Why Do People Hate Chinese Motorbikes So Much?

By GetBenRiding

Intro: Time to Talk About the “C-Word” in Motorcycling

Chinese motorbikes. Few topics trigger quite as much eye-rolling, forum arguing or pub-expert lecturing.

Some riders swear they’d never touch one. Others ride them daily and wonder what all the fuss is about. Meanwhile, the industry has quietly been changing underneath everyone’s feet.

So let’s cut through the noise and talk honestly about why people really hate Chinese bikes — and why a lot of those reasons no longer hold water.

The Politics (Because There Always Are Some)

Yes, politics plays a part. It always has.

When Japanese bikes arrived in the UK, they were written off as cheap, flimsy, and “not proper motorcycles”. When Germany started exporting cars? Same story. Fast forward and half the stuff in your house is probably Japanese or German.

If you’re someone who only buys British everything — fair play, but this probably isn’t the blog for you.

For everyone else: let’s get real.

The Early Chinese Bikes… Yeah, They Were Rubbish

Chinese motorcycles have been around in the UK for a long time — just under names like:

• Hongda

• Yamasaki

• Wuyang

They were blatant copies of Japanese bikes, sold at rock-bottom prices, with build quality that could politely be described as “shocking”. Many were flogged by “Fred in a shed” who vanished as soon as your engine did.

How China got away with cloning other brands for so long is anyone’s guess.

And yes — even at EICMA today — some still do it. Replica S1000RRs (in 400cc form), Panigale lookalikes… and at a glance you’d struggle to tell the difference. Thankfully, those bikes don’t make it to UK showrooms.

But while the clones grab attention, they’re not the real story anymore.

The Real Story: How China Quietly Improved

While everyone was laughing at “Chingchong 150s”, China did something clever: they started building bikes for the brands we already trust.

Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, KTM — loads of well-known bikes under 500cc are produced in China, India, or Thailand. Not because they’re “cheap”, but because it makes business sense.

This gave Chinese factories access to:

• Proven engines

• Trusted platforms

• Modern manufacturing processes

And they’ve learned fast.

They also started buying the rights to use established engines and technology in their own models — saving years of R&D and letting them focus on design, features and pricing.

On top of that, they began using quality components:

• J.Juan / Brembo brakes

• Bosch electronics

• Pirelli tyres

Suddenly… these bikes weren’t “tat”. They were competitive.

CFMOTO: The Perfect Example

CFMOTO is the standout Chinese premium brand.

You’ve seen them in Moto2 and Moto3. They’ve got a full model range. They make quads that have been massive in the UK market for years. They partner with KTM, Yamaha and Kawasaki.

Early models had issues — especially with electronics — but they learned, upgraded to Bosch systems, and came back swinging.

Today, their bikes are:

• Well built

• Well spec’d

• Sensibly priced

So much so that Japanese and European brands are being forced to review their pricing. And that’s great news for riders.

But Chinese bikes still have challenges — just not the ones people think.

---

The REAL Issues With Chinese Motorcycles

1. Patchy Dealer & Distribution Networks

The bikes are good. The support networks? Still developing.

Bigger dealer groups aren’t fully invested yet, so Chinese brands often rely on smaller independents. Some are brilliant… others disappear overnight.

If parts supply or warranty support is weak, riders notice fast.

2. Pricing Instability

Chinese manufacturers haven’t settled on long-term pricing strategies yet.

Example: The CFMOTO 800MT Tourer launched around £11k in 2020. Over five years, the price dropped three times. Early adopters understandably felt stung.

That kind of volatility damages confidence.

3. Too Many Brands Making Too Many Similar Bikes

We now have:

• CFMOTO

• Kove

• Benelli

• Voge

• Keeway

• Benda

• QJ Motor

• And more on the way

Most of them are making:

• 350–450cc adventure bikes

• 500–700cc nakeds

• Retro classics

All with similar styling, similar pricing, and similar components. Loads of choice is great — but it’s also confusing, and no brand is standing out.

4. Insurance Companies Don’t Know What to Do With Them

Because many models are new to the UK, insurers struggle to identify them properly. Riders often face higher premiums or inconsistent quotes. That will settle with time, but right now it’s a pain point.

5. Residual Values (And Why the Usual Explanation Is Wrong)

Most people blame depreciation on the bikes being “cheap”.

That’s not really the issue.

The real reason is how the dealers handle stock. Many smaller dealers buy bikes on 180-day finance terms. When the bill lands and the bike hasn’t sold — especially at the wrong time of year — they dump them at trade.

That instantly pulls down used values across the board.

This happens with cars, vans, and other bike brands too — it’s not unique to China.

---

So… Should You Buy a Chinese Bike?

Yes. They should absolutely be on your consideration list.

They’re perfect for:

• Cash buyers watching their budget

• Riders who want high spec without premium-brand prices

• Anyone who likes something a bit different or new

Before You Buy One, Do This:

• Look at ex-demos or low-mileage year-old models

• Check how established your local dealer is (not just whether they exist)

• Get insurance quotes first

• Join the Facebook owner groups

• Check current 3–4 year old used prices on Autotrader so you know what to expect

• 
  

My Real-World Experience

I’ve ridden loads of Chinese bikes — and generally been impressed.

But there’s one consistent issue: electronics and fuelling.

A Chinese engineer once explained that their electrical engineers have far less experience with complex software tuning. Ride-by-wire systems, cruise control, traction control — they’re still catching up.

The result?

• Slightly snatchy throttle responses

• Bikes that need multiple software updates

• Occasionally needing a dyno run to smooth everything out

Not a deal-breaker, just a mild annoyance. And they are improving every year.

---

Final Thoughts: Time to Stop Living in 2008

The days of rusty, rattly “Ching-chong 150s” are long gone. Today’s Chinese motorcycles are proper contenders, and they’re here for the long haul.

Instead of repeating outdated clichés, go ride one. Judge the bike, not the badge.

You might be pleasantly surprised.