What’s this??

[Noggin]

A friend in the uk just bought this as his first bike. Only picture I’ve seen of it and I can’t work out what it is??

[Skub]

Looks little a little 125 Suzuki engine

[Horse]

Google image search suggests a 'Brixton'

[Rockburner]

Looks little a little 125 Suzuki engine

There's quite a lot of small 125cc bikes being imported into Europe under various brand names from China/Korea with clones of the Suzuki 125 engine as the powerplant.

I wouldn't be surprised if they're all coming from the same factory somewhere in deepest China and just being painted in different colours for different customers.

[Skub]

Google image search suggests a 'Brixton'

Is right,it seems.

[DefTrap]

I've seen a fair few of these low cc "hipster-style" chinese bikes in France. They look alright in the metal, they actually look pretty much like the glamourous publicity shots.

[Noggin]

Google image search suggests a 'Brixton'

Google image search suggests a 'Brixton'

Is right,it seems.

Thanx guys. It looks pretty cool for a newbie!

[Wossname]

A friend in the uk just bought this as his first bike. Only picture I’ve seen of it and I can’t work out what it is??

Does your friend know about chain lube? And rust....

[Noggin]

Does your friend know about chain lube? And rust....

I'd get he'll soon learn!!

[Scootabout]

Seems Brixton also make a 500: the Crossfire 500X. Moto Magazine reviewed it this month, alongside another Chinese made 500, Benelli Leoncino. Verdict for both seems to be not bad, at least for Chinese-made bikes, but not stunning either. Benelli has the edge. Brixton criticized for poor suspension and dull engine.

[The Spin Doctor]

Seems Brixton also make a 500: the Crossfire 500X. Moto Magazine reviewed it this month, alongside another Chinese made 500, Benelli Leoncino. Verdict for both seems to be not bad, at least for Chinese-made bikes, but not stunning either. Benelli has the edge. Brixton criticized for poor suspension and dull engine.

It's a A2 licence motor in the Crossfire so 35kw - looks to be closely based on Honda's 500 twin - also A2 compliant - presumably under licence. The Benelli is also A2.

[The Spin Doctor]

Brixton 500 Crossfire - 6.599 EUR



Benelli TRK 502X £5299 + OTR



And for comparison's sake this is the Voge 500DS £5399.99 RRP

http://www.vogeuk.co.uk/models/LX500-J-E5

http://www.vogeuk.co.uk/img/featured/360/LX500-J-E5.jpg

Can't embed their pic for some reason

[A_morti]

Voge 500DS £5399.99 RRP
http://www.vogeuk.co.uk/models/LX500-J-E5

looks nice enough. Trouble is, who gets to £5,399 for the Chinese copy, but doesn't get to £6,349 for the Honda original?
even if it is a good bike and doesn't give any hassle, whoever does make that choice will regret it in a couple-few years at resale time.

https://www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/ran ... tions.html

[KungFooBob]

People who only have £5399 to spend?

It's like an 18% price difference.

[The Spin Doctor]

And they might not resell. Wanna buy a 85,000 mile Hornet?

[A_morti]

People who only have £5399 to spend?

It's like an 18% price difference.

Well yes, but that 18% is <£1k, which is about £6 a week over 3 years - because let's be honest most bikes are bought on the drip.
Most people can stretch to £6 a week.
What are the 3 year residuals on these two bikes? I bet there's more than £1k difference between them.

And they might not resell. Wanna buy a 85,000 mile Hornet?

No ta, but at least you still have a running concern at 85k and can get new and used parts for it, which is less than certain for the Chinese bike.

[KungFooBob]

Or... you could look at it that if you're buying a £5-6k bike new it's because you can't afford anything else, so every penny counts.

[The Spin Doctor]

What are the 3 year residuals on these two bikes? I bet there's more than £1k difference between them.

And they might not resell. Wanna buy a 85,000 mile Hornet?

No ta, but at least you still have a running concern at 85k and can get new and used parts for it, which is less than certain for the Chinese bike.

I'm sure they'll lose value quickly, at least for the next few years. But in a few years time, I suspect they'll be mainstream... and we'll sound like the guy up the road who was a couple of years older than me and sneered at my Japanese 125 - he would never buy anything other than British.

And you're right - the parts would also be a corner but I'd hope it wouldn't need too many. I'm just trying to think what's been replaced on the Hornet... front fork seals, rear disc, rear wheel bearings, cam chain tensioner, rectifier / regulator and radiator. I think that's it.