SLO
Active member
If you are gonna counterfeit, make it better, for less money. It is called competition.
Honda Trail 125 Forum
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Help... something's not right!
- Thread starter Hansi
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Hansi
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- Apr 23, 2022
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Sounds funny when you speak of novices installing the exhaust. If the biggest dealer got 10 and they have 5 mechanics then each has installed 2??? I don’t think there are veteran ct-125 mechanics yet! Every shop I have seen in that past year has a help wanted sign…. I never trust em!!
Hansi
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Thanks A... yes, you're absolutely right there, sometimes I'm amazed at how little some so-called mechanics actually know. I found it interesting that some of the YouTube videos that I've been watching show workshops crammed with Hondas in all sorts of states of repair, with mechanics in the foreground working on a Ct 125 who, apparently, are supposed to know what they are doing. Yet, according to K-Speed's instructions, half of them are installing the plastic spacer that I mentioned earlier, incorrectly! Definitely a case for carrying out as much work as possible on your bike yourself... if you get it wrong you can forgive yourself, but when a mechanic gets it wrong, well... imagine going into hospital to have your tonsils removed and you wake up castrated... ! Definitely unforgivable!! Cheers, Hansi
From what I've seen the CT125s arrive crated at the dealership with the exhaust already installed, but it would be very similar to a Grom, Super Cub, or Monkey, not rocket surgery.
It also seems weird that someone would make a counterfeit of a part already made in Thailand, at the lower end of the price spectrum for aftermarket exhaust upgrades, and for such a niche bike. Maybe it's just an easier design to copy, but the Yoshimura, Takegawa, or Outex exhausts seem like the "premium" ones based on company reputation and price at least. Would think those would be the ones prone to counterfeiting to make some money on the brand markup vs material costs and labor.
When I installed my Ohlins suspension, following the manufacturer instructions, I didn't find a single example on YouTube with them installed correctly, they're all installed facing the wrong way with the top nut facing backwards instead of forwards.
It also seems weird that someone would make a counterfeit of a part already made in Thailand, at the lower end of the price spectrum for aftermarket exhaust upgrades, and for such a niche bike. Maybe it's just an easier design to copy, but the Yoshimura, Takegawa, or Outex exhausts seem like the "premium" ones based on company reputation and price at least. Would think those would be the ones prone to counterfeiting to make some money on the brand markup vs material costs and labor.
When I installed my Ohlins suspension, following the manufacturer instructions, I didn't find a single example on YouTube with them installed correctly, they're all installed facing the wrong way with the top nut facing backwards instead of forwards.
Hansi
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- Apr 23, 2022
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- 48
From what I've seen the CT125s arrive crated at the dealership with the exhaust already installed, but it would be very similar to a Grom, Super Cub, or Monkey, not rocket surgery.
It also seems weird that someone would make a counterfeit of a part already made in Thailand, at the lower end of the price spectrum for aftermarket exhaust upgrades, and for such a niche bike. Maybe it's just an easier design to copy, but the Yoshimura, Takegawa, or Outex exhausts seem like the "premium" ones based on company reputation and price at least. Would think those would be the ones prone to counterfeiting to make some money on the brand markup vs material costs and labor.
Maybe those superior brands are more difficult to fake... presuming that fakes to do exist. Certainly this Diablo exhaust, as much as it looks and sounds great, and with no disrepect to them, couldn't really be classed as a wonderful piece of engineering, but it is cheaper and we all know that, in most cases, you only get what you pay for... Actually, having said that, only this morning I received a Diablo rear rack that I've had on order for a while, and in my humble opinion, it out-classes many of the othger racks that I've seen. It's a different style and the welding and overall quality is very good and... it's a perfect fit! Cheers, Hansi
Hansi
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I wrote one last email to K-Speed and sent them a few photos of the exhaust after I changed the position of the plastic spacer, explaining that it made no difference at all and that the crash plate still doesn't fit, etc. It seems that they've lost interest in trying to help me as I received this answer back...
First of all, we are helping you non-profit as you are not our customer, and your seller is also not our customer.
We will not identify what is or not genuine, but what we sell has no problem.
The customer has his own preference to whether use which exhausts brand whatever they need.
If all these solutions cannot solve your problem, we can sell you a pipe header (which we normally don't sell)
Mmmmm, not very nice. In a way, I am a customer of theirs, if a dealer buys their products at cost to re-sell at a profit, then I am part of that chain. I may not be a direct customer but if I buy from a dealer, then the dealer re-stocks from the original source, that's called business. Anyway, as it's impossible to prove if this exhaust is a fake or not, and the fact that I've scratched it up in my efforts to install it, I feel that I'm now stuck with it. One of the downsides to buying long-distance and online. I'm also getting fed up with the whole thing, so I can either fiddle around with it and also modify the crash plate, etc. until it looks like it fits, or give it up and buy something else... I'm leaning towards the latter!
