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Post by photowiz on Apr 6, 2012 21:03:58 GMT -5
My wife and I bought 2 Roketa MC75-150's last year. We have put over 4500 KM on them with very little problems. I have a great setup after some experimenting. There was no major expense. See the details in my general post I'm going to do called "Great Setup."
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Post by wile on Apr 6, 2012 22:07:29 GMT -5
The only ones that hate them are the ones that paid THOUSANDS more for their rides and COSTS them 5 times more for parts and a LOT OF LABOR costs Just like a car one guy has a BMW the other a CHEVY but guess what they both get you from point A to point B. Its just to fix the BMW costs 5 times more to fix than a CHEVY. Its the prestige of having a brand name, granted they are better built but they all break down sooner or later nomatter how well they are built. And when they break down its going to cost you a hell of a lot more. Wile
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Post by stilllife on Apr 6, 2012 22:08:28 GMT -5
Who cares what the China scooter haters think. Be it a snobby Vespa fanboy or ”I'm more manly than you” Harley rider. No matter what you do in life people will find a reason to hate. If you bought a Vespa you would still have haters for riding a ”homo” scooter. If you bought a Harley then you would have people hate you for the noise or sport bike riders hate on you.
If they hate the Chinese quality good for them. Chinese quality seems to be working for me with 4000 miles on the clock and only a belt break. And for an unbeatable price. When I had a guy come up to me at the gas station asking me about my scooter, he mentioned that he heard Chinese scooters are junk. I just told him how long I have been riding with no problems and if something breaks I can fix it.
If someone who owned a China scooter in the past says they are junk. Well, I feel sorry they had a bad experiance. But to use such broad brush and say ALL Chinese scooters are junk is just a fallacy, because as you can see on these forums that many of us have had good luck with them.
So if you are one of these people, please just say ”MY Chinese scooter is junk.” And if so ask yourself is it junk because I am Uniformed about what owning a Chinese scooter encompasses? Did you do any research before you spent hundreds or thousands of dollars? No? Well, part of that is your fault. Did you not maintain or abuse it? Your fault... Did you just happen to get a lemon? I am sorry you had a bad experiance, but that can happen with any product. The warranty is probably not going to help you much but you should have known that before you bought based on your research.
I guess my moral of this story is, its a waste of time to get in a pissing contest with anyone, especially a stranger.
Again, pardon my phone ”grammer”.
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Post by PasoDoble on Apr 6, 2012 22:18:59 GMT -5
.......If they hate the Chinese quality good for them. Chinese quality seems to be working for me with 4000 miles on the clock and only a belt break. And for an unbeatable price. When I had a guy come up to me at the gas station asking me about my scooter, he mentioned that he heard Chinese scooters are junk. I just told him how long I have been riding with no problems and if something breaks I can fix it. If someone who owned a China scooter in the past says they are junk. Well, I feel sorry they had a bad experiance. But to use such broad brush and say ALL Chinese scooters are junk is just a fallacy, because as you can see on these forums that many of us have had good luck with them. So if you are one of these people, please just say ”MY Chinese scooter is junk.” And if so ask yourself is it junk because I am Uniformed about what owning a Chinese scooter encompasses? Did you do any research before you spent hundreds or thousands of dollars? No? Well, part of that is your fault. Did you not maintain or abuse it? Your fault... Did you just happen to get a lemon? I am sorry you had a bad experiance, but that can happen with any product. The warranty is probably not going to help you much but you should have known that before you bought based on your research. Well said & elucidated on the issue of DD, " stilllife" esp on those who fail in doing so but chose the easy way out by brushing off with a lame smutty excuse... Now, yr message to get across matters most than on how you humbly felt over the trivial concern concerning the grammar area... NAP for me as with most I'm sure. Its the context and between the lines that we appreciate hearing.... and can't agree more, U R so right and spot on, thanks for reiterating with yr good experience !!
