You need to have a name that sticks and parts available. That's been my issue with Chinese, Korean and Tawainese machines(I should edit, Kymco is Taiwanese, not Korean). I think Linhai-Yamaha and Kymco have put out some decent machines for the money, but you have to rely on figuring out whatever engine they cloned to keep them running...that and China steel sucks.

 

Simply Fascinating................

 

Appreciate it, Scooter. I was waiting for someone to give me permission.

I agree with many of your comments. I've got a Chinese quad, in a somewhat disassembled state, in my garage right now, and finding the parts is a bear. Even when I get the parts, additional (lack of) quality issues may reveal themselves and I'll be left with a heap of cheap Chinese steel. So I'm suffering from the very problems you and others here describe, and have as much reason to distrust Chinese quality as anyone else.

But I'm I'm talking about the future. There is a very real tendency for fans of the status quo to dismiss currently poor or inadequate imports, and misjudge the drive and desire of the low quality suppliers to "move up the food chain." It's happened in so many markets over the years, not just in this country, but throughout the world. Low cost/low quality providers will frequently use their best assets (cheap labor) to draw market leaders toward them (build factories in their country), thereby gaining production and marketing know how in the process. I see the Chinese waking up in a number of product categories. I don't see anything about the ATV market which suggests they couldn't wake up there as well.

Again, I'm a noob in this category. I could be entirely wrong. It remains to be seen. However, the pattern looks familiar so far.

 

rbstern..

How many years you talking? 10? 20? 30? 40? 50? longer?

And at that time some company (from Chinia) will be at the same level as Honda? Yamaha? etc??

Reliability? Dealerships? Factory support? Parts availability? Mechanics at the dealer?

 

I'd suggest 20 years.

Same level? No. But good enough in all facets that such a product would be looked upon the same way a brand like Hyundai or Kia is today in the automotive market: A viable choice, not limited to those who are adventurous and have mechanical skills.

 

Hyundai and Kia have done pretty good...Both from Korea though...(I think)


But a lot can happen in 20 years..

 

Agreed.

I think the South Korean culture is more suited to the type of transition required to compete while standing on their own two feet. But, the Chinese are getting foreign corporations to build factories in their country at a ridiculous pace. That process transfers knowledge from those companies to Chinese management and workers.

We'll see if they can master the skills.

 

Never been there but they seem to have it together... Having been to China I dont think there is enough money there to draw anyone with many skills.. Id be willing to bet that the guy sweeping the floor at Honda is making more money than the guy in charge of a Chinese ATV factory... When I was in China I made more in spending money than the whole companies payroll.. and that didnt include the money I was being paid in Ca. (for being in China)

I do know they can pound a bearing and seal into a hub in less than 10 secs... They showed me that after I made some bearing press pieces to use in their press... My way took 35 secs.. their way took less than 10.. My way lost.. it was quantity over quality every time.. this plant was in the Junk of Chinese Junk factory area..

The reason the guy from Jetmoto chose the plant he did was the owners husband was one of the head guys at the Ryobi plant in Yong Kang.. Took a 5 hour long tour of it... gotta admit it was very impressive.. the atv plant wasnt as impressive..

The Tao Tao (pronounced like "Cow Cow" but with a T instead of a C) factory is in the same city...

 

Sounds like a really cool experience.

 

Financially it was a big loss.. still catching up from it as I type..

But to get a different look at life... heck yah.. the people in the factory.. worked 12-16 hrs a day.. 6-7 days a week... lived in conditions that would be condemned here.. had nothing at all... but for some reason they the happiest people Ive ever been around.. No concept of vacation.. or recreation of any kind... Getting to work 12-16 hrs a day was the reward...