How can we be so arrogant (towards the Chinese)?  By  prodigit (Read 13,128 times)

Thank you JR, and Jim, and all participating in this interesting debate. I know I don't say much usually, but I can't stop myself here! lol.

Over the course of these past few months, I have witnessed from various internet forums, a somewhat disparaging attitude towards those scooters that have been manufactured in China. There is a pervasive stream of insults and unkind nicknames ever pointed in their direction. I know that this sentiment is not expressed by all, and is believed by only a few.

We all know personally, or know of through tales, the infamous pain and woe of owning one of these machines, yet despite all of that, many of us still choose to do so. The fact is that when I see footage of people riding hundreds of scooters around in Asian countries, they are not all riding Vespas and Hondas, and more and more of these machines are seen every day here in the States as well. This then begs the question “why?”

Primarily the all encompassing answer is affordability. Indeed the China manufactured (CM) machine is much cheaper than its Japanese, Taiwanese, or European counterparts. Much cheaper! In fact, one to two times less expensive! This fact alone is fundamental, for most of us, myself included are not able to afford the body style, displacement etc. that we want type scooter from non-China (NC) made companies. I am not able to purchase a new or even slightly new Honda, Kymco etc. close to the same price as a brand new CM scooter, shipped to my house! This includes paying for a good PDI!
It has been mentioned that we may pay less for the product initially but in the end after all the upgrades and mods, we are spending just as much or more than NC scooters. The answer to this is no, not if we don’t want to. I have done the PDI i.e. new hoses, new valve stems, brake fluid, headlight bulb, fuel filter, change my oil often (just because) new battery, and apart from a small compass and velcro clock that’s about it. I did not have to fork over a lot of cash to get my scooter up to par. I don’t have a new cdi, or carb, variator, stator etc. now I may in the future, if I want to, or if something does break down I know how to replace it with, from what I have seen, (and I am still a newb) affordable quality parts. I also know that many CM scooter owners like to mod their bikes with all that stuff, and from the pics I have seen, they are awesome! But they do it because they want to, and some because they may have to, but that still is a choice that we all made. For me I am happy going 45 mph and up to 60 if I want to. I don’t need to be able to go zipping past the mall at mph. Yet, there are those who like to, and they want to be able to, and they can with the mods they make. Again, though, that is by choice.
Another reason for us choosing Chinese, is the knowledge that we gain from doing the PDI and our own maintenance etc. The things I learned just by having to put my scooter together and doing the PDI are immeasurable! I am confident that no matter what happens with my scooter, I will be able to handle it. And with the help of the members of this forum, from whom I have learned much already, I will know what to do.
Finally, the best reason we buy CM scooters is the fun! Yes, I said fun. When I ordered my baby online, I was like a kid at (insert favorite Holiday here). I could not wait for that truck to arrive. Then it did, and the driver helped me get it in the garage, take the corrugated off and examine the plastics etc. I tipped him 10 bucks bade him farewell, and stood there staring at the new member of the family. I was in love. It took my GF and myself all weekend to PDI and assemble, using the forums and youtube. When we got it running and were able to ride we were ecstatic! The fun has not stopped and that was 2 years ago, and I still can't wait for the next ride! Yes, there have been trials, frustrations, but name something that doesn’t have those, and the reward for successfully diagnosing and succeeding is given in pride, our stories and then the ride!
My purpose here is to simply say I know our CM two wheeled friends are different and have our issues, but we love them just as much. We are not saying they are better. We just don’t like people saying they are bad! We have style, and character and we have two wheels. We enjoy the ride as do all our two wheeled friends. We are scooterists, motorcyclists, riders all of us. Just because our bikes are made in China does not make them garbage, nor does it make them better. I just know that we all, with few exceptions, want to share our stories, our knowledge, our kinship with others that have the same passion for two wheels. After all is said and done It is the ride isn’t it?