Roddy, I'm no expert but from 45 years experience of predominantly car insurance I'd advise the following. 1. You MUST tell your own insurer if they have told theirs. Your insurer deals with the other party's insurer, not you. DO NOT continue communicating with the other insurer. Unfortunately, since they claim to have told their insurer (how do you know it's not a scam call) it's too late for them to settle without involving insurers so bad news is that your insurance will increase next year, even though it's not your fault. 2. Tell your insurer that you want to get an independent quote in addition to them arranging a quote. They won't take your bike away but they come to you or you take the bike to their repairer (and/ or your repairer). These days they often just rely on you sending photos first to decide whether to carry on with quotations or write the bike off. Even if they decide the latter, still insist on a independent quotation and tell the chosen repairer that you want to keep the bike so please keep cost down. 3. If the bike is repaired it will not be on an accident register in the UK. That's a myth. That only happens if it's written off and/or categorised first. 4. If your bike is worth as much as you say, they won't write it off but if they do, you should get about £4k minimum from them and be at least £2k up. As a Cat N repair it will be worth about 20-25% less so you will still be in a better position (except Cat N bikes usually have a slightly higher insurance premium) and if you take pictures and keep documentation, a new buyer will be less bothered. Hope this helps and if anyone wants to correct or modify, please do.
There really is no better way to travel than on a motorcycle, that feeling of swinging you leg over your bike and heading off down the road simply cannot be beaten…. I can honestly say that the happiest memories in my life have been of travelling on my bike ( just don’t tell my wife lol 😆)
5.00am on a dark damp frozen winter morning commuting into London, even with a heated waistcoat and a decent fairing, I’ve found myself not thinking ‘there is no better way to travel than on a motorcycle’
I live in Azerbaijan and I am just about to buy a new Minsk DT4 125 which is assembled in Belorussia and made in a China for £1200.00 All the food delivery riders use them and I often see used examples for sale having done well over 100k miles. I am actually exited about getting one.
I agree with you, Chinese bikes might be really good. But the problem for a lot of people in the west, is why would we actively support a regime as tyrannical as china’s… We know most western bike manufacturers use parts made in china and we turn a blind eye to that. But it is a blatant step in the wrong direction for many people to buy a full on Chinese brand bike. No one buys their phones here either.
Blue skies over Corfu today. Now all I need is a motorbike to enjoy it properly. I'm between vehicles right now. But hopefully not for long. Enjoy the sun Freddie.
Thanks for picking my Roadstar as bike of the week Freddie. If anyone has any questions about it just let me know. I'll be hanging onto this bike I think. There just isn't anything out there I like more and I bloody hate the idea of all this tech you get on new bikes.
Bought a CLX-700 Heritage Sept 2023 . Paid 6,100$, U.S. out the door All dealers fees , tax , and tag included . That was a year ago. Am at this time quit pleased . No regret so far ..
Freddie, you should try crossing the Mediterranian in a sailing boat................... Only means of travelling I find deeper, closer to nature, greater impact on the soul and stronger memories than travelling by motorcycle.
It’s amazing how wrong the car industry has got its product line wrong for EVs, the Renault Twizzy, Citroen Ami, Smart EV, Mini E and Fiat 500E are where they should be going. Small, simple, light and relatively inexpensive should have been their mantra.
the problem regarding size/weight etc. is... those decision makers and the subject motor/car.. older men "know it all" and as it is often an extension of certain body parts, it needs to be big... not smart or economical or easy to use, no big... if you live in the city it is a no brainer for more people to buy small... but for most IF their is the smallest chance to see mud (even 1 meter) some times, somewere they need a 4x4.... but then budget kicks in... but they can not choose for a small extension, isn't possible.. ;-)
Coming back from Scotland on Sunday evening with torrential rains and gale force winds was an adventure enough in my little Renault Twingo . On a bike it it would have been terrifying!
Freddie I have bought a number of motor bikes from either private sellers on eBay or the insurance right off companies on eBay. One was a Honda CB1300 which I kept for nearly 15 years and sold it for the same price I bought it for and I even disclosed it was cat c when I sold it, the second bike was a £450 cbr600f3 which I used as a track day bike, excellent savings and zero risk of smashing up a nice road bike. My best bargain was a Yamaha R1 for £250. Light accident damage as a result of being stolen, it started and ran, cosmetic damage which was fine as I put track fairings on it. Excellent fun and most I have sold on for a small profit after a couple of years of ownership. I love a cheap insurance right off bike they are good fun, just dont over pay and avoid bike with heavy damage or damage to wiring looms that have coded keys if possible.
nice 700 from CF moto, be interesting to see what happens with the XSR line up, i heard it would be discontinued, but with all the goodies on the new 2025 mt07 was was looking forward to buy a new version of mine!
As a non-biker who wants one very badly, I'm very put at ease with those insurance. A Triumph Speed Twin 900 is my dream bike, but as I haven't ridden since I was a teen, a Speed 400 might be more appropriate (after I've done the CBT thing that is). And those Roya Enfields look interesting too. Super interesting video. Thank you.
Interesting vlog as usual, thanks. The only non-confusing thing about insurance companies is that they will win and the customer will end up screwed somehow or other 🙁
From personal experience, always go through your insurance company when it's a no fault claim. If you act directly with the other insurance company, your insurance company will not act on your behalf should there be any issues as you commenced a private claim.
Salvage bikes are the perfect way to customise a bike, without the worry of devaluation or keeping all the original parts and then returning it to standard before sale with concerns of resale value. Shorten the frame add different parts make it your own and still get your money back, people buying heavily customised bikes don’t care that it was dropped or hot wired in a previous life👍
I just picked up my cfmoto 700 clx sport last wednesday and it's amazing I walked into my local dealer in Suffolk and there it was at £4999 new on the road and after a test ride that was it and it looks great in my garage with the royal Enfield super meteor and when I found out it had GPS tracking built in through the cfmoto app I was blown away
Freddy, a Cat N bike will be valued 20-25% less by insurers because when the owner bought as a Cat N it would have cost 20-25% less (unless the owner was ripped off).
If your bike’s damaged and your insurance company says they need to take it away for assessment, don’t let them! I was in this situation-my insurance handler, 4th Dimension, wanted to transport my bike from Newcastle down to near London. Instead, I asked them to have an assessment at my local bike repair garage which they agreed. Here’s why I asked for this: if they write it off, you could end up with a deduction on the payout to cover the transport costs back to you if you want to keep it. Plus, 4th dimension said they had over 1000 bikes in for assessment and repair when I was dealing with them which they might lean toward a quick write-off rather than repair to save time and cost. An assessor went to my local garage, and although my bike was written off, I was able to collect it myself and repair it at home, saving transport fees and keeping my bike, which has sentimental value.
Life is better on a motorbike full stop, I wouldn't have it any other way. CFMoto are great bikes, quality is excellent and you're right Freddie, the Japanese did it first now it's the turn of the Chinese, and Indians with Royal Enfield.
Alaska is the largest state in the U.S (663,300 square mi), (England, 50, 372 square mi) yes, even larger than the great state of Texas 😂 and one of the most densely populated areas in our country as well, its absolutely stunning to see. Love the content Freddie, cheers from the U.S.
Freddie, If you were only allowed to ride one motorcycle brand for the rest of your life, what would it be? You have to consider when you go on adventures and rent a bike, different bikes for different scenarios, etc. I'm a little biased as a current Z650rs owner and former ZX6R owner, but Kawasaki has such a diverse offering of bikes that I feel like I could find something for any occasion. That said...Triumph has my heart. I've never ridden one, but a Speed Twin is on my list for a future bike. Anyway, take care!
Hi Freddie, Have a look at the Moto Morini 6 1/2 SCR, got it this year, coming from a ducati scrambler 400cc, and could be happier with everything with the riding and with what they packed up in such a aggressive priced bike.
