Jonway Bashan 250R and 125R?

[korn101]

Hello there mybb!

So today, my dad came home mentioning to me a motorcycle he saw at a dealership in centurion somewhere, I first thought skeptical of it, because he gave me a spec sheet of it, and it had a Chinesy / Indian / Arabic name (Bashan) so I was skeptical, and hearing it was chinese, I simply put the paper aside not even really looking at it.

We were looking at 125cc motorcycles recently because I need something to take me to school and back ( we live on an estate ), the school isn't too far.. But this is just for me going there and back, and to visit friends on the estate. I will probably only drive it for 2 years, which is why this might be a good alternative for that short time.. The bikes also come with a 1 year free AA roadside assist cover.

Anyway, So my dad dragged me along to our old house ( we had to clean up ) so on the way there, we passed the dealership where my dad wanted me to see the bike.

We walked in, and I saw the bike standing there and thought "God damn, that's a sexy looking bike!" (Not yet knowing what it was), then my dad pointed it out and said that was the one. This was at a Jonway dealership ( Yes I know. Scooters. )

Anyway, here's a pic of it in white ( the white isn't nearly as nice as the red! )

Anyhow, I know the reaction I'm probably going to get. "STAY AWAY FROM CHINA!" but isn't that what they said when Honda came onto the market? When they called it "Jap Scrap" and turned out, they were probably some of the best bikes out.

Basically this Bashan R, comes out in 125cc and 250cc versions. I understand that Jonway is quite a big company ( just about every scooter i see is a jonway! ) but I was wondering if anyone had any experience with these bikes? The 125cc and 250cc versions are exactly the same size, the only difference is the engine. I was wondering if maybe we should just get a 250 and take off the 125 stickers which I understand is what quite a few people do! Although, I also understand the implications if you are in an accident, and the cops check your numbers, and see that the bike is actually a 250cc bike, and you're only 16 with a learners bike license..

Anyway, any helpful advice, criticism, or experiences would be apprectiated!

(Please no hateful misguided and uneducated flaming because it's Chinese..)

 

[KalMaverick]

Body wise it looks very very close to that of a CBR125/150

I have also seen a few around (You get the big boy variant too) they also a little cheaper when compared to Bajaj.

I have no experience with it though, what I can say is it will definitely be better than a Bajaj 125/180 because they much lighter.

Seeing as it is a Jonway thing spares should be no problem. I rode my bajaj 180cc for 6 months after I got it from a friend who seized the motor and we had it fixed up again, I only got rid of it because I had money to get me a CBR.

As long as you look after it and check the oil often (Most important thing with these bikes) then it should be ok.

Ofcourse you could just get a scooter too.

PS I'd go for the 250cc seeing as it should be a minimal price difference

 

[korn101]

 

[Tosser]

I'm not familiar with Bashan or Jonway, so pse take what I say as mere opinion.
I had a zongshen, apparently they manufacture 2 million engines a year (!), and export to something like 80 countries. As stated by kalmaverick, oil changes are critical. These motors dont seem to be manufactured to the same tolerances as the jap motors, and I was amazed at the crap that came out after each 500km oil changed, which I instituted when I got it.
The original chain was utter rubbish, I swear a bicycle chain would have been better. Brakes were seriously lacking too. It starting rusting very quickly in CT, and embarrassingly bits & pieces kept on falling off. So regular maintenance is critical.
I personally would rather recommend a second hand CBX twister.

 

[crysis]

that bashan is a real piece of ****. Its some chinese made bike that will be full of rust after one year. I would recommend a bajaj over that any day of the week, they are great little bikes for the price. Other wise a Honda or yamaha. Stay away from chinese bikes, unless you are getting a little scooter you can throw out after two years, i wouldn't touch a chinese bike with a ten foot pole.

 

[korn101]

that bashan is a real piece of ****. Its some chinese made bike that will be full of rust after one year. I would recommend a bajaj over that any day of the week, they are great little bikes for the price. Other wise a Honda or yamaha. Stay away from chinese bikes, unless you are getting a little scooter you can throw out after two years, i wouldn't touch a chinese bike with a ten foot pole.

Do you speak from experience? I'm in Gauteng, so Rust isn't really a huge factor up here like it is on the coast, and I'm a person that takes care of my things, not some scrap hill billy that just treats everyone and everything like cr@p.

And does it even matter if it's going to be my first bike anyway?

 

[Cameronkk]

I dunno if you have bought that bike yet, but in case you haven't STAY AWAY!

That thing is just a remake of the bigboy GP200R, I have one and it's *****. can't even call it a bike. That warranty means jack, my bike has broken at least three times a month and only has 4000km on the clocks, bought it last year september. And this morning the kick stand spring broke sending the stand into the ground think of the dangers, same as the back hub screws broke and almost locked up my back wheel going 90km/h, replaced chain, air filter, brakes, engine tappets, tires only after 1500km, the list goes on.

Its cheap and hardly makes 100km/h, dam scary driving on the highway with it.
My opinion rather buy a UGLY delivery bike, just as cheap but 1 quarter the problems, after all you just using it in the estate.

Here is a link I just found for a quick read: http://bashan125r.blogspot.com/p/about-bashan-r.html

 

[Quentin360 SA]

I've now finally completed my research.

The Bashan looks good and its bigger than the Honda CBR125 but it's not worth it.

I talked to a few guys who have them and they haven't had allot of problems except for this 1 dude, he has some really bad problems.

After all the research I've done, the best option is to buy a second hand Honda CBR125.

If you look around you can find a second hand one with low mileage for R12 000 - R17 000.

Its warranty also transfers to the next owner so thats awesome (Warranty = 20 000km).

Also the services are every 4000km compared tot the Bashans 2000km.

http://bashan125r.blogspot.com/p/about-bashan-r.html This is the guy who now has allot of problems.

 

[Cameronkk]

Good Choice, it may not be as big but is just as fast as my 200cc, and much more reliable.