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Post by triker on Jan 29, 2011 20:12:46 GMT -5
Edit: I am not Triker, I did not realize I was logged in under her name. I'm her husband.
I am posting this on every forum I'm a member of so forgive me if you have already read it.
When I bought my wife's Ice Bear Magnum I read many horrible reviews from buyers who complained about various issues and I was of the mind that they probably did not perform a proper PDI and/or their expectations are were too high. Then I read a couple of reviews of the updated version of the Magnum and how the suspension was improved and many small issues seemed to be resolved. My wife has two limitations, the cycle has to be automatic and it has to have at least three wheels, I did not have a lot of choices out there.
I consider myself mechanically inclined because I completed a technical trade school for small engine repair when I was 16 and have been servicing my own motorcycles, motor scooters, and cars since I was 11 years old. Now I'm 54. In other words I can maintain a vehicle. I figured since the price was so low, and the only other product that comes close to meeting my wife's requirements is the Piaggio MP3 which was at least 3000 dollars more we'd settle on the Ice Bear. Humongous mistake!!
Right now the Magnum is sitting in my garage with less than 300 miles on it because I already had to have it towed home (180.00 towing fee). I have no doubt it is a carburetor issue, not enough fuel, but repairing it is a moot point at this time. Since purchasing this scooter it has made a horrible clanking noise from within the CVT/Transmission area and I have had the variator, clutch and transmission out and went over every item with a fine tooth comb and could not find the cause of the noise. At this point, I don't care because the noise is a moot point.
The front end makes such a horrible rattling noise the scooter is an embarrassment to ride. I know the source of the noise. The high beam headlight shroud came from the factory broken inside the sealed lamp assembly. Fixing it is a moot point at this time.
The brackets holding the rear fender on broke from vibration. I manufactured my own to replace the broken ones, but the fender is cracking around just about every bolt that holds it on ... so any further repairs are a moot point.
When we first get this scooter on the road it would wobble horribly at lower speeds. I discovered the rear tire was out-of-round and ordered a new one. Got the new one on and resolved that issue.
The first time I opened the right side glove box one of the plastic hinge pins that hold it on broke, so now it is unusable. Sure, I could replace it, but fixing it is a moot point now.
The fuel gauge does not work. It will indicate when the tank is full, but will not drop below the 3/4 mark. I know how to fix this, but I'm not going to because it is a moot point now.
I had to glue the hand grips on because they would continually slip off, I had to get better mirrors because the one that came with the scooter were bent and did not allow a good view around the driver, The seat latch does not release correctly, I had to replace the plastic screws for the windshield with metal ones because they stripped after having to take off and install the windshield so many times.
I have tried to convince myself time and time again that this is a good trike and that if I can nail down all the issues it will be fun for my wife to own and ride. I cannot fool myself anymore. Buying this product was the worst financial decision I have ever made in my life. I have spent way too much time on the wrench and spent way too much money fixing and replacing things that I cannot justify owning it another day. I got robbed, and I just have to pull my head out of the sand and admit it.
I kept using the term "moot point" in this entry so let me explain. I am going to have this Ice Bear Magnum picked up and taken to the dump. I won't sell it to anyone or even give it away because I would not do that to another human being. So it is history. Next weekend I am taking the wife to a Piaggio dealer near here and let her pick out the MP3 she wants (I'm liking the 500cc one myself).
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Post by nulldevice on Jan 30, 2011 0:49:43 GMT -5
Ooh! Ooh! I'll take it! I'll take it! if you live within a reasonable distance of Akron, Ohio
Balky mechanisms bring out my sadistic-masochistic side! I get off over balky machines! Think of all the pleasure you will be giving me! I'll save you the tipping fee also.
Oh please, oh please, oh please! Let me have it!
