In recent weeks I have been looking to buy a cheap project bike to restore and go ride some dirt trails, so I am looking at used trail bikes of some description.
At this time I’m not looking for full enduro, but rather any bike with some ground clearance, higher mudguards and a smaller displacement engine for simple fun and also to pass onto my lad should he wish to ride it. The other aspect is that I want it to have a seat made for two and pillion foot rest too as I would aim to take my beloved on the back whilst we are away in our breaking bad motorhome adventures.
So after some careful consideration and research I realised that buying a cheap Chinese bike would be the best option. Yes there can be quality issues with some of them but also for 125cc bike s and below, I’m probably looking at an age group that is not likely versed in sound mechanical and maintenance practices, so they would likely need some work too.
So for a project bike, it would appear to tick a lot of boxes. Cheap to buy, parts are easy to get and inexpensive…also there are numerous branded bikes but essentially the bike is the same so there would be lots of used donor parts too.
The question is whether a Chinese bike is worth the investment of time and money? Well the short answer is yes…as long as it isn’t too much and you’re not thinking of any resale value.
Brand new Chinese bikes of 125cc can be as little as £2000 or thereabouts so spending anything more than £700 on a used bike that needs some work is futile really. You should either spend a couple of hundred pounds more on a low mileage and faultless bike or just not bother. Go buy a brand new bike instead…as the final money spent will be about the same too.
Chinese bikes have improved so much in recent years too and are comparable to other brands. In fact many brands that we think are premium are indeed made in China or have Chinese parts too. The same factories make bikes for different brands or produce the exact same bike under different brand names.
Because they are so cheap to buy, whether used or brand new and the parts are so cheap too, they make great runaround bikes, fun bikes or early learner rides too. If they get dropped, or damaged slightly, then it isn’t a great expense to get them right again either.
It is more about a question of expectation and usage rather than wether they are good or not. Don’t expect too much but you’ll be pleasantly surprised by what they can offer. Don’t go spending too much for a used bike either as they really don’t have any residual value, hence why you can get a cheap small bike to have fun with, act as your project bike and you won’t be breaking the bank either.
For me Chinese bikes are a great option these days…hence why I’m looking in this direction for a lot more bikes in the future too and multiple projects as well.
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