NorthernDad

Hey, Im doing some work for Linhai in Canada and Im sure I can find out the answer for you. We have 2 full time techs who know Linhais inside and out. You can email me and I can get the answers for you - are you looking for what kind of differential it is on the bighorn 21 SxS, and if a 300SE diff would work?

I should correct myself and say I DO have a lot of time invested in 2 very crappy chinese quads, that now sit in the yard. They have a 1:1 ratio - 1 hr of riding to 1 hr of maintenance! I knew what I was getting into partly, as like the original poster Ive been wanting to get into mechanics and it seemed like a good place to start. I HAVE earned a lot but when I just want to ride I hop on one of my Linhais. Im probably just going to fix up the crappy ones one more time and sell them off for super cheap.

Thanks for the welcome! Wether someone chooses to buy a used big name or a Linhai is more personal comfort zone and taste. You can, as pointed out, buy a used Japanese unit for around the same price as a new Linhai (lets say $5,000 here in northern BC). My Honda friend sticks with Japanese because that is what he knows - he spends lots of time fixing and working on them, but loves it and that is what he is comfortable with. For me, getting started, I am happy with the Linhais because they are well built and reliable and affordable. I don't have time invested in any brand previous to this. The only "problem" Ive had with them are the batteries - and that was my main feedback is they need to all ship with SLA or gel batteries out of the box. My units, one came with a gel (no problems) and the other came with the LA battery that wasn't so good. I think it has been pointed out that at one time Japanese units were "crap," Polaris was "low end," and Hyundai and Kia were "junk." I see the Chinese growth following a similar curve. There will be only a few out of the 100s of factories making ATVs that last and do well long term. I like that Linhai has kept it simple and made gradual improvements rather than rushing out the next mass market poorly constructed machine. They aren't "knock offs" or clones - they look similar to Polaris, but have their own engines, frames, etc. I talked to one of the guys who toured their main factory and apparently they have 9 R&D departments and their own big dirt testing track out back, so they are for real. He also showed me pix of the knock-off factories, with no R&D and no testing. So it seems Linhai is for real, in it for the long run. I wish they'd put more effort into their dealers and marketing in the USA, it probably hurts them to do direct sales and have individuals do their own PDI and maintenance. Low prices though.

OK unlike the higher up posts I actually own some Linhais. I am from Canada, so a bit different up here. I have some crappy Chinese quads and would agree to stay away from them (A Tao Tao and a Gio) - but I hope you see that there is high quality Chinese from factories that make machines for the big brands, then everything else. It is true that Linhai has a JV with Yamaha, and it is also true that they are a HUGE motor company that has been making machines for a LONG time. Their quads are very very solid. I just had a Honda mechanic and sales rep look at my Linhai 300SE and he was very impressed and brought a friend today to come check them out. Disclaimer: Though not an employee, I am doing some work for the company that distributes Linhai in Canada. I have no vested interest in Linhai USA but like the machines. I got into Linhai after being referred to them by a guy in Nova Scotia who RAVED about them to me - he uses them in his logging operation, his uncle uses one to hunt, his neighbour traded in his arctic cat for one, and his aunt has a SxS - so they are getting out there. Also: They make utility quads not racing quads. They are a factory brand (not a rebadged machine like so many other Chinese) They also are relatively simple - no heated seats etc. If you can, compare the 300 to the 400 and then again to the EFI 550/600. Here in Canada they've made improvements over the years, for example adding water proof electrical connectors, adding mud pro tires, and so on so if you buy one used newer is better. My 2c. You can see some videos of them in action here (scroll down the feed for lots of LInhai visionarymotorsports's Channel - YouTube) Hope that helps, this is info from Canada. Like I said it is different here - were hard on machines (rolled the 300SE today), and the brand name used prices are very high here in the north, and they are often pretty beat up. Here its better to buy a new Linhai than a beat up over-priced polaris for example. Feel free to contact me with Qs.