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Post by justscooten on Nov 13, 2007 19:33:37 GMT -5
[shadow=red,left,300][/shadow]ok i have been looking around here and reading alot . on the forum and i have seen alot talk about what i would call off brand or main land china scooter(pep boys) type scooters. or internet ebay scooters $699 to $999 scooters. I really hope that people are not buying this crap.  |
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Post by Aaron on Nov 13, 2007 19:59:15 GMT -5
Well read a little more! You'll find that we do not recommend buying the scooters you described. If however a misguided individual has found themselves in the possession of such an infernal device the difference is we will help them make it into a decent runner unlike some other boards. A few members with spare time and cash have bought the worst possible scoots they could just for the journalistic interest in such an endeavor. Some of them have actually turned out halfway decent. It's all in the prep and the purchasers knowledge and mechanical skill.
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Post by newc77 on Nov 13, 2007 21:25:56 GMT -5
Hey-hey, got our scoots off the net, but from a pretty decent brick and mortar supplier and a pretty well thought of cheap China factory line Lance (Znen). Did our homework here and otherwise too, and found the Lance line to be pretty decent. Our experience has been pretty good and I would not call our scoots crap. Maybe we were just blessed.
Tom
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Post by daddyeby on Nov 13, 2007 21:50:43 GMT -5
Humm if everyone on here was worried about name brands on here we would buy Aprilia, Piaggio or maybe even a Honda. We live to tinker on these cheap wonderful scoots. The satisfaction of working on and improving our scoots is half or more of the fun.
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Post by hillbilly on Nov 13, 2007 22:45:51 GMT -5
[shadow=red,left,300][/shadow]ok i have been looking around here and reading alot . on the forum and i have seen alot talk about what i would call off brand or main land china scooter(pep boys) type scooters. or internet ebay scooters $699 to $999 scooters. I really hope that people are not buying this crap. Some people have ridden thousands of miles on their "crap" and are still getting around fine. I agree that it doesn't sound like one could work for you but plenty of people are not having any major problems with theirs, enjoy them, and end up with wildly inexpensive transportation. You don't even have to worry about having more than liability insurance because the value of the scoot and the deductible are about the same. Does a $3000 scoot outlast a $750 scoot? Absolutely. Does it outlast four of the $750 scoots? Maybe, I don't know, but four new scoots can sure be fun.  |
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Post by 90GTVert on Nov 14, 2007 9:42:47 GMT -5
Interesting post. You look down your nose at the "crap" but you don't enlighten anyone on what the scooter to buy is. What was your point? Sounded a little snobish to me. Exactly what are the brand name mainland scooters? Please enlighten us. Stan [shadow=red,left,300][/shadow]ok i have been looking around here and reading alot . on the forum and i have seen alot talk about what i would call off brand or main land china scooter(pep boys) type scooters. or internet ebay scooters $699 to $999 scooters. I really hope that people are not buying this crap. |
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Post by einism on Nov 14, 2007 11:43:48 GMT -5
sounds like someone just wanting to stir the pot.
Mike
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Post by tortoise on Nov 14, 2007 13:14:17 GMT -5
i have seen alot talk about what i would call off brand or main land china scooter(pep boys) type scooters. Sure nothing wrong with the Pep Boys SC50, if the 30 mph speed limitation is sufficient for your needs. With routine maintenance, the China 139QMB specification 49cc 4-stroke engine has been relatively reliable. If you need to keep up with 40 mph traffic, a 150cc would be more suitable. Paying more for a UM America as compared to a Tank, for example, may or may not put the reliability odds in your favor. It is all just machinery . . any component can potential fail at any time. Taiwan based Genuine has a very good reputation, but has also had issues. |
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Post by gary2gs on Nov 14, 2007 16:27:21 GMT -5
I can only speak for myself. When I first started to look at scooters it was going to be more of an adult's toy then actual transportation. I was not going to pay $3500 for a scoot that looked a lot like the $899 scoot. I had no idea if there was a difference between Kymco, Groucho, Chico or Harpo. So I went the less expensive route.
I've learned a lot with that little $899 50cc 2 stroke. After 4 years it's still a neat play toy. I do have two 150cc scoots. I just can't bring myself to sell off that first scoot.
Glad I found this forum to keep me up and running.
