Mirrors from China, how do they do it?

[sesamestreet]

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I've had these on my Thruxton for three or four years. Twenty bucks, free shipping on the slow boat from China. They were originally black, but quickly faded to a funky brown/green shade, which I actually don't find unattractive. Would happily buy again.

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I have a thruxton and those mirrors look real nice! I wanted to reuse the stock ones if I switched to cubman bars but its good to know there are options out there. Also a lot of Chinese stuff painted black fade to that copper colour. I think it actually matches the gold stripe!

 

[Kri$han]

It's important to realize that the quality of life of the people manufacturing your insanely cheap goods is SUBSTANTIALLY lower than yours, or likely anyone that you know; That's how 'they' do it

 

[dricked]

I replaced a mirror with an aftermarket one years ago. It's still on there in one piece but you can notice a lot more vibration in the glass while riding.

 

[unL33T]

I bought cheap mirrors from China too and they are garbage. They lose colour (the black) near the bolt area after a period of time. And the worst part is they vibrate like hell. I can't even tell what car is behind me with all the vibration.

Both bikes I've owned are like that with OEM mirrors.

 

[Charlie-brm]

I replaced a mirror with an aftermarket one years ago. It's still on there in one piece but you can notice a lot more vibration in the glass while riding.

I'm surprised at how many replies are mentioning "glass". Most of these cheap mirrors are acrylic or something instead of glass. Generally you can tell by the weight, or tap it with your fingernail. And the image is generally inferior with plastic but that would depend on the quality, clarity and the reflective material.
As long as a buyer knows what they are getting, have at it. For mirrors for a less than mint bike, I'm just as happy getting something by EMGO and buying it off the wall at a real store, real local.

 

[Brian P]

Re: Be cautious, very cautious

Extreme caution is now required on cars since export of Chinese built cars to the West has now begun. The 2016 Volvo S90 and one of the 2016 Buick models (forget which one) is built in China and exported to North America. Good luck with that!

Buick Envision (which is not out yet - should be very soon, though). The last of the previous-generation Honda Fit for the Canadian market was also made in China (the new one is hecho in Mexico).

The difference here is that you have a major global brand name standing behind the product, and you can bet your bottom dollar that they have representatives over there in China making sure they are behaving. The Chinese are quite capable of making good-quality products. They are also very good at taking short cuts when no one is looking.

If it were a Chinese brand name vehicle ... watch out.

 

[unL33T]

Re: Be cautious, very cautious

Buick Envision (which is not out yet - should be very soon, though). The last of the previous-generation Honda Fit for the Canadian market was also made in China (the new one is hecho in Mexico).

The difference here is that you have a major global brand name standing behind the product, and you can bet your bottom dollar that they have representatives over there in China making sure they are behaving. The Chinese are quite capable of making good-quality products. They are also very good at taking short cuts when no one is looking.

If it were a Chinese brand name vehicle ... watch out.

Apple products are made in China and are generally considered pretty good quality.

 

[HarleyHare]

Re: Be cautious, very cautious

Buick Envision (which is not out yet - should be very soon, though). The last of the previous-generation Honda Fit for the Canadian market was also made in China (the new one is hecho in Mexico).

The difference here is that you have a major global brand name standing behind the product, and you can bet your bottom dollar that they have representatives over there in China making sure they are behaving. The Chinese are quite capable of making good-quality products. They are also very good at taking short cuts when no one is looking.

If it were a Chinese brand name vehicle ... watch out.

Chinese branded vehicles like the Chery won't even pass basic safety standards set 10 years ago, so that's not even an option. Who said govt. regulation is bad anyway?

Yes they will need to be watched buidling North AMerican/European brands but unless you give it to me real cheap (to reflect the savings on labour), then it's the manufacturer who gains, and I won't be buying. I went through the era of crap Japanese products in 60s, so have experience with any nation starting off and having significant growing pains. In a decade I may consider buying a big ticket item in China, but not now; but even then I tend to support my local trading partners under NAFTA.

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