Quite suddenly, it seems, cheap, Chinese-made motorcycles are all the rage.

Over the last decade or so, these cheap under-powered knock-offs have been filling up cities across the globe because, well, they’re cheap. Like, 400 USD for a 50cc bike that will get you around Mumbai or Shanghai.

Now, we’re beginning to see more and more of them imported to this country.

The problem is that they really are cheap. This means they aren’t always built to the standards of American products.

It also means that the product liability aspect of the things has not been tested.

U.S. manufacturers and the established majors from Japan and Europe have to contend with laws that hold them liable for defects in their products.

Has anyone had to deal with this issue on a Chinese motorcycle? The local dealer certainly can’t accept the liability and what are your chances with a company from China responding to your claims or concerns, especially if it’s one of the smaller ones? Further, it’s something of a Chinese cottage industry. There are hundreds — if not thousands — of small manufacturers.

With the rapidly increasing Chinese presence, someone ought to think about this because if you hold everyone else liable, you can’t give them a pass. It may be a while before the laws catch up to the reality of the market.

If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident and you were on one of these cheap motorcycles, you should contact an attorney experienced with Texas vehicle accident law. The vehicle accident lawyers at Cappolino Dodd Krebs LLP have over 80 years of experience and can help you with professional insight.