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Post by quest4fire on Apr 7, 2012 5:58:31 GMT -5
Who cares what the China scooter haters think. Be it a snobby Vespa fanboy or ”I'm more manly than you” Harley rider. No matter what you do in life people will find a reason to hate. If you bought a Vespa you would still have haters for riding a ”homo” scooter. If you bought a Harley then you would have people hate you for the noise or sport bike riders hate on you. If they hate the Chinese quality good for them. Chinese quality seems to be working for me with 4000 miles on the clock and only a belt break. And for an unbeatable price. When I had a guy come up to me at the gas station asking me about my scooter, he mentioned that he heard Chinese scooters are junk. I just told him how long I have been riding with no problems and if something breaks I can fix it. If someone who owned a China scooter in the past says they are junk. Well, I feel sorry they had a bad experiance. But to use such broad brush and say ALL Chinese scooters are junk is just a fallacy, because as you can see on these forums that many of us have had good luck with them. So if you are one of these people, please just say ”MY Chinese scooter is junk.” And if so ask yourself is it junk because I am Uniformed about what owning a Chinese scooter encompasses? Did you do any research before you spent hundreds or thousands of dollars? No? Well, part of that is your fault. Did you not maintain or abuse it? Your fault... Did you just happen to get a lemon? I am sorry you had a bad experiance, but that can happen with any product. The warranty is probably not going to help you much but you should have known that before you bought based on your research. I guess my moral of this story is, its a waste of time to get in a pissing contest with anyone, especially a stranger. Again, pardon my phone ”grammer”. Just tell him that Chinese sailing ships are junks.
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Post by quest4fire on Apr 7, 2012 6:04:10 GMT -5
It hits me just above my eyes. I cut it down many years ago because I can't stand to look through a windshield. By tipping my head or leaning forward and moving back on the seat slightly I can get a good range of adjustment. In a light rain I don't get wet.
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Post by PasoDoble on Apr 7, 2012 8:18:35 GMT -5
The only ones that hate them are the ones that paid THOUSANDS more for their rides and COSTS them 5 times more for parts and a LOT OF LABOR costs Just like a car one guy has a BMW the other a CHEVY but guess what they both get you from point A to point B. Its just to fix the BMW costs 5 times more to fix than a CHEVY. Its the prestige of having a brand name, granted they are better built but they all break down sooner or later nomatter how well they are built. And when they break down its going to cost you a hell of a lot more. Wile That is VERY true & undeniably a fact.... when dealing with "wannabes" who just don't dare to admit, they ain't got the tool in them to accept plain factoids for they were born & bolted by that defeat hovering their egocentric cause.... ;D ;D Occasionally, sending them a simple spanner as a gift gesture for their next "birthday" does get the message across, with smiles attached, of course.
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Post by PasoDoble on Apr 7, 2012 8:51:45 GMT -5
Comfy "Junks" they sure were as well.... I was in one owned by a friend moored somewhere on the bay by Kowloon, HK some two decades ago and it can be as tastefully furnished as a Monaco Signature RV. Outside, it appears as an old freakin' dilapidated wreck but inside...., mama mia!!!! It's like a palace domain!! Concerning yr valid reason on the shield, I guess its the depth of field that might affect vision for you. I had that in mind too hence, I asked for mine to be equipped for the extra larger shield which is a good 10cm past the top of my head level. This has to do with the wind tunnel effect but I will have to test it to see if it truly works to my advantage. I realized too, with memories reminiscent of my earlier scooter years during my teens, where I had no goggles or visors attached and racing at speeds averaging 95kph, with my eyes being fully vulnerable to dust & grime which wasn't good either. I saw a new full face helmet at my Dealer's shop incorporating two visors. The inner one being tinted and this is something that "can" impede vision too let alone having the third barrier in the form of the windshield some 50cm further in front. Because there wasn't a second one that could offer a smaller size for my wife and the one I tried (L-size) is still overly tight, an XL size would have to be ordered from abroad... we went for two identical design helmets instead that has only one visor. I might shop about later to get us one we like and with more options accompanied and their price range can be astronomical too.... the helmets today sure offers so much more than the Bell helmet I once had in the 60s.
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Post by rivaling on Apr 7, 2012 9:10:47 GMT -5
I look at it this way. I feel like when I cycle 50 or 60 miles, that my bicycle is more dependable than my scooter. I would feel that way about any scooter I bought, Chinese or name brand. I bought what I could afford for point A to B transportation, practicality, and to save gas money, and incorporate a little fun.
I think Chinese scooters are fine as long as you know what simple things to look for as preventative maintenance. They are simple and easy to work on. If I bought a Genuine or a Honda with EFI, I would be lost, but make no mistake, ANY scooter you buy needs preventative maintenance.
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Post by ce on Apr 7, 2012 10:13:47 GMT -5
I'll tell ya, boys, you must not have a real appreciation for the Chinese scooter lifestyle, so let me tell ya about livin' in the wild, wild west.