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Post by justscooten on Nov 14, 2007 16:41:59 GMT -5
ok ok im sorry for what sounded snobish. what i should of said is that im seeing alot of names that i dont know . i have done lots of home work and have had some diffrent scoots through the years ( honda yamaha etc. ) im not going to make a long list of good vs bad but i would say i wouldnt but my faith in to a scoot that was 899 or so and cant get parts or get it worked on. so again i am sorry if i upset anyone . by the way my scooter is a genuine blur 150. its my summer trainsportation to work. and fun on weekends
and sometimes i do like to stir the pot ;D
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Post by scooterollie on Nov 14, 2007 18:12:55 GMT -5
Justscooten;
Tempers warm up a little when folks think the Chinese scoots are being flamed for no good reason. FWIW, I didn't really think you were wholesale trashing Chinese scoots. The parts issue isn't really of as much an issue as some think. In the good ole US of A, we are spoiled by being able to run down to the corner auto parts store or dealership and pick up just about anything our hearts desire for vehicles often many decades old. The Chinese scoot thing is relatively new and there are virtually no established brands, only importers. Many of the importers are only in it for the fast buck and could care less about support of any kind. However, because most of these scoots are so similar as to engines, drive trains, electricals and body panels, the parts are often available from sources other than the "dealer" - you just may have to do a little creative hunting. Even the sub-$1,000 scoots can be OK and a real bargain for the right kind of person. Being an educated buyer means a good bit more than usual when it comes to these products!
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Post by gary2gs on Nov 14, 2007 20:53:59 GMT -5
Justscooten,
I don't think you sound snobbish and I agree with you in may respects. There is some real garbage out there. I just play and tinker around with my little $899 scoot (delivered) to have some fun in the winter. My other scooters get winterized and wait till spring. If I get a nice day (40+ deg. F) I sometimes take the little 50cc out for a run. But, I agree with you. Do I fully trust it? Well....let's say I don't ride it much further then what I'd want to walk home. But I have fun.
I'm one of the lucky ones who enjoys working on the scoot and has some ability.
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Post by guyruss on Nov 14, 2007 22:17:56 GMT -5
I am going crazy wanting to work on my mediocre (I think I spelled that wrong) awsome scoot. I will have to start doing mod jobs just to have some work to do on my scoot. 1500mls, and still not one single problem, and believe me, im not babying it. Don't think you are snobish, just a little ignorant for not really doing homework. You would be amazed at how many parts are assembled, even fuses and such things are comming from china, mexico, ect-ect The reason I said fuses is because I work for the Gov as a mechanic, and I just looked the other day at all our various fuses and I couldn't believe just how many (some common name brands) said made in china. I see the same things with expensive component parts too. Its all about quality control for the best price.
Russ
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Post by Dennis D on Nov 14, 2007 22:25:01 GMT -5
There's a lot of folks here who enjoy tinkering and making improvements in their scooters. Depends how much they like to do that whether it's a good deal for them or not. If they really enjoy making their own improvements, there's a lot of things that can use it in many of the chinese scooters. Parts aren't near as big a deal as people makes it out to be. For those who are competent to do their own work, the average chinese clones(which are called that for a reason) have so many parts in common that there are multiple places to get parts. Yeah, you have to order them, BUT... try going to your Honda or Yammie shop and asking for scooter parts that you can just walk out for. It'll only happen with a few common and frequently replaced parts.... Maybe!
So why am I riding a Helix? I'd rather ride than work on my scooter all the time. I bought used and had to do some maintenance that had been overlooked or neglected at first, but now I would dare to get on my scoot and ride it anywhere my car would take me. I just never had that much confidence in the Strada... though it went the last thousand miles without incidence, there were still just too many unknowns about the quality(and longevity) of the parts that went into it. Still have a 50cc dhina scoot for around town... I couldn't possibly justify spending money on a Honda Met for that(and get inferior performance too), but I'm not planning any long trips with it either.
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Post by tomtom on Nov 14, 2007 22:45:38 GMT -5
That's quite an attitude you have there young feller! (An assumption on my part.) I'm sure there are a couple of other forums that would like to have you. If you decide to hang around here and you need help, we will do our best. Just tone it down a little, please. Yes, some of us did buy those cheap pieces of crap!  |
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Post by justscooten on Nov 15, 2007 12:19:52 GMT -5
ok maby crap was the wrong word. for that im sorry i have friends that have (pepboys ebay) scooter of no real brand name. and are working on them more than riding. i myself am looking for a good 60's vespa to restore. but for day to day riding i need somthing thats going to get me there. like i said before there where a lot of names of scooters on here i didnt know i was thinking that mayby the main amount of post where from the UK or somthing.
and im not that young at 36 i do know you get what you pay for.
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Post by scooterollie on Nov 15, 2007 13:27:41 GMT -5
OK, I think we all understand each other's position by now. How about concentrating on the important stuff now - helping each other and enjoying the ride, no matter what you ride.
Justscooten;
If no one said it before, welcome to the Dawg Pound! You have found the best scooter support site on the web. We are mostly U.S. members but have representatives from several other countries. Most of here are or have been owners of Chinese made scoots. We formed to help each other understand our rides and not put others down for their choice of scoot. Hope you find the forum helpful and wish you remain as a member.