Thanks for the video. There have been discussions on other TH-camrs videos that the category of a stolen recovered bike also affects future value and begs the question if trackers are worth it. Ie would you want it back anyway...
Annual comp cover plus business use on my 5 year old multistrada 950S is £824. I’m in my 60s no points, no claims. It does make you think Ducati owners are seen as easy pickings.
The issue with chinese bikes is that there is no idea about reliability and service. If the chinese cars are indicative: insurance is an issue due to no parts and/or service available, causing early write offs.
We’ve just picked up our hire car and had to go through the standard process of being sold a €400 insurance cover policy on top of the rental. I agree- a motorbike is the best way to explore the islands🤘🏼
I believe a big contributor to the problems that motorcycle manufacturers and dealers are having is related to PCP's. Very few individuals are buying bikes on traditional finance where, at the end of the finance term you own the bike. People are opting for PCP's and at the end of the term they are handing the bike back and buying another on a PCP. This has led to most individuals buying new bikes rather than secondhand and dealers have a glut of secondhand bikes. The same is happening in the car market.
I am astonished by those low insurance quotes, I was paying that sort of amount in the 1980s! I also don't understand why it should cost more to insure a Ducati than a big Triumph.
Hi Freddie the HD at £5500 at that age is not cheap with that mileage. Try to sell that on and you will struggle just because it’s a Harley; mileage matters when trying to sell in UK
Insurance premiums take into account risk of theft which is linked to location, cost to replace bike and the risk of accident linked to type of rider of said bike. I recently attended the Rocket day at Elvington, had it been a Ducati day I think the typical rider might have fallen into a different category 😉
@@JamesParus It is more likely an oil delivery problem, rather than a camshaft hardening problem. Chinese industry has access now to making good quality items, it's only that they are trying to produce very cheaply, and decisions are made accordingly.
I love motorcycling but it's not the best way to see the world because riding a motorcycle takes more of your attention on the road than on the surrounding scenery. I my opinion the best way to see the world is to drive to a destination by car so that you have a better chance of seeing the surroundings while moving and staying a few days at a location you like, exploring it by walking around and perhaps hiking and backpacking/camping in the area.
It's why I have an action cam on my helmet, I can watch the journey when I get home and see everything over again whenever I want. I have driven across France, even towed a caravan around, and been all over Europe on motorcycles. The only trips I have enjoyed are the two wheeled ones.
@@andyhewitt7588 profit margins ! the same people who build voge /cfmoto make millions of bikes and have been for years they also produce for big names most stuff we buy and ride has Chinese components in it resale could be an issue but as bikes are not selling i think that will impact us all
True. I would never buy a Chinese bike at any price. It’s really a no brainier. Some people are just incredibly naive about the way they make financial decisions, well decisions of all sorts. Darwin has a plan for everyone. Peace 🏴
Just by way of an update on my "rear-ending" in Portsmouth, the 3rd party admitted liability via their insurers. Interestingly the insurers offered an extra £320 if I dealt with them directly and not instruct the agents acting for my insurers. They inspected my K1600 at my house, agreed that it needed about £2,000 of parts, offered to buy a new helmet and honour the original bonus - thus I ended up with cash payment of £3,400 and no accident recorded on the damage register. I had to fend off my own insurers who wanted me to claim for bike hire, engineers reports and storage. I feel I am far better off as increased costs would have ended up with my bike being written off.
Something I hope people don't fall into a false sense of security is the 700 range from CFMoto. Yes they have an agreement with KTM and build a lot of their motors under license, but the 700 CLX range is based on the old ER6 engine from Kawasaki that a multitude of Chinese manufacturers have either built under license (back in the day) or copied (since the license expired and it's a reliable design regardless of material science and tolerances). That engine (and gearbox) was never designed for ride by wire, for example, which is why the inclusion of cruise control is commendable but also a frequent failure. All that being said CFMoto seems to be taking everything seriously from design to dealers and support but there are so many moving parts in this market (such as the possible US ban on many Chinese bikes like CFMoto, Voge and "Chitalian" bikes like Moto Morini and Benelli due to "gauge cluster/infotainment integration that may feed information to the Chinese Communist Party") that I'm still wondering if the support networks or parts for these bikes will even exist a few years down the road.
Stop wondering , Chinese mfg do not honor any agreements past payment , there will be thousands of unrepairable bikes around. Not racism , experience .
The company that makes the parts for the Benelli's, as well as Volvo etc, is the size of a city. The build quality is better than Japanese bikes I have owned. My TRK 502 has been parked outside under a cover on top of a mountain in Wales where it rains almost permanently, since August 2022, done a 1500 mile tour in atrocious weather, and still looks like it did the day it was delivered. It has never missed a beat and I have no regrets about downsizing from a lifetime of high capacity bikes. Spares are no problem, mainly because I have never needed anything other than oil and filters. Quite how the Chinese can collect data from an instrument cluster is anyone's guess, Google, Microsoft, Governements and phone companies collect far more than my instrument cluster could ever provide.
@@VisorView TL;DR: Yes, I get that they can build stuff well now (the TRK is a bestseller where I am, and rightfully so, as is a lot of CFMoto and RKS products). It's the after-sales that worries me (probably because I'm in a third world country, which is completely a "me" problem, which I understand). Yeah the whole "connected dashboards ban" situation in the United States seems to be the same knee-jerk reaction the senate and congress has had against manufacturers like Xiaomi, Huawei (though that part was somewhat justified) and DJI. I'm suspecting protectionist policies like this are a result of lobbying more than any real security concerns. That being said, "too big to fail" companies like BYD, Geely etc and other OEM manufacturers from China may be fine as far as production goes (which is why the TRK series is massively popular here in Turkey as well), but availability, distribution, dealers and other networks (and local government messing everything up for the consumers in the name of protectionist policies again) are another story. The company in charge of CFMoto in Turkey is basically a mafia (really no other word to describe it), and parts have been on backorder for months. Fantic is being run by a tyre conglomerate here, with dealers in 3 large cities but official service stations are in Istanbul alone. It's not really better when it comes to "established brands", like Italian brands (Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Ducati etc.) or even Japanese brands (there are only two official Kawasaki service centers in the country) but the dealer and service network for Chinese brands (Voge, Moto Morini, all the subsidiaries of QJ Motors and whatever they are locally called) have been a nightmare with dealers (and service departments) doing the "midnight flash": We're a Benelli dealer with an official service department! Ok here is my Leoncino, the head gasket is leaking and I want it fixed under warranty. No problem! Go in next week, "We are a Voge dealer and official service!". Where's my bike? You must mean the previous owners (says the same guy standing right there) you need to call their hotline... As much of a third world country this is, even the Indians get it wrong (welcome to the wonderful world of my self-depracating casual racism). Bajaj has had 8 different "official dealers" and "official service stations" in my city in the last two years. Hero service stations changed three times in 2024 alone. There comes a point where you just pay the premium for a Honda not because it is a better, or better built bike, but because the ease of mind is worth the hit to the wallet.
I’m buying an CF-Moto two-seater-quad with street-legal papers in 2007. We called this kanapa, why, the one and only problem was the power. And it was swimming over the street. Yes, buying a Grizzly 700, there was not only more power, but also two times expensive. Both driving on hardcore Polish sandy areas. So, 16 years later, probably nothing has on his mind, the Chinese had not done their homework.
There are anti tourist protests in Tenerife things like air bnb are pushing rents for the locals to an unaffordable level, one of the protesters told me that a one bed apartment is 1200 a month rent
Goodevening Freddie, we fly to teneriffe on saturday. I looking to hire a bike over there. Any recomendations of a route/place we have to see thats not that well known?
