The Jialing JH600. Looks like a BMW F650 from 15 years ago... :-))
So the Chinese have beaten Indian bike manufacturers when it comes to making ‘big’ bikes. While Indian manufacturer Bajaj is yet to launch their fuel-injected 220cc Pulsar DTS-Fi, a Chinese manufacturer, Jialing, has already announced the JH600, a single-cylinder, fuel-injected, 40-horsepower bike that comes with a two-year warranty. And get this – the bike doesn’t come from Jialing’s tie-up with Honda – the Chinese company has developed this new machine on its own, with Austrian company AVL having helped out with the engine. The JH600 costs about US$3,500 which is quite cheap for a 600cc machine.
There seems to be no looking back for Chinese motorcycle manufacturers. One of Jialing’s competitors, Zongshen, actually bought Benelli last year and they hope to compete in MotoGP in 2008!! China is the world’s biggest market for (mostly small capacity) motorcycles – the Chinese buy more than 16 million bikes per year – about twice the number of bikes sold in India per year. And since Chinese bike manufacturers are very aggressive with pricing, it has become difficult for Japanese bike manufacturers to do business in China. Sure, Japanese bikes are on a much higher level in terms of quality, but Chinese manufacturers are trying to close the gap.
Okay, so the JH600 is probably crap to ride, but what about Chinese bikes in ten years from now...?
Update (01.03.2007): China is now adopting Euro III emissions regulations and analysts are predicting that China will soon be producing over 40% of the world's motorcycles! The state-owned China South Motorcycle Company, which produces the Jialing brand of bikes amongst others, is now officially the world's biggest motorcycle company.
3 comments:
whatever their price or quality, chinese bikes are ultimately let down by their silly slogans. example: "Zongshen 200GS: Dexterous and Firm". rushing to buy it... not!
I welcome the increasing presence of Chinese bikes. They will force the Big 4 to offer a segment of simpler bikes at lower prices. Not everyone needs the latest/greatest. I know I don't.
BTW, I sat on few Korean bikes at a recent bikeshow and the design, fit, and finish seemed 100% as good as the Big 4 Japanese bikes.
http://www.latimes.com/classified/automotive/highway1/la-hy-throttle28nov28,0,7440487.story
Check out this story of riding the JH600 throughout China. If it is true then it seems Chinese bikes may not be that disappointing after all. Though I definitely agree that they need better make and model names =)
and how does 600cc make only 40hp??
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