2008 QLINK Sapero Review

A Chinese motorcycle manufacturer that was founded in 1988, QLINK is still a relatively new name on the international motorcycle scene. The company was founded on the simple idea of providing power sports enthusiasts with fun, affordable, and high quality means of on-road and off-road transportation. The company has always valued creative styling and has created a diverse line of attractive two-wheel and four-wheel vehicles. Beyond just looking good, QLINK bikes are designed to be mechanically sound and to have a minimal impact on the environment. QLINK’s commitment to providing working class individuals with a reliable means of transportation or weekend recreation has led to the company devising stringent quality control measures in terms of manufacturing. By maintaining good relationships with suppliers and dealerships, while refusing to unduly mark up their products, QLINK is generally able to furnish riders with quality vehicles at affordable prices. QLINK offers a diverse line of products that includes dirt bikes, street bikes, scooters, ATVs, and UTVs. One of the more interesting street bikes the company has produced over the years is the QLINK Sapero 250. The Sapero is a sporty cruiser with an air-cooled engine and an array of modern features. Although it was only produced for a few years and has been discontinued, the Sapero is a nice little street bike that’s worth checking out if you can find a used one in good shape.

The 2008 QLINK Sapero is a sport/touring style bike. The Sapero features QLINK’s industry leading fit and finish, a lustrous paint job, and chrome accents. It’s powered by a 244cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, four-stroke engine. That engine comes paired with a five-speed continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Sapero features a telescopic fork front suspension and a rear suspension that consists of a twin sided swing arm. Stopping power is good thanks to front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. The 2008 QLINK Sapero has a curb weight of 392.4 lbs and has 5.8 inches of ground clearance. The 2008 QLINK Sapero is available in three colors: silver, black, and red. It has a low seat height, enabling riders to maintain easy contact with the ground when they want it. This low seat height also contributes to the Sapero’s low center of gravity, making it more stable and enabling the rider to maneuver the bike through traffic more easily. The 2008 QLINK Sapero is also very spacious, thanks to a class-leading long wheelbase. The Sapero has exceptional ergonomics, making it a very comfortable bike to ride. Additional features include a single-point audio control system for FM radio that’s also compatible with iPods or other MP3 players. The Sapero features a compact design that enhances its performance without making sacrifices in terms of fuel tank capacity.

Although QLINK has a reputation for producing bikes that are more affordably priced than the competition, that’s not necessarily the case when it comes to the Sapero. Sharing a market segment with such models as the Honda Rebel Base, Yamaha V Star 250, and Suzuki GZ250, the Sapero is comparable in price and actually was more expensive than the Honda and the Suzuki when it was first released. The QLINK Sapero was discontinued in 2009. However many used models remain on the market. With the QLINK name not retaining its market value as much as more recognizable brands like Honda or Yamaha, it’s often possible to pick up a good used Sapero at a bargain price. The Sapero is a nice, compact cruiser bike that’s lightweight enough to be propelled by its efficient 244cc engine. With its attractive styling enhanced by lustrous chrome accents, the 2008 QLINK Sapero is a nice looking bike that delivers reasonably good performance. It’s also one of the more modernly styled sport cruisers you’ll find on the road. With split, two-level seating, excellent ergonomics, and all that legroom, the Sapero is also comfortable, making it a great bike for taking on longer trips. It’s unfortunate that QLINK didn’t see fit to carry on producing the Sapero after 2009. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find a good deal on one of them in the used market.