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Post by drosado15 on Jan 30, 2011 12:02:01 GMT -5
Hello, In the next two weeks im looking to purchase a SunL 150CC Scooter. I searched the board and didn't quite find what i was looking for. These are my questions. 1.How reliable are these things? I will be driving it about 12 miles a day 5 days a week ( I hear good reviews and bad reviews about SunL) 2. What are the most common break downs on scooters? 3. I was planning on taking this thing on a 115 mile trip sometime this summer from Fort Lauderdale to Key Largo. What issues would arise from a trip this long?(All fixable on the way etc) 4. Top Speed, Florida is semi dangerous. What's the top speed of this thing without over working her? I'm about 5'7 175LBS Please note this scooter will be taken care of as much as possible. Oil changes etc. The Scooter will sit outside in the Florida Climate under a Scooter cover and with of course a lock and chain.  I am 21 so will i drive this thing ruff(Pun Intended  ? Sometimes but not always. Appreciate the help. Hopefully i can find a bunch of people to take a scooter ride with me to Key Largo one day . |
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Post by tortoise on Jan 30, 2011 12:15:35 GMT -5
I searched the board and didn't quite find what i was looking for. Considering the YEARS of postings on related topics . . how could you have NOT? New To Scooters |
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Post by drosado15 on Jan 30, 2011 12:18:01 GMT -5
I searched the board and didn't quite find what i was looking for. Considering the YEARS of postings on related topics . . how could you have NOT? New To ScootersI meant pertaining to the SunL. I read that thread already. |
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Post by tortoise on Jan 30, 2011 12:39:52 GMT -5
So are you hoping someone will post that all the negative China scooter information will NOT apply to your model selection . . and that you CAN run it hard without consequences?
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Post by leroysunl on Jan 30, 2011 12:41:50 GMT -5
Have 2 SunL 150's (actually 3 as one is a parts) 2 08's model 12B and one 07 150-6. Both made by Shenke. 12B bought new and has run well 3500 mi. and only trouble has been 2 rectifer/regulator, and has been reliable. 150-6 model bought used and has been great, 1500 mi., is a good cruiser. All bought from Sunny Sports where you get no after sales service parts or warranty. Parts scoot has less than 500 mi., let me know if you need anything. LF
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Post by Cookees on Jan 30, 2011 12:45:17 GMT -5
Friends don't let friends ride SunLs
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Post by drosado15 on Jan 30, 2011 12:54:55 GMT -5
So are you hoping someone will post that all the negative China scooter information will NOT apply to your model selection . . and that you CAN run it hard without consequences? You sir need some anger management or something. That's not what im asking. Just so you know 90% of scooters are made in china by the same factories. Knock off scooters mainly use the same parts as the main line scooters but were knocked off the assembly line due to minor imperfections such as knicks / scratches or a minor measurement issue. Dont believe? Google knock off information find out yourself. Have 2 SunL 150's (actually 3 as one is a parts) 2 08's model 12B and one 07 150-6. Both made by Shenke. 12B bought new and has run well 3500 mi. and only trouble has been 2 rectifer/regulator, and has been reliable. 150-6 model bought used and has been great, 1500 mi., is a good cruiser. All bought from Sunny Sports where you get no after sales service parts or warranty. Parts scoot has less than 500 mi., let me know if you need anything. LF Thanks bud, i'm tight on money and this place is selling them for 795 new. miami.craigslist.org/brw/mcd/2185545922.htmlFriends don't let friends ride SunLs If i had more cash trust me i'd go with a better brand. |
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Post by jim63 on Jan 30, 2011 13:19:48 GMT -5
We had a SunL 150, not exactly the same model. But for the 5 months we owned it, never had an issue with it. It was my wifes ride and she liked it. We got rid of it due to lack of performance we required for our type of riding. We needed somethong with the capability to run at 60+mph at times, and the 150cc was good for a max of about 60mph on flat ground, no wind conditions. Realistically you could cruise 50-55mph, but that was about it. I would not recommend running it on the highway. we went with 250's, and can cruise at 70mph if needed. You may want to consider a 250cc if you are doing highway travel.
