Differences Between the First and Second Generation of Tianhong TH90 Motorcycles

[ColinDella]

The differences between the first and second generation of Tianhong TH90 motorcycles mainly lie in some exterior parts, such as the slightly different shapes of turn signals, decorative decals, exhaust pipes, etc. There are no fundamental differences in other aspects. Additional Information: Advantages of Tianhong Motorcycles: The engine has low noise and fuel consumption, the overall quality of the motorcycle is good, performance is relatively stable, and adaptability is excellent. As an ordinary model, it can rival imported products. It is suitable for beginners to familiarize themselves with motorcycle operations, and the riding posture is very relaxed. Shortcomings: Wangjiang maintains the traditional strengths of domestic production, but quality control is average. The quality of accessories like turn signals, license plate tail lights, and footpegs is not great. The lower gears are practically useless, and gear shifting when starting at traffic lights must be completed within 7 seconds.

[LeJoel]

I remember my old neighbor had a classic Tianhong 90 back in the day—a true icon. That bike was very simple, with square headlights and a boxy shell. The engine had a crisp sound, and it felt solid to ride. Later, when it was updated to the second generation, the whole body design became more rounded, with circular headlights, and the ride felt smoother with less vibration—the engine sound was a bit more muffled. The key upgrade was the second generation's electric start system, eliminating the need to kick-start like the first gen, making winter starts much easier. The seat material was also softer, making long rides more comfortable. The tires seemed slightly wider, providing better stability over bumps. Old-timers often say the first gen was more durable, but the second gen had much more practical features. If I were looking for a used one now, I'd go for the second gen.

[EllianaLee]

With over a decade of experience in auto repair, I've mastered the parts of both the first and second generations of the Tianhong 90. The first-gen engine used a slide-type carburetor, simple in structure but tricky to tune; the second-gen switched to a vacuum diaphragm type, offering more stable fuel delivery and smoother acceleration. As for the frame, the second-gen added reinforcement plates to the rear fork, making it less prone to deformation on dirt roads. The dashboard also saw a major upgrade—while the first-gen only had a speedometer and odometer, the second-gen added a small fuel gauge, eliminating the guesswork when refueling. The braking system is largely the same, with drum brakes remaining sturdy. One downside is the second-gen's poorly positioned rectifier, which is prone to water splash and short circuits in rainy weather—an issue the first-gen didn't have.