Checking out reviews on Apollo dirt bikes can seem like a bit of a rollercoaster because one person says it's the greatest deal ever plus the next person claims it dropped apart in 10 minutes. If you're looking into these types of bikes, you've possibly noticed they're considerably cheaper than anything appearing out of a Western or Austrian stock. We're talking regarding a cheaper price of a Honda or a Yamaha. Yet as the outdated saying goes, you usually get what you pay for. The actual question is definitely: have you been getting enough?
I've spent a lot of time around hole bikes and entry-level dirt bikes, and the Apollo brand is always the hot topic in the staging area. They occupy this strange middle ground. They will aren't "department store" junk, but they certainly aren't race-ready machines. They are essentially the gateway drug for individuals who want to see in the event that they actually including riding before these people drop $8, 000 on a professional-grade bike.
The First Impression: Out of the Box
Most people purchase these bikes online and have them delivered for their house within a metal cage. This is exactly where the very first "real world" review of an Apollo usually starts. In the event that you aren't convenient with a wrench tool, stop right today. These bikes aren't like buying the bike from the nearby dealer where a mechanic has spent 2 hours prepping this.
Whenever you pull a good Apollo out associated with the crate, it's mostly assembled, yet the finishing touches are up in order to you. You'll be putting on the particular handlebars, front side steering wheel, the rear surprise, and maybe the fenders. The consensus across almost most reviews on Apollo dirt bikes is that the particular "factory" assembly is hit-or-miss. You totally need to go via every single bolt on the frame with a bottle of Blue Loctite. In case you don't, things may vibrate off during your first ride.
The share oil that arrives in the engine is also generally shipping fluid. It's thin and dark. Most experienced owners think to empty that stuff immediately—before you even begin the engine—and put in some decent quality 10W-40. It's a small action that makes a massive difference in how long that engine is going to last.
Engine Performance plus Reliability
Right here is the surprising part: the motors are actually pretty solid. Most Apollo bikes work with a variation of the Honda-clone motor, often manufactured by Zongshen or Lifan. These designs identified with regard to decades. They are usually air-cooled, simple, and remarkably resilient.
Whether you're searching at the 125cc pit bikes or the larger 250cc models like the particular Apollo DB-36 (the Deluxe), the power delivery is usually predictable. It's not going to tear your arms out there of their sockets, but it offers enough torque to get a developed adult up a decent-sized hill. The particular carburetors can end up being a little finicky out of the box—they often operate lean to meet emissions standards—so many motorcyclists end up replacing the stock carb for a Mikuni clone, which generally costs about $30 and makes the bicycle start less difficult.
Reliability-wise, if you alter the oil and keep the air filtration system clean, the electric motor will likely outlast the rest of the particular bike. I've seen Apollos that have been absolutely thrashed by teenagers for 3 summers straight and still kick over on the first or even second try.
Quality and Elements
This is definitely where you start to see where the particular money was stored. While the engine is a tank, the "jewelry" on the bike will be a bit less expensive. The plastics are usually okay, but they will could be brittle within cold weather. The handle bars are often made associated with soft metal, therefore if you take a spill plus the bike gets on the pubs, they're probably going to bend.
The chain will be another common gripe in reviews on Apollo dirt bikes . The stock string tends to extend like a silicone band during the particular first few hrs of riding. Many people recommend just replacing it using a name-brand chain (like a DID or even RK) right away so that you don't possess to keep changing it every 20 minutes.
The particular suspension is basic. It's bouncy. Regarding a kid or a lightweight adult simply cruising around the field, it's perfectly fine. However, in the event that you're planning on hitting 30-foot increases at a regional motocross track, you're going to bottom part out and possibly break something. These bikes are "trail" bikes or "pit" bikes, not "supercross" bikes. Knowing the particular difference will save you the lot of letdown.
Who Is This Bike In fact For?
In the event that you're a seasoned riders who grew up on a KX250, you're probably going to get an Apollo a bit underwhelming. But there are three specific groupings where these bikes actually make the ton of feeling.
First, there are the parents. In the event that you have a 10-year-old who wants to try dirt biking, spending $500 to $1, 500 on an Apollo is a lot easier to take than spending $3, 000 on a Honda CRF110F. If the kid chooses they hate this after two weeks, you aren't away an enormous chunk associated with change.
Second, you will find the "backyard" riders. These are the people that have a couple associated with acres and just desire to buzz about, maybe build the small pump track, and also have some fun on a Sunday afternoon. You don't require a high-performance device for your. You simply need something that will runs and makes noise.
Third, you will find the "project" people. Some folks love the idea that these bikes are super easy to work on and that parts are incredibly cheap. You can buy an entire fresh engine for an Apollo for about $300 to $400. That's less than the particular cost of a top-end rebuild on a KTM.
Common Issues to consider
No sincere look at reviews on Apollo dirt bikes would be complete without having a "buyer beware" section. These aren't "set it and forget it" devices.
- The Battery: If your model has electric powered start, the share battery is usually pretty weak. It might last a season, or it may die after a couple weeks. Keeping it on a tender assists, but many proprietors eventually upgrade to a better brand name.
- The Spokes: You need in order to inspect spoke tension frequently. They tend to relax because the wheel "seats" itself during the first few trips. Loose spokes direct to bent wheels.
- The Air Filter: Sometimes the particular factory doesn't essential oil the air filter properly. Always check out it before your first dusty ride, or you'll end up being sucking grit straight to your cylinder.
- Brake Feel: The particular brakes are hydraulic and they do work, but they may feel a bit "mushy. " Bleeding the particular lines which includes high-quality brake fluid can help improve the particular lever feel.
The Verdict: Will be It Worth the Money?
At the end of the day, you have to manage your objectives. If you go into this thinking you're getting an expert racing machine for $1, 200, you're going to be disappointed. When you move into it realizing that you're buying the "budget" bike that will requires a little bit of mechanised love and regular maintenance, you'll most likely have a blast.
The almost all positive reviews on Apollo dirt bikes usually come from people that enjoy the "tinkering" facet of the hobby. There's a certain satisfaction in taking the cheap Chinese bicycle, tuning it up, loctiting the bolts, plus having it run just as well as the bikes that cost three instances as much.
It's not about being the fastest person on the trail; it's about getting out there there. Apollo makes that possible intended for people who normally couldn't afford to ride. Just keep your wrench handy, make oil, and don't expect it to outlive a 50-foot jump, and you'll most likely find that an Apollo is a surprisingly fun little machine for the cost.