Great video. I live near a cf moto dealer. My issue with buying a Chinese bike would be an ethical one. Would you ever consider going to China and making a video on the factory and workers conditions? They seem a good bike with early models being kawasaki engine and newer models being ktm. I would be interested to see an independent view.
as many people have said over the last few years with regard to CF Moto, Voge, Benelli, Moto Morinin etc these Chinese manufactured motorcycles are no different to any other consumer product made in China of which a huge amount of consumer goods or components are. Then there is BMW, KTM, Honda, Yamaha etc who all have components made in China. Look at most mobile phones, tablets, laptops etc, majority made in China and we all have more than one in our house. I get the ethical concerns however we either all start boycotting everything that comes from China or we dont but lets not cherry pick what we have ethical issues with.
Chairman Mao died a long time ago. People don't consider the long hours and poor pay of the people who made Hondas in the 1960s, or the suffocating Japanese work ethic of the time. Nor do they think of the British workers knocking out bikes after WW2 in poorly equipped factories with worn machinery. My own belief as a retired industrial engineer is that it's simple: to make a good product these days you either need lots of automation and well qualified technicians, or good conditions and a well paid workforce. One of the reasons Germany lost WW2 was the use of slave labour - meaning lots of defective equipment.
@@EbenBransome agreed when you put it like that. I would still like freddy to visit the factory and show us the facilities. I'm sure they are vast and there are a lot of cf moto models we don't get in the west.
I’d be very interested to visit a Chinese manufacturer- I’ve heard from some Europeans who have seen the Chinese factories first hand and they all they that they’re 40 years ahead of Europe. Almost everything electrical I own is Chinese made, and quite a lot of my European branded clothing too
When i see Auto Trader Cat N bike trade or private I would never consider buying them but would buy a Cat N from Auction as I can get it cheaper and fix it up as a keeper. I see no point buying 4 bikes unless i want to keep them all. You can sell a Cat N bike but they would have to be dirt cheap to buy.
Oooooo that is so tough! The RK would be worth way more… to swap my Bonneville would feel like giving away a family member… but I can’t lie, I’d struggle to turn down that offer
BMW gs350 is made in China along with Volvo cars not to mention many other car brand components. My new Honda ADV 350 washing it the other day saw many components like wheels etc made in China! Enjoy Tenerife, if you see me wave make sure you wave back 😃 👍🏼
Hi Freddie, I was told many years ago" If you have a 5 bob head put a 5 bob helmet on it, its the same with bikes, if you pay 5k for a bike you are getting a 5k bike!! I know this will upset the Chinese bike owners but thats just the way it is!! values and after sales are issues! as well as parts according to others on You Tube!!
Problem is that with many bikes and cars half the price you pay is the cost of them advertising it to you. Yes, you pay them to persuade you to buy. Not that I'm suggesting Chinese is particularly good, just that the £5k Chinese product is probably equivalent to around £7-8k Japanese when tariffs versus marketing are factored in.
Bushings instead of bearings, plastic instead of alloy, etc. Many ways to make the same thing only very different. Same with cabling, brakes, suspension, charging capacity etc etc. You get what you pay for if you are lucky.
not the KTM engine actually. The 700CLX was developed before CFM started using the KTM engines they manufacture. The 693 engine is actually the Kawasaki ER6 engine with increased capacity and power. They make the original 650 engine and this one (with electronic throttle) and use them in their own bikes but also supply to other brands with Chinese links like the Moto Morini 6.5 The 700 CLX is a great bike especially the scrambler version.
@@Richard-pe4cxwell you can’t upload images here can you? Parts lists are copyrighted…. “Proof” here, can be difficult… but you even can find in official press releases that the for instance cfmoto engines are BASED on KTM’s LC8. I.e. “based” is not the same as “exactly the same” .
Nobody knows the answer to the future parts supply for Chinese bikes. They've burned us before & until that question is answered then l'm sceptical as to why this time should be different. Of course they are cheaper, but to buy a Honda you are buying into the brand, it's history and future parts supply, it's no good having a 5 year old CF Moto that saved you £2k new when it's sat there in your garage needing parts you can't get. We'll see.....
@@tuesdayatdobbs Every time l see a Chinese bike review l ask about the future parts supply. I've not once had a straight answer and yet it's so important.
Hi. Look into which manufacturers CFmoto make engines for I don't think they will be going anywhere except from strength to strength like other Chinese brands
Absolutely correct. There is a 6 month waiting list for CFMoto 450's, riders are ditching expensive large capacity bikes, especially sportsbikes, as they are no longer a practical proposition. 500's are plenty quick enough and way more enjoyable, especially the ADV versions.
@@VisorView The 'downside' of the smaller capacity models, like the CFMoto 450, is that they rev so much higher at open road speeds. I was given the opportunity to do a quick test on one, having just ridden my recent Transalp. Of course the Honda is a bigger engine, and is quite tall geared, but the relative revs at 100 kmh (60 mph) were much higher. The Honda just under 4,000, the CF well over 6,000. The CF feels a bit similar to the Honda, and a similar weight, but the higher revs were the problem to me. Not very relaxing. I suspect those you refer to, going smaller capacity, will find the same thing.
If you want a Ducati, buy an old one! I am old and therefore I live in the past ;-) I ride a 2006 monster s2r, that's a £3k bike, and my fully comp insurance... £108. (Not in London, but urban. Zero no-claims as I took a break, but 30yr licence. Basically a 'classic' policy)
Compare the market is always more expensive as when they offer film night tickets etc you are paying for it without knowing Bike insurer is the cheapest every time for myself
Hi Freddie, I don't know if you'll read this, but I got curious about your thoughts on this, and those of whoever read this. I'm about to buy a Meteor 350, in Argentina it's value is 5100 dollars, or I could buy a 2022 used one for 4100. Is that too much for a used meteor? Without getting into our inflation, I know it's way cheaper in other countries. The pros of the used one are, it's the color I like, and new ones don't come in that color anymore, it comes with some accessories and it's only 1500km. The biggest pro of the new one is that I can get if for 3000 dollars and pay the rest over 2 years, it's ver affordable.
On insurance pricing which has gone up on certain bikes for sure. My new 2022 Triumph T120 premium alone is $690 per year when bundled with the house, 2 cars, and a Honda Transalp. I seriously think I am paying too much and will start shopping around. I have heard though that quotes here in USA, are based too on ones credit score? and if you are getting several quotes then it will affect pricing just by getting the quotes? Is it different in UK?
Hi Freddie. It's just a thought, but might the sudden price hike in Ducati insurance be related to the tragic accidents near Buxton this summer where five riders lost their lives? I seem to recall that the bikes in question were all Ducatis. Might this have been a red flag to the insurance companies to look at Ducati crash statistics? The fault is not with the bikes (I used to have a Monster 900 myself a while back,) but perhaps with the insurance companies perception of the people who ride them.
I have one of these, they are a direct competition to Ducati scrambler, has the same stats n suspension. It’s an excellent bike, 14 months ownership n 10,000 klm , no issues. So watch out for the badge snobs,
If you think your CFMOTO is a direct comparison to a Ducati, you're living in La-la land. People love Ducati's, they're good looking, desirable and cool. It may be a good bike, but no one cares about an ugly CFMOTO. They have no character, no charm, they're just cheap.
It is surely the beginning of the end for hyper-expensive motorcycles. Motorcycles were originally affordable transportation that literally got countries moving. The cynical marketing gurus have gone mental.. example, in Australia a Ducati Monster SP is about AUD$23k, yet put on a fancy colour scheme and the name Senna and hey, now it's AUD$42k. Madness. Ducati under Audi ownership has lost the plot...the Monster was supposed to be the entry level affordable Ducati. 🤣 Bring on value-for-money motorcycles that still deliver the essence of what we love about motorcycling.
as i can understand e certain frustration, but is it really that different? yes we see the magazines, internet publications about Lawrence of Arabia and other fancy stuff what could be bought... IF you had the money (and very few had). if i did drive around on a '50's BSA 20-30 years ago , ALL old man told me they had a Norton... (in their mind) Jeff Duke had a Norton, not those old man looking at my BSA... (and BSA was way way bigger than Norton) in reality pre-war only rather rich people had a new motorcycle and post-war it was Pre-used Army stuff all they could afford were M20's, WLA/C or an occasional Indian... i am talking about the majority here... cheap 2-strokes later on... these days, everybody seems to have enough money for a second (or third) way of transportation, rather expensive ones, and even color DOES matter. triple black, etc.. my dad had a pre-used blue NSU back in the day, a blue one, why blue i asked, because it was the only one available at that time.. conclusion: yes it is different, WE are spoiled these days, thinking everything was better.. well ask your grand dad (and mother) in my family it wasn't always the case at least...
