Punching above it's weight...
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- Опубліковано 10 жов 2023
- The Keeway 302C was a bike that I really wanted to ride and I'm happy to say it didn't disappoint. I tried to cover everything people had asked for in the previous video so I hope you all enjoy the review! Any questions please pop them down in the comments... 😀
Gear I use:
Jacket🧥: Alpinestars Andes Touring I / Spada Wax Cotton/ Oxford Churchill blue
Trousers👖: Alpinestars Andes Touring I / RST R-18 CE Leather Jeans
Gloves🧤: RST Thermotech Heated Gloves / Weisse shorty gloves
Helmet: Arai: RX-7V Gold Rea edition/Shark S900
Boots🥾: RST Tractech EVO III/ Pharoa Robson/ Spada Striders
Action Camera 🎥: GoPro Hero VII x2 with GoPro 3.5mm Jack converter
Audio🎵: Olympus LSP4 sound capture device
Mic🎤: JOBY WAVO Pro Lav
Still images📸: Redmi 10C smartphone/ Fuji X-H2 + 18mm F1.4 R LM WR Lens - Авто та транспорт
This is probably the best-looking little cruiser on the market. Muscular stance. Great wheels. Imagine a 450/500 version. It would blow away the 471cc Honda Rebel. Looks so much better, too. It's a V-twin, after all. And this 302 is certainly miles nicer-looking than the Rebel 300.
A sissy bar would allow luggage to be attached to it. Nick J
Thanks Nick, thought this may be your cup of tea. I've never really been that enamoured with the Rebel to be honest, even though they seem great value especially the 1100 version and they do nice colours with a purple and brown!
@@MindfulMotorcyclist I wouldn't buy a cruiser, although I've always like the H-D Sportster; the old air-cooled ones. My SCR950 is rather like having an XT500 with a Harley engine shoehorned in.
Great revue...well done ..it does look like a nicely made bike i haven't seen one yet ..but will look out for them .
Thanks Willy for the comment and the support ☺️
este video es lo mejor que he podido ver en todo youtube tanto en apartado mecanico, sonoro, visuales, etc este hombre ha enfocado el video en todos los aspectos de esta moto, muy muy bueno este video.
Another great informative video well presented keep up the good work 👍
Thanks Tony, that's very kind of you ☺️
Great review, interesting comparison with the Meteor.
I’m new to motorcycles, currently running an rkv125c on a cbt, and agree with the comments around build. I spent a lot of time looking at 125s before I decided on the Keeway and have been very pleased so far.
Congratulation on joining the most fun hobby there is! I wish you well with your future tests, if that is you decide to pursue the A licence!
Sounds like a fun bike overall. I’m glad to hear your generally positive assessment of the bike, although I suspected as much having looked over the QJ version in person. I’ll have to try to get a test ride on one of these in the future!
I think it's fun and you don't have too much money tied up in a bike which is my preference. If you're OK with the badge and not worried about where it was made it's a decent option...
Great stuff, the return of small v twins is long overdue! Spaan do a rack with a backrest for this by the way.
Thanks for the comment. Yes a few people have mentioned a backrest and luggage could be fitted then, good point 👍
A very, VERY good looking bike!
It is indeed Derolo!
As I commented on the first vdeo, I've had mine for just over a month, over 700 miles, had it's first service, During that time I've tweaked it a little, with a screen, satnav, crashbars, sissybar, panniers, sissybar bag, and a bigger seat, to make it a little more practical for carrying pillion passengers. It's a lovely little bike, even at 70, it's very smooth, and no vibrations in the mirrors/ I have switched the bar end mirrors to sit above the handle bars rather than below, where they are completely obscured by my arms. It does mean, I have a little cruiser to keep my Rocket company :-) So far, I can't think of anything negative to report about the bike. I see in a few comments, spares availability, that's really not even a minor inconvenience, if MotoGB weren't to have spares or accessories, then, plenty around europe, and of course aliexpress and tabao, the spares issue really is a none issue. The dealer where I purchased mine from has told me they are selling really well, both the 125 and 302, and is hoping for some more in stock by December, as they've already sold out, and there are no more of the 302 currently left with MotoGB. Oh, there is only 1 drawback, MotoGB only appear to be bringing the 302 in in black, I do think it's looks nice in red :-)
Hi Tony, that's very insightful and thank you for sharing a few bits we all didn't know. Your opinion of the bike sounds very similar to mine, at 70 it is smooth especially in the mirrors. How much fun is it to modify a small engined bike, which already looks cool as standard! I would have chosen red if it were my bike too...
@@MindfulMotorcyclist I see you've reviewed the BSA Goldstar. I do think it's a step up from the RE Interceptor. I see you like retro bikes. If MotoGB have a press Imperiale bike to ride, I recommend you review it. Had mine for almost 4 years now, it's a lovely retro
Where do you buy your modifications for this bike.Thanks
@@simoncook1325 Hi, mainly AliExpress, but the rear rack and pannier rails are from Europcustom. Also, for the rear I've added a Saddlemen R1300LXE
Great video Sean 👍 Really like the look of the bike but as you mentioned I would swamp it...but have to say Suzie looked cool on it so maybe a first bike for her?
Thanks Willie, she does look good on it but she's not traditionally been a fan of cruisers or classic bikes. The more I have though I think she is warming to them. She's got short arms which would also make the reach to the bars a little iffy on this. Itchy boots 450 video was good, I watched it on your recommendation 👍
Very nice review.. thank you!
Very much appreciated thank you!
Good review, thanks.
A small vtwin is a market niche. Good build quality, it will do well I think.
Thanks Paul, much appreciated. I think as Chinese built bikes become more acceptable in the market examples like this will be well placed to take a few sales from the establishment brands.
cheers Sean im thinking of getting the 125 version of this and gave me some great info as the size is the same 👍
Thanks Ashley, glad it was useful ☺️
I like the look of this bike. First off, the mirrors look better once you moved them. Bit like the Hyosung 300.
I have the meteor, but it has the low seat, due to my very short stature. Tippy tip toes.
So, I also bought the Honda Rebel, so nice to flat foot.
Being up in north east Scotland, probably have 2 and half hour drive,to get to a dealer.
But, would love a test drive.
The key fob, looks like it flap, over the speedo. A Wee fly screen would help.
Glad you enjoyed, it does look awesome, and it’s weight.😊
Thanks Mark for the comment, appreciated. The mirrors it turns out are meant to be the right way up... just the bike I was given had them upside down! All press images show the mirrors right way up 😂
I love it! Thanks for this. I can't get this bike in Denmark - sadly..
Hi Nicholas, thanks for the comment, glad you found the review helpful. Cheers, Sean
Great video no messing around straight facts and you have a nice normal way with you I subbed 🎉
Thanks Quick Wrist! Amazing sportbike stoppie in the picture by the way. I couldn't even imagine pulling that off successfully 😃👍
@@MindfulMotorcyclist I can't take the credit its Toprak at Donnington 23 where I was standing he did his signature last one on Yama I saw
Great review, like somebody who wants to buy the bike and did a test drive.
Thanks for the comment, very much appreciated. Yes it's funny but I tend to go for the obscure bikes and get bored by the mainstream ones that everyone else is testing 😁. Cheers...
good lookin wee bike. the belt drive is a big plus re maintenance .
Thanks Adie, appreciate the comment.
Well done from canada ..good job..
Thank you John appreciate the comment and kind feedback! Sean
Nice to see a test on this
Thanks Rob, much appreciated 👍😊
Belt drive and 6 speed- excellent
Proper little cruiser bike with the belt drive...
Lovely bike looks good quality. What kills it for me is resale value and future spares availability
Hi Rob, I think resale value won't be as bad as some because it's not available in high numbers and MotoGB are out of stock... so supply is low prices might be kept up a little. Thanks!
Yep...want one! As a kermudgenly old short-house, this just hits every spot, friend. Price is outstanding, it looks fabulous, sounds and feels like only a vtwin can from what you tell us. I'll wager it uses a darn site less fuel than a big lumbering cruiser. Equally, from your words, I gather it is light and nimble to manoeuvre around on. Ok, so I'm not going anywhere at 100mph and I'm not going to be llo,ing like a hells angel. But these days, on the odd occasion there are no speed cameras, it stands a good chance there are some neighbourhood-watch wannabe police interceptors that happily will point a borrowed speed camera at you(not their neighbours or friends, obviously)whilst sporting their hi-viz pretend policeman outfit that they finally got to wear whilst playing with their friends. Plus, in honesty, who really wants to hoon around on a cruiser? the whole point of them is to soak up the scenery at a leisurely pace and save your adrenaline for running, when you leave the toilet seat up or get caught watching Baywatch with the sound muted! One question, Sean, does this machine struggle to lean over, friend? That tends to be a limitation of the big cruisers, I'm told. The sound was difficult to assess, friend, most vlogs struggle to give a true rendition. Was it a nice low vtwin rumble or do you think an aftermarket zorst would be worth eying up the price of? Another nice presentation, Sean, thank, you for sharing. Equally, please encourage more camios from your fine lady....she is never going to be an effort to pay attention to! Take care, both...
