Whatever Happened to Kipor Generators?

[ralphnjoann]

I used to own a 1000 watt model. I never had any problems with it other than having to replace the Eco switch (a Kipor parts place wanted $48 for one; Radio Shack had a switch that worked for about $3). Just curious.

[mobeewan]

Around 2004 to 2006 Kipor was sued by Honda for patent infringements over generator motors and parts. It has been a while since I read about it, but I believe a Chinese company was either manufacturing parts for Honda and went into business manufacturing the Kipor generators using Honda parts or was using Honda proprietary designs and manufacturing the generators.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

Charlie D. wrote:
Wrong subject

:@....:h


~

[bikendan]

IMHO, Kipor started raising prices and they ended up being close to Honda and Yamaha units. There wasn't a big enough price difference not to go with the H&Y generators.

then along came Champion, who became the new price leader and took away a lot of Kipor's business.

[Charlie_D_]

Wrong subject

[wa8yxm]

Back on 2006 KIPOR was the lower cost alternative to the Kings of the Road (Honda and Yahama) However I noticed that though the KIPOR was not louder than teh Honda or Yahama it was way more annoying (Quality of sound rather than amount of sound very hard to explain waveform).

I think what happend is all the Made IN China stuff that has come over with even lower and lower prices.... KIPOR is now a "high priced" brand.

Myself I want a Yahama EF-1200i, The Honda EU-1000 is too small.

[FlatBroke]

I had a ke3500 for about 7 years. Sold it for what I paid for it. Pretty good resale value I would say. Darn good gen.

[MrWizard]

moved from technology corner

[time2roll]

Seems to be around with lower price compared to Honda and about as quiet with 54 to 59 dB rating.
My old KGE3000Ti (2006) still runs fine but solar has made it obsolete.
Maybe it is time to sell.....

[Corkey05]

Looks like they're still going strong.

Kipor Web site

I didn't follow the link to Dealers, but like you I haven't seen any around for a while.

[old_guy]

you're right. I haven't seen any of them in the ace hardware stores for quite a while now.