A Chinese motorcycle is judged less at purchase than over the three years that follow. The engine is often good; what makes the difference is the warranty, parts availability and how solid the importer is. On all three points Chinese brands have one particularity: everything goes through an independent importer, which can change, reorganise its network or go through a rough financial patch.
Here's what you need to know, with real cases from 2024 to 2026. The examples are French, but the mechanics are the same in the UK and elsewhere in Europe.
Who handles your warranty: the importer, not the factory
In France, Chinese brands are distributed by importers who sign with the manufacturer, set warranty terms, choose dealers and manage the parts stock. When you have a problem, they're the ones you deal with, never the factory.
| Brand | Importer in France | Announced warranty (check at time of purchase) |
|---|---|---|
| CFMoto | GD France | 2 years; 5 years on 700 and 800 models, with conditions |
| Zontes | GD France | 3 years parts, 2 years labour (125 and 350) |
| Voge | DIP | 3 years (2023 525 DSX sheet) |
| Keeway | DIP | Depends on model |
| QJMotor | SIMA (since 2024) | Depends on model |
| Benelli | Moteo | Depends on model |
| Kove | Dedicated importer (TRC Racing at launch) | Depends on model |
In the UK each brand has its own distributor, with its own terms. To understand which industrial groups are behind these brands, read who makes what.
Manufacturer warranty and legal rights: two different things
The manufacturer warranty
This is what the brand advertises: 2, 3 or 5 years. It's contractual, so subject to conditions you must read. Two concrete French examples:
- CFMoto (GD France): 5 years on models with the 693 and 799 cc engines, but years 3 to 5 cover only engine parts excluding electrics, the gearbox and the frame, up to 60,000 km, and on condition that servicing is done within the network. Details in our article on the CFMoto 800MT.
- Zontes: 3 years parts and 2 years labour on the 125s and 350s, transferable to the next owner, honoured only within the network — and one clause limits labour cover to the first year in some cases.
Statutory rights
Separately from the manufacturer warranty, a private buyer of a new bike from a trader has statutory rights against the seller: in France, a two-year legal guarantee of conformity plus the Civil Code's hidden-defects guarantee; in the UK, the Consumer Rights Act 2015. These are exercised against the seller, not the importer. If your dealer sends you to the importer and nothing moves, remind them that the seller is responsible for conformity.
Can you service outside the network?
This is the most frequent question, and the answer is less comfortable than for a car.
For cars, the EU Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation (no. 461/2010) frames the freedom to have your vehicle serviced outside the network without losing the warranty. But motorcycles are outside the scope of that regulation: it covers only motor vehicles with at least three wheels. As a result, a motorcycle importer can tie a manufacturer warranty to servicing within its network — exactly what CFMoto's 5-year warranty does in France.
In practice:
- during the first two years, independent servicing done to the manufacturer's specifications, invoiced and recorded, is defensible;
- for an extended manufacturer warranty, read the terms: if they require the network, servicing elsewhere can cost you the cover;
- in every case, keep every invoice with date, mileage and part numbers.
The subject is covered in detail in manufacturer warranty and DIY servicing.
Parts: what really gets stuck
Lead times
The weak point of Chinese brands isn't the price of parts, it's the lead time when the part isn't in stock locally. Two documented cases:
- in Spain, a Zontes 350 owner made public a complaint in 2025 reporting more than seven months off the road waiting for parts after an engine failure (Zontes 350 guide);
- in the UK, an official Kove dealer acknowledged that parts remained "difficult to get hold of", even though the bikes were judged reliable (Kove 450 Rally guide).
These are cases, not statistics. But they show where the risk lies: for a specific part (bodywork, headlight, electronics, internal engine part), the wait can run to weeks or months.
How to protect yourself
- Before buying, ask the dealer the lead time for four common parts: a lever, a mirror, an indicator, a set of pads. The answer says a lot about the importer's organisation.
- Ask how long parts will be available: French consumer law requires that, where the manufacturer or importer has set that period, the information is passed to the seller and the buyer.
- Build a small stock: levers, oil and air filters, pads, a spare bulb or indicator. On a bike with short service intervals, it pays for itself within a year.
- Identify standard consumables: plugs, pads, chains, tyres and oils exist from the major suppliers. Always check the original part number in your service book or on the part before ordering an equivalent.
- Use shared platforms: a Keeway and a QJMotor from the same group, or a Voge and another Loncin-engined bike, sometimes share parts. Never assume it: check the part number.
