Bought my partner a Kymco 300cc quad bike, and it is well finished and well put together, reliable and rides nice. So far she has been unable to hurt it in a couple of get-offs, but the 3 ply tyres are a bit weak and both fronts went flat after the last ride. I think the so called 'cheapie Chinese junk' is getting better and better at a faster rate than I remember the Japanese bikes doing back 40+ years ago. I have a 1966 Kawasaki that is on par for quality with a Chinese bike from a couple of years ago and the increase in quality of the bits to another Kawasaki I own from 1981 (ie 15 years younger) is about the same as the Chinese have improved in the last five years. I also own a 2016 CF Moto that (in my opinion) is as good as a five year old Japanese bike. (I base my quality assessments on the welding, fit of bits together and the strength/composition of the alloy and plastic parts.) The bottom line is that enjoy what your riding and don't listen to others who have never owned/ridden your particular bike.
I will throw in my thoughts. My daughter bought a new 2010 Kymco Venox 25O for about $6500aud and although there wasn't much information in Australia on the bikes there were many accounts overseas of these Venox's doing well over 100,000kms with no issues. Besides that rated at 27/28hp performance wasn't bad, the only downfall was the gearing was a bit tall but gave a speed of over 120kph. Strangely gearing lower buy changing the rear sprocket from 39 teeth to 43 gave both better pickup in each gear and pushed the top end to over 150kph. Also achieved buy fitting a 160/60-15 in place of the 150/80-80 which was fitted by the dealer for my daughter to lower the bike. Now years later later I was looking for a cheap bike to help for my motorcycle riding withdrawals and although there are many it was hard to find on with safety cert and rego and although $1000 more than I wanted to spend it ticked all boxes and was very low mileage. Pictures are elsewhere on the site but it seems relevant to post them again.
Wow just did the 39t-43t rear sprocket upgrade and what a difference. Faster, quicker, smoother and just easier to ride, sounds strange but now no delay when open throttle. I fitted a longer chain and the lower arm locating the ear drum I lengthened just over an inch. the activating level has a key way so the correct adjustment was not available. Since the bike is a updated Honda Magna 250 I have ordered a forward control kit that moves the foot controls 100mm forward 30mm higher, it's from japan, I will update once arrived and fitted.
Update, now lowered rear and sissy bar. Considering drag pipes but I don't know how it would affect performance. I expect a torque loss low RPM, but who rides a heavy 250 cruiser at low rpm, it does nearly 7000rpm at 60mph and wouldn't red line till 90mph (never gone over 80) so a improved high RPM improvement may result and be useful.
