We’ve already talked about the Chinese motorcycle manufacturer Dayang when it launched its ADV 350 scooter that was very similar to a Japanese model. It was clear that Dayang had taken a page out of Honda’s book. To add to this, the company included sophisticated technology, such as built-in cameras, which Honda didn’t have.
And Dayang is back with its own “interpretation” of a twin-cylinder cruiser, doing very little to keep its American inspirations a secret.
Named the TMV 450 Timo, this bike follows a number of styling cues from American cruisers such as Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycle. Its low stance is characteristic of an American V-twin and, to my mind, it looks like a mix of elements found on bikes like the Harley-Davidson Nightster and the Indian Scout Bobber.
It is, however, smaller than the bikes it idolizes, and seems to fall into the same segment as bikes like the Honda Rebel 500. It’s important to note that mid-displacement cruiser bikes like this have emerged in recent years, with notable entries on the market including the Kawasaki Eliminator and the CFMOTO 450 CL-C.
What makes the Dayang TMV 450 Timo interesting, however, is the technology that lies beneath the surface. Although it could be considered an obvious reproduction of American cruiser bikes, Dayang has gone to great lengths to give this machine more substance. For a start, it’s equipped with a 450 cc twin-cylinder engine – a clear departure from the medium-sized twin-cylinder cruiser bikes we see today.
Like a true cruiser bike, the TMV sends power to the rear wheel via a belt final drive. Dayang has also included a few extras, such as traction control, ABS and a color display. The suspension consists of a pair of rear shock absorbers and a robust-looking inverted fork at the front.
In fact, it’s easy to be taken in by the allure of bikes like this, especially when their prices are a fraction of those of their more common rivals. In Dayang’s case, the TMV 450 Timo has yet to be priced for the global market, but if and when it is launched, it is likely to be one of the most affordable options in the entry-level cruiser market.