New St bike - 300lbs, 350 mile range, $3200

[Kootenanny]

It would be one of my first choices for touring in China--seriously!

(There are some weird regs in China, regarding where you can ride a motorcycle...for instance, I don't think you can take one on the main highways...)

[Sport-Touring]

[ConPilot1]

I think it's pretty slick looking. Likin' the Misfit.

Yes the Made in China thing would scare me at first. I'd wait for a couple years after they've been out.

[rgbeard]

I think it's pretty slick looking. Likin' the Misfit.

Yes the Made in China thing would scare me at first. I'd wait for a couple years after they've been out.

You mean wait a couple of years until the chinese metal has disintegrated?

[JonS]

They had a booth at the Laguna Seca MotoGP. The bikes looked cool enough that I stopped and looked. The rep neglected to mention that they were China made. But to be fair, that would have eraser all interest.

[Kraz]

They had a booth at the Laguna Seca MotoGP. The bikes looked cool enough that I stopped and looked.

+1

Though - I will never forgive them for not having the shirt I wanted in my size - it was a beautiful thing.

[bikerfish1100]

might be viable as a starter, or as an MSF trainer.  not too much beyond that tho.

[atadaskew]

might be viable as a starter, or as an MSF trainer.  not too much beyond that tho.

Why not?  For around town you're not going to need an 80mph + top end.

I use my PX manual shift 2 stroke scooter for around town use.  The Duc stays parked unless I'm going to hit the open road.

[Rogue]

I ride my VFR/1125R around town almost daily.  Even where I live where many speed limits are 55/60 mph in a few places (most are 45), both those bikes are way over powered.  I have to back WAY off.  So yeah.  A 250 single is just right as long as I don't hit the freeway.  If I did, I'd be running next to big trucks and that's like playing chicken!  

For my daily commute, the Misfit or the DS one would be just perfect.  

But how do I justify that with the two I already have in the garage?  

[Kootenanny]

I ride my VFR/1125R around town almost daily.  Even where I live where many speed limits are 55/60 mph in a few places (most are 45), both those bikes are way over powered.  I have to back WAY off.  So yeah.  A 250 single is just right as long as I don't hit the freeway.  If I did, I'd be running next to big trucks and that's like playing chicken!  

For my daily commute, the Misfit or the DS one would be just perfect.  

But how do I justify that with the two I already have in the garage?  

Last fall I bought an XT225 as my 2nd bike.  Got a very good deal on it from a fellow ST.Ner (who still has lots of bikes to play with), so it was justifiable.  And yeah, for just getting around, this is just the right size of bike.  I haven't mounted a milk crate to the back yet, but...

[Andrew]

Getting past the China debate, This bike looks like a hoot. Small light Cheap with a gas gauge. If I were closer to the size rider for this bike (at 6'2" this one might be a bit to small for me)  I would buy one tomorrow. Would make a great to & from work bike.

Remember it is a lot more fun to ride a slow bike fast the a fast bike slow.

I think I will go have a look at the local dealers inventory, If I can score a test ride I'll let you know no pics though, Big Fat guy on a small bike  

[bikerfish1100]

Why not?  For around town you're not going to need an 80mph + top end.

I use my PX manual shift 2 stroke scooter for around town use.  The Duc stays parked unless I'm going to hit the open road.

why not ytou ask? why bother i answer.

figure that bike at 70 mpg (thier ad copy said "65 mpg expected under moderate usage) vs 50 mpg from my f800GS (actual is closer to 54-65, but i'll give the benefit of doubt, and 50 is easier to calculate). figure 3500 miles a year for "in town riding" (probably a high estimate, but within reason), and let's go with $4/gal gas (currently, i can pump it at $3/gal, but what the hell, try to help the little bike's numbers as much as i can. SO- in 3500 miles, the difference in gas consumption is 20 gallons. that's $80 a year savings. so i'll spend about $3200 to save that gas cost, and maybe a percentage on my tire wear (figuring heavier more powerful bike will eat tires faster). Fine, bump that number up to $200/year savings. That's 16 years to make the bike pay for itself- all the while being severely limited as to where i can go (not far), when i can pass (never), what i can carry (not nearly as much), etc etc. And we have not even considered what the longevity and repair costs of this unknown thing might be...
Umm, that's a big no thank you.