Hi George, thanks for the comment. It was a little bike that I was excited to have and it didn't disappoint. With respect to pottering/bimbling style riding I'm really getting into that now. I think it's honestly the way forward, as modern bikes become easier and easier to ride flat out because of the technology there will always be a group of us that just ride to see nature and the outdoors, wind in your face and all that. I will be selling my sportbike perhaps next year now when the weather improves. As far as leaning the bike over I didn't really try as I didn't want to scrape the pegs or exhaust and the Timsun tyres I imagine to be of limited grip. The noise is not like a big v twin but it's nice in its own right, a bit like a small inline 4 sounds fab even though everything is mini. This channel wouldn't be where it is today without Suzie so she will definitely be in future videos. Thanks again for your support and encouragement 🙏👍
Thanks for including stuff on the pillion, that was very helpful. My wife is also 5'3" and she didn't like the looks of that seat! I put a topbox on the Meteor but, truthfully, the box has been a pain in the arse with bolts vibrating loose.
Although I'm 5'8" I'm an odd shape, I have a short inside leg (28"). So the 30" seat height of the Meteor means I can't flat foot it. I used to own a Triumph Speedmaster 900 and that had a 27" seat height (the same as the keeway) and that was perfect. That was the last bike I owned in the UK before immigrating to Colombia.
Some years ago I had a test ride on an 883 Harley and found that the airbox was so bulbous that it pushed my knee out sideways making it awkward to reach the brake pedal. How was the Keeway in that respect? You didn't mentinon whether it has a rev counter and I couldn't see one on the instument.
This bike isn't imported to Colombia, yet. I will have to wait and see if they do.
Hi Andy, thanks for the comment and no problem at all to include the pillion section. I'm probably a similar proportion to you, I'm 5'11'' but I have a short leg, I buy jeans that are short not regular. The Meteor I could flat foot but it wasn't as low as I expected. The Keeway tank wasn't unduly bulbous no, it was very easy to ride and even Suzie can get her trotters on the deck! The question I have is why and how did you move to Columbia? We plan to move and I love to hear from those who have done it.. Thanks for the comment 😊
@@MindfulMotorcyclist The problem with the Harley wasn't the tank but the airbox on the right hand side. The one I rode was a feet forward version and my knee was against the airbox.
My wife is Colombian and her son was in the latter stages of his school education, so it made no sense to move to England as the education system is different. He is now at University with another year to go. So, I moved to Colombia. That was 2018. I took a chunk of cash out of my pension pot and bought a flat in a small town just north of Bogota. One thing I didn't know before moving was that you may have a perfect credit rating in the UK but when you emigrate that counts for nothing. You start again at zero, which has been a pain. I now work remotely for a British company as a contractor (I'm a software engineer). They pay me into a UK bank and I do a transfer every month of the cash we need to live on. Anything else you want to know just ask.
An unusual bike in a small market segment unfortunately. Its a handsome beast and has a lot of cool about it. Great video nicely presented with none of the '....its all about me...' vibe that's common elsewhere.
Thank you Michelle, to be honest I don't really know how the videos come across. We just sort of make this up as we go along. If it comes across well then I'm pleased. Thank you for this comment and kind feedback. Regards, Sean
I do like this one and I do agree with you on the the speedo position but that I guess could be changed and moved forward if you wanted apart from that why not good value bike probably as quick as a Enfield 350 I reckon maybe a backrest might help or a different seat maybe but it is a 302 so would you want to take two up .👌👍
Hi Crumbly, not bad is it, probably quicker than any of the RE 350s. I managed 10mph more on this top speed relative to a Meteor 350 and with 10hp more I imagine it gets there quicker too. You're right about the pillion situation, perhaps only in a pinch would you have a passenger on this bike, mainly a cool bike to ride solo around town or for the odd countryside bimble.
Great review bud, although cruisers are not my thing the bike does look lovely. Biggest test for Chinese bikes is how they fair over a British winter 👍
Or a British summer with the weather we had this July and August....