Surely if you insure a formerly known as cat-n write off, you could insure it for the potentially reduced market value and benefit from the reduced premium? 🤔
The Voge Rally looks a real bargain but will it last? With the reasent KTM Chinese cam issues after 10,000 miles it's always a worry? Ask the question too viewers of your podcast Freddie? Has anybody got a high mileage Chinese bike? Or Fantic 500 rally etc... That have Chinese built engines. I have observed Honda's 500f/x for sale with over 100,000 miles and still running fine.
I got an online quote for my Moto Guzzi 1979 v35 on that same website for £147 but when I tried to take up the offer it ended up at £237 so don’t take these quotes at face value as there are strings attached.
Quoting KTM as an example that the Chinese bikes will be reliable, doesn't exactly fill me with confidence. Ducati bikes are obviously a much higher risk of being ridden dangerously and also more liable to being stolen is my only conclusion as to why the insurance companies change such high prices and not forgetting the fact that they can
Almost everything contains Chinese or Taiwanese manufactured parts. Including premium brands like Aston Martin. The difference is that premium brands choose which parts can be farmed out rather than just let the whole thing - including design - be blindly trusted to companies with no real track record.
Freddie, regarding insurance, I've insured classic Japanese bikes for the last 20 odd years and never paid more than £90 for fully comp insurance, problem was and I wasn't really bothered is that I never earned any no claims bonus with this particular company. Now the classics have gone and I own a Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 and the insurance is £95 fully comp with a zero no claims discount, why Ducati? Just to be different.
This is very interesting re getting such a great insurance deal with no NCB. It’s nice to mix it up- the Ducatis are a far rarer sight than the Bonnevilles
@@tuesdayatdobbs Yes I was really surprised, similar quotes from other companies too, I don't commute on it as I'm retired and limited to 3k miles per annum that I won't be doing anywhere near.
When people are happily accepting India made BWM 310 serisers, Triumph 400 seriers and all Royal enfields; and Thailand made Kawasaki and Honda seriers as well. There is no reason , as I see it , to ditch a Chinese made bike, especially from a legit manufacturers with relatively renoued business credit among all Chinese competitors
When buying a Chinese manufactured motorcycle the secret is to purchase one with a Japanese brand name on it . There is nothing retro looking about that 700 CL-X , the rear end looks tacky & a right lash up . Retro bikes had proper rear ends with proper rear end mudguards .
Do you want a bike that uses chinese bearings. Where engine mounts rust off the frame. Where rust pokes its head all over. Where are you going to get the parts. How far are you getting before it breaks down.
Before rushing to purchase Chinese vehicles please watch someone who speaks the language and has lived there, serpentza is married to a Chinese lady and he had a bike shop there. From his experience and many more people who have tried to run all the 125cc bikes now going for next to nothing on Facebook marketplace . Ask yourself do you want the risk of breaking down, try to find a service centre or spare parts in the future.....well punk do you feel lucky 😜
All the Things I heard about Jap Crap Rice Burners back in the 70s.. Plus Still many People Who Lived Through the 2nd World War were very anti Japanese Due to the way P O W Were Treated the Years went past & Anything Japanese was seen as Very High Quality..Sony Hitachi. Honda And the Chinese are Improving Year on Year.
CF moto are excellent. ....it is chinas top brand .. apparently the Chinese gov is involved in this company in particular and cfmoto basic policy is to make high quality and not bring shame to China. ..saving face is hugely important to Chinese people
Regarding CFMOTO, lets not forget that that Brits are snobs when it come to Chinese bikes. They would rather buy the same bikes ones that everyone else is buying. Evidence? CFMOTO 700 Sport, Heritage and Adventure have sold less than 100 bikes in 3 years. When it first came out the RRP was around £7400. Now its £4999 because nobody is buying them. Meanwhile, they sell thousands in Europe and especially in Mediterranean countries where people ride all year round. They use the same engines from Kawasaki and KTM, they own KTM and manufacture the KTM bikes but hardly anyone will buy them as CFMOTO. Lastly, as a consequence of the above their part exchange value is ZERO.
Roddy, I'm no expert but from 45 years experience of predominantly car insurance I'd advise the following.
1. You MUST tell your own insurer if they have told theirs. Your insurer deals with the other party's insurer, not you. DO NOT continue communicating with the other insurer. Unfortunately, since they claim to have told their insurer (how do you know it's not a scam call) it's too late for them to settle without involving insurers so bad news is that your insurance will increase next year, even though it's not your fault.
2. Tell your insurer that you want to get an independent quote in addition to them arranging a quote. They won't take your bike away but they come to you or you take the bike to their repairer (and/ or your repairer). These days they often just rely on you sending photos first to decide whether to carry on with quotations or write the bike off. Even if they decide the latter, still insist on a independent quotation and tell the chosen repairer that you want to keep the bike so please keep cost down.
3. If the bike is repaired it will not be on an accident register in the UK. That's a myth. That only happens if it's written off and/or categorised first.
4. If your bike is worth as much as you say, they won't write it off but if they do, you should get about £4k minimum from them and be at least £2k up. As a Cat N repair it will be worth about 20-25% less so you will still be in a better position (except Cat N bikes usually have a slightly higher insurance premium) and if you take pictures and keep documentation, a new buyer will be less bothered.
Hope this helps and if anyone wants to correct or modify, please do.
There really is no better way to travel than on a motorcycle, that feeling of swinging you leg over your bike and heading off down the road simply cannot be beaten…. I can honestly say that the happiest memories in my life have been of travelling on my bike ( just don’t tell my wife lol 😆)
5.00am on a dark damp frozen winter morning commuting into London, even with a heated waistcoat and a decent fairing, I’ve found myself not thinking ‘there is no better way to travel than on a motorcycle’
Fantastic to see Billy restore the plastics on that Honda!! something I will remember 😉
I live in Azerbaijan and I am just about to buy a new Minsk DT4 125 which is assembled in Belorussia and made in a China for £1200.00
All the food delivery riders use them and I often see used examples for sale having done well over 100k miles.
I am actually exited about getting one.
What a clever design, you should try and import them to UK and sell them for double?
I agree with you, Chinese bikes might be really good.
But the problem for a lot of people in the west, is why would we actively support a regime as tyrannical as china’s…
We know most western bike manufacturers use parts made in china and we turn a blind eye to that.
But it is a blatant step in the wrong direction for many people to buy a full on Chinese brand bike.
No one buys their phones here either.
Blue skies over Corfu today. Now all I need is a motorbike to enjoy it properly. I'm between vehicles right now. But hopefully not for long. Enjoy the sun Freddie.
Thanks for picking my Roadstar as bike of the week Freddie. If anyone has any questions about it just let me know. I'll be hanging onto this bike I think. There just isn't anything out there I like more and I bloody hate the idea of all this tech you get on new bikes.
Thank you so much for sharing it, Robin!
@tuesdayatdobbs
My pleasure. I enjoy both of your channels Freddie.
Bought a CLX-700 Heritage Sept 2023 . Paid 6,100$, U.S. out the door All dealers fees , tax , and tag included . That was a year ago. Am at this time quit pleased . No regret so far ..
Freddie, you should try crossing the Mediterranian in a sailing boat...................
