True enough.....For me, its my "Get away from the wife and kids for awhile" therapy..

I enjoy tinkering with my toys. I have a couple of other projects I am working on which are chinese influenced....It's a hobby I guess

 

Oh I love me some Chinese stuff......Ive got a bunch of stuff from Harbor Freight.....the known mecca of Chinese junk.

My most recent purchase was a motorcycle trailer.....$250. While other manufacturers ask upwards of $1000 and as much as $2000 - $3000 for a trailer I figured I would take a chance on this one.

I expected issues and addressed them during assembly (such as the utter lack of ANY lubrication in the wheel bearings and completely crap wiring job). I fixed those issues.....brought it up to my standards (LED lights, hubcaps etc)......and still only have about $340 in it.

Now if Id spent $1000 or more I totally realize I could have hooked it up and rode off......but to save the money I was prepared to put up with SOME issues and spend the time correcting them.

So far Ive pulled it over 8K miles including a trip to the Grand Canyon.....never a problem.

 

Good info! I have two Hondas but need a couple more quads in the family and have become interested in Chinese machines in the last couple of months. I get really sick of asking about them on this forum and other places and mostly all I get is a bunch of "don't do it they are junk" replies. I understand they are not Hondas, but Yamahas aren't either. The other thing you hear all the time is just get a good used major brand machine insted. Thats okay if you know where it came from and how it was treated. Otherwise its a complete crap shoot because so many quads are seriously abused. I see them for sale all the time with snorkles and big mud tires...no thanks! Anyway I have looked at some 250cc and smaller Chinese utilities, yep they are very cheaply made compared to Honda and the others but still a great value, lots of fun for the $$ if you take care of them. I mean you can buy the things for around $1000, I've paid that much for a bicycle or a TV. But I have become more interested in the big 4x4 Chinese quads. They don't look, sound or feel cheap at all. They seem to be quality machines on the surface. And spec out an Japanese/American built quad with a 500cc liquid cooled engine, 4x4, shaft drive, trans with Hi/Low and reverse, IRS, Disc brakes all around and even comes with a winch. If we are talking Honda you would be looking at $7999, Chinese quad we are talking $3999. I would not try to say the Chinese machines are of the same quality as my Hondas, but are they good enough that getting 2 for the price of 1 makes them a good deal? Especially for some one like me who is not rough on my machines. We do a little trail riding and light work and use them during deer season to get around. I maintain my machines well and have never sunk one, wrecked one or even gotten one stuck. Another consideration for me is I live right up the road from Vbikes so I cand pick up an assembled machine and don't have to worry about where to get parts if I need them. They have 4x4 shaft drive utilities from 300cc up to 700cc.

 

I still think that good used is a better option then new Chinese.....but we each have different capabilities and used ATVs vary by region. In my case when I want a used machine I go to the local powersports mechanic (independent shop) and tell him what Im looking for. Chances are he knows someone or can find me what I want. The stuff doesnt get loaded on my trailer till he goes over it, services it and gets everything tip-top. Last ATV I bought was a 2000 Suzuki King Quad 300 4x4 with a winch and snow plow.....and 4 ITP Mud Lites, brand new......for $1400. I would be stupid to buy a Chinese ATV with equipment like that as an option. Even if he doesnt find something Ive had stellar experiences on Craigslist.

That same "crap shoot" you play with a used machine is very similiar to the "crap shoot" you get into with a Chinese machine......but again, those also vary greatly from decent to utter crap. If there was a manufacturer near me that had a good reputation and was stable I may consider a new Chinese ATV. Thats not the case.....Id be sourcing parts off the net and waiting. These manufacturers go out of business, change models etc. Ive had to make parts for my Eagle ATV because when I called them for parts they had changed the model a year ago and no longer had the older parts......what?......yeah, apparently my 2 year old ATV was not supported.....that would never happen with the big guys. Each manufacturer is a "crap shoot" in itself......will they be in business in 6 months or not......will they ship your parts or not. The lack of a dealer network is a big problem.

I think for your needs a Chinese ATV would work great......the key is maintenance and paying attention to the machine when you set it up. An extra hour or two setting it up can make a world of difference.......and you still are VERY likely to need some wrenching skills. Alot of places wont work on Chinese ATVs.....so checkbook wrenching doesnt always apply.

 

Here is a link to an experience, from beginning to end, post from a member here about his 400cc Chinese 4x4 ATV.

http://forums.atvconnection.com/chin...t-arrived.html

Granted this isnt a Vbike.....and they may be better.....but this type of experience isnt uncommon.

Read it.....if anything just to get information to apply when picking and choosing who/what Chinese ATV to buy......ie, what bad things to look for.

 

Wow thats a long thread! I read it though...great information! Especially since I thought the Chinese Yamahas were supposed to be the best of the Chinese machines. I still think I am in a better spot than most to take a chance on a Chinese quad just because Vbikes is a few minutes down the road. Even so, that long drawn out ordeal made me think I might want to stick with my Hondas. I stopped at the Honda store today, 420 Ranchers are cheap right now! $3699 for a 2wd and $4999 for a 4x4.

 

Another thing to keep in mind when comparing ATVs. CC ratings arent as important as HP/torque. In some instances a Chinese ATV many CCs larger will not perform as well.

Again, Ive not ridden nor do I have ANY experience on Vbikes....perhaps they are a great machine.

......and your a quick reader - Im impressed.

 

Well seems like Vbikes does a decent job of taking care of their customers unlike some of the outfits selling these machines. The impression I get is that most of these quads are comming from a few sources and are just relabeled for a lot of the companies selling them in the US. I don't know if Vbike sells a better product than many of the others. I think these companies reputations are more based on service than what they sell.

 

You see more good reviews than bad in regards to Taotao as well, except they don't presently have a 4x4 model. More importantly is the outfit you buy it from. A local multi-line dealership would be best (and a bit more $), but there's some reputable mail-order outfits as well.

Joel

 

There is another forum called china riders at www.chinariders.net there is a boat load of info on there.