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Post by edfr on Jan 30, 2011 1:10:55 GMT -5
Mr. Triker, Sorry to hear all the problems you have and had with the Trike. But I understand your point of view we can only take so much. But if your going for an MP3, if your wife has trouble balanceing or what not then I would first have her test ride it. Don't forget with the MP3 you make turns just as if you where on a TWO WHEEL scoot or motorcyle. You have to lean into the turns. The Front two wheels only help when you stop and it better be FLAT otherwise it will tilt to the low side. So have her test ride one first to see if she can handle it and if she likes the way it handles on turns and stops. Good Luck Lefty
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Post by Bluefront on Jan 30, 2011 5:35:18 GMT -5
I agree.....if you think your trike was a bad mistake, that MP3 could well be worse. But in a different way.....you could easily have a perfectly good MP3 sitting unused in your garage, because your wife can't/won't ride it, after you paid big bucks for it. And those things aren't easy to sell used......if my local Craig's list is any indication. There were two used, low-mile, MP3s for sale all summer on the local list.....price seemed to be right. They didn't sell....looks like. If your wife can't shift gears, or ride on two wheels, there's a very good possibility she won't ever feel comfortable on an MP3. I did see one girl on an MP3 this past summer.......
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Post by ♣Luke♣ on Jan 30, 2011 9:18:37 GMT -5
we have a lady member here named "marciag" i think she owns a Magnum Ice Bear(morphous style), she's been posting since september telling us how she's been so excited awaiting for her new ice bear...then it was delivered oct 4 2010,,,since then we never heard from her...dunno what happened...maybe she too MIGHT have been experiencing same dilema and lost her interest in riding scooters...... i feel very bad for you triker and triker's wife.......now if you can get a burman trike,,,,ooooh,that'll be so perfect....i'd say shop around..go to MP3 forum and ask the pros there before you decide to buy it. good luck
remember this,,buy a scooter that will give you more time riding it...NOT fixing it....
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Post by leeinark on Jan 30, 2011 18:54:49 GMT -5
Triker: I am so sorry to hear your story. I have had none of those problems with mine (knock on wood). I have had a couple of minor things but nothing I couldn't deal with. I changed out early from the vacuum fuel pump to an electric one with a pressure regulator set at 3 PSI. After doing so it ran and idled much better. Top speed is about the only thing I'm unhappy with. It will do 55 but that's it...waqs hoping for 60+ from the factory but that's ok I can fix that. v/r
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Post by triker on Jan 30, 2011 22:04:42 GMT -5
Again, this is Triker's husband because I haven't registered on the forum yet. My name, by the way, is Checker or as some call me Big Al.
Anyway, I want to thank you guys for giving intelligent and understanding responses to my rather abrasive post. As you can tell I am very frustrated. After considering your responses and thinking objectively I decided not to trash the Magnum after all. On the other hand, my whole purpose was to provide my wife with something reliable, fun, and something she could be proud of. In an attempt to save money the IB Magnum seemed a good choice. Unfortunately, I believe unless you are an amateur mechanic this product is not for you. I don't have the time to keep it running for Triker, so I have formulated this simple plan.
I'm going to get the IB running and sell it for a smaller loss than if I were to dispose of it (which I really did plan to do by the way). Because of the insightful input here concerning the MP3 which I tend to agree with after more thought, triker and I are going to check out the Can Am Spyders this week and most likely make the purchase. Of course that would take Triker out of the scooter realm, but the major benefit is that on a Spyder she will be able to travel along side me on my Harley. Those things cost an arm and a leg, but Triker is worth it ... every penny of it so I hope I can make it happen for her.
Thanks again.
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Post by edfr on Jan 30, 2011 22:36:42 GMT -5
Big Al, Again for the money your going to spend on the Can Am Spyder, you can aget a 400 or 650 Suzuki Brugman Scooter and put a Trike Kit on it. It will cost less than a Can Am Spyder and it will be faster than a Can Am Spyder and it will be a STEP THROUGH. The 650 Burgman Brand new go for around $8,000, the Executive goes for little over $9,000.00 and the Trike kit goes for $4,000.00.
