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Jincheng jc250

Jincheng GN125
13 July 2020
Respect earned
19 July 2020
 

By Frankline Wamere Ogutu

For the past two months I have been facing a serious dilemma, the dilemma of upgrading from the bike I was riding to something with a larger cc rating. My budget could only let me pick a bike with atleast 250cc engine capacity. With that in mind, I had two candidates who would perfectly fit into my budget, the benelli TNT25 and the Jincheng jc250.

Choosing between the two was not an easy choice, there is the advanced benelli, fitted with a 250cc engine with current efi technology and lots of sensors to support its working, and then there is jincheng jc250, fitted with a carburator, something I was used to and had tinkered with for over ten years hence well versed with its working and how to troubleshoot any issues the bike would develop.

After serious deliberation and soul searching, I settled on the jincheng jc250. The reasons were obvious, the bike had tech that I was used to hence resolving any issues it developed would be easy. Apart from that, there is the issue of parts. The bike has parts that can be sourced locally from any motorbike repair shop. For instance, the bike uses a ngk D8ea spark plug. The plug can be sourced locally from any car garage at a price of not more than KES 500, and when it comes to me, I prefer the datco D8TJC three electrode spark plug which can be sourced at a retail price of not more than KES 150.

Apart from the issue of parts and and technology, I needed a bike that I would afford. And when I talk about affording a bike, I mean something that I could afford to maintain, and service without damaging my wallet. Apart from the farings, and a few other components, which cost much at the local dealership, the rest of the items were fairly cheap and servicing the bike doesn't cost much, apart from the usual engine oil that you change regularly, the rest of the serviceable parts were cheap and affordable to anyone. Those were the top three reasons that informed my choice, but the list is still not exhausted.

With That in mind I decided to buy the bike. Now to the juicy part, the look and feel of the bike. Immediately I bought the bike, I had to go easy on it, until the break in period was up, then I would test it limits and see what it's got to offer. The bike is of solid build, and doesn't have that much of vibrations. I initially had a Everlast kuga, which was comfortable for me, but the jincheng was way more comfortable. And as usual, as with any bike that has been assembled locally, I had to do a comprehensive bolt and nut check and occasionally, I found one or two bolts/nuts that were loose and tightened them jp to make the bike even more solid.

With a double front disk brakes and single disk brake on the na back tyre, braking is a charm while using the bike. The bike has a way much better braking system than the kuga, and the feeling was divine.

The bike has a fuel tank capacity of over 18 litres, which means that, for someone like me who hails from western region, if I fuel the bike to full capacity, and ride the bike at speed that are economical to the fuel, then I would probably cover a to and fro trip from nairobi to Kisumu, with just some little top up of fuel, during the return trip.

 

The bike bike comes with a size 17 - 140 rear tyre and a 17 - 110 front tyre. This makes leaning the bike quite a pleasant experience but with a word of caution.

Don't try leaning that much on slippery surfaces. The nylon tyre that it comes with will ensure you lean to the ground and that will have disastrous consequences on both the bike and the rider. You have the option of upgrading the tyres to fatter rubbers ones which will ensure that you leane even more and at any weather conditions.

After going past the break in period, I started tinkering with the bike, making a few adjustments here and there, so that the bike adapts to my need, first in the list was to change the bikes air filter to a cone mass air flow filter, which ensured that the engine got sufficient air. Next, I had to adjust the air fuel screw to increase the amount of fuel getting into the engine due to the increase in air intake. And finally I had to change the spark plug to something better, that could handle the increase in fuel /air, hence support complete combustion of the fuel supplied to it.


 

Fuel consumption is now at an average of 35km/ litre and mark you I carried out the tests while riding the bike at high RPMs which means, if I ride the bike at a speed of 100kmh, consumption would be better.

The odometer now reads 2,000 kms, within the next three months, when the odometer will be reading 10,000kms, I will give a more detailed review on how the bike feels.

2 Comments

  1. Eric Makokha says:

    Hi,
    You said you had to change the spark plug to one that would match up with the air filter and fuel combustion,
    Care to share the information on the plug that you switched to?

  2. Alfred says:

    Hello, I have reread the article severally. Thanks for the knowledge, I am asking if it is possible change the rare tyres to motor GP thick ones ( 120/70 ZR 17 (58W) front and 180/55 ZR 17 (73W) rear )

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