Job Discussion Forums

[robfir]

Hello everyone,

So, you've hear this before: I'm thinking of buying a Honda Win, and searching here and elsewhere has only made me more muddled.

My Vietnamese girlfriend's uncle has offered me an old one for 8 million (approx. $400), he say's that's Japanese made.

There are others advertised on Craigslist for about $200 to $300, but if they're the Chinese copies I'm assured exist then I'm told we'd expect a lower price and for good reason.

One of them has an "Indonesia" badge on the front instead of "Win 100". The owner thinks it's Indonesian made and has a 110cc engine.

I've heard that quality can be ordered, highest to lowest: Japanese, Indonesian, Chinese.

But I'm very dubious of my ability to distinguish between these alleged three variants of Win.
Also these are old - say one came to Vietnam, from Japan, 15 years ago. How many of its parts have since been replaced by Vietnamese/Chinese parts?
I'm inclined to doubt that even Vietnamese people can look at these bikes and sort them into three tiers of manufacturing quality, especially considering the mystery of what's gone on (abuse/maintenance/part-replacement) in the intervening years. I'm told Vietnamese people rarely buy second-hand motorbikes from outside of their families largely because of this.

And another thing; were Honda Wins ever really manufactured in Japan? I'm of the understanding that countries like Japan design motorbikes and manufaturing processes for them, then have that manufacturing done in places like China.

So, in short, I'm pretty confused about whether I care where an old motorbike was made, whether I can really know where an old motorbike was made, and which (considering the price difference) of these three versions I'd want if I could distinguish them.
I only plan to be here for six months anyway - if I buy a $200 Chinese Win instead of her uncle's $400 one am I likely to spend more than $200 on repairs in six months? I doubt that! Though it is of course annoying to have those repairs done at all.

And just one last thing - I'm very tall and the Win, although tall, does have high footpegs so my knees are fairly near my ears; but can I hope for any better in a country where the majority of consumers stand well below my shoulders? If anyone knows of something more suitable than a Win please shout out!

Many thanks, Rob.