So anyway, in the end… after being adamant about getting a ‘bullet-proof’ Suzuki, Yamaha or Honda 150  , slightly underpowered (although considering that I have a Suzuki 125 now, and that is already not so bad… although acceleration is starting to piss me off)  so 150 still can go 110 or so, reliable.  Or 真靠谱 as the locals would say,  but not satisfying if you know what I mean.. it is simply your means of transport. Also though… less chance that it gets stolen… so that’s nice.

The other option was to get a 2nd hand Japanese 250cc.

I know what you guys are thinking ‘… 250cc  is the big bikes you’re looking at?  That’s pretty pathetic.’

Well yes and no. 250.. provided it’s done well is enough for China. Because for example within the city.. max speed it 80km/h, and that’s on the ring roads, which..you’re technically not meant to drive on. And even then , you don’t really go 80km/h because you’re stuck in bumper to bumper traffic.

And express ways.. max speed 120km/h, but again technically motorbikes aren’t meant to go on the expressways.

But anyway, most of the time your speed range is between 20-80 km/h.   Maybe you go 90 when you’re pissed off and are on the 5th ring road  because you took the wrong exit.

So basically the moral of the story is that a 250cc bike in China is pretty decent. 150, for city driving is actually enough…given the situations I just outlined.

As for myself, I want something a bit more than a city bike, because I want to do some treks. And therefore reliability is important, stability is important, some power is important, but really mainly reliability and ability to find parts in the middle of nowhere.
And that’s something the Suzuki 125/150 both have no problems with. So anyway, its all something to consider.