For decades, the Chinese motorcycle industry was content to churn out millions of small-displacement bikes for the domestic market. But as the middle class grew, so did the appetite for larger motorcycles. While this local interest may have got the ball rolling, the local market was just the tip of the iceberg. Globally, the appetite for affordable, highway-capable motorcycles boomed in the ’90s, and China was ready to feed that beast… with what was essentially rolling junk. Anyone who bought a Chinese-made motorcycle between the ’90s and ’00s will have all sorts of horror stories to tell.

Several brands came and went, but those that stuck around learned quickly. Rather than reverse-engineering more complex components, they secured licensing deals and partnered with major brands like Bosch for electronics. This decision in particular has allowed them to go from strength to strength, undercutting more established brands with models that offer similar, if not better, build quality. Some of these capable bikes are now available in America and deserve your attention.

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10 CFMoto Papio SS

MSRP: $3,299

This little bike may be the cheapest on this list, but it’s also arguably the best looking. CFMoto has spotted a trend and perfected the retro sport bike design here. The Honda Grom will certainly have to outdo it in terms of accessories, but the little Papio offers a similar experience for around $300 less. That’s not an insignificant sum, and for a really fun way to learn to ride, it could be a deciding factor for style-conscious new riders on a budget.

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9 Benelli TRK 702 X

MSRP: $8,499

Benelli may have Italian roots, but it is now a Chinese company. The brand still enjoys great prestige in Italy and far outsells its more prestigious Italian rivals, largely due to its affordable price. The TRK 702 X offers a great balance between on-road and off-road capability – quite a rarity in this price range. The 19-inch front wheel suggests a more road-friendly bike, but with 8.1 inches of ground clearance and a high-mounted exhaust, the bike certainly offers more than a little performance for those who like to ride on forest roads.

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8 CFMoto 450SS

MSRP: $5,699

When it was first teased, it had a single-sided swingarm, twin-rotor Brembo brakes, and a sleek, high-mounted GP exhaust. Of course, once it went into production, many of these “luxury features” were never added to the production line. Despite this, we still got an incredibly good little sports bike. We still have the Brembo brakes, albeit with a single rotor. Plus, we still have a sharp steel trellis chassis, and all at a bargain price.

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7 Moto Morini X-Cape

MSRP: $7,999

When Chinese companies go brand hunting, they seem to love defunct Italian brands… and why not? An adventure bike that was better known for its racing machines in the ’50s and ’60s may not be the best example of “brand identity,” but it’s definitely on trend. It also has Italian styling, making it one of the better-looking adventure bikes on the market. It also has a Kawasaki engine – made in China under license – and just the right amount of power for its class. This year they’re also offering an SE model that has more features and accessories than we care to list here.

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6 CFMoto Ibex 800 S

MSRP: $9,699

Although the more “adventure-ready” 800 T grabbed all the headlines, the more touring-friendly 800 S, like the KTM models it shares an engine with, is a better deal overall. For one thing, it costs over $1,000 less, and many of the extras you get on the 800 T could be dropped in favor of rugged aftermarket alternatives anyway. The most obvious visual difference is the cast aluminum wheels instead of the 800 T’s spoked rims. This will actually suit those who plan to use the bike more on the road.

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5 Moto Morini Calibro Bagger

MSRP: $6,799

A bagger at this price might seem crazy, but that’s just the way it is. Unfortunately, just like Honda’s take on this segment, it’s not a V-twin, and it won’t exactly tear your arms off with its “huge” torque output. What you get is a proven, relatively sporty powertrain, decent luggage space, and pretty authentic looks for less than a used (and abused) Sportster. Unlike most of its counterparts, it’s also pretty light (for a bagger) at 200kg, so it remains accessible to newer riders, but offers enough power to keep more experienced riders entertained.

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4 Kove 450 Rally

MSRP: $9,499

Kove made waves when they entered the Dakar Rally and finished with bikes ready for sale. This isn’t a top-of-the-range rally bike, but you don’t need one. In fact, this is the bike for anyone looking for a true off-road adventure bike. And while some of the components aren’t from any of the big, established suppliers, the bike is more than the sum of its parts. There’s also a road-legal version and of course the top-of-the-range rally bike (also a relative bargain), but this one offers the best value for those who know what they want.

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3 Moto Morini SCR Seiemmezzo

MSRP: $6,999

The scrambler race is getting more and more exciting. What we all thought was a short-lived fad seems to be here to stay. Even in this Chinese space, we’re spoilt for choice. Both CFMoto and Benelli have offerings, but both cost a bit more than the SCR. The SCR is also arguably the prettiest of the three, and while they also offer the higher-spec STR, the additions don’t match the design. The rather stylish SCR features the same proven drivetrain as the aforementioned X-Cape, and an 18-inch front wheel to keep you from forgetting you’re actually riding a scrambler.

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2 Surron Storm Bee F

MSRP: $8,499

While Surron is more known (or infamous?) for making lightning-fast e-bikes, the Bee F is first and foremost an electric motorcycle. It’s also a fair bit more expensive than any of the other e-bikes, but even with the inflated price tag, we still think it’s worth the money. While there are several manufacturers seemingly obsessed with making super-fast, street-ready electric motorcycles with almost no range, the two segments that need more electric bikes remain underserved. We need more commuters, and we need more electric dirt bikes. This is just the beginning, but we hope more manufacturers pick up where Alta left off.

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1 CFMoto 800NK

MSRP: $8,499

Looks aside, this is without a doubt one of the best mid-range naked bikes on the market. That might sound a little over the top, but when you factor in the performance (not to mention power potential) of the KTM-sourced powertrain, nothing can really compete with it. Of course, it’s not perfect. The 790 engine wasn’t exactly a model of reliability, and now that it’s made exclusively in China, we’re certainly not holding our breath. But there’s one thing it’s never lacked: the fun factor. There’s plenty of that. All in all, this is easily the best Chinese motorcycle you can buy for under $10,000, and it might also be the best motorcycle under $10,000 anywhere. At least until CFMoto brings its 675cc sport bike here.

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