Yes wasn't great was it this year 😳
It's a lovely little cruiser which doesn't look too "cruiserish", looks more like a little musclebike. Longer front 'guard and a centre stand would be nice and a sissy bar would improve the pillion security. Great video, thanks.
Thanks Peter, very kind of you to say. With respect to the bike, yes a mini muscle bike would be an apt description...
You have an amaizing camera
Thanks Black metal, I'm not sure I know how to work half the functions on it mind you. Learning still... cheers.
need to see belt drive on other side bros; suggest park bike different direction !
I really like your style of review but could you include servicing costs?
I was chatting to my local Triumph dealer recently and he said they charge £115 per hour labour. To have a full service on a Triumph 1200 was £1200. Buying a bike is one thing, the cost of keeping it fully serviced is also to be considered.
Hi Marc, thanks for the kind words. It's hard to give a servicing appraisal as the costs varies from dealer to dealer. It's probably a general rule however that the likes of Ducati, Triumph and BMW are premium brands with expensive services. The lesser known brands are between £80-250 for a service including the valve check (a retro single cylinder is less labour to service). I know the BSA dealer near me is very reasonable I expect around £120 for the service. My Royal Enfield Meteor was £145 for its first service including valve check. This bike I would expect is similar but of course it varies per dealer. The smaller brands often have more frequent services and that is something also to watch out for if you do the big miles. I'd personally stay away with a bike that was over £1000 to service...
I guess there may be another version but is that riight, is there a rev counter and/or belt drive?
I think there is a belt drive and rev counter on this one...
Thanks for the honest review.
A poor man's HD or a more manageable stylish lightweight lower powered equivelant?
Just a couple of points,is there a tool kit with the bike,(under the seat perhaps)and if there is,is there room there for tyre plug kit?
FWIW,I couldn't buy a Chinese built bike myself due to their politics,dire human rights record and blatant copy culture,which totally ignores patents and copyrights.
That said I wouldn't condemn anyone who does ride a Chinese bike and I feel sure I've bought Chinese goods unknowingly.Atleast Keeway are proud enough of their product to display a prominent Made in China sticker on it and not try and hide behind Italian named Chinese bikes.
Fair comment John, I know a few viewers of these videos wouldn't buy a product from China, and each to their own on this issue. I didn't actually have a look under the seat, I will do so on the next bike that comes in 👍😊 but usually the Chinese bikes do have a tool kit (small roll kit with 3-4 tools).
Hope they are better built than the moto morini built back in the day
what's your height? and i am 6.2" is it fine for me ? or it will be little short 😫
May I ask, how tall are you? Currently looking at the (same sized) 125 version and am torn between the v Cruise and the rkv
Hi Wom, thanks for the question. I'm 180cm or 5'11''. I would like to test the V cruise 125 too in the future 👍
The Meteor 350 does have a low seat option if Suzie wanted to try that.
I have the low seat on my Meteor. Cause I have an inside leg of only 27 inches. It’s 11mm lower than standard. But every little helps.
TEC bike parts do lowering rear shocks, for the Meteor, that’s, I think that’s another 20mm.
I have since bought the touring seat, ( looks so much nicer) and plan to get an upholstery place to trim at least 20 - 25mm off it, if possible. Then, I will sell the low seat.
Is this low seat an RE official accessory? When I had the bike it was only standard and touring on offer. I fitted the touring and then swapped back to standard just before selling the bike. Although the touring looks way better I can't help but feel the standard seat is that little bit plusher...
Yes it is an official item. I have seen it at my RE dealership and it appears to make a significant difference.
@@MindfulMotorcyclist I have low seat on my Meteor. It’s only 11mm lower. But every little helps. I got the touring seat from Ecosse closing down sale. My plan is to get an upholstery place to scope 30 mm out of it, making it even lower than the low seat, as it looks so much nicer.
5 foot 4 with 27 inch inside leg,mam tippy tip toes on Meteor with low seat.
Hi
From where I can buy this bike
And thanks for beautiful video
Hello, thank you for the comment, very much appreciated. You can buy this bike in UK and France and I believe Spain as well now...
I believe Benda is the Benelli/Keeway brand in India. The Keeways in India are all branded as Benda.
What annoys me about the V-Cruise line is that the 125 is the same price as the 302, but UK laws mean that you'd never realistically buy the 302 as your first bike as it's outside the CBT engine range, and I find it hard to justify £4500 on a 125 anyway.
