Author Topic: Whether we like it or not!  (Read 184 times)

Offline Johnny4428

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Whether we like it or not!
« on: October 02, 2026, 08:08:13 PM »
The Chinese motorcycle designers and engineers are flooding the markets with quite frankly bloody nice bikes. I have decided that for less money than another full restoration on another classic bike. I could just buy this!  Apparently ready for collection but I must go to Portugal first for family holiday. I will let you all know what I think of it in the near future.


1952 Cymoto on Triumph bicycle.
1961 Matchless G3
1974 Honda CB550K1
1978 Honda CB550K3
1999 ST1100 Pan European 50th Anniversary.
1975,1984,1986 Honda C90’s
1973 Honda CB750K3
1977 Honda CB550 (almost)

Offline Athame57

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Re: Whether we like it or not!
« Reply #1 on: October 02, 2026, 10:13:19 PM »
I hope it is as good as it looks. I would have thought the Chinese would have given a tourer a name like Long March or something!
I brake for animals!
1978 CB400F2 named Elen.

Offline Orcade-Ian

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Re: Whether we like it or not!
« Reply #2 on: October 03, 2026, 08:05:41 AM »
Look forward to seeing it 'in the flesh' Johnny.  A real 'Laverda beater' - sorry Dave!  There are lots of guys over on the Scoot forum who sing the praises of Zontes stuff.  Will yours have full luggage? I can see a very nice Pan coming up for sale!
Have a great holiday, see you soon,
Ian
1953 BSA Golden Flash 650 - still a basket case
1960 Norton Model 50 Featherbed 350
1960 Ducati Elite 200 (nearing completion)
1972 Honda CB 350/4
1975 Honda CB 550/4 F1
1976 Honda CB 400/4 F1
2020 Honda C125 Super Cub
2026 Honda ADV 350

Offline Skoti

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Re: Whether we like it or not!
« Reply #3 on: October 03, 2026, 08:42:43 AM »
Amazing value and very stylish.

But it's normally the second hand prices that determines the market trust on stuff like that.

Have you investigated?
Skoti


Motorcycling is Life, anything B4 or after is just waiting...

1976 Honda CB750F1

Offline SteveD CB500K0

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Re: Whether we like it or not!
« Reply #4 on: October 03, 2026, 08:51:21 AM »
Remind anyone of the Japanese bike influx of the 70s?


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Offline Johnny4428

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Re: Whether we like it or not!
« Reply #5 on: October 03, 2026, 09:19:05 AM »
The luggage is £699 if ordering with bike, so no brainer, considering you could pay that for one box under another badge! I haven’t looked at second hand value as I hope this will be a keeper, and as it’s a new model there was nothing to compare unless other Zontes models. I very nearly ordered a CFmoto 450 adventure bike, they were and are getting rave reviews but just wanted a little more oomph. Never had a triple before and this one appealed. The photo taken yesterday is my actual bike Ian so yes full luggage pack. Steve I was thinking exactly that! If nothing else it might keep or even take down the prices of the big brands. I will keep posted anything good or bad. I did ask if they could deliver to Albufeira! (Now that would be nice) I guess that would have been a long drive home 😂 But just now must go and pack my soap bag.😜
1952 Cymoto on Triumph bicycle.
1961 Matchless G3
1974 Honda CB550K1
1978 Honda CB550K3
1999 ST1100 Pan European 50th Anniversary.
1975,1984,1986 Honda C90’s
1973 Honda CB750K3
1977 Honda CB550 (almost)

Offline Laverda Dave

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Re: Whether we like it or not!
« Reply #6 on: October 04, 2026, 10:05:21 PM »
Chinese bikes are coming so ignore them at your peril! I think they have learnt their lessons from 5-10 years ago when Chinese bikes were absolute rubbish with no spares back up and mechanics who wouldn't touch them. Resale values at the time were nigh on zero but all that has changed, quality is up as is fit and finish (apart from the recent incident with the chocolate cams of the KTM twin that ended up nearly finishing the brand off for good).
As Skoti states, it's the resale value that will be the telling factor and that won't be known for a few years yet.
Considering most of the world motorcycle makers opt for tie-ins with the Chinese AND Indian manufacturers these days I guess they have now proved themselves as capable of building stylish, quality and reliable motorcycles just as Japan did in the late 60's and beyond.
My own Royal Enfield Interceptor likely has a relatively poor resale vale because they were so cheap to buy in the first place. I bought the bike for £3200 with 1900 miles on it at 3 years old, I'm laughing and don't care how much it is worth now as it makes me grin every time I ride it and I have no intention of ever selling it.
Go for it Johnny, fantastic bike and as you say, It's a keeper :)
It has to be better than a Laverda with all that tech on it ;)
1977 Rickman Honda CR750
1999 Honda VFR 800FX
1955 750 Dresda Triton
1978 Moto Morini 350 Sport
1978 Honda CB400/4 'The Flying Banana'
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Offline Bryanj

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Re: Whether we like it or not!
« Reply #7 on: October 04, 2026, 11:01:46 PM »
I can remember the first Laverda tripples with electronic ignition where if you rested the plug on the head to test for spark you blewthe ignition unit, Bosch if memory is correct