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Post by bullet on Jan 30, 2011 13:31:19 GMT -5
If I had the $$$ I would get one. A 150 for that money is a deal. If you take care of it and make sure its set up right. Even if you have to do it yourself. It can be good transportation and a lot of fun. If its the same 150 engine that we have in our 2 ATVs, and theres a good chance it is, it will give you good service. Ours have lasted 6 years so far and still run good.
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Post by erictheviking666 on Jan 30, 2011 16:10:06 GMT -5
Do your maintenance religiously, change the oil every 1,000 kms, and a thorough check out every weekend and you shouldn't have much trouble. If you don't take meticulous care of it, it WILL leave you stranded. Also it's best if you ride it every day, it's when you let them sit that problems develop. Since your in Florida like me you can ride it all the time. That's what I have done with mine and I'm now 200kms shy of 20,000kms with no major issues.
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jmann
Junior Dawg
Posts: 6
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Post by jmann on Jan 30, 2011 16:14:17 GMT -5
even if i get kicked of ive got to say that this tortus guy is a real A--!!!!
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Post by bullet on Jan 30, 2011 17:01:41 GMT -5
How about this. A new Honda PCX 125 goes for $3,399. Even a well used Elite 80 will cost more than your scooter. Its that you ride, not what you ride that counts.
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Post by snakedoctor on Jan 30, 2011 17:01:59 GMT -5
"even if i get kicked of ive got to say that this tortus guy is a real A--!!!! "
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Heck, I don't know...I though his statement made since...but then I'm a crotchety old curmudgeon..
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Post by erictheviking666 on Jan 30, 2011 17:32:24 GMT -5
How about this. A new Honda PCX 125 goes for $3,399. Even a well used Elite 80 will cost more than your scooter. Its that you ride, not what you ride that counts. A Honda PCX is at least twice as much as a Sunl!! He can get the Sunl for $795 and I imagine by paying cash! Why on earth would anybody who's short on cash want to go into debt just to buy a Honda? I guess he could go with used, but you many times end up with somebody else's problem child that has been setting up for a long time. I'm sorry but $3,400 is not a viable alternative to $795.00!! |
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Post by qwertydude on Jan 30, 2011 18:45:47 GMT -5
1.How reliable are these things? I will be driving it about 12 miles a day 5 days a week ( I hear good reviews and bad reviews about SunL)
As with any Chinese brand it's a crapshoot. Some people can go their entire ownership with nothing more than a PDI and simple maintenance. Some people end up doing lots of fixing every few hundred miles. That being said, if you're going to be buying a Chinese scooter you'd best be served buying from a local dealer AND doing your own PDI. Mail ordering pretty much means you're going to be stuck doing all maintenance and repairs, warranties for mail ordering is pretty much non-existent.
I own a used Baja SC50, it's been the most reliable bike I've ever owned, some people said they're unreliable. I've also bought a new Buddy 125 that leaked oil, sold it. Also bought a BMS V9 Evo, it leaked oil also, had to sue to get it bought back under the lemon law. Like I said it's a crapshoot. But SunL isn't one of the better more reliable brands so your chances of getting a good one aren't as good as the more reputable brands like Flyscooters, Lance, CFmoto or the really nice Taiwanese ones like Sym, Buddy, Kymco.
Don't discount buying a used one though because by the time you get a few thousand miles on them most problems that would show up would have shown up by then. The used market is a really good place to find a deal now because the importers and dealers are really flooding the new market.
2. What are the most common break downs on scooters?
Most common breakdowns tend to be fueling and intake issues. Much of which can be prevented with a good PDI. You can also get cracked intake hoses after a while, good to carry a small tool kit and a roll of duct tape with you all the time. Next would be a common issue of people not wanting to adjust the valves. They'll go and replace half the engine components before adjusting the valves. So if you have hard starting or irregular running issues adjust the valves before replacing stuff.