The £4500 price of the V cruise 125 kinda makes sense because the manufacturing of a v twin is I guess the same expense and complexity whether its 125cc or 302cc. Kinda why a ZX4R isn't that much cheaper than a ZX6R, as making 4 cylinders is the same cost irrespective of capacity.I agree tho that a £4500 125 is hard to justify as you can get them for £2.5k if you look hard enough and are happy with a single...
I noticed you haven't mentioned the Royal Enfield Meteor 350. What are you're thought if you had to make a simple comparison between the 2 motorcycles, without going very deep into the subject. You know the basic, everyday use.
As the RE Meteor 350 can now be had on sale at £2999 + OTR brand new from MotoGB that is a hard to beat deal. Meteor is more classic but has a single very characterful engine with 20hp, this also has a characterful engine as v twin but 30 hp. I'd probably have a meteor to be honest. Air cooled as well so easier to service...
Is the 302 the same frame as the 125 size etc basically is it the 125 but with a bigger engine????
I believe so and Chinese companies are good at consistency so would make sense...
Looks like the previous-generation Yamaha XSR900 speedo, which was offset.
Very very similar to the instrument cluster on XSR700 that I didn't go ahead with. Must be a generic design from China that multiple brands utilise....
Hi
How tall are you? Im 6'2 and im worried i might be to big for the bike
Hi Chris, I'm 5'11'' so sadly I expect you will dwarf this little guy. Shame as he's only 170kg if I recall.
Does it come with a warranty
I would assume it is the normal 2 years...
Wait so is this a 125? Or a 302?
This is the 302, they also do a 125 which looks almost the same and has also a Vtwin but a lot smaller engine
Lots of weird "English" but for me the LOL moment was the "There's this big kind of air filter thing (I don't know what it does) but it's got 302 on the side".
Yes Nick, this isn't really a serious review channel I am a UA-camr who does this for fun not professionally 👍
So you get no revenue from UA-cam?@@MindfulMotorcyclist
Most of the small channels get a bit of revenue but it's a pittance until you've got the brand sponsorship etc etc. Got a full time job this is very much when I can
Fuel consumption?
No idea, perhaps take the manufacturer spec or someone who has owned it and performed real world testing...
Would love to see the same company's version of a 500cc or 600cc v-twin small cruiser. It would dethrone the Rebel 500 (471) and it looks way better.
Thanks Suzy for the comment 👍
@@MindfulMotorcyclist A bike like that, I would gladly ride to Sturgis. Sharp looks!
The devil is in the detail isn't it. What is the dealer support like? Has there been any long term testing over a couple of years to test the quality of the components? It looks great but will it last the distance?
Good questions DP, the one problem I identified was the rear brake MC is right down by the pedal meaning all manner of road debris will get thrown up on it and cause it to wear, fail prematurely. Dealer support is usually not an issue for the bigger Chinese brands who are multi franchise dealers like CFmoto but keeway are are less known so my gut feeling is it might be an issue. Cheers, Sean
How tall are you Sean
Hi Mark, I'm 5'11'' or 180cm in new money! Cheers.
@@MindfulMotorcyclist I’m nearly 6ft 2 do you think I’d find it too small or does it feel comfortable enough for you
It's a Chinese sportster!
With a 302cc vtwin to boot 😃
It's a shame that you can't ride this bike in Japan because there is no importer.
Thanks Santana, but in Japan you get many many cool bikes that the Europeans to not have access to, like ZX25R!
Is he tall or the bike is just small? 💀💀
I'm 5'11'' so not that tall...
Its not trying to copy anything else,,it does look a bike for the individual..but two thing struck me just lookin.. first the pillion pearch,,how the hell !!!! second those tyres look weird sizes,, say a couple of years down the road are the sizes still going tobe available....... your Jacket would look better with blue jeans,, black jeans just do,nt cut it ...
The pillion perch is a fail, there's no other way to say it. You wouldn't easily get on there, even a very small pillion. I do have blue jeans as well but it's a bold look blue on blue 😂😂
I thought Keeway were chinese crap??? The 125's certainly are.
Keeway are Chinese not crap though..
Strewth. Stop waffling and repeating yourself. And you leaning forward does not help your viewers hear the sound better.
😂😂😂 - woke up on the wrong side of bed today did we 😄
No. You should watch your own videos before making stupid comments.@@MindfulMotorcyclist
Did I miss it or did you say the highest top speed the cost and if it's available in the US
The top speed I suspect is 85mph ish and US market I'm not aware that it is... Thanks 🙏