Only means of travelling I find deeper, closer to nature, greater impact on the soul and stronger memories than travelling by motorcycle.
I believe that the Honda DeVille is actually a 650 V TWIN, not a “V FOUR” as stated.
Yes, this. I was about to make the same comment. I'm fairly sure the Deauville is a version of the 650 Transalp engine, converted to shaft drive.
@ Indeed. And the 650 Hawk GT/Bros.
Of course it is
It’s amazing how wrong the car industry has got its product line wrong for EVs, the Renault Twizzy, Citroen Ami, Smart EV, Mini E and Fiat 500E are where they should be going. Small, simple, light and relatively inexpensive should have been their mantra.
the problem regarding size/weight etc. is... those decision makers and the subject motor/car.. older men "know it all" and as it is often an extension of certain body parts, it needs to be big... not smart or economical or easy to use, no big... if you live in the city it is a no brainer for more people to buy small... but for most IF their is the smallest chance to see mud (even 1 meter) some times, somewere they need a 4x4.... but then budget kicks in... but they can not choose for a small extension, isn't possible.. ;-)
Survi ing on the road is a way of life itself the rest is just waiting for and planning the next trip.
Coming back from Scotland on Sunday evening with torrential rains and gale force winds was an adventure enough in my little Renault Twingo . On a bike it it would have been terrifying!
Freddie I have bought a number of motor bikes from either private sellers on eBay or the insurance right off companies on eBay. One was a Honda CB1300 which I kept for nearly 15 years and sold it for the same price I bought it for and I even disclosed it was cat c when I sold it, the second bike was a £450 cbr600f3 which I used as a track day bike, excellent savings and zero risk of smashing up a nice road bike. My best bargain was a Yamaha R1 for £250. Light accident damage as a result of being stolen, it started and ran, cosmetic damage which was fine as I put track fairings on it. Excellent fun and most I have sold on for a small profit after a couple of years of ownership. I love a cheap insurance right off bike they are good fun, just dont over pay and avoid bike with heavy damage or damage to wiring looms that have coded keys if possible.
Thanks Freddie for another very interesting video.Enjoy the ☀️
nice 700 from CF moto, be interesting to see what happens with the XSR line up, i heard it would be discontinued, but with all the goodies on the new 2025 mt07 was was looking forward to buy a new version of mine!
As a non-biker who wants one very badly, I'm very put at ease with those insurance.
A Triumph Speed Twin 900 is my dream bike, but as I haven't ridden since I was a teen, a Speed 400 might be more appropriate (after I've done the CBT thing that is). And those Roya Enfields look interesting too.
Super interesting video. Thank you.
Interesting vlog as usual, thanks. The only non-confusing thing about insurance companies is that they will win and the customer will end up screwed somehow or other 🙁
Thanks
Thank you so much, Roddy!
From personal experience, always go through your insurance company when it's a no fault claim. If you act directly with the other insurance company, your insurance company will not act on your behalf should there be any issues as you commenced a private claim.
Salvage bikes are the perfect way to customise a bike, without the worry of devaluation or keeping all the original parts and then returning it to standard before sale with concerns of resale value. Shorten the frame add different parts make it your own and still get your money back, people buying heavily customised bikes don’t care that it was dropped or hot wired in a previous life👍
Excellent eye opening content Freddie, thanks for that and wishing you both a wonderful time in Tenerife 😉
I just picked up my cfmoto 700 clx sport last wednesday and it's amazing I walked into my local dealer in Suffolk and there it was at £4999 new on the road and after a test ride that was it and it looks great in my garage with the royal Enfield super meteor and when I found out it had GPS tracking built in through the cfmoto app I was blown away
Freddy, a Cat N bike will be valued 20-25% less by insurers because when the owner bought as a Cat N it would have cost 20-25% less (unless the owner was ripped off).
If your bike’s damaged and your insurance company says they need to take it away for assessment, don’t let them! I was in this situation-my insurance handler, 4th Dimension, wanted to transport my bike from Newcastle down to near London. Instead, I asked them to have an assessment at my local bike repair garage which they agreed. Here’s why I asked for this: if they write it off, you could end up with a deduction on the payout to cover the transport costs back to you if you want to keep it. Plus, 4th dimension said they had over 1000 bikes in for assessment and repair when I was dealing with them which they might lean toward a quick write-off rather than repair to save time and cost.
An assessor went to my local garage, and although my bike was written off, I was able to collect it myself and repair it at home, saving transport fees and keeping my bike, which has sentimental value.
Life is better on a motorbike full stop, I wouldn't have it any other way. CFMoto are great bikes, quality is excellent and you're right Freddie, the Japanese did it first now it's the turn of the Chinese, and Indians with Royal Enfield.
Alaska is the largest state in the U.S (663,300 square mi), (England, 50, 372 square mi) yes, even larger than the great state of Texas 😂 and one of the most densely populated areas in our country as well, its absolutely stunning to see. Love the content Freddie, cheers from the U.S.
I must get back out to the US- it’s been 12 years since I was last there and funnily enough my Aunt and Uncle actually live in Alaska!🇺🇸
@tuesdayatdobbs Awesome! Do it! Great content opportunity for sure & you wont want to go back to the UK 😂 I live in Utah and love this place
Freddie,
If you were only allowed to ride one motorcycle brand for the rest of your life, what would it be? You have to consider when you go on adventures and rent a bike, different bikes for different scenarios, etc. I'm a little biased as a current Z650rs owner and former ZX6R owner, but Kawasaki has such a diverse offering of bikes that I feel like I could find something for any occasion. That said...Triumph has my heart. I've never ridden one, but a Speed Twin is on my list for a future bike. Anyway, take care!
Hi Freddie,
Have a look at the Moto Morini 6 1/2 SCR, got it this year, coming from a ducati scrambler 400cc, and could be happier with everything with the riding and with what they packed up in such a aggressive priced bike.
Thanks for the video. There have been discussions on other TH-camrs videos that the category of a stolen recovered bike also affects future value and begs the question if trackers are worth it. Ie would you want it back anyway...
Hi i have a CF Moto 520 quad bike it's been excellent and outstanding value. 👍
bicycling is best for immersion in a beautiful environment
GT / Limo car is best for covering the miles
Motorcycle in best for twisty country roads
honda deauville nt650 is a V twin, not a V4
Annual comp cover plus business use on my 5 year old multistrada 950S is £824. I’m in my 60s no points, no claims. It does make you think Ducati owners are seen as easy pickings.
You are being robbed. I'm 67 and pat £300 comp for a stage 1 Harley softtail classic 114 cuin
The issue with chinese bikes is that there is no idea about reliability and service. If the chinese cars are indicative: insurance is an issue due to no parts and/or service available, causing early write offs.
That's not true. Chinese vehicle insurance is no higher that other brands.
We often go to gran canaria and always hire a motorbike definitely the best way to go round the island.
We’ve just picked up our hire car and had to go through the standard process of being sold a €400 insurance cover policy on top of the rental. I agree- a motorbike is the best way to explore the islands🤘🏼
@@tuesdayatdobbs get the insurance from an independent insurance company in the UK, much cheaper.
Hey I bid that Honda Deauville too! Wish I'd gone a pound or two higher now! 😆
I believe a big contributor to the problems that motorcycle manufacturers and dealers are having is related to PCP's. Very few individuals are buying bikes on traditional finance where, at the end of the finance term you own the bike. People are opting for PCP's and at the end of the term they are handing the bike back and buying another on a PCP. This has led to most individuals buying new bikes rather than secondhand and dealers have a glut of secondhand bikes. The same is happening in the car market.
I am astonished by those low insurance quotes, I was paying that sort of amount in the 1980s! I also don't understand why it should cost more to insure a Ducati than a big Triumph.
The profile of the average rider / probability of crash is vastly different
Theft is a part of it. A Ducati will disappear into Europe to be sucked-up by the demand for spares.
