That is the question. It is very tempting, the "prices are right!" But, will the knockoff Chinese carburetor really work well for you? How will the carb works long term?

Last Spring when COVID & Shelter In Place kicked off in Norcal, I set about finishing up a 1972 Yamaha AT2 for my kid. One item missing from the bike was a carburetor, and in all my spares I didn't have one. I thought, OK, let's give the Chinese reproduction a try, I really had nothing to lose and the price was definitely right, about $29.

Upon disassembly (just for kicks), I found the main jet thread size not compatible with Mikuni jets. Also the pilot jet was completely different. Realized tuning was going to be difficult based on this. Installed and, well the carb worked OK. Rich and burbled when into main jet territory, but it idled great. Over time we played with raising the needle, which made the burbling better but it was never crisp. We dealt with how it ran, but our move to Modesto this year and the higher speed roads v. Livermore really exposed how bad the Chinese carburetor was. Rather than soldering up the main jet and "sizing" it in an effort to not give up on the communist carburetor, I reached out to the forum.
 
Capt. Dave sent me a complete carb, which turned out to be off of a '74 DT125. Verifying the jets/needle/slide numbers proved it out. So I cleaned it up and installed it on the AT2 yesterday morning. Left all the jetting alone, needle clip in the center. We went for 20 or so mile ride after that and the AT2 has NEVER run better! Never!! Really woke up the engine, especially with the 175 top end we put on a few months back. Plug is a nice chocolate brown! 

Lesson learned for me. Avoid the temptation! They are plentiful, and cheap! It's tempting! I was tempted!
Tempted no more.

Here's side by comparisons, with the OE Mikuni on the right.

A customer bought the wrong carb in late 2017. AT1-B the carburetor he bought was perhaps a Suzuki carb without mount cut sways. I called captain Dave thinking I could use threaded posts like on a DT1.

He said that bike will never run correctly’ unless you sell this customer one of your carburetors.

Capt Dave is the best’ and I never forget how he helped me. I might have send funds for advice..

yup China carburetor - nope 

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I bought one for my honda 185 & was perfect out of the box. Bought one for my 175 yamy & was in the ball park but had to lean off the needle on the clip & modified the thread where the main jet fits to take a mikuni jet. Was a few years ago & maybe i change the jet to match but don't think so. Pilot is probably a bit rich but didn't get into that. Price was almost free with free shipping too. I'm talking a push in carb not flange type.

I was tempted but ended up buying a new Mikuni VM20 for an LT100 I just rebuilt. It ran perfectly right out of the box, no adjustment needed, well maybe a little on the idle speed screw.