Kayak 250

Yup, another vehicle. This is a Kayak (I think that means "someone in China thought that was close to Kawasaki") 250cc dirt bike. Precision machine? No. But, for a "temporary" solution, its $1500 price tag seemed good. Casa Pellas quoted me $4400 for a similar Yamaha.
On the "surprises" list are a CD ignition system, a digital instrument cluster that includes current gear number and an (irritating) turn signal beeper. The shift pattern was surprising as well but I guess I am not the only one surprised because it doesn't match the manual either.
On a related note, if anyone is looking for a mini-pickup, Casa Cross has a Suzuki that says Chevrolet on it. Costs $8500 and they toss in a motorcycle of some sort.


quad bikes
Would anyone happen to know the legalities of operating a quad bike on the road in Nica? Registration, plates, special license, required insurance? Same as a 2 wheel motorcycle? Other/different category altogether?
$1500
The prices are not far off the current U.S. ones, which is sort of surprising. In many parts of the U.S. you can get a "Kayak 250" (or the same bike sold under other names) delivered to you for less than $1700. There are hardly any stores, so unlike Yamaha-shopping, you usually are looking at added freight costs - though the bike itself is $1500 or so. Yamaha sells a slightly different line of bikes in Central and South America, than in North America. In the States, there is no longer a 250cc Enduro, but their 2007 XT225cc bike is on sale there for $3999 or so. I can't tell from the photo as there might be glare off the part in question, but in many parts of the world the bike, at least when it comes time to order a part, is called a "KN250GY" - and often there is a decal of this on the passenger muffler shield. I don't know if they still offer this but the maker, Moto Chongqing Guangyu, used to offer country or custom moniker options. If you met their minimum order the bikes came with decals and hardware with almost whatever name you chose. So, in theory, if you were impressed with it, later you be the Esteli dealer of your own "Fylbike 250" or "Nicaliving Moto 250", etc. I have not used this bike but have tested some of their scooters. You get what you pay for. They are not as good as Japanese bikes, but it is certainly not obvious Japanese bikes are twice or three times as good as some of these Chinese bikes.
What will they think of next?!!
An "anfibio" kayak bike!! But where's a manual backup paddle?
O quantum est in rebus inane!
I know the answer! The answer lies within the heart of all mankind! The answer is twelve? I think I'm in the wrong building. - Charles M. Schulz
bike
Do they have any quad bikes there? That's what my wife wants, though I would like a regular dirt bike, but she wouldn't be able to operate it. Can you advise us of it's reliability down the road.
Haven't seen any
I haven't seen anyone here selling them nor have I seen any on the road. The dirt bike is a "temporary solution" to deal with getting to/evaluating some property we have been looking at. The long-term solution will be one or more of:
I don't have any high expectations for this bike long-term but I will keep people posted.
update, great!
worth the money?
the West -- wedded to a multiculturalism that undercuts its own confidence, a welfare state that nudges it toward sloth and self-indulgence, and a childlessness that consigns it to oblivion -- is looking ever more like the ruins of a civilization." Mark
It sucks
I sold it. The motor is fine but pretty much everything else started falling off.
But, Cheaper Than Renting A Car
by far even if you only got a year or two out of it.. And they are bound to get better with time. Did you buy it in MGA or Esteli ?
There's a Kia ad running in the US shows a kid riding a bke through a new Kia plant, apparently Kia started after the war making steel tubing -and bikes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lylhx0Zh5jc
There are choices
I sold it to a friend. He said more things fell off it but it kept running. Then he sold it. I actually bought it for finca shopping and almost immediately we found this place.
The good bike I had was a Hartford. Chinese, more expensive and totally a Honda clone. I sold it to Ana's brother and he is happy with it. It's about six years old now.
There are at least ten and probably a lot more places in EstelĂ that sell motos. If you want to buy something that isn't crap, there are both Honda and Yamaha dealers.
ive been looking
at the chinese bikes for a long time..everyone tells me the same thing..you are better off with a used jap bike than a chinese..good post..good info