Although cars have now become widespread, motorcycles remain popular because they don’t get stuck in traffic and have low fuel consumption, making them ideal for commuters.

Especially the small scooter is the most suitable, as its size is comparable to that of an electric bike, yet its power and range are superior to those of an electric bike. However, as we all know, a scooter isn't cheap—at the very least, it costs around 6,000 to 7,000 yuan.

But I’ve seen some scooters online selling for just over 2,000 yuan—why is there such a big price difference? It’s true that many small factories do offer motorcycles at a factory price of just over 2,000 yuan, but their quality is hard to guarantee, and this price only covers the hardware costs.

Currently, there are many motorcycle manufacturers in China that produce imitation brands. Almost none of these manufacturers have independent R&D capabilities. As a result, engine development mostly involves simply enlarging the cylinder slightly and modifying the shape of components like the cylinder head.

Since four-stroke engines actually have a fairly similar structure—still featuring a single cylinder and a crankshaft—the fundamental issue lies in the process itself. For example, with water cooling, gear oil and engine oil are kept separate; if such an engine were equipped with electronic fuel injection, many people might even consider it a brand-new engine.

If the parts and assembly don't go smoothly, problems will arise as well. However, ensuring high-quality parts and assembly does come with a certain cost—not every product can be made well simply by spending over 2,000 yuan.

Traditional motorcycles are sold through channels, passing through multiple intermediaries before finally reaching consumers. As a result, many costs are incurred during these intermediate stages, and the price consumers pay is typically 1,000 to 2,000 yuan higher than the factory price.

The costs associated with these intermediate stages can be viewed as a service guarantee fee, giving consumers peace of mind when using the product. After all, motorcycles are durable goods in theory and can last up to 13 years—no product is entirely free of issues over such a long period.

Since the rise of online shopping, many products—such as clothing and food—can indeed be sold directly from manufacturers to consumers. These products generally don't require much in the way of additional services and can indeed bring consumers certain economic benefits.

However, unlike motorcycles, it requires servicing and involves a certain level of technical expertise. If it were priced online just like convenience foods, consumers would ultimately be the ones who suffer. After all, online shopping services often come to an end within half a month.

On the other hand, motorcycles are bulky, and when used over long distances, logistics costs become a significant issue. If something goes wrong, returning them to the manufacturer for repair is practically impossible.

Actually, you can also buy refurbished pedals directly online—those costing a few hundred yuan are simply reconditioned motorcycles. If you’re not familiar with this process, it’s practically impossible for an untrained eye to tell the difference. That’s why, when buying motor vehicles, it’s always best to go with well-known brands; that way, you’ll have reliable support if anything goes wrong. Don’t let your desire for a small bargain lead to a big loss.