Post by: Namikuz on December 14, 2008, 03:38:03 PM
Post by: 250gs on December 14, 2008, 06:05:14 PM
But to take it a bit further, my guess is that the major bike manufacturers like Honda/Suzuki and Yamaha are outsourcing parts manufacturing to Zongshen China in order to reduce their manufacturing costs. We already know that Harley Davidson are engaged in some sort of talks in relation to market sharing arrangements and a company like Harley wouldn't talk with someone who didn't have a good reputation. I think this can only make us feel a bit more confidant that we bought ourselves ok bikes and not heaps of sh**.
Post by: Myth on December 15, 2008, 07:06:43 AM
Post by: 250gs on December 15, 2008, 08:39:46 PM
i bought mine off the shop floor fully assembled, and the laws here do protect consumers fairly well. It sounds like your main gripe is with a tardy dealer so you can't really blame zongshen for that because the dealer may be bulldusting you about the delay. I'd be asking to see his proof that he is doing something to speed things along or ask for a refund and put some more pressure on him.
Hope you get it up and working before too much longer!
Post by: Namikuz on December 16, 2008, 07:56:53 PM
Quote from: "250gs"
Yes Myth its disappointing all right in your case and that wait would definitely change my perception of the bikes reliability. But ive only had to change the oil 3 times in 4500km and that is it. Ive adjusted the clutch free play but not touched the engine otherwise. You just had some bad luck or else perhaps you misadjusted the valve timing or something. I also ran mine in fairly carefully in the first 1000km not exceeding 70kmph-although i notice some people, including mechanics disagree on the need for gentle runin period- changed the oil twice as per the book and everything has been going fine. Maybe i'll have a different view in another 5000km but i'll have to see.
i bought mine off the shop floor fully assembled, and the laws here do protect consumers fairly well. It sounds like your main gripe is with a tardy dealer so you can't really blame zongshen for that because the dealer may be bulldusting you about the delay. I'd be asking to see his proof that he is doing something to speed things along or ask for a refund and put some more pressure on him.
Hope you get it up and working before too much longer.
WOW, you rode twice the milage as I have and apperantly have a nice 'lil bike, I envy you. I still don't have mine back.
Mine has given me trouble from mile one. It was assembled and I rode it home. I did a careful 500ish miles and changed the oil twice in that period.
At mile 15 my bike spewed oil smoke out the muffler like an old locomotive and partially filled the air box with oil. I returned it to the shop, THEY DID NOTHING but keep it for 2 weeks. I got it back and at 300miles it hydrolocked at ~ 50 mph. That was fun!!! I returned it again and this time it had a rattle in the engine. Ofcourse the dealer found NOTHING WRONG again and it sounds normal. at 1201 miles it locked hard at ~ 65 mph and started ratteling/ knocking badly. The dealer has had it since September. and as of my last speaking with them, they had this to say, "This is not a precission built engine. They will smoke on start up, ALL singles do. And the noise is'nt that bad. It's all in the top end." To which I replied, "No, all single cylinders DO NOT smoke and rattle like this. Then I went into my professional history as a MECHANIC for 30 years, and then I told him that a single cyl.is not rocket science and the noise is unexceptable and NOT NORMAL!!! Then he went as far as saying that "Well why can't I get the bike to lock up or belch smoke like you CLAIM!" (rose his voice on claim) I responded I don't know, why can't you????
Then he said" well people monkey with things and try to claim damage to get knew parts, for all I know YOU loosened the valves to make the rattle"
And that all but ended our conversation. I instructed him to put the engine in that Nick Lin (of Zongshen America) had sent him a MONTH AGO!!!
So I'm really ticked at the dealer and am ?hopeful? of the 'lil Zong. It is an EMENCLY popular bike in the Phillipeens and Asian markets.
Well enough of that. I may just up grade the engine to an XT350(If it's not too tall!) and have 6 gears, 4 valves, twin cams and 30 hp if the 'lil 250 isn't up to the task that is.
Time will tell.
To those that have had good luck with the 'lil Zong, KEEP RIDING!!!! I loved putting my 'lil Pakmule around. I miss it alot.(Well now we have 8inches of snow so...)
Post by: 250gs on December 18, 2008, 01:55:59 AM
You mention that you have contacted the dealer principal for zongshen, Nic , so why don't you go to him direct and make a formal complaint. If he has sent a new engine over then he is paying for the repair under warranty, so let him know they are stalling with the exchange engine (no pun intended) and that you intend to go to the local TV station or media if he doesn't get that bike back to you in say 10-days.
Yes your treatment by the dealer is outrageous so give him a good kick and good luck!
Post by: Namikuz on December 18, 2008, 09:10:52 PM
Quote from: "250gs"
OK Robbie-I understand that you too are peeved . But once again the dealer is the main problem in your case. He is slow to respond. It sounds like he knew the winter would put you off the road for a few months and concentrated on his prime business ie selling new bikes. Remember at Xmas time every dealer is using all his available manpower to sell new bikes in order to stay afloat. He doesn't want to spend time on maintenance and repairs.
You mention that you have contacted the dealer principal for zongshen, Nic , so why don't you go to him direct and make a formal complaint. If he has sent a new engine over then he is paying for the repair under warranty, so let him know they are stalling with the exchange engine (no pun intended) and that you intend to go to the local TV station or media if he doesn't get that bike back to you in say 10-days.
Yes your treatment by the dealer is outrageous so give him a good kick and good luck!
I have filed a complaint with Nick and have had no action. I have been incontact with Nick 4 times now and the dealer 3 times that amount.
I know that there will be an occasional glitch in every vehicle line. I understand this fully ,being a professional mechanic 29 years at the dealer, custom and at the factory Proto-type/development levels.
I have great hopes for the 'lil Zong, I have enjoyed it emencilly the short time I had it. BUT the amount of time to get an engine sent and then all else that's happened, Zongshen is on the line also.
I don't want to sound like I'm bashing the 'lil Zong, I REALLY like it. I just have had a bad experiance in dealing with anybody with it.
As far as the media, I have been incontact with local media, they are concidering it.....
Most likely I'll have to get legal represenitation and pursue it out that way.
AGAIN I LIKE MY 'LIL ZONG ALOT!!!!!
Post by: choylifutsoccer on December 19, 2008, 10:31:55 PM
Post by: 250gs on December 20, 2008, 08:18:25 PM
http://www.zongshenmotor.com/zongshen/w ... op3-4b.htm (http://www.zongshenmotor.com/zongshen/www/en/top3/top3-4b.htm)
Its worth a try.
Post by: motorstar rider on December 22, 2008, 12:07:32 PM
Post by: Namikuz on December 23, 2008, 12:51:42 PM
Post by: 250gs on January 06, 2009, 01:26:11 AM
Quote from: "Namikuz"
Well the dealer called and says MY BIKE IS DONE!!!!!!! (we'll see....) I'll pick it up next week!!!!! It'll be sink or swim for the dealer. To sue, or not to sue....THAT is their options. ie fixed or not.
(See "CHIT CHAT" column for follow up to this post)
Post by: Namikuz on May 03, 2009, 08:43:37 AM
IT IS A KAWASAKI CLONE!!!! SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-[ :-[ :-[
Post by: z250gs on May 19, 2009, 06:16:41 PM
Post by: Namikuz on May 28, 2009, 08:48:48 PM
Ah good one. That could be useful for spares one day. Just on the outside the engine cover of the Kawa does'nt look as much like the Zong as the Yamaha does. But you're the mechanic so I'll take your word for it!Well, I've been wrong before.......And the side cases of the 'lil Zong does look a lot like the Yamaha. BUT the rest of the engine (exhaust port exit side and other stuff) are a match to the Kawi. Someone had mentioned that the Honda was the direct fitment, though I haven;t found anything from honda that even remotely resembles the Zong.
Post by: kristifer on September 15, 2010, 08:47:46 AM