Here's a few pics of a real China bike I see here ... They are progressing from what I have seen here ~4 yrs ago I think. Probably ~1,200 USD ...
Choke maybe? Defenently build to a budget, i think i will stick with my 12yo husky that sold for 8x that new and the qualitys there long after the price is forfotten!
I agree that id prefer a second hand husky, but those bikes are built for the market over there. Simple and getting more reliable, they can be worked on by the average guy and can be fixed with common parts. Cheap to buy, cheap to run, and when it brakes beyond repair you can get a new one and the family car/delivery truck/trail bike is back in the game.
Cheap to buy and cheap to operate are paramount here on bikes ... Everyone wants one, same as most everywhere else in the world ... These guys get pleasure and work out of their bikes here. -- Sitting out in Tag Valley again and guess what arrives? A Racal ... A workhorse Rascal ... A workhorse who somehow has a graphics set for a Japanese bike. There is the front fender design so many want for their bikes ...Factory edition.. It's not a Kawi? I asked about this and all I was told was 'brake-less'
I guess if they want something cheap and simple, they got it. I noticed that the adjusters on the swing arm are different on the two bikes. I wonder what's up with that ?
Probably a broke adjuster? ... Cheap and simple is the word ... But too cheap and parts fall off ... I was really surprised to see the guy on a Racal ... The Rusi bike is what I usually see out in the providence ... Look at the size of the seat on the Racal ... Big and wide and can hold 3, maybe 4 riders ... Or in this case. ~100++ pounds of wet paper for the Mango farmers ...
They definitely seem to just care about getting from point A to point B and not worrying about much more. Hey if it works for those who ride them, then that's all good for them.
Right .. These are not toys, not racers, not speed devices. Not a luxury machine ridden twice a week ... These are work machines, financial providers, job creators, opportunity makers for many owners\riders...If not these, the carabaos might be the only other way to move goods around in these remote++ places. But they need a machine that will not break down ... :0) In the 4 yrs I've been here, these machines have got a little better but still a long ways to go it appears ...
So is Racal a Kwack? Personally, I don´t see much wrong with them that can´t be put right with a little tweeking. They look as if they can take a beating.
The only thing on that bike that might last on that bike, other than the motor, is the frame. And even the frame is probably gonna need the rear shock mount beefed up if you are gonna carry any speed on the rough roads here (5-20MPH) ... The overall idea \ business model is sort of correct for what is needed here but at the ~$1000 price range, just not reliable enough if you are gonna ride it .. -- No sure on what part Kwack plays here on a Racal... That graphics set looks stock but i do know that a person can get graphics made here pretty cheap that will last ... So I'm not sure what that is all about ... Kawi assembles the parts together for this bike AFTER it has arrived here and they apply that small sticker that proclaims this feat... Not sure on the Racal...
those racal swingarms look abysmal..i understand their need tho...makes you appreciate whats in your garage, you know?
The first one is like my old kmx swinging arm no problems there, the second is cheap steel but that end plate probably runs for 6 inchs down the inside of the frame all welded up nice n strong.
I learned on a Suzuki ts 185(1972) then registered a 77 ts-185 also for the street too they were a blast to scoot around on more fun than a scooter. My point is if the Chinese bike is cheap and "if" it's dependable it might be a blast to have one on the street.
Here's a couple of pics of a Rascal in a small mud race .... Gotta say it finished both motos ... Looks like this plush suspension might already be giving up a couple inches under the extra mud load. Too muddy for almost any air-time but tomorrow with any sunlight and the track can be very good ...
You busting their asses on the wr 250 rayray? Lend it to second placer an see how much quicker a good rider is on a good bike be a sponcer!
Is riding gear other than a helmet and gloves the norm Ray_Ray ? That mud looks like it would be fun to slip and slide through !