Now the Spyders have there own troubles of there own. 1. The front is a bear to align and they go out of alignment fairly easy, they will start to pull you left or right. 2. They are heavy and Under Powered , they are dogs. 3. They are NOT step through. 4. They are gas hogs and more complicated than a Scoot. Again Test ride them before you plunk your hard earned money down. The sales guy will tell you all kinds of good stuff, but it is not all peaches and cream. They do not sell many of them and there is a reason for it. Good hunting and good luck, Lefty
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Post by leeinark on Jan 31, 2011 8:47:10 GMT -5
Big Al: Wise and sensible choice on your part. If there is anything I can do for you please let me know. V/r, Lee
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Post by rapidjim on Jan 31, 2011 9:48:19 GMT -5
Luke: Here are some posts from Marcia, in with others. She had some health issues and had to stop riding. The only real issue she had with her Compeller was the rear deck cracked, Ice Bear was going to replace it for her, but she never ordered it due to her health. She also wanted a taller windshield and bought one from a company who told her it would fit, it didn't and she had some issues trying to return it. I did talk with her a few weeks ago and she is doing better, but has some issues still. scootdawg.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=threewheelers&thread=31828&page=1scootdawg.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=threewheelers&thread=31876&page=1scootdawg.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=threewheelers&thread=33258&page=1Big Al (aka Tinkers Husband): I read your post on Saturday night and wanted to wait till today before replying. I am sorry you have had these issues with your Magnum. When things like this happen, I too want to just throw my hands up and say "the @@@@ with it", but after walking away and calming down I proceed right back and get it fixed. I am kinda suborn that way, I am not going to let a machine beat me. I am glad you are going to fix it instead of junking it! We have talked about your noise before. Is it still going away after you get above an idle? On the rattle from the internal mount for broken headlight Assembly, did you contact your dealer to see about a warranty replacement? Seeing that it was broke from the beginning I am sure if your dealer takes the time to contact Ice Bear they will take care of it. The folks at Ice Bear do work hard with their dealers to ensure things are right from the beginning. I think I have a right side glove box cover, might have to paint it, but you can have it for the cost of shipping. I am thinking your fuel guage issue and your running issue may be connected. I have seen on other scooters where the sender float had gone soft and pieces come off and clog the outlet of the tank. My opinion this was caused by ethanol fuel. Worth looking into. While you are in there, I would also pull the carb and give it a good cleaning, paying close attention to the jets and the float setting. The cable adjustment is below the top right hand cover ( below the handlebars). You can get to it from underneath, as long as your arms and hands aren't too big. Otherwise, here is a link on how to adjust it. scootdawg.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=threewheelers&action=display&thread=34598The windshield screws are a known issue. I have told Ice Bear they need to come up with a better way of attaching the windshield. I have used molys in place of the rubber/nut Assembly and then used nice black machine screws and rubber washers to replace the original setup. I learned this a few years back my Harley "bagger" windshield. Same type of rubber/nut assembly, but Harley did use metal screws. Any help I can give you just let me know and I will do what I can. Jim/Owner Rapid Repair
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Post by cuda62 on Jan 31, 2011 9:49:04 GMT -5
Big Al just my 2 cents into your problem. i sell cfmoto. the v3 and v5 are good machines. look up cass county choppers. these guys build a very very nice chopper kit for cfmoto bikes. i talked to them and they seem to know there stuff. also cfmoto is running very good deals on there v3 and v5 right now so if you can find a dealer close to you you can get your wife a very nice trike. i dont carry the ice bear trike because i was worried about the build of them. sorry to you and your wife. by the way i dont work for or have anything to do with cass county choppers before you people think i am trying to sell for them. just trying to help big al out. thanks.
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Post by Bluefront on Jan 31, 2011 10:24:08 GMT -5
If I had the inclination to buy a big/heavy trike that probably would be bullet-proof, just requiring oil changes......it would be a Honda. You could do much worse. About $8000.
