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Posted by: jaybeecon55
Thoughts?
That's the downside of a $600 quad. The quad is not marketed to develope a customer for life, the quad is designed to be attractive by price. Will customers be dissatisfied? Of course. So they will not buy another of that brand. Does the manufacturer care? Not really. They may have to refund a few people and they may have to send out large amounts of cheap parts but the bottom line economics are that they can make more money selling large numbers of $600 quads than smaller numbers of a better quality and more expensive quad.
As many who own quads from China, they do have a place - as a first time yard quad. Some will get lucky and not have many problems but for those who do it's because you just can't get high quality for a cheap price.
Jaybee
Posted by: jaybeecon55
Don't underestimate the power of marketing. The appeal of the Chineese quads is that they look exactly like a quality quad at one third of the price. They are targeting anyone new to ATVing or on a really tight budget. They will even have a market for those who expect quality problems - if you can't afford a $2,000 quad for your kid then it is true that a poor quality $600 quad is better than not having one at all. There is no real need for upping quality to generate repeat business as there will always be new people with new kids looking to get into ATVing as cheaply as possible.
I don't say this to flame, just being realistic. You can make something cheap or you can make something well - it's tough to do both.
Jaybee
Posted by: jaybeecon55
And to add a somewhat generic comment to all of these Chinese quad threads:
Way, way back when I was a kid, the phrase 'Made in Japan" was synonimous with "Cheap". It was pretty much understood that if a product had the made in Japan label that you would be lucky to get it out of it's package without it breaking. But, the price was cheap too. Anybody ever see one of the first Honda Civics to hit our shores? What a piece of garbage that was. Times change.
Only ten years ago cars made in Korea were cheap - both in price and quality. Now they are turning out vehicles that are rivaling the best for quality and are still much lower in price. It's only a matter of time until the many of the "cheap' quads up their quality too. When quality doubles and price goes up by one and a half, then it becomes a better deal.
For myself, I have chosen to stay away from the chinese quads. I don't believe that a new product should require lots of repair work even before being used. I don't mind tinkering with a quad and would expect to do so with a used one, but if something brand new out of the box doesn't work you take it back and get another one. It sounds like that for now with the Chinese quads, I'd just be returning quad after quad after quad.
I agree that there are many good reasons to buy a cheaper Chinese quad over the much more expensive established brands. But as long as relliability remains in issue, I consider the cheaper quads as yard bikes, not quads to take out on the trails. All of our riding takes place on long, sparsly populated trails. With other life obligations, my time to ride is rare - and valuable. I do not want to risk some of my riding days by having to tow a mini home.
Jaybee
Posted by: SEADAWG
All,
I was just wondering on these Chinese quads... what good is a warranty that replaces high failure rate parts with the same part that broke to begin with. If a part fails so often ...and we do read these failures, why get another part that is going to lack the same original quality standards as the previous junk? I wonder if these companies see these high failure rates and fix them...or just wait us out until the warranty is gone. On my VX-80, I either fabricate my parts of try to find matches on other brands. Not always possible, but I don't want to replace a junky part with a new junky part??? Thoughts? SEADAWG
Posted by: SEADAWG
My daugher's VX-80's starter went out this weekend...shooooooocker! Hmmm, do I replace it with a new junk starter or do I just forget about it and kick start it? I'll buy a new one only because I want to keep it in good shape regardless of its lack of quality. SEADAWG
Posted by: SEADAWG
All,
You are all correct and I don't doubt a word. The starter is probably the bendix, but I don't care at this point. It is still really new in my book and shouldn't go out.
About the $600.00 quad...I know they want the quick money, but they will burn so many people and when they wake up, it may be to late. When they cry that they are now quality quads...we will not believe them. It will be a cold day in hell before I leave the Japs. I just was amazed how poorly they were made...at least mine. SEADAWG
Posted by: SEADAWG
Sir,
I don't disagree with you at all ...it is tough to do both. But, those households on tight budget will one day have money and when they remember the problems and quality...where will the do in the future. In the woods out where I live....nobody is happy with them. That is one reason I want the Chinese forum...there are good ones out there and good dealers. SEADAWG
Posted by: SEADAWG
Hopefully a true after market will come to the rescue!
Posted by: SEADAWG
Sir,
America can't compete with free labor. I honestly don't know anything about guitars...wish I could play one, but don't have the skills. As for ATVs/Motorcycles, I have owned them all my life and can compare them. The ATVs are about 1/3 the price and the quality is not as good as the Japs. In saying that, some are worth the money and the risks...especially if one is on a tight budget. When I bought mine, I was looking for a Jap quality on a Chinese budget. It didn't work out for me, but others have had good luck. SEADAWG
Posted by: SEADAWG
Great point and I don't disagree with you one bit. Isn't it sad that we now defend the Japs as quality...and that it is ashame that American's can't build this here at home! Thanks for your insight. SEADAWG
Posted by: SEADAWG
MIDDLEAGECRAZY,
I wonder if your new axle is going to be the same or they fix the quality issues? SEADAWG
SUNL-5 week old broke axle
Posted by: SEADAWG
I guess you could say that with all quads/bikes...some may just be more frequent than others SEADAWG
Posted by: nitrox
Seadawg
That's true when I was a kid in 1950 a lot of Jap stuff was junk and word of mouth was
"ALL JAP STUFF WAS JUNK" the word was buy good quality American products. In the 1970's
the Japs starting raising quality by using there abundant labor to inspect at every step of production and anyone that found a defect could stop the line. The end result, very high quality and high assembly line productivity. China is looking at Japan, what Japan did in 20 yrs China will do in less than 10 years in the world market because of Japan-China trade and the computer age of information. So USA company's should look out. The Dragon is joining the Tiger in the world market and The Eagle has forgotten how to fly.
Posted by: mustangman
A few things to remember when spending $2k on a quality quad vs. $800 on Chinese crap:
1. Safety for your Kids in terms of overall quality (Can't put a price on Safety when it comes to your own kids)
2. Resale Value
3. Longevity - the $2k quad can be passed down to younger kids. It will last alot longer. Chinese crap is a throw away item.
4. Parts...Parts...Parts...Availability of Parts
5. Look at the deals some of these manufacturers have...(0% Down - Low monthly payment - 0% or Low Interest Rate). This should help those of us who are on a budget.
6. Support from the dealership. Again another overlooked but important item.
Hope this helps some who may be considering the cheap quads. Take it from someone who has recently been there! Now a proud owner of a Polaris Predator 90!
Posted by: RyanN
When you say "went out," what exactly do you mean? If it sounds like its spinning, but not engaging with the engine, the starter is not the issue. The bendix gear was a problem on many of the early VX-80s, and leads to those symptoms.
Posted by: 1976
Being a musician, I see guitars from China with the same looks, feel and sounds but for a quarter of the price as a USA built axe. The quality is all there except within the name. Now this being said, guitars and ATV's are two different monsters, but one can hope they can be compared and looked at unbiasedly.
Posted by: Hula
Man, having the quad start and run properly before the anticipated trip is priceless. Having the quad not start and
run before the big trip is like a punch in the gut. Time is just too valuable to spend "working on the Chinese quad".