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Post by justscooten on Nov 15, 2007 15:50:45 GMT -5
yes you are right . again im am sorry i didnt think what i had asked would be so upseting. but i do need to say that im upset now ITS SNOWING OUTSIDE no more riding this year  |
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Post by Dennis D on Nov 15, 2007 21:33:55 GMT -5
WHAT?? Once the first snow falls, you have snow on the ground all winter? Where do you live?
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Post by justscooten on Nov 15, 2007 22:15:01 GMT -5
my scoot like my classic car dont see snow or rain .. i live in michigan. its 36 degrees out side now. not to far from you dennis d im in three rivers mi.
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Post by Enviromoto on Nov 15, 2007 22:43:20 GMT -5
Funny the first person to post is a self accamed Vespa snob, such a shocker hes a offbrand hater.
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Post by Aaron on Nov 15, 2007 23:36:27 GMT -5
Funny the first person to post is a self accamed Vespa snob, such a shocker hes a offbrand hater. What do you say guys? Am I an off brand scooter hater? I laughed so hard when I read this.... ;D Aaron |
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Post by tieso on Nov 16, 2007 4:33:08 GMT -5
I've always had a cheap Honda scooter. I payed $350 for my 50cc spree when I was like 13, and I'm 24 now and only replaced a spark plug, gas and oil on it. I've thrashed it physically, and picked it up, and wrode it miles and back. The plastic doesn't crack with a punch or kick.
I bought a Roketa a year ago cause of gas prices for $1500 by leasing it. I've replaced the plug, plug cap, mirror, bolts, screws, welded some fractured steel, welded some joints that where just tacked, and done poorly, and replaced a battery. it's at 4.2KM now, and I'm having electrical component failure somewhere in the dash or the taillights. I have to kick start it till I pen point the component.
I've since then bought one whole Roketa for $500, and one wrecked running one for $250. The people paid about the same as I did, but they where frustrated with them breaking.
I keep mine in a temperature controlled garage with a dehumidifier, and I have problems all the time both structural and mechanical.
I'm just thankful the CVT belt hasn't snapped yet.
Like the previous posters stated people have different reason for getting them. Mine was I've never worked on getting credit, and I couldn't afford three grand cash for a ruckus or whatever.
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Post by YellowScooter on Nov 16, 2007 8:08:53 GMT -5
Funny the first person to post is a self accamed Vespa snob, such a shocker hes a offbrand hater. What do you say guys? Am I an off brand scooter hater? I laughed so hard when I read this.... ;D Aaron Yes. You make Qingqi and Strada owners break down and cry every chance you get. Is it some kind a turn on for you?  I went with the chinese scoot because quite frankly that's all that's available in my area. I don't own a truck so repeat trips to vespa of charlotte for warranty or maintenance issues was not possible. |
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Post by tieso on Nov 17, 2007 2:07:22 GMT -5
There use to be a company around Morganton, NC, that manufactured mopeds back in the 70's. I pulled one out of some woods one time that was in what looked like the yard of a burnt down home. It was pretty well made, and the paint was still good after sitting in open weather for years.
I'd like to find another one. I rebuilt the engine on that one, and sold it.
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Post by YellowScooter on Nov 17, 2007 7:54:02 GMT -5
Hmmm Very interesting info. I'll have to ask around to some the ol-timers about it see where it used to be... I like researching history.  |
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Post by "Big Guy" on Nov 21, 2007 1:41:45 GMT -5
Hmm... let's not tell him where most of the parts for the famous Japanese scooters come from!  |
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Post by justscooten on Nov 21, 2007 12:14:19 GMT -5
ok the points have been made i think its time to close this thread please.
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Post by YellowScooter on Nov 22, 2007 15:44:13 GMT -5
Why? The party's just getting started! We've kept threads open for upwards of a year or better before in some cases! Can someone pass the pretzels Pleeze? |
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Post by tieso on Nov 22, 2007 22:53:54 GMT -5
Hmm... let's not tell him where most of the parts for the famous Japanese scooters come from! Not sure who that's suppose to be patronizing.. The moped(motorcycle-with-pedals; not scooter) I worked on was a early 70 model, and even the tires where manufactured in the US. The manufacturing tag and assembly line stickers, what was left of them, where all US. The manufacturing tag stated some obscure company here in NC that I can't remember the name of, but I never had a chance to research the company online before selling it. This was in 1998 though, and the scooter had been out in the weather for almost a decade without being moved, according to a neighbor who had lived there before the homes burnt down. I just liked it cause it had the European style body work(front wind reflectors) and the paint and plastics where extremely durable. Before I wanted to know that manufacturers name I always wondered why anyone would want to be savvy on scooter and moped brand names. Maybe some moped intellectual can finally use there knowledge for a few seconds and tell us some obsolete makes based on this demographic. |
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