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Post by leeinark on Jan 31, 2011 10:54:51 GMT -5
Tell me where to buy that trike in your picture for 8,000 and I'm in.
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Post by rapidjim on Jan 31, 2011 11:21:44 GMT -5
Me too!
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Post by buiditright on Jan 31, 2011 12:22:39 GMT -5
better try better then $20,000 bucks if your lucky at that.
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Post by Bluefront on Jan 31, 2011 14:02:50 GMT -5
Take a look here.......is this the complete trike, or just the trike kit for a standard Goldwing?
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Post by checker on Jan 31, 2011 14:22:59 GMT -5
Thanks for all the advice Jim. I took the carb off, disassembled and did a thorough cleaning and reassembled. Made sure all the vacuum hoses were on and not cracked, and made sure the bowl filled up without over flowing on the carb and everything looked pretty darn good in my opinion (except that I could not locate a fuel filter so I added one to the line). Since the IB is hard to start by nature I bought a can of ether. First I tried to start it and it would not start after about a dozen attempts. Recharged the battery and gave it a shot of ether and still would not start. Check the plug and there's no spark now. Has to be a different issue because before it would idle all day long, it would just die when the throttle was turned. So now I got to figure out how the ignition works and is wired. Beginning to feel like a dog chasing my tail. Now my other issue is becoming time. I'm spending too much time on this and I might have to have it towed to a scooter shop and have someone else repair it. Sure is getting expensive. Almost 4500.00 spent so far and have only gotten less then 300 miles good riding off it. Obviously I got a lemon. Now the CanAm Spyder we are looking into Triker can mount and ride with no problem. Well, she will have to back up to it and sit side saddle before lifting a leg over the tank, that's how she gets on my Sportster. I'm not completely sold and am considering the other options everyone has been mentioning, but so far this is looking pretty good. By the way, a 2010 1800 Gold Wing trike goes for about 30,000.00. I know, I've considered them. Too big for my wife anyway.
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Post by edfr on Jan 31, 2011 14:28:14 GMT -5
Yes, the $8,000.00 is only for the TRIKE KIT ;D "Take a ride a Champion GL1800 trike kit and find out how the Champion engineers worked with Honda's design to produce the most exhilarating trike kit available to date! This beauty is certain to keep your dreams alive!" Lefty
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Post by leeinark on Jan 31, 2011 14:31:25 GMT -5
Big Al; the fuel filter (stock one) is on the right upper side of the fuel tank. Very hard to get to in my opinion. I removed mine and put a real nice one down on the left where the fuel line curves towards the carb.
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Post by ustacould on Jan 31, 2011 17:03:48 GMT -5
Checker, My name is Ed and I did a little investigating on trikes a while back because of my physical limitations. This is why I purchased the Ice Bear Magnum. Mostly because of cost but in my search I found a manufacturer of trike kits. I beleive that this web site may be of interest to you as it allows one more option. I think that a person needs options so they at least have a little power to make decisions when comes to how they spend their money. www.dansontrikes.com/
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Post by edfr on Jan 31, 2011 17:23:14 GMT -5
Ustacould, Yes I was going to put the dansontrike site as well but they are very expensive. They actually convert them to real Trikes they take the rear wheel off and replace the rear with an axle and differential. But like you said its up to the person on what he wants to spend. Lefty
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Post by ♣Luke♣ on Jan 31, 2011 18:40:09 GMT -5
"Again, this is Triker's husband because I haven't registered on the forum yet. My name, by the way, is Checker or as some call me Big Al." =================================================== ...again,pls register and have your own username...people here are starting to get confused on who are they talking to(Big Al's wife? Checker? Big AL?).....fyi,usernames are not a conjugal property..LOL i know Big AL just bought a key chain spy camera,and he shared a video with us,he's a real nice guy. i think "Checker" is a nice username,why not make it your official username? ..and why don't you like to buy a two wheeled scooter?? i mean, Trikes are excellent but IMO-->more wheels ,means more problems....dunno, just my observation.. ..