Which bike is stolen more?
The Deauville is a V2 not a V4. The 650 does though have two spark plugs per cylinder (4 in total).
Hi Freddie the HD at £5500 at that age is not cheap with that mileage. Try to sell that on and you will struggle just because it’s a Harley; mileage matters when trying to sell in UK
Insurance premiums take into account risk of theft which is linked to location, cost to replace bike and the risk of accident linked to type of rider of said bike. I recently attended the Rocket day at Elvington, had it been a Ducati day I think the typical rider might have fallen into a different category 😉
Does the 700cl-x have the same chocolate cams as the KTM's?
The NTV 650 is a v twin, not four.
I bet ktm cams are soft because chinese made them
@@JamesParus It is more likely an oil delivery problem, rather than a camshaft hardening problem. Chinese industry has access now to making good quality items, it's only that they are trying to produce very cheaply, and decisions are made accordingly.
I love motorcycling but it's not the best way to see the world because riding a motorcycle takes more of your attention on the road than on the surrounding scenery. I my opinion the best way to see the world is to drive to a destination by car so that you have a better chance of seeing the surroundings while moving and staying a few days at a location you like, exploring it by walking around and perhaps hiking and backpacking/camping in the area.
It's why I have an action cam on my helmet, I can watch the journey when I get home and see everything over again whenever I want. I have driven across France, even towed a caravan around, and been all over Europe on motorcycles. The only trips I have enjoyed are the two wheeled ones.
Freddie, it’s not really about whether bike buyers are now more accepting of Chinese bikes. It’s about build quality and reliability.
They are cheap for a reason 😕
@@andyhewitt7588 profit margins ! the same people who build voge /cfmoto make millions of bikes and have been for years they also produce for big names most stuff we buy and ride has Chinese components in it resale could be an issue but as bikes are not selling i think that will impact us all
@@andyhewitt7588they offer 4 years warranty
Isn’t that the same thing?
True. I would never buy a Chinese bike at any price. It’s really a no brainier. Some people are just incredibly naive about the way they make financial decisions, well decisions of all sorts. Darwin has a plan for everyone.
Peace 🏴
Just by way of an update on my "rear-ending" in Portsmouth, the 3rd party admitted liability via their insurers. Interestingly the insurers offered an extra £320 if I dealt with them directly and not instruct the agents acting for my insurers. They inspected my K1600 at my house, agreed that it needed about £2,000 of parts, offered to buy a new helmet and honour the original bonus - thus I ended up with cash payment of £3,400 and no accident recorded on the damage register. I had to fend off my own insurers who wanted me to claim for bike hire, engineers reports and storage. I feel I am far better off as increased costs would have ended up with my bike being written off.
Something I hope people don't fall into a false sense of security is the 700 range from CFMoto. Yes they have an agreement with KTM and build a lot of their motors under license, but the 700 CLX range is based on the old ER6 engine from Kawasaki that a multitude of Chinese manufacturers have either built under license (back in the day) or copied (since the license expired and it's a reliable design regardless of material science and tolerances). That engine (and gearbox) was never designed for ride by wire, for example, which is why the inclusion of cruise control is commendable but also a frequent failure. All that being said CFMoto seems to be taking everything seriously from design to dealers and support but there are so many moving parts in this market (such as the possible US ban on many Chinese bikes like CFMoto, Voge and "Chitalian" bikes like Moto Morini and Benelli due to "gauge cluster/infotainment integration that may feed information to the Chinese Communist Party") that I'm still wondering if the support networks or parts for these bikes will even exist a few years down the road.
Stop wondering , Chinese mfg do not honor any agreements past payment , there will be thousands of unrepairable bikes around. Not racism , experience .
The company that makes the parts for the Benelli's, as well as Volvo etc, is the size of a city. The build quality is better than Japanese bikes I have owned. My TRK 502 has been parked outside under a cover on top of a mountain in Wales where it rains almost permanently, since August 2022, done a 1500 mile tour in atrocious weather, and still looks like it did the day it was delivered. It has never missed a beat and I have no regrets about downsizing from a lifetime of high capacity bikes. Spares are no problem, mainly because I have never needed anything other than oil and filters. Quite how the Chinese can collect data from an instrument cluster is anyone's guess, Google, Microsoft, Governements and phone companies collect far more than my instrument cluster could ever provide.
@@VisorView TL;DR: Yes, I get that they can build stuff well now (the TRK is a bestseller where I am, and rightfully so, as is a lot of CFMoto and RKS products). It's the after-sales that worries me (probably because I'm in a third world country, which is completely a "me" problem, which I understand).
Yeah the whole "connected dashboards ban" situation in the United States seems to be the same knee-jerk reaction the senate and congress has had against manufacturers like Xiaomi, Huawei (though that part was somewhat justified) and DJI. I'm suspecting protectionist policies like this are a result of lobbying more than any real security concerns. That being said, "too big to fail" companies like BYD, Geely etc and other OEM manufacturers from China may be fine as far as production goes (which is why the TRK series is massively popular here in Turkey as well), but availability, distribution, dealers and other networks (and local government messing everything up for the consumers in the name of protectionist policies again) are another story.
The company in charge of CFMoto in Turkey is basically a mafia (really no other word to describe it), and parts have been on backorder for months. Fantic is being run by a tyre conglomerate here, with dealers in 3 large cities but official service stations are in Istanbul alone. It's not really better when it comes to "established brands", like Italian brands (Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Ducati etc.) or even Japanese brands (there are only two official Kawasaki service centers in the country) but the dealer and service network for Chinese brands (Voge, Moto Morini, all the subsidiaries of QJ Motors and whatever they are locally called) have been a nightmare with dealers (and service departments) doing the "midnight flash": We're a Benelli dealer with an official service department! Ok here is my Leoncino, the head gasket is leaking and I want it fixed under warranty. No problem! Go in next week, "We are a Voge dealer and official service!". Where's my bike? You must mean the previous owners (says the same guy standing right there) you need to call their hotline...
As much of a third world country this is, even the Indians get it wrong (welcome to the wonderful world of my self-depracating casual racism). Bajaj has had 8 different "official dealers" and "official service stations" in my city in the last two years. Hero service stations changed three times in 2024 alone. There comes a point where you just pay the premium for a Honda not because it is a better, or better built bike, but because the ease of mind is worth the hit to the wallet.
I’m buying an CF-Moto two-seater-quad with street-legal papers in 2007. We called this kanapa, why, the one and only problem was the power. And it was swimming over the street. Yes, buying a Grizzly 700, there was not only more power, but also two times expensive. Both driving on hardcore Polish sandy areas. So, 16 years later, probably nothing has on his mind, the Chinese had not done their homework.
I have a BMW tattoo, I own 3 of them.
Perfection to me, as I sit here drinking my German pilsner.
There are anti tourist protests in Tenerife things like air bnb are pushing rents for the locals to an unaffordable level, one of the protesters told me that a one bed apartment is 1200 a month rent
Freddie look at the super soco tx electric bike looks familiar I think
Regarding Moto Mine, have a look at Bike World's latest video in which Chris restores a crash damaged BMW GS1200 from Moto Mine.
I wouldn’t be able to reach the handlebars on that Roadking, it looks so uncomfortable.( I appreciate that they could be swapped out though).
Hi Freddie, On the Chinese bike issue, they may be at the right price point, however, can you get parts and after sales service?
Try getting a set of steering head bearings that fit for a 8 year old Chinese bike, , odd milling sizes etc , never again ,
Goodevening Freddie, we fly to teneriffe on saturday. I looking to hire a bike over there. Any recomendations of a route/place we have to see thats not that well known?
Plaja Benijo! My favourite spot❤️
Great video. I live near a cf moto dealer. My issue with buying a Chinese bike would be an ethical one. Would you ever consider going to China and making a video on the factory and workers conditions? They seem a good bike with early models being kawasaki engine and newer models being ktm. I would be interested to see an independent view.
as many people have said over the last few years with regard to CF Moto, Voge, Benelli, Moto Morinin etc these Chinese manufactured motorcycles are no different to any other consumer product made in China of which a huge amount of consumer goods or components are. Then there is BMW, KTM, Honda, Yamaha etc who all have components made in China. Look at most mobile phones, tablets, laptops etc, majority made in China and we all have more than one in our house. I get the ethical concerns however we either all start boycotting everything that comes from China or we dont but lets not cherry pick what we have ethical issues with.
I’ve lived in China, the factories make ours look dated. The workers are not oppressed lol
Chairman Mao died a long time ago. People don't consider the long hours and poor pay of the people who made Hondas in the 1960s, or the suffocating Japanese work ethic of the time. Nor do they think of the British workers knocking out bikes after WW2 in poorly equipped factories with worn machinery.
My own belief as a retired industrial engineer is that it's simple: to make a good product these days you either need lots of automation and well qualified technicians, or good conditions and a well paid workforce.
One of the reasons Germany lost WW2 was the use of slave labour - meaning lots of defective equipment.
@@EbenBransome agreed when you put it like that. I would still like freddy to visit the factory and show us the facilities. I'm sure they are vast and there are a lot of cf moto models we don't get in the west.
I’d be very interested to visit a Chinese manufacturer- I’ve heard from some Europeans who have seen the Chinese factories first hand and they all they that they’re 40 years ahead of Europe. Almost everything electrical I own is Chinese made, and quite a lot of my European branded clothing too
When i see Auto Trader Cat N bike trade or private I would never consider buying them but would buy a Cat N from Auction as I can get it cheaper and fix it up as a keeper. I see no point buying 4 bikes unless i want to keep them all. You can sell a Cat N bike but they would have to be dirt cheap to buy.
Would you give up your Triumph Bonneville for a late model Road King Freddie?
Oooooo that is so tough! The RK would be worth way more… to swap my Bonneville would feel like giving away a family member… but I can’t lie, I’d struggle to turn down that offer
BMW gs350 is made in China along with Volvo cars not to mention many other car brand components. My new Honda ADV 350 washing it the other day saw many components like wheels etc made in China! Enjoy Tenerife, if you see me wave make sure you wave back 😃 👍🏼
Aren't they made in India?
@IndigoJo I had a Benelli TRK 502 apparently manufactured by the same company 🤔 I could be wrong
@@robertcostello9473 Benelli is definitely Chinese but the GS310 is developed jointly between BMW and the Indian company TVS.
That’s very interesting- there must be almost no vehicles made today that have no Chinese parts- however big or small. And i definitely will do👋🏝️
Wuhan is one of the biggest sources of vehicle parts, which is why the cost of repairing a vehicle (and thus insuring them) went up after Covid.
Hi Freddie, I was told many years ago" If you have a 5 bob head put a 5 bob helmet on it, its the same with bikes, if you pay 5k for a bike you are getting a 5k bike!! I know this will upset the Chinese bike owners but thats just the way it is!! values and after sales are issues! as well as parts according to others on You Tube!!
Fair comment and you can’t have it all ways but I wonder what the actual cost of some of the mass produced big name bikes actually cost to produce?
@@fullthrottle2008 I fully agree! we decide how we spend our money so it's up to the individual.. I will not do Chinese , Thats just me!!
Problem is that with many bikes and cars half the price you pay is the cost of them advertising it to you. Yes, you pay them to persuade you to buy. Not that I'm suggesting Chinese is particularly good, just that the £5k Chinese product is probably equivalent to around £7-8k Japanese when tariffs versus marketing are factored in.
I believe the CF moto Heritage 700clx is the KTM 690 motor, they actually make the KTM 790 Duke in the same factory.
Bushings instead of bearings, plastic instead of alloy, etc. Many ways to make the same thing only very different. Same with cabling, brakes, suspension, charging capacity etc etc. You get what you pay for if you are lucky.
not the KTM engine actually. The 700CLX was developed before CFM started using the KTM engines they manufacture. The 693 engine is actually the Kawasaki ER6 engine with increased capacity and power. They make the original 650 engine and this one (with electronic throttle) and use them in their own bikes but also supply to other brands with Chinese links like the Moto Morini 6.5 The 700 CLX is a great bike especially the scrambler version.
This is really interesting- thank you for sharing this
@@danielleclare2938 really you have any proof ?!
@@Richard-pe4cxwell you can’t upload images here can you? Parts lists are copyrighted…. “Proof” here, can be difficult… but you even can find in official press releases that the for instance cfmoto engines are BASED on KTM’s LC8. I.e. “based” is not the same as “exactly the same” .
Nobody knows the answer to the future parts supply for Chinese bikes. They've burned us before & until that question is answered then l'm sceptical as to why this time should be different. Of course they are cheaper, but to buy a Honda you are buying into the brand, it's history and future parts supply, it's no good having a 5 year old CF Moto that saved you £2k new when it's sat there in your garage needing parts you can't get. We'll see.....
Very valid points. This is a big reason overland travellers so often pick Hondas- world wide parts availability
@@tuesdayatdobbs Every time l see a Chinese bike review l ask about the future parts supply. I've not once had a straight answer and yet it's so important.
Hi.
Look into which manufacturers CFmoto make engines for I don't think they will be going anywhere except from strength to strength like other Chinese brands
Totally agree and that’s why I’m staying away from Chinese bikes
@@alternativeperception6949 l already know. We'll see, but l've heard it all before, this time l hope things are different.
safe trip
The most popular cc class will be the 400 _ 500cc in next few years all manufacturers fighting it out!!
Absolutely correct. There is a 6 month waiting list for CFMoto 450's, riders are ditching expensive large capacity bikes, especially sportsbikes, as they are no longer a practical proposition. 500's are plenty quick enough and way more enjoyable, especially the ADV versions.
@VisorView loving the 450 ADV class cf moto, Himalayan, honda nx 500 hope suzuki bring back DRZ450!!
@@VisorView The 'downside' of the smaller capacity models, like the CFMoto 450, is that they rev so much higher at open road speeds. I was given the opportunity to do a quick test on one, having just ridden my recent Transalp. Of course the Honda is a bigger engine, and is quite tall geared, but the relative revs at 100 kmh (60 mph) were much higher. The Honda just under 4,000, the CF well over 6,000. The CF feels a bit similar to the Honda, and a similar weight, but the higher revs were the problem to me. Not very relaxing. I suspect those you refer to, going smaller capacity, will find the same thing.
If you want a Ducati, buy an old one! I am old and therefore I live in the past ;-) I ride a 2006 monster s2r, that's a £3k bike, and my fully comp insurance... £108.
(Not in London, but urban. Zero no-claims as I took a break, but 30yr licence. Basically a 'classic' policy)
Don't Cat N vehicles cost more to insure? Pretty sure you need declare it as a cat N to your insurer.
You should've done the same insurance quotes using your London address.
Compare the market is always more expensive as when they offer film night tickets etc you are paying for it without knowing
Bike insurer is the cheapest every time for myself
Hi Freddie, I don't know if you'll read this, but I got curious about your thoughts on this, and those of whoever read this.
I'm about to buy a Meteor 350, in Argentina it's value is 5100 dollars, or I could buy a 2022 used one for 4100. Is that too much for a used meteor? Without getting into our inflation, I know it's way cheaper in other countries.
The pros of the used one are, it's the color I like, and new ones don't come in that color anymore, it comes with some accessories and it's only 1500km.
The biggest pro of the new one is that I can get if for 3000 dollars and pay the rest over 2 years, it's ver affordable.
He didn't tell us the model name of the yamaha at 26:00
On insurance pricing which has gone up on certain bikes for sure. My new 2022 Triumph T120 premium alone is $690 per year when bundled with the house, 2 cars, and a Honda Transalp. I seriously think I am paying too much and will start shopping around. I have heard though that quotes here in USA, are based too on ones credit score? and if you are getting several quotes then it will affect pricing just by getting the quotes? Is it different in UK?
Enjoy Tenerife
CFmoto makes great ATV 4x4 Quad bikes
Hi Freddie. It's just a thought, but might the sudden price hike in Ducati insurance be related to the tragic accidents near Buxton this summer where five riders lost their lives? I seem to recall that the bikes in question were all Ducatis. Might this have been a red flag to the insurance companies to look at Ducati crash statistics? The fault is not with the bikes (I used to have a Monster 900 myself a while back,) but perhaps with the insurance companies perception of the people who ride them.
I have one of these, they are a direct competition to Ducati scrambler, has the same stats n suspension. It’s an excellent bike, 14 months ownership n 10,000 klm , no issues. So watch out for the badge snobs,
If you think your CFMOTO is a direct comparison to a Ducati, you're living in La-la land. People love Ducati's, they're good looking, desirable and cool. It may be a good bike, but no one cares about an ugly CFMOTO. They have no character, no charm, they're just cheap.
You’re the one living in la la land , paying double and getting less. Yeah that’s a good decision
It is surely the beginning of the end for hyper-expensive motorcycles. Motorcycles were originally affordable transportation that literally got countries moving. The cynical marketing gurus have gone mental.. example, in Australia a Ducati Monster SP is about AUD$23k, yet put on a fancy colour scheme and the name Senna and hey, now it's AUD$42k. Madness. Ducati under Audi ownership has lost the plot...the Monster was supposed to be the entry level affordable Ducati. 🤣 Bring on value-for-money motorcycles that still deliver the essence of what we love about motorcycling.
as i can understand e certain frustration, but is it really that different? yes we see the magazines, internet publications about Lawrence of Arabia and other fancy stuff what could be bought... IF you had the money (and very few had). if i did drive around on a '50's BSA 20-30 years ago , ALL old man told me they had a Norton... (in their mind) Jeff Duke had a Norton, not those old man looking at my BSA... (and BSA was way way bigger than Norton) in reality pre-war only rather rich people had a new motorcycle and post-war it was Pre-used Army stuff all they could afford were M20's, WLA/C or an occasional Indian... i am talking about the majority here... cheap 2-strokes later on... these days, everybody seems to have enough money for a second (or third) way of transportation, rather expensive ones, and even color DOES matter. triple black, etc..
my dad had a pre-used blue NSU back in the day, a blue one, why blue i asked, because it was the only one available at that time.. conclusion: yes it is different, WE are spoiled these days, thinking everything was better.. well ask your grand dad (and mother) in my family it wasn't always the case at least...
Surely if you insure a formerly known as cat-n write off, you could insure it for the potentially reduced market value and benefit from the reduced premium? 🤔
The Voge Rally looks a real bargain but will it last? With the reasent KTM Chinese cam issues after 10,000 miles it's always a worry? Ask the question too viewers of your podcast Freddie? Has anybody got a high mileage Chinese bike? Or Fantic 500 rally etc... That have Chinese built engines. I have observed Honda's 500f/x for sale with over 100,000 miles and still running fine.
In the 60’s people were asking the same thing about Japanese bikes!!
@neilurquhart8622 That's the point of the post? Hello? The concerns about the Japanese bikes where unfounded. That's why I am asking?
I got an online quote for my Moto Guzzi 1979 v35 on that same website for £147 but when I tried to take up the offer it ended up at £237 so don’t take these quotes at face value as there are strings attached.
Still have my mz steeds the best ever
Perhaps the manufacturers should consider creating insurance companies for their brand if they want to survive. Another scam is the insurance tax!
The Deauville is v twin not v4 😮
I hear cf moto are not bad and at that price you can afford some extra,s
Are Chinese bikes just undercutting the market to kill the competition?
NetZero, people being made poorer...to save the planet
Quoting KTM as an example that the Chinese bikes will be reliable, doesn't exactly fill me with confidence.
Ducati bikes are obviously a much higher risk of being ridden dangerously and also more liable to being stolen is my only conclusion as to why the insurance companies change such high prices and not forgetting the fact that they can
UK population, actually nearer 80 million now....................
Almost everything contains Chinese or Taiwanese manufactured parts. Including premium brands like Aston Martin.
The difference is that premium brands choose which parts can be farmed out rather than just let the whole thing - including design - be blindly trusted to companies with no real track record.
Freddie, regarding insurance, I've insured classic Japanese bikes for the last 20 odd years and never paid more than £90 for fully comp insurance, problem was and I wasn't really bothered is that I never earned any no claims bonus with this particular company.
Now the classics have gone and I own a Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 and the insurance is £95 fully comp with a zero no claims discount, why Ducati? Just to be different.
This is very interesting re getting such a great insurance deal with no NCB. It’s nice to mix it up- the Ducatis are a far rarer sight than the Bonnevilles
@@tuesdayatdobbs Yes I was really surprised, similar quotes from other companies too, I don't commute on it as I'm retired and limited to 3k miles per annum that I won't be doing anywhere near.
When people are happily accepting India made BWM 310 serisers, Triumph 400 seriers and all Royal enfields; and Thailand made Kawasaki and Honda seriers as well. There is no reason , as I see it , to ditch a Chinese made bike, especially from a legit manufacturers with relatively renoued business credit among all Chinese competitors
When buying a Chinese manufactured motorcycle the secret is to purchase one with a Japanese brand name on it . There is nothing retro looking about that 700 CL-X , the rear end looks tacky & a right lash up . Retro bikes had proper rear ends with proper rear end mudguards .
Insurance maybe required in UK, but here in US, just let it go. For such low bike prices, insurance is just wasted $....
Do you mean that insurance isn’t required?
Sooner have a second hand Japanese bike .
Do you want a bike that uses chinese bearings. Where engine mounts rust off the frame. Where rust pokes its head all over. Where are you going to get the parts. How far are you getting before it breaks down.
I think 700 per year for insurance on a V4S is not that much 🤔
Before rushing to purchase Chinese vehicles please watch someone who speaks the language and has lived there, serpentza is married to a Chinese lady and he had a bike shop there. From his experience and many more people who have tried to run all the 125cc bikes now going for next to nothing on Facebook marketplace . Ask yourself do you want the risk of breaking down, try to find a service centre or spare parts in the future.....well punk do you feel lucky 😜
All the Things I heard about Jap
Crap Rice Burners back in the
70s.. Plus Still many People
Who Lived Through the 2nd World
War were very anti Japanese
Due to the way P O W Were Treated
the Years went past & Anything
Japanese was seen as Very
High Quality..Sony Hitachi. Honda
And the Chinese are Improving
Year on Year.
CL- 700X KTM 690 motor. CF moto are a big up coming company with some very nice products coming on the market.
My dog was particularly disturbed when I said guy fawkes was probably white.
We've agreed not to speak of it again.
That 700cl-x at £4,999 is meaning the dealer is making £ZERO on every sale! So not helping any dealer at all.
CF moto are excellent. ....it is chinas top brand
.. apparently the Chinese gov is involved in this company in particular and cfmoto basic policy is to make high quality and not bring shame to China. ..saving face is hugely important to Chinese people
Regarding CFMOTO, lets not forget that that Brits are snobs when it come to Chinese bikes. They would rather buy the same bikes ones that everyone else is buying. Evidence? CFMOTO 700 Sport, Heritage and Adventure have sold less than 100 bikes in 3 years. When it first came out the RRP was around £7400. Now its £4999 because nobody is buying them. Meanwhile, they sell thousands in Europe and especially in Mediterranean countries where people ride all year round. They use the same engines from Kawasaki and KTM, they own KTM and manufacture the KTM bikes but hardly anyone will buy them as CFMOTO. Lastly, as a consequence of the above their part exchange value is ZERO.