First of all, we are helping you non-profit as you are not our customer, and your seller is also not our customer.
We will not identify what is or not genuine, but what we sell has no problem.
The customer has his own preference to whether use which exhausts brand whatever they need.
If all these solutions cannot solve your problem, we can sell you a pipe header (which we normally don't sell)
Mmmmm, not very nice. In a way, I am a customer of theirs, if a dealer buys their products at cost to re-sell at a profit, then I am part of that chain. I may not be a direct customer but if I buy from a dealer, then the dealer re-stocks from the original source, that's called business. Anyway, as it's impossible to prove if this exhaust is a fake or not, and the fact that I've scratched it up in my efforts to install it, I feel that I'm now stuck with it. One of the downsides to buying long-distance and online. I'm also getting fed up with the whole thing, so I can either fiddle around with it and also modify the crash plate, etc. until it looks like it fits, or give it up and buy something else... I'm leaning towards the latter!
In the listing did they show it with the OEM belly pan, or disclaim that it isn't compatible with it?
I don't know if these parts go through "dealers" so much as just random people acting as resellers. It's a common issue with other Thai made bikes like the Ducati Scrambler - there will be local shops in Thailand that make small batch hand welded accessories for the bikes since they're relatively popular in the country they're made in, but they do not sell online or ship internationally, or they do but charge an arm and a leg for it, so you end up with other people in Thailand buying their products, marking them up, and selling online. No customer support, no warranty, it just is what it is. At least with eBay and PayPal you might get a bit of "the customer is right" protection.
I've had similar frustrations with CT125 aftermarket parts. I ordered plenty of parts from BeezDeals, paid for the faster shipping, then waited 6+ mo for them to arrive and some of the parts from various brands were just junk, bad welds, pitted chrome, a million pieces of hardware with nuts, bolts, and washers to install instead of having weld nuts or threads in the parts, chipped paint upon arrival, etc. For returns BeezDeals had me hold onto the parts until they could find someone for me to ship to, they ended up having me ship it to a company in the USA that packs bulks containers to go back to Thailand. Other parts I ordered from BeezDeals arrived within the range of time given when placing the order, and the products were fine. Hit or miss with the brands and shipping I guess. I've had much better luck buying Japanese made parts from WeBike. They'll at least tell you if something is backordered and let you change your order, and my center rack arrived missing some hardware - they ordered the hardware from the manufacturer and had it shipped directly to me, so support has been good. I hope things work out and you're able to get a refund on that exhaust and buy something that meets your expectations instead.
I don't know if these parts go through "dealers" so much as just random people acting as resellers. It's a common issue with other Thai made bikes like the Ducati Scrambler - there will be local shops in Thailand that make small batch hand welded accessories for the bikes since they're relatively popular in the country they're made in, but they do not sell online or ship internationally, or they do but charge an arm and a leg for it, so you end up with other people in Thailand buying their products, marking them up, and selling online. No customer support, no warranty, it just is what it is. At least with eBay and PayPal you might get a bit of "the customer is right" protection.
I've had similar frustrations with CT125 aftermarket parts. I ordered plenty of parts from BeezDeals, paid for the faster shipping, then waited 6+ mo for them to arrive and some of the parts from various brands were just junk, bad welds, pitted chrome, a million pieces of hardware with nuts, bolts, and washers to install instead of having weld nuts or threads in the parts, chipped paint upon arrival, etc. For returns BeezDeals had me hold onto the parts until they could find someone for me to ship to, they ended up having me ship it to a company in the USA that packs bulks containers to go back to Thailand. Other parts I ordered from BeezDeals arrived within the range of time given when placing the order, and the products were fine. Hit or miss with the brands and shipping I guess. I've had much better luck buying Japanese made parts from WeBike. They'll at least tell you if something is backordered and let you change your order, and my center rack arrived missing some hardware - they ordered the hardware from the manufacturer and had it shipped directly to me, so support has been good. I hope things work out and you're able to get a refund on that exhaust and buy something that meets your expectations instead.
MisterB
Active member
It looks like it's the wrong muffler, maybe designed for a different bike? It's different from the stock photo in every aspect of the important parts. Yours follows a different path completely.
K-speed really has a way with words!
Was sad to hear about DMonkey's issues with BeezDeals, I've got a big order from them coming in Wednesday. A tiny bit worried it will look like it's been in a rock tumbler for a few weeks!
Nothing but great luck with WeBike, should've stuck with a proven source.
Hope this muffler ordeal doesn't throw the Hansi Ultralight too far off track. Can't wait to see what she weighs in at!
K-speed really has a way with words!
Was sad to hear about DMonkey's issues with BeezDeals, I've got a big order from them coming in Wednesday. A tiny bit worried it will look like it's been in a rock tumbler for a few weeks!
