I couldn't find anywhere to post this, so I've created a new thread. The Chief can move it if he feels there's a better home for it. So, I was having a rainy day look around the internet yesterday and came across this company called Benda. They are Chinese, as are many bikes these days, so I thought I'd post about their VTR300 Turbo 'concept'. I say 'concept' as this article was authored in January 2022 and it just covers the design basics. I'd never heard of Benda, so I'm guessing there are many Chinese brands that are completely foreign to many of us. Enjoy. https://www.cycleworld.com/story/motorcycle-news/2022-benda-vtr-300-turbo-revealed/
Amazing stuff, China is moving out of being the “junk producer” of the world into being the world technology leader. Much like Japan did in the 1960s.. if Benda can get this thing into production it may become a market leader.
The Venom 250cc "SuperBike"; Put me down for 2! Hilarious. I'm surprised the bike isn't advertised with the slogan "Me Likey". https://tinyurl.com/ysc55bmd VENOM SUPERBIKE 250CC FUEL-INJECTED TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Engine Type: Single Cylinder, 4-Stroke, Air-Cooled 6-Speed Manual Sport Clutch Electronic Fuel-Injected Motor (EFI Fuel-Injection) Displacement (ml): 223 Max Power (kw/r/min): 12/7000 Max Torque (N.m/r/min): 17.5/5500 Ignition System: ECU Gear: 6+N Fuel Tank Capacity (L): 17 Fuel Consumption: 100 MPG Max speed (MPH): 90 MPH Transmission: Chain Drive Front & Rear Hydraulic Disc Brake Length: 80 inches Width: 24 Inches Height: 45 inches Seat Height: 31 inches Handlebars to Ground: 36 inches Wheelbase: 52 inches Ground Clearance: 2.4 inches Tires (Front / Rear): 110 /60-17 / 140/60-17 N. W: 295lbs G. W: 365lbs Product Dimensions: 80 x 24 x 45 inches
I like the way it is advertised with 6 gears + neutral. Is neutral and option on other bikes. I suppose it takes your attention away from the fact to only has a power output of 12kW.
It's only 223cc, but I guess if you're okay to market a bike with a bucket-load of BS then a small rounding error isn't going to bother you too much.
16bhp is not a lot for a modern 250. The old 4 pot screamers are pushing 45bhp. Sure it is a little shy of 250cc, but it is still a fairly low output.
I guess like selections from any other nation, you have low-end and high-end designs. Manufacturing is another thing altogether. U.S. can't even build a bike that doesn't leak oil! I have friend that bought Chinese CSC RX4 and quite likes it. A bit heavy, but decent design and build. There's online group exchanging info on mods and making it better. He's getting hardware & software together to hack ECU.
Well I woudn't go all in ragging on the US. Do you think the morons at Google, Apple etc are ever going to invest money into motorcycle manufacturing. Nope, they would be more likely to pour billions into FTX or "Drag Queen Story Hour" at kindergartens. I think the Motus was an excellent sport-tourer and had they made an entry level version instead of going with Ohlins etc then it might still be here today. High capacity motorcycles are always going to have a low production volume, and with most countries on Earth having restrictive tariffs against the US, exports would have been difficult. Maybe Motus should have predicted the lowest sales number they could think of and divide that by two. Lost to history now, instead there will be piles of overpriced electric appliances and things telling us "it is the future". Nah, it is your future. Thankfully, I will be dead.
My issue with the suppliers of the Venom bikes is that they are promoting a rubbish bike with misinformation and trying to maximize their profits before the inevitable business closure. I understand it is a 'buyer beware' world, but it just irks me. There are obviously many adequate-to-good Chinese manufactured bikes. That CSC that @DannoXYZ mentioned looks like a reasonably made and modern-spec little beast. Completely the opposite to the Venom bikes which look like they've been thrown together using whatever was left around the warehouse from bikes and engines that were sold in the 1990's! The little 2fiftycc RX3 model looks like a nice little get around bike. At least it has 25HP to move it's porky 175kg (dry) weight around. The RX4 that was previously mentioned seems the pick of the two models. Plenty of up-spec and 40HP to cart its also porky 205kg (dry) around. It will be interesting to see if they ever make it out to Oz. https://cscmotorcycles.com/2022-rx3-adventure-orange/ https://cscmotorcycles.com/2023-rx4-adventure---fire-yellow/