I am sure you have seen dealerships springing up in your area; with their bright orange signage they are pretty hard to ignore.

Big Boy offers a range of pit bikes, commuter machines and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).

One can spot their commuter bikes on the road,, in high school and tertiary institution parking lots and outside companies that provide a delivery service.

So from scooters to cruisers, Big Boy has claimed a fair bit of market share. But where does this brand come from?

Big Boy Scooters is a proudly South African company that imports and distributes a wide range of motorcycles- specially made for it - from China.

Owner and managing director Alex Lenaerts comes from a motorcycling racing background of over 20 years and his company is focused on providing an affordable alternative for motorcycle and ATV enthusiasts.

The Big Boy head office and distribution warehouse operates from Johannesburg and currently services more than 80 official dealers in almost every major centre.

It has also started expanding beyond the borders of South Africa.

We did a bit of research on Big Boy products and services and found that these are manufactured in the East at the best available Chinese factories. They are all 100% Big Boy products with a strong and unique identity that sets them apart from any other importer or manufacturer in the industry. 

With each year that passes, Big Boy's range improves with leaps and bounds, closing the gap between themselves and the Japanese competition.

Big Boy offers value for money; the entry level Pulse 125 scooter is priced at R7450.

There is also a two-year warranty and one-year roadside assistance (on all road-legal models), nationwide service and parts back-up.

Most Big Boy dealerships are geared to work on other brands, including Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, PGO, Aprilia, Jonway, Conti, Bajaj, Sym, Vuka, MotoMia, GoMoto, Bashan, Viper, Thumpstar and Puzey.

One of the latest models is the 2012 Flame 200 Big Boy commuter, which features urban styling, GP-type rims, bronze anodising and enough power to comfortably carry rider and pillion through the traffic.

See www.bigboy.co.za for more details.