmax, although there have been complaints (not lately because it seems as if members haven't reported buying from them in a while) when bikes show up with damage--some reported having difficulty getting replacement parts on warranty, while others have had no problems. These are but a few examples, and with Chinariders growing so large the past few years, there are numerous 'new' dealers reported here making it difficult to keep up with all of them. Bike offerings and manufacturer offerings have both expanded, and it is not as difficult to follow them by following the threads.