Chinese bikes

bikesnbones · Post by **bikesnbones** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 4:16 am

slparry wrote:Of course it's a very reasonable argument that that marketing race was ultimately responsible for 250's being taken out of the hands of learners.

I'd just started riding when this happened, and seem to remember that it was the RD250LC that was pretty much solely responsible for this.

Someone earlier asked a very reasonable question.

What have the Japanese actually invented ?

Corvus · Post by **Corvus** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 5:57 am

slparry wrote:
Gromit wrote:
slparry wrote:
I meant rotary valve not reed valve Suzuki never used reeds until the X7 I think
Sounds about right to me Steve - the X7's engine was very close to the RD250. The older GT250 was piston-ported.
Until Yamaha trounced Suzuki again with the (stunning) LC .... It again took ages for Suzuki to catch up with the RG250 Gamma.

Of course it's a very reasonable argument that that marketing race was ultimately responsible for 250's being taken out of the hands of learners.

My RD250B had a 5 speed box, which was Yamahas attempt to reduce the top speed to 90mph. The 6th gear was there but the selector had a plate that blocked access to it. Motorcycle Mechanics magazine did a guide on how to change the plate to allow all 6 gears to work. I did mine, which was a cheap part and a short (easy) time to fit it.

Once fitted it would reach an indicated 100mph ... L plates flapping in the wind, expansion chambers making peoples ears bleed Woo hoo

And here you are today, Telelever flapping in the breeze...

Hee Hee.

slparry · Post by **slparry** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 6:42 am

Aye who would have thought it

Corvus · Post by **Corvus** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 6:49 am

slparry wrote:Aye who would have thought it

Congrats on the prof Blair detective work. That has been bugging me for years. I remembered once reading about a professor based in norn iron, who made valuable contributions to the continued development of two strokes. Couldn't for the life o me remember who he was.

Thanks.

conkerman · Post by **conkerman** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 7:25 am

Agree with most of the stuff on here. I certainly remember My old mans attitude to Japanese stuff in the 70's when I was a wee nipper. Exactly what we are saying about chinese stuff now.

For me, the Japanese are not great at the blindingly new, but are experts in patience and taking a piece of technology and refining and honing it over time.

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 8:06 am

conkerman wrote:
For me, the Japanese are not great at the blindingly new, but are experts in patience and taking a piece of technology and refining and honing it over time.

This is it in a nutshell.

Be it hifi, cameras, watches, or pretty much anything which involves engineering (on a tiny or grand scale) they have this ability to make stuff work and produce it in enough numbers to make it a viable product for the consumer. I'd still have a German Zeiss Distagon T* lens (the finest glass in the world) for my Canon camera, but it's horrendously expensive.

Whilst it's largely agreed that Europeans make the very best of the above examples (but it's darn expensive) the Japanese make it affordable, reliable and still wonderful.

I always felt sorry for Suzuki with the 250 Gamma - it was a fabulous bike, but at the wrong time with the new learner laws in the UK. Whilst the engine was only an X7 bottom end with a waterjacket round the barrels, it did something the LC didn't - handle beautifully.

slparry · Post by **slparry** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 8:36 am

Gromit wrote:
conkerman wrote:
For me, the Japanese are not great at the blindingly new, but are experts in patience and taking a piece of technology and refining and honing it over time.
This is it in a nutshell.

Be it hifi, cameras, watches, or pretty much anything which involves engineering (on a tiny or grand scale) they have this ability to make stuff work and produce it in enough numbers to make it a viable product for the consumer. I'd still have a German Zeiss Distagon T* lens (the finest glass in the world) for my Canon camera, but it's horrendously expensive.

Whilst it's largely agreed that Europeans make the very best of the above examples (but it's darn expensive) the Japanese make it affordable, reliable and still wonderful.

I always felt sorry for Suzuki with the 250 Gamma - it was a fabulous bike, but at the wrong time with the new learner laws in the UK. Whilst the engine was only an X7 bottom end with a waterjacket round the barrels, it did something the LC didn't - handle beautifully.

As did its cousin the Aprilia RS250 with the gamma engine and the sensuously beautiful aprilia chassis

Topcat · Post by **Topcat** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 8:41 am

slparry wrote:
conkerman wrote:I thought Kymco were Korean?
They are, and ISTR they're the ones who supply the engines for the BMW scooters the C600 Sport and C650GT

Ah well, close!

''I've got a print out of a lovely story about Walter Kaaden by Alan Shephard when he was racing for the MZ team. I'll try and find it and post it up here. It's an over-used term, but Kaaden really was an absolute genius.''

Is that the one when Shephard is in racing Daytona I believe and has to phone Kaaden about what to do? I won't spoil it for those who haven't heard it. Brillant story. It was in classic Bike I think.

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 9:37 am

Topcat wrote:
Is that the one when Shephard is in racing Daytona I believe and has to phone Kaaden about what to do? I won't spoil it for those who haven't heard it. Brillant story. It was in classic Bike I think.

That's the one TC - I've not found it yet but will do my best to later today.