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 Post subject: Chinese radiators
PostPosted: Thu Mar 02, 2017 10:17 pm 
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125cc

Joined: Mon Feb 17, 2014 2:03 pm
Posts: 104
I need to replace one of the radiators on my 450 EXC. Having scoured eBay I note that you can buy BOTH rads for £68 from a company in the Netherlands. The rads are made in China. Of course in the photos and blurb all looks pretty good, but has anyone ever bought such radiators please? Is this too good to be true? Do they fit like the originals? Do they function (e.g. cool) OK? Do they survive the rigours, within reason, of being dropped (gently-ish) on green rds? Any advice or experiences would be gratefully received. Thanks.


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 Post subject: Re: Chinese radiators
PostPosted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 1:50 pm 
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80 cc
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Joined: Fri Feb 19, 2010 12:56 pm
Posts: 23
From my experience would would be better off having your own radiators repaired, by someone like gmx. i used GPI rads on one of my husky projects
the inlet and outlet tubes needed to be modified and the radiators cracked within a month or so.


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 Post subject: Re: Chinese radiators
PostPosted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 2:40 pm 
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80 cc

Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2017 6:45 pm
Posts: 15
I know road riders who have tried Chinese rads on their bikes due to the huge cost saving, and they have reported them to be fine with no problems whatsoever.
I have Chinese front discs on my road bike and they are very well engineered, well finished, fitted perfectly and have worked well for the last 2 years.
I think its a case of being reasonably cautious and finding a product with user reviews and feedback, same as everything else these days.


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 Post subject: Re: Chinese radiators
PostPosted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 2:54 pm 
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300 cc
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Joined: Mon Apr 22, 2013 7:07 pm
Posts: 570
I expect the genuine Ones are made in China too.


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 Post subject: Re: Chinese radiators
PostPosted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 6:03 pm 
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650 cc Monster

Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2009 3:08 pm
Posts: 4440
A lot of radiators are actually made by the original KTM company (not the motorcycle co) in Austria.


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 Post subject: Re: Chinese radiators
PostPosted: Sat Mar 04, 2017 6:56 pm 
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125cc

Joined: Mon Feb 17, 2014 2:03 pm
Posts: 104
Many thanks for all the input gentlemen. Taking into consideration your comments and a bit of research on the inter web I'm taking the plunge and am buying a pair of rads for £68 off eBay. I'll fit them, ride them and report back in due course. If I knew how to download photos onto this forum I'd include a photo of one of my rads taken off the bike. (I've tried, let's see if it works) Talk about banana shape - but it holds water - but has yet to be tested in earnest..


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 Post subject: Re: Chinese radiators
PostPosted: Sun Mar 05, 2017 12:24 pm 
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400 cc
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Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2009 7:32 pm
Posts: 1468
Get some rad gaurds aswell Tim.

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 Post subject: Re: Chinese radiators
PostPosted: Sun Mar 05, 2017 12:58 pm 
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300 cc
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Joined: Mon Apr 22, 2013 7:07 pm
Posts: 570
Or rad braces!


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 Post subject: Re: Chinese radiators
PostPosted: Wed Mar 15, 2017 9:10 pm 
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125cc

Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2010 10:55 am
Posts: 192
I bought a pair from China via Ebay for my Honda CRF450x and they were better made and quality than the originals!

Fit was spot on and they were supposed to give better cooling properties given they were slightly bigger!

They were also cheaper than trying to find decent second hand original items!


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 Post subject: Re: Chinese radiators
PostPosted: Wed Apr 05, 2017 10:54 pm 
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125cc

Joined: Mon Feb 17, 2014 2:03 pm
Posts: 104
As promised, I'll let you know how I found the Chinese radiators I bought for my KTM450EXC. In short they have performed really well - I'm very pleased with them - as I was with the price. Having thoroughly tested them out over 3 intense and superb days in Central France and 2 in UK I can report that they have functioned brilliantly, with the bike perhaps running slightly cooler. I've continued with my well established tradition of dropping the bike and, so far, no obvious damage and certainly no leaks.
My only (minor) adverse comment relates to not having captive washers fitted to the mounting lugs. Not a real issue as I fitted external/over-size washers with rubber grommets - thereby allowing similar absorption/flex to the mounted rad as per the original. And they have survived a few tumbles. Conclusion? I would recommend these rads, not least as they are significantly cheaper than anything else I found on the market.


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