I jumped through a lot of hoops to get scooters titled and tagged and insured, too boring and infuriating a process to detail here, and I now delight in scoffing at the law.
I heard that all the kids at the University here in Albuquerque were taking advantage of the 49cc rule that had no licensing requirement and riding 150cc scoots without plates.
Well, what the hell, I have a Roketa 21B 150 that I never received a certificate for when I bought on ebay, so I cut the license plate bracket off, put some 49cc stickers on it, et voila, no license, registration or insurance required.
Now you may think this rash and foolhardy, but you haven't seen the way I drive, like a scooter squid hopped up on Red Bull, livin' la vida loca, ridin' like I'm a smoca, one day I'm gonna croaka, but my scooter's a bad mafoca.
Yeah, everywhere I go, I see outlaw scooters, in flagrante delicto, parked on the sidewalk, haulin' ass down mainstreet with a two year expired tag or none at all, and I've never seen a big old cop with his foot on a little old Chinese scooter, writing a ticket or taking the rider to jail.
It must be that cops hate Chinese scooters, maybe one guy stopped a scooter for a violation, and all his buddies razzed him about protecting the public from the Chinese health and safety menace, and now, none of 'em want nothing to do with no scofflaw scooters, there's plenty of Lowriders and Speed Demons to catch, that is, when they're not out solving crimes.
So of course my day of reckoning is yet to come, because when you fight the law, the law always wins, and I have several feeble defenses to mount when I am apprehended, but cops are people too, and I'm fairly confident that I can elude justice by inviting the officer to join the fraternity by ordering a scooter online for $900, and signing up for Scootdawg so he can know his machine.
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Post by cliftonc on Apr 7, 2012 10:44:48 GMT -5
Hmmm... Here in Alabama, if it has an engine and is on the street, it is licensed and tagged, no exception, and you will get tickets. Here, one can get a "small motorcycle" operator license at 14 years old, to operate bikes of 50cc or less, and less than 5.0 bhp, but the mandatory insurance laws still apply. Anything over that requires 16 yrs old, and a regular driver's license with a Motorcycle endorsement (separate test). Driving a boat or watercraft requires a "Vessel" license endorsement. On the wind thing, my SilverWing windshield is perfectly shaped to focus the wind on my forehead area, just above the face opening on the helmet. The small scooters do not have windshields... Attachments:
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Post by justpassinthru on Apr 7, 2012 11:34:57 GMT -5
Why the hatred? It's a combination of the strange and unknown; the concept of China as a slave-labor camp (partially true) and the encouraged distrust by the cycle establishment, mechanics and dealers. Plus, the early imports were so shoddily assembled and prepped as to be criminal.
BUT...
Bikes lose value - FAST, most of them. Some are better made than others; but many show shoddiness or weak points. I had a Burgman 400 that cooked bearings, front and rear (gearcase and front spindle). And a dearth of parts (O2 sensor) and knowledge (that's how the sensor got trashed in a rear-wheel replacement).
I lost money on that deal. Scooters are supposed to save money, not cost.
So, for Round Two, I went Chinese - with a Burgman clone and a Big Ruckus clone. So far, things have held up well; and the BurgClone feels identical to the Burg. Almost as fast, too, which is surprising since I'm down 100 cc's.
Half the purchase price; technology five years old; and poorer assembly quality. That's the down-side; the horror stories of dead electronics seem to be in the past now. I know there's not going to be any residual resale value; but I lose no more in dollars than I would by selling a two-year-old Burgman, or wrecking it and getting KBB fair market value.
So...I lose no more depreciation; repair rates at non-name-brand-Dealer shops is less if I need that. I need not carry Comprehensive Insurance - that's a savings.
So...at worst, it's probably a wash - unless the motor blows up in the first year. More likely it'll be a savings - one season commuting on the scoot will almost pay for it.
Chinese models aren't for everyone; but they're a welcome alternative to the bike shopper. Don't like? Don't buy.
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Post by larrym on Apr 7, 2012 19:36:10 GMT -5
I look at it this way. I feel like when I cycle 50 or 60 miles, that my bicycle is more dependable than my scooter. I would feel that way about any scooter I bought, Chinese or name brand. I bought what I could afford for point A to B transportation, practicality, and to save gas money, and incorporate a little fun. I think Chinese scooters are fine as long as you know what simple things to look for as preventative maintenance. They are simple and easy to work on. If I bought a Genuine or a Honda with EFI, I would be lost, