Fake Evotech Performance products from China: The real cost of knockoffs

Everybody likes to feel they’re beating the system and getting a deal, and to some, fake kit might seem like a great way to save money. Many people will often assume it’s all made in the same factory anyway, so why should they care?
On the other hand, some might think they’ve found a great deal, not realising they’re not getting the real thing.
Counterfeit goods fund organised crime, from child labour to drugs and human trafficking, but they're also bringing very real dangers into our homes, from potentially lethal medicine and cosmetics to dangerous toys and electrical goods.
Knockoffs are also a huge problem in the automotive world, and not just with dangerous items like brake pads made of compressed leaves... UK jobs are being threatened by counterfeiters making copies of some of the most trusted names in UK motorcycling, causing damage to the brands and people's bikes.
Our exclusive investigation looks at the harm done to Lincolnshire's Evotech Performance, and the wider picture with an interview with the Anti-Counterfeiting Group.

Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:38 Real Evotech radiator guard
02:36 Meet the designers
05:52 How the parts are made
07:46 Are Chinese copies made in the same factory?
10:26 Counterfeit Chinese rad guards up close
16:50 Knockoff axle protectors examined
23:53 Fake crash protection that could ruin your engine
34:04 How it feels to be the victim of counterfeiting
37:52 The bigger picture of counterfeiting
47:42 Why it's never okay to buy fakes

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#Fake #China #Counterfeit

[shanestewart]

What an eye opener. EvoTech are obviously on my radar now as the standard others aspire to. Please continue this thread with other UK quality manufacturers.

[dukie]

I own EvoTech accessories. After watching these Gents I’m going to most definitely be a lifetime purchaser of their fine authentic EvoTech products.

[razorcain]

As an engineer myself I find these two guys very professional and knowledgeable. Great design and quality philosophy. I know where I'm buying my next bike parts from.

[motorbiketoureruk]

I honestly never ever work out why people buy expensive bikes and cover their bikes in tat.
Yes evotech is quite expensive but then so is everything that’s worth it’s salt. Brilliantly made and does the job it should, I live there stuff and have put it most of my bikes

[Meckiffe]

Used to work in engineering back in the UK in the 1980's. Those Evo Tech guys remind me of the best that I worked with; their whole sense of who they are is wrapped up in the products and business. This is the best of capitalism, innovation, investment, genuine care for safety, quality, and working conditions... I wish it was all like that.

[damienpeckham]

So much of what you've revealed in this video I just wasn't aware of (slightly ashamed to admit that). To clarify, I always look to buy genuine items from reputable suppliers. I always have.
What I wasn't aware of before watching your video was the extent the counterfeiters go to, and the impact this is having on the manufacturers being copied. Much of the information in the vid is just shocking. Thanks to John for the time you've put into bringing us yet another top quality video.

[paulvarnsverry]

Another fantastic piece of work by you, John. The first half of the video, with Chris and Dan, was fascinating and it’s great to hear two guys at the peak of their game describe what makes their products worth the investment. Then onto the second half and some truly sobering information from Phil Lewis. How many “bargain hunters” know of the role they are inadvertently playing in funding organised crime and even international terrorism?

[Livefast..]

Those guys came across great. Already a big fan of Evotech and this means I will buy more from them. Support British manufacturers when they deserve it and support our economy - win win.

[warg]

Every time I order sometning directly from ET website I'm utterly impressed at the quality and finish of their products - it's like unboxing expensive custom made artisan jewlery. Oh and the shipping is always spot on even if you order it from the other side of a world (New Zealand here). Big respect for this company and their top notch accessories!

[richardhenderson]

Great video. Really drives home the old adage "you get what you pay for" and explains why that's the case.
You can also see how seriously these guys take their job, the way their eyes scanned the first lot of fake rad guards!
Cheaper is never better and supporting companies like these is a no brainer.

[gudgengrebe]

I really appreciate you taking the time to fully investigate equipment and safety claims. Don’t worry about going into detail, we love you for it. Thank you!

[MH-xdnd]

I’ve bought a few products direct from Evotech and they’re top-notch quality. As others have said, why on earth spend £15K-£20K on a bike then skimp on bolt-on parts? It’s a false economy. Problem is some other manufacturer charge ridiculous prices (£170 for a single-piece plastic mudguard!), and this leaves the market open to cheap fakes. The long-term issue that people buying cheap fakes don’t understand (or perhaps care about) is that IP theft will result in manufacturers like Evotech will give up. The fakers don’t design anything, they don’t (3D) scan the bikes, so either you won’t get any more products, or they’ll be total rubbish. Unfortunately China has found it very difficult to enforce IP protection, so it is better for customers like us to vote with their feet, ignore FB, Amazon, Alibaba et al. Just skip one evening meal down your local restaurant, you now have the money to buy the original product!

[hiddendragon]

I have a Evotech tail tidy, sliders and radiator guard on my bike and the quality especially on the tail tidy is clearly ahead of the competition.

[nickthequick]

It must be absolutely infuriating knowing that not only are your ideas and designs stolen and reproduced, but that quality is sub-par and your brand name will be damaged by erroneous reviews. Amazon and Alibaba should be held both legally and financially responsible whenever their market place is being used for selling counterfeit goods and if they can't clean up their act they should simply not be allowed to operate in EU/UK

[garydavies]

Good piece of work! Big fan of EvoTech parts but this has given me an even greater level of respect for that they’re doing.

[shanekeat]

Im a fitter turner, tool maker, machinist and a welder fabricator.
I was on tools for 17yrs making everything from jet units for boats to hips, knees and shoulders.
I made nuts, bolts, screws and many other simple things as well.
I watched as 40% of my workload went to china, i was made redundant 4 times before i finally gave up and did something else.
I understand where the loss is.
I also understand why people want to buy elsewhere, especially here in NZ.
Most of the product you get here is imported because businesses like the ones i worked for end up out of business and you cant get those things made here anymore.
The thing that rips my shorts though is that it gets bought in by a middle man who puts a whopping markup on and then the store puts their markup ( often large as well) on top of the mark up.
I look at the UK and USA and think how lucky you are, i see your prices and then look at the ones from our stores and even with conversion of currency, we pay almost 3 times what you do for the same gear!
Also, guys, if you want to showcase what you do, show a dude that is wearing PPE when blowing swarf off stuff.
I've seen people lose eyes doing what he did.
We have a guy i worked with we called lemsip cause without his eye he looked like he was sucking on a lemon and all squinty.
WEAR PPE!!! ATGATT PEOPLE!!!

[TerenceHughes]

I knew someone who bought cheap non branded crash bars for his new BMW R NINE T.
One of the lower fixings for the bars replaces the bolt that goes through the frame into the block.
As he was torquing it he heard a loud crack, and soon realised the problem.
The supplied replacement bolt for the crash bar was too long for the threaded hole in the engine, only by a couple of mm but that was enough to crack the crank case when tightened up.
A 12 grand bike ruined by a £50 part.
I must admit I've got Chinese bar end mirrors on my bike that look great and have been absolutely fine, but I think when you're looking at anything functional beyond the aesthetics, you should buy from a reputable company.

[Nceb]

It's so informative to have the reps from the companies to share their insights to us consumers between their quality products compared to fake replicas.

[twowheels]

Great video! Showing the world behind the part. Having a background in manufacturing this makes sense. However some people don't and might just go for the cheapest option. A shame because it screws over your perception of what it costs to develop and make a good product. This is why I support genuine parts/tool brands by buying their stuff. I think the old saying "you get what you pay for" still stands

[yoshyoka]

I work in R&D and have to deal with this every single day. Not only is buying fakes sponsoring people who ruin the business, but also nearly always gets you an inferior product.