Weird Flex: Meet China’s 500cc Africa Twin That’s Called A GS

Squint hard enough and you won't notice any difference

Words: Soham Mayekar

A clone. That's the most non-brutal way of describing the Dahaidao 500 GS-ADV. Well, not that there's anything wrong with it being inspired by one of the greatest ADVs out there. Also, it gives people an option to go with something more affordable than spending most of their bank balance. You'll be paying a handsome sum of EUR 3500 or about INR 3.09 lakh instead of INR 15.96 lakh for the Honda Africa Twin.

That gets you a 500cc twin-cylinder motor that produces 48PS and 43Nm. About the same as the Honda CB500X or the Benelli TRK 502, which, at INR 6.87 lakh and INR 4.85 lakh (ex-showroom), respectively.  Now it is not quite up to the Africa Twin-spec. Smaller 19-/17-inch spoke wheels are a notch below the Honda ADV. That said, radial calipers are a worthy addition.

And if you are not happy with the saddle height, you can adjust it to your liking, just like its windscreen. It's also equipped with a TFT instrument cluster and a TPMS system. A very good proposition indeed, if only the designers worked a little harder to make it unique.

The Indian market is booming with ADVs with bikes like the Himalayan and the 390 Adventure acting as stepping stones. That said, the Dahaidao 500 GS-ADV might never make it to our shores. Which may not be as bad as it seems. At least for the brand.