Nothing but great luck with WeBike, should've stuck with a proven source.
Hope this muffler ordeal doesn't throw the Hansi Ultralight too far off track. Can't wait to see what she weighs in at!
I've had great luck w Beez. Remember, this is a $4000 toy bike (flame away, I know its coming) fuel injected gasoline engine with ABS, e-start, 100+ MPG, and a blast to ride with nice fit and finish from the other side of the globe is just amazing. Pedal bicycles and ebikes routinely cost more, to expect A+ service and parts from around the world for the low costs that they are sold is not my expectation, I ride it and have fun! If it is yours I wish you luck, I doubt K-Speed is loosing sleep but definitely go the PayPal eBay route and try to get a refund.
It is a great fun bike to putt around town and the woods for me!
It is a great fun bike to putt around town and the woods for me!
SLO
Active member
I ordered a Mini Moto stock exhaust from Webike. Stainless,cheap, last one ,now, not to be found, or discontinued? Was in stock, the only one! I will let you know how it works out, but sumt'in tells me I will be very surprised if it DOES! Under $ 300.bucks all stainless, removed a lot of the bend, with bigger diameter pipe. Hope skilled craftsman made with care and said Fooey ! after already priced it too cheap before they made it. I am being OPTIMISTIC! Supposed to fit all OEM parts used on stock bike, guards ,etc.
Hansi
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- Apr 23, 2022
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Well guys, here's the latest concerning this dodgy exhaust... after writing to, and receiving no reply from the seller in Thailand, I contacted K-Speed with one last email, mainly because I thought (mistakingly) that they might be concerned about someone faking their product. Oh boy, I received a very rude email in return, telling me that they have no control over what other people do and that I should have ordered from them directly as there's nothing wrong with their own. It went on and on and wasn't very nice at all. I think maybe something was lost in translation as they completely misunderstood my intentions. In the meantime, I had an air filter cover on order from the same seller, again it was supposed to be a Diablo, top quality, with 3 bolt holes for fixing... I received the cheapest, nastiest, and no-brand, flimsy thing with 1 hole and sticky tape on the inside edge! (see photo). I decided to go through eBay and, after a long online discussion with them telling me repeatedly that I should contact the seller to settle the dispute... ha ha ha, in the end, I have filled out 2 return forms and supplied photos and explanations for both items, etc. and they have told me that if the seller doesn't respond by such and such a date, they will step in and help. From my struggles to install the exhaust, it got quite scratched up and the flange a little bent, so I'm not sure if I will be able to get a refund, even though it's not my fault. Well, I have learned my lesson about ordering on eBay from dealers in far-off countries and not going to the source... that's it for me. Actually, I wanted to order directly from K-Speed but I always had trouble opening their website, so, naively, I thought dealers would be selling genuine articles so I used them instead. Anyway, I have now ordered a rather expensive Yoshimura exhaust directly from Yoshimura in the US, and what a world of difference... they are so helpful in every way and keep me up to date with every little thing. So, girls & boys, the moral of this story is... be very careful who you order from! Here's what I should have received... and then what I got...
SLO
Active member
It sucks in stock form,probably because the design engineer doesn't ride one. I like mine now.
SLO
Active member
Why not just unhook the rubber part of snokel , push to side. If it is real dusty you can stick a dollar store sponge in end, fits perfect 5 for a dollar, perfect shape/fit. Take it out when you hit pavement.
SLO
Active member
I am not sure , but I believe you could have someone cut over length out of it and re weld it. Less trouble than what you are doing,even if you shouldn't have to.
SLO
Active member
I just received ,and installed my MINI moto all stainless exhaust. 300 bucks delivered,
I
cannot believe the quality! I would expect to pay twice for this beautiful incredible,
exhaust. www minimotojp. I ordered thru webike, and it was removed from website ,and was last one. That worried me. the person that crafted this beautiful piece of art
is wasting their talent. A sword made by this person could only be used for good. I have got to figure how to post from my phone gallery.Sounds fantastic. Pouring down rain right now.
61 year old kid more excited than when I was 5 on Christmas eve. All those stupid bends taken out, and the engine guard fits,as well as the heat shields. Bet it weighs less than half.
I
cannot believe the quality! I would expect to pay twice for this beautiful incredible,
exhaust. www minimotojp. I ordered thru webike, and it was removed from website ,and was last one. That worried me. the person that crafted this beautiful piece of art
is wasting their talent. A sword made by this person could only be used for good. I have got to figure how to post from my phone gallery.Sounds fantastic. Pouring down rain right now.
61 year old kid more excited than when I was 5 on Christmas eve. All those stupid bends taken out, and the engine guard fits,as well as the heat shields. Bet it weighs less than half.
Cardinal Direction
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