Oil leaks are a pretty common occurrence. The easiest way to avoid this surprisingly is to get a used scooter that doesn't leak oil. Repairing oil leaks can get pretty involved. So my best advice is if you want to avoid oil leaks, buy a used scooter. Every scooter I bought new developed oil leaks, just my bad luck. Every one I bought used never did.
3. I was planning on taking this thing on a 115 mile trip sometime this summer from Fort Lauderdale to Key Largo. What issues would arise from a trip this long?(All fixable on the way etc)
On a 150 with a tool kit the most common breakdown would be a fouled spark plug, often from running rich when people mod these scooters, fixable, but better to jet the scooter correctly and then get a good platinum or iridium plug. Second most common is a broken belt. Get the Bando belt and replace it as soon as you get the scooter. Flats happen period. So get a tire plug kit a compact bicycle air pump and keep it with you. Also the tire valve stems on these bikes are notorious for cracking and leaking. Sometimes it's a good idea to keep an eye on them. If they start cracking around the rubber, replace it without hesitation. Also it's a good idea to run synthetic oil after break in, that way your engine won't seize, even at overheating temperatures the synthetic will lubricate, far beyond where conventional suffers viscosity breaks down.
4. Top Speed, Florida is semi dangerous. What's the top speed of this thing without over working her? I'm about 5'7 175LBS
If people drive fast around you you have no choice but to get a bigger scooter, a liquid cooled 250cc is your best bet. I checked craigslist in your area for you, used you can get a decent one for like about $1200 asking price, might be able to bargain that down too. Best value for your money I would think. Don't think you can just mod your scooter for speed. You can but then you also said you wanted it to be reliable. The more you mod the less reliable it becomes. And you can only get so much power out of the 150's anyways. The GY6 design is pretty much maxed out at 150cc power levels, they only have 800 cc's of oil and the air cooling system is barely adequate for the 150cc design. Remember the GY6 150cc is just a bored out 125cc, so it already is running at its natural limit.
Hope this advice helps clarify issues for you. But all too often newbs do come here with a chip on their shoulder so some of the old guys here do get tired of it. Because your responses sound just like the same people who go. I just bought this scooter, it's so awesome, I got it for such a steal and blah blah. Then they're back a week later after ripping their hair out and cursing all things Chinese and boycotting their local Panda Express because their scooter broke down and they're shocked that to fix it costs more than they bought it for. The philosophy with these scooters is you get what you pay for. If you do all your own work these scooters truly can be amazing money saving wonders. But you'll have to work on them, sometimes it can get pretty involved, and more often than a Japanese or Italian bike.
So you pays your money and you takes your chances. You a gamblin' man much?
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Post by bullet on Jan 30, 2011 19:27:25 GMT -5
Maybe I said it wrong but my point is how expensive the Hondas are and there are good scooters out there for a lot less money. I also said if I had the coin I would get one. Not the Honda, the Suni. I also 2nd Qwertydude's post. Good advice.
My ATVs have GY6 engines in the 150 cc form. They do have an oil cooler. There is a lot more stress on an ATV engine due to the soild axel and big mud tires and the top end is only 35 mph. They are 6 years old and still run great. Remember our riding season is early summer, summer, late summer, and next summer. They get a lot of use.
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Post by erictheviking666 on Jan 30, 2011 20:07:20 GMT -5
Yes Qwertydude's post is very good advice. Sounds like an oil cooler would be an excellent preventative mod on all 150cc GY6 Scooters.
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Post by bullet on Jan 30, 2011 21:08:58 GMT -5
If anyone is interested in an oil cooler for the 150 cc GY6 engine let me know. I will look up the part number for my E-Ton Yukon 150 and send pics. of the oil cooler and lines. They came stock on the ATV from the factory so I know they will work. By the way, the oil capacity is 1 qt. What is it on a GY6 without the cooler? Oil is the lifeblood of any air cooled vehicle. Change it often.
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Post by bob on Jan 30, 2011 22:35:03 GMT -5
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Post by erictheviking666 on Jan 30, 2011 22:48:08 GMT -5
That's good to know, but most of those complaints were from 3 or 4 years ago. Didn't notice anything from this year, maybe I overlooked it.
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? Sometimes but not always. 