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Post by checker on Jan 31, 2011 18:44:30 GMT -5
"Again, this is Triker's husband because I haven't registered on the forum yet. My name, by the way, is Checker or as some call me Big Al." =================================================== ...again,pls register and have your own username...people here are starting to get confused on who are they talking to(Big Al's wife? Checker? Big AL?).....fyi,usernames are not a conjugal property..LOL i know Big AL just bought a key chain spy camera,and he shared a video with us,he's a real nice guy. i think "Checker" is a nice username,why not make it your official username? ..and why don't you like to buy a two wheeled scooter?? i mean, Trikes are excellent but IMO-->more wheels ,means more problems....dunno, just my observation.. .. I apologize for any confusion. Look a few post above yours and you will see I have registered and am logged in under my own user name "checker" now.
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Post by ustacould on Jan 31, 2011 21:34:48 GMT -5
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Post by triker on Jan 31, 2011 23:15:31 GMT -5
I'm liking that Danson kit for the Silver Wing.
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Post by edfr on Jan 31, 2011 23:28:45 GMT -5
Yes,I have googled for trikes since early 2009 and found a bunch of different ones. Some are really nice setups with a real differential that looks like a cars heavy duty rearends. I also like the danson Kit, if you look at the rear axle and differential it is impressive. I would guess that rear end weighing in at over 300lbs , cause the voyager kit is just a U shaped setup around the rear wheel of your scoot comes in at almost 200lbs. Lefty Lefty
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Post by ustacould on Feb 1, 2011 8:35:26 GMT -5
Edfr,
I think that if you check farther in to the kits by both Danson and Custombuilt you will see that both are actually wrap around, at least that has been my observation. I also believe that both build a kit that is specific to scooters and therefore are lighter. Now here again before anyone leaps into anything do the reseach and contact the companies. I like to say "trust but verify" an email my just get you the information you need to make an informed decision.
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Post by checker on Feb 1, 2011 14:20:27 GMT -5
I found a scooter shop pretty close to me (about 8 miles away) who sells CPI, Genuine, Kymco, Lambretta, and Qlink scoots. I called and asked if they repaired all scooters and the guy said, "As long as it ain't Chinese. What do you have?" I said, "Ahh ... Chinese." He asked what it was was and I told him a 300cc Ice Bear trike and explained to him it was my wife's and what I have been doing myself to get it back on the road. He told me to bring it in and he would look at it anyway and see what he could do. He then said he might have something on his sales floor for my wife as well.
Ok, so now I'm thinking to myself that he's really just wanting to get me in for a sell, and that's ok. I don't mind being manipulated as long as it could be to my benefit. I might even be able to use the Magnum for some bargaining if he has anything we like there.
So now I got to figure a way to get the Magnum there ... and possibly back if nothing pans out. Won't fit in the back of a pick up, so I am thinking of getting a U-haul utility trailer. Sure would be cheaper than a tow truck!! I'll keep y'all posted.
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Post by medman1952 on Feb 1, 2011 14:42:14 GMT -5
Good luck on a trade in. And no that was not a sarcastic remark, I hope you get a reasonable amount. We hear stories like this from time to time, a lemon seems to pop up and ruin it for a good person.
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Post by checker on Feb 1, 2011 14:48:59 GMT -5
Good luck on a trade in. And no that was not a sarcastic remark, I hope you get a reasonable amount. We hear stories like this from time to time, a lemon seems to pop up and ruin it for a good person. Good point. I hope nobody reads this thread and thinks all Chinese scooter, or Ice Bears in particular are bad. I just got the short straw, I know that. Trying to go convenient and cheap took a good dealer out of the picture for me ... and now I know that has to be a HUGE consideration before buying a scooter. I know my experience would have been better if not down right pleasant if I had purchased from someone like Jim of Rapid Repair for example.
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