[Cablebandit]

why not ytou ask? why bother i answer.

figure that bike at 70 mpg (thier ad copy said "65 mpg expected under moderate usage) vs 50 mpg from my f800GS (actual is closer to 54-65, but i'll give the benefit of doubt, and 50 is easier to calculate). figure 3500 miles a year for "in town riding" (probably a high estimate, but within reason), and let's go with $4/gal gas (currently, i can pump it at $3/gal, but what the hell, try to help the little bike's numbers as much as i can. SO- in 3500 miles, the difference in gas consumption is 20 gallons. that's $80 a year savings. so i'll spend about $3200 to save that gas cost, and maybe a percentage on my tire wear (figuring heavier more powerful bike will eat tires faster). Fine, bump that number up to $200/year savings. That's 16 years to make the bike pay for itself- all the while being severely limited as to where i can go (not far), when i can pass (never), what i can carry (not nearly as much), etc etc. And we have not even considered what the longevity and repair costs of this unknown thing might be...
Umm, that's a big no thank you.

People use this same math all the time to buy a new "fuel efficient" car.  You just can't bring your logic in here.  

[atadaskew]

why not ytou ask? why bother i answer.

Because it is fun.

[JReazor]

Because it is fun.

+ a bajillion!

[bomber]

it's a nice looking effort, but the web designer requires painful punishment . . .the use of the cutesy font and the "attitude" wears thin quickly -- I cannot think of a demographic that wouldn't be chased off by the site, alone . . . . .

[dietDrThunder]

Stainless steel lines, inverted fork, rear cowl included, fuel gauge.  Actually, for $3100, that's not a bad knockaround bike.

Obviously we're not talking apples-to here, but I recently bought a CBR1100XX w/ full Givi, Penske shock, Corbin, etc. etc. for $3500. I always have trouble understanding why someone would spend $3000 on something like a 250cc a/c single. I completely understand that there are beginners, everyone doesn't want a big bike etc. I'm just talking about value. For example, you can buy a perfectly good GS500E for a third of that price.

All of that said, it is quite nice looking, and I don't see why the country of origin has anything to do with anything. Plenty of craptastic bikes have come out of Japan over the years, but we don't say it's because they're from Japan. I had a Chinese mini-mxer as a pit bike a few years ago and it was bulletproof and way fun (Thumpstar). Besides, if you're laboring under the misconception that you're not interacting with Chinese steel and other materials, as well as various Chinese-OEM sourced consumer goods, you're way off.

Any of you 'yuck it's Chinese' guys have an iPhone? Or a sexy MacBook? How about a Lenovo ThinkPad? A Wii? A GM car with OnStar? Anyway...um...ya.

[TuffguyF4i]

Nobody cares about how good of a deal it was when you're stuck on the side of the road.  

I'd rather get a mass producted, torture tested, nice used bike.  

I bought my wrecked GSXR 750 for $3k.  One weekend in the garage and it has since delivered 10k miles of reliable smiles.  

[cultureslayer]

I'll stick with my ninja 250.  28k and counting on this one.  

[Powder Addict]

I'll stick with my ninja 250.  28k and counting on this one.  

That, it awesome  

And put me in the "I think small light slow bikes are fun" crowd.  

Most of my riding is Interstate and Hwy (commuting 50 miles each way), and I'm on a 650r.  I'd love for a 250r for just fun, but I can't justify the cost for an additional bike when mine is plenty good for what I do.

[Rattlehead]

why not ytou ask? why bother i answer.

figure that bike at 70 mpg (thier ad copy said "65 mpg expected under moderate usage) vs 50 mpg from my f800GS (actual is closer to 54-65, but i'll give the benefit of doubt, and 50 is easier to calculate). figure 3500 miles a year for "in town riding" (probably a high estimate, but within reason), and let's go with $4/gal gas (currently, i can pump it at $3/gal, but what the hell, try to help the little bike's numbers as much as i can. SO- in 3500 miles, the difference in gas consumption is 20 gallons. that's $80 a year savings. so i'll spend about $3200 to save that gas cost, and maybe a percentage on my tire wear (figuring heavier more powerful bike will eat tires faster). Fine, bump that number up to $200/year savings. That's 16 years to make the bike pay for itself- all the while being severely limited as to where i can go (not far), when i can pass (never), what i can carry (not nearly as much), etc etc. And we have not even considered what the longevity and repair costs of this unknown thing might be...
Umm, that's a big no thank you.

If everyone thought like this lots and lots of GREAT bikes would have never been made and the market for new bikes would be nill. There is ALWAYS a more "sensible" or "logical" choice out there. A new bike (of any brand or country of origin) is pretty much NEVER justifable or "logical". I'm sure glad people buy with their hearts and not their heads though.

Personally, I think they look like a heck of a alot of fun. If the quality is halfway decent (junk can come from ANY country, not just China) they would be a fun little bike to beat around town on.