Whether we like it or not!

[badger_eng]

Great review / story Johnny, glad you are happy with the bike. They certainly are value for money and tbh, for what you pay brand new, who cares about the resale value / depreciation. In my view, it’s irrelevant in the grand scheme of things.

I however, just can’t bring myself to KNOWINGLY buy anything Chinese 🤷‍♂️. Having spent quite a few years working there I found nothing good in that experience that would make me spend my personal cash to support the state. Yep, I know Chinese parts will be in that UK branded washing machine, Japanese car and American guitar but I’m never going to determine which part exactly and I’m not directly giving it to Mr Xi. This is my problem, not yours 😂😂.

The knock on effect of these cheap Chinese imports is having a big effect tho on the wider bike market in the U.K.
I recently bought my Suzuki GSX-S 1000GX+ for £12999 (I thought that was a bargain for a bike that came with an iPad, 6 axis IMU, semi active suspension and colour matched panniers), so much so, I traded in my Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX in for it whilst it was at the dealers for its annual service.
The same Suzuki I bought was over £2500 more expensive only a couple of months earlier before Suzuki reacted to the swarm of Chinese bikes now on the market. Look how competitive the pricing is now for top class models from Honda (Hornet and CB1000GT).

So whilst I can’t bring myself to buy a Chinese bike, car, phone etc…. they are still having a massive effect on my own personal spending power.

[Johnny4428]

Yes I get what you say about Mr Xi but I suppose we are all responsible for supporting him already. That’s quite annoying to see the price drop so much after you buy something. I did have a thought this  Chinese bikes would increase in price so that’s why I bought at a silly time of year really. Plus I had a budget and I didn’t trust myself to have £7k burning a hole and an entire winter of browsing. Resale value isn’t an issue with me, the only way I would sell is if I bought it and didn’t like it. I never was any good at selling bikes! 😜

[Yetanotherbike]

When I started riding all those years ago, British bikes were very much on the decline. If anyone here has ever read 'What ever happened to the British motorcycle industry' by Bert Hopwood, you'll know why. A very informative if not depressing read. Lack of investment, poor management, complacency, complete disregard for their customers, the list goes on and on.
The Japanese didn't steal our motorcycle industry, they were literally given it.
However 50-60 years on, the Japanese have not made the same mistake. They strive to improve with every model, they innovate and still offer good value for money. I see no need to put more money into China than we need to, when there is already a good provider of motorcycles and lets not forget European motorcycles too. Not sure whether I would describe Triumph as a British motorcycle these days.
Where possible I try and resist buying Chinese manufactured goods where I can, as a country they don't play fair.
Without getting into politics, I don't want to be funding a county that spies on us, subtly undermines our economy, supports Russia's war in Ukraine, threatening neighbouring countries etc etc
Easier said that done when your on a limited budget, but I wish people would think of long term consequences before buying things because they appear to be cheap. Everything has a price.

[badger_eng]

Maybe I worded it wrong Johnny, I paid £12999, it was £15600 prior to Suzuki’s repricing strategy. But yes, I feel for people who paid over £2.5k more than me.

Nothing personal against anyone who buys Chinese goods, it’s my one man battle against the state, nobody else’s 😂

I think they are making some real good quality motorcycles and at the price, they would have to turn anyone’s head. I just don’t believe in state sponsored dumping of anything is good for anyone on the other end and will fight it to the end. I’ve seen and experienced the worst side of what happens over there and try my utmost to de-fund.

The idea of a heated seat on a motorcycle blows my mind, I think where you live and ride will make journeys so much more sweet!

[badger_eng]

Hmmmmm….. maybe it’s a two man fight 🍻🍻

[Spitfire]

I well remember, switching over from my beloved British bikes to Japanese bikes, it was a revelation.
However I do have to thank the BSA, AJS and Matchless bikes that I previously owned for giving me an education in motorbike maintenance and repairs though.
It does make me chuckle when I read about a bike having an iPad, but then again even on my ancient F1 I use a Sat Nav so fair dos.
Hopefully the Japanese and other manufacturers will respond to the Chinese threat and not wither on the vine like the British companies did.

Cheers

Dennis