If, like me, you have just decided that a bike is the way to go this summer but have never owned one before, then this review may be for you.
You have been surfing the net for the last couple of weeks boring anyone who will listen with details about horsepower, KW, MPH’s, and just about anything else you have been able to find out from the hundreds of websites you have seen.
There are so many options out there in terms of inexpensive first bikes but the key thing here is RESEARCH. Initially deciding that I didn’t want the hassle of gears etc I started looking into a scooter rather than a bike and came across one website in particular claiming to be the Largest Manufacturer of scooters and bikes in the UK (do a search for Scooter and you will find it!) Now do a search for Watchdog and Scooter and read with interest the countless horror stories associated with that company.
After much tooing and frowing, I came across Jinlun. Knowing that this was a Chinese bike, I set about trying to find the hundreds of bad reviews I was certain I would find. Surprisingly, the overall consensus seemed to be that this was a great first bike for the money. Sure, you will find those people out there that *censored* and moan about the bike’s reliability and speed etc but lets not forget: no matter how much you spend on a machine, you will have to take care of it.
If you don’t, it will fail you, simple as that. So, setting aside the reviews moaning about how the bike gets dirty and doesn’t go fast enough (lets remember that this is a 125cc here people) I decided to take the plunge... After ordering my Black Jinlun JL125-11, I spent hours (and I mean hours!) surfing the web again looking at pictures trying to keep my excitement at bay, but nothing could have prepared me for what was delivered last Friday. Steve from SJBikes turned up with the machine for me and at this point, It is worth mentioning how helpful he has been since I ordered the bike. Great communication and great advice with regards to care and run in of the machine.
Make no mistake, this is no little Suzuki Marauder that people are going to laugh at cos you couldn’t afford a Harley – This is a full size, very heavy, full chrome and shiny head turning cruiser.
As it was being backed off the trailer, I was gobsmacked at just how much this looks like the Harley Heritage Softail Classic and couldn’t believe that all of this had cost me just £1500. My Bike had some added extras fitted, taking the aesthetic spec to the following: - Windshield - Centre Stand (option) - Side panniers - Speedo, Voltmeter and Rev counter dials (the 2nd two being an option) - Side stand - Tool roll (option adds to the Harley look) - Remote control Alarm which is very sensitive in a good way - Twin headlamps (making three in total) giving you a good presence on the road - Remote Starter – This means that you can start the bike via a button on the key fob as you are walking over to it - Slash Cut exhausts – GET THESE! They roar and make my garage shake! - Chrome everything! - Foot plates - Horn Checking the bike over, the paintwork was faultless though the inside of the panier boxes is a little rough (no big problem) The finish on the chrome was also faultless although the exhaust needed a little polishing across the joints where the slashcuts had been fitted.
This though, in exchange for the roar that they make is little sacrifice. As a newbie, I was desperately hunting for pictures on the web that showed where everything was on the bike so, just in case you are like me, this is the story. Sitting on the bike, the clutch and the front brake are on the left and right of the bars as you would expect. The left handle holds the switches for the indicators (left/right slide) the button for the full beam and the horn. These are all controlled by the thumb. The chock is also located on the left which is a rotating switch that moves backwards and forwards.
There is also a passing (full beam flash) button on the front of the handle which is controlled by the finger. On the right handle you will the light switch, the emergency cut off switch and the engine start switch. In front of you you have the speedo and if you opt for the two dials, the voltmeter and the rev counter. I would say that for any newbie these are essential as the information they give help you run the bike properly and time you gear changes.
On the fuel tank itself you will find the fuel gauge which is a block of lights running green, through amber and the red with the red being empty. I have heard from the JOC (Jinlun Owners Club) forum that these are not that reliable but I have had no problems with mine at all. The fuel switch (if you are going away turn to ‘off’, if you run out of fuel turn to ‘reserve’ etc) is located just under the seat on the left hand side and is easy to locate if you find yourself needing a quick switch as you ride and run out of fuel! In terms of lights, you have a neutral light (helpful) and a turning indicator light.
There is also a full beam light built into the speedo. The dials themselves have a bright white backlight to aid viewing at night. The gears are a rocking sequential gearbox (I believe!) located on the left hand side of the bike that work 1 down for 1st and then 4 up for the other gears with neutral being being 1st and 2nd.
Riding the bike after doing my CBT on a Suzuki GN125 (the tiny little bikes!) I have found the gears on the Jinlun so much easier to work. As opposed to putting you toe under and over the gear lever to make a change, you simply kick down either with your toe or your heel. One important thing here which may sound stupid but after my CBT is important to me is that the Jinlun gears wont ruin boots and scuff the tops due to changing gears on a bike like the Suzuki! Before you ride the bike, you of course have to start it, and what could be cooler that the bike starting by itself as you walk towards it putting your helmet on! Thats exactly what the remote starter lets you do, via a button on the keyfob (which also houses the alarm on/off button and the panic alarm) Riding the bike itself is just a dream. Yes it is heavy but if you do like you did on your CBT you will have no problems. I can’t really comment about top speed as still running mine in but it gets up to 40 with no problems and with the slash cut exhausts I have had car drivers turning their heads to see me as they can hear me coming! In conclusion, if you are thinking of a 125cc but don’t want to ride a scooter or a hairdryer you will not find better than this bike. If I had the choice between the 125cc Honda Shadow or the Jinlun, I would take the Jinlun every time. Everything is there and you r neighbours will come out to watch you ride off into the sunset! Apologies for such a long review, but this is written for those people like me who want every detail...!
jinlun-owners member mehalstead
Jinlun Owners
http://www.jinlun-owners.co.uk/staticpages/index.php/jinlun_125_review