Post by amac1680 on Jan 19, 2013 11:55:33 GMT -5
It goes by many names.
Cyclone, Momba, Spyder etc.
I must say from the first time I saw this "scam-am" I found it intriguing on a few levels. First I guess the folks in china have pretty much cloned everything else so it was time to raid the Canadians. Next was who would pay anywhere from 4 to 5k for this scooter.
As it turns out there are more than a few who have, many of them were beyond unprepared for what was to come.
I bought the trike at a auto auction. The original owner gave up at 200 miles. The front end was a mess and took about 30 hours total to get just the front end right. Forget getting most shops to play with the toe-in.
Long story short I paid $1100.00 and have about another $300.00 in it. I thought I would have sold it by now but it's not in the way so............
The Trike:
It looks cool there's no denying it. It's about as well put together as most china scoots. Rattles etc but nothing out of the norm that a few twists of a screwdriver wont fix. Body finish is OK . The electrical on these things have always been a nasty topic with me and this bike is no different . I used a ton of shrink tube, liquid electric tape and connectors to make things more water tight.
The early models had big time stability problems. That was fixed but it scared the hell out of a lot of people. Even those that have done their own PDI on china scoots before weren't ready for the front end tuning it takes to make these bikes stable. I thought I was but found out otherwise. Fortunately I found some info online. Once it's right it's not all that tough to keep it that way.
I can't say anything bad about the CN250 clone. It's a workhorse that's been in scoots for years. Ive always enjoyed working on them. Strong and reliable as long as its not asked to do more than its made to do. More on that later.
Handeling
Like any trike you need to adjust your riding style. Unlike traditional trikes this scoot rides like an ATV or snowmobile. No fancy computers to keep the front wheels on the pavement. It's all on to the rider .
It's extremely sensitive to input on the bars. It takes very little to make it turn. If you lean on the bars things get shaky. With the front end right it tracks true and is predictable as long as you don't lean on the bars. Bumps and potholes can bounce you from side to side so one needs to keep an eye on the surface .
Performance
As I said I like the CN250 clone I just don't like it on this trike. It's just asking way to much for that little kicker to push a heavy bike with 3 heavy small car tires and a lot of windage.
The CVT is set up as well as I can be for the job at hand. Pulling out into traffic is not an issue she zips to 30 mph just fine. Between 30 and 40 she's ok, not fast but not a total dog. At 40 the shanking starts and it screams until about 44 then the CVT makes its last shift. Then it smooths out.
Only problem is that's about it. I used a GPS to check speeds but from 44 to 52 I used a calendar, it took forever. I'm only 135 lbs live at sea level and any small bridge will knock the speed down 10 mph. Even light wind will cut speed.
I can't imagine riding it in the hills or two-up.
We have tried everything from CVT tuning to carb/exhaust work and the bottom line is there is no replacement for displacement. This trike is the perfect example of that. It needs at least 300cc to do 55mph cruise.
Of course should the suspension be asked to do much better than 50mph ? I've seen a max of 62 coming off a steep bridge and it was "sporty" to say the least. To fast period. BTW that same bridge spanked the bike on the way up, 33mph. Yuck.
Bottom line is 44 mph cruise, 50mph or so top end.
Not 5k worth of performance. I said earlier that the trike is predictable and it is. That's not to say its simple to ride. It takes attention to the road surface ,even more than on any other bike. But it's a safe ride in the hands of a competent driver.
It may seem like I'm bashing the thing but I'm not I totally enjoy the ride. It's a hoot around town, I can pull some cool turns and everyone comes over to talk at the gas station. Good ole fun !
Just don't ask to much from it. It's a "sheep in wolves clothes" looks like Tarzan runs like Jane. It's a scooter and a slow one at that. Don't let the wrapper fool you.
I couldn't use it as my day to day scoot but it's fun for a change of pace. I'm sure their are those that would be happy with this trike as is, say maybe at the "over 55". Lol.
I can't bring myself to selling it. It's just a lot of fun.
Of course I wouldn't enjoy it if I paid top dollar for it.
Be Big,
AMAC
