Are the Chinese going to take over the bike market ?
- Thread starter leadfarmer
- Start date
My comment also
According to this thread, there is no need for them to, as no self respecting British bikermate will buy one.
Will they take over ?
No.
Much like Casio haven't negated the need for Rolex etc.
Sometimes people just want that little extra. Just because it feels better.
Biking has never been about economy or value for me.
Much more complex than that.
No.
Much like Casio haven't negated the need for Rolex etc.
Sometimes people just want that little extra. Just because it feels better.
Biking has never been about economy or value for me.
Much more complex than that.
I agree totally on the luxury branding type of mindset……
But when you’re a pimply 17 year old and BMW want a gazillion dollar for a starter bike, and some Chinese sweat shop wants 50p and some belly button fluff………. It becomes a no brainer.
That pimply 17 year old will be about 27 in 10 years time and ready for his first say 1000cc bike.
If he’s had good experiences with Voge etc etc, guess where he will most likely buy it.
But when you’re a pimply 17 year old and BMW want a gazillion dollar for a starter bike, and some Chinese sweat shop wants 50p and some belly button fluff………. It becomes a no brainer.
That pimply 17 year old will be about 27 in 10 years time and ready for his first say 1000cc bike.
If he’s had good experiences with Voge etc etc, guess where he will most likely buy it.
So far at least, the Chinese have proved very adept at copying styles of bikes. What they haven’t yet done is come up with anything groundbreaking, other than price.
The Japanese won out by delivering the Honda 750, standing the predominantly British manufacturered home market on its head. Simultaneously, they delivered something as simple as the 125 and ‘Step through’ and of course, later the FireBlade. Britain and indeed Germany / Italy had no answer.
There was no London Motorcycle Show this year. Last year, my little post on it simply said that the bikes on the ‘Big manufacturers’ stands all looked the same and were (once you stripped away the power and electronic trickery - both expensive) all clones of each other. The only ‘interesting’ stand and very popular was Royal Enfield’s. Very decent motorcycles, with a range of models, all pretty much competitively priced and with very good factory / dealership support.
Nothing lasts forever, BlackBerry proves that. For now at least, China is doing what it does best, copying. When they learn to be radical and imaginative, then things might change.
The Japanese won out by delivering the Honda 750, standing the predominantly British manufacturered home market on its head. Simultaneously, they delivered something as simple as the 125 and ‘Step through’ and of course, later the FireBlade. Britain and indeed Germany / Italy had no answer.
There was no London Motorcycle Show this year. Last year, my little post on it simply said that the bikes on the ‘Big manufacturers’ stands all looked the same and were (once you stripped away the power and electronic trickery - both expensive) all clones of each other. The only ‘interesting’ stand and very popular was Royal Enfield’s. Very decent motorcycles, with a range of models, all pretty much competitively priced and with very good factory / dealership support.
Nothing lasts forever, BlackBerry proves that. For now at least, China is doing what it does best, copying. When they learn to be radical and imaginative, then things might change.
The Chinese want to take over every market. A friend was telling me these BYD motorhomes will cost 66K Euros. A lot of bus for the buck
Their goal is to out price Western competition. When there's nothing left of our automotive industry they've got us under their control. This goes for all other material goods we import from them.
Much as the British did to India's textile industry 150 years ago! That's capitalism m'boy! What goes around, comes around.
We are the cause - we started buying stuff from them and keep on doing so - the solution is simple, stop buying Chinese products.
The last time I looked the Chinese were communists.
I'm agreeing with you for once.
The last time I looked the Chinese were communists.
The Chinese left behind any notion of communism many years ago (except maybe in the way their political system is organised). Through history they have been an enthusiastic trading nation, they have gone back to their roots. They are second only to the US in the number of millionaires. It is an authoritarian society though
With one of the world's worst human rights records. They are a totalitarian regime who suppresses democracy with an iron fist, who are now in the process of manufacturing material goods to undercut the west, a gradual insidious weapon against us.
Also, Starmer is letting them build an unfeasibly large embassy in the middle of London, and for good measure he's giving the Chagos Islands to Mauritius who have close links with China.
Are you beginning to join the dots?
BUT once they have put all of the other makers out of business who's designs are they going to plagerise and copy ?
yet another comment that was aimed at the Japanese in the 1960s. How did that work out? My former employer, Xerox even started buying designs from Fuji in the 1980s
Not specifically about the bike market but how China is going about achieving global manufacturing domination. Interesting fact was that in the 1830's China accounted for over 30% of global GDP, by the time of the Mao in the 1940's that was down to 2%. Xi is halfway to restoring China to its former position. They are still smarting from the Opium Wars with Britain, maybe why they now allow Fentanyl to flood the West? Very good watch and proof that Trump isn't up to the job of fighting the West's corner
www.bbc.co.uk
Clash of the Superpowers: America vs China
From tariffs to TikTok. The inside story of Trump vs Xi - and the personalities, policies and pivotal moments that have shaped a world-changing battle for power and influence.
www.bbc.co.uk
J biker
Registered user
They will do well with commuter bikes, Asisan markets and entry level, where price is key.
Anyone after a serious sportsbike or big miles performance adv/tourer? No.
Too many (myself included) want 130+ bhp, Brembo type brakes and quality suspension. Not a wallowy, overweight, underpowered, low spec machine. Or, we are buying in to lifestyle/posing machine. Ducati scrambler?
You can make all the excuses you want, as owners of the Chinese bikes will about how good they are…the performance figures (weight, power, stopping distance..) and component lists tell otherwise.
Just be honest. IF (insert Jap/Italian make here) was the same price, are we seriously saying the Chinese bike would be the choice? Of course not.
Anyone after a serious sportsbike or big miles performance adv/tourer? No.
Too many (myself included) want 130+ bhp, Brembo type brakes and quality suspension. Not a wallowy, overweight, underpowered, low spec machine. Or, we are buying in to lifestyle/posing machine. Ducati scrambler?
You can make all the excuses you want, as owners of the Chinese bikes will about how good they are…the performance figures (weight, power, stopping distance..) and component lists tell otherwise.
Just be honest. IF (insert Jap/Italian make here) was the same price, are we seriously saying the Chinese bike would be the choice? Of course not.
Many of the 'high end' (relatively speaking) Chinese bikes are equipped with European brakes and suspension but you can bet your bottom dollar there are numerous Chinese companies examining Brembo brake calipers and Ohlins suspension units in minute detail working out how to manufacture cheaper equivalents
Yet many of these Chinese bikes come with Brembo brakes , Showa suspension, Bosch electronics
J biker
Registered user
That was always the ‘game’. Same when the Japanese started manufacturing years ago. Innovation follows.
Meanwhile, copies are just that. No name copies, whilst they could even have identical design. Quality comes from materials, assembly etc.
Simple enough. Would you want the copy..or the original?
Arsey, yes, I am sure some components are branded. Not convincing me on other factors such as overall performance and longevity.
Tuono Factory, as an example. There is a load of top end components, but all designed to work in harmony with the bike.
We are some way away from bikes like this coming from China?
I am unaware of anything comparing with Multistrada v4 or R1300gs?
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