As per post title, just bought a cheapo hardtail with some suntour xct(?) forks on. Its brand new but with the front brake on there is definite fore/aft movement between stanchions and lowers.

Is this normal for such cheapo forks? I know the general action won’t be good but there’s visible wobble.

it is normal. they’re built to a price.

Normal. But take it back and show them and see what they say. I bet all the new forks for that price are shite. If its bad now it will only get worse.

Def to be expected. Same on the kids bikes with some of those older marz but not made by marz cheap oem forks on a couple of old konas. Wen’t back to shop and felt same forks on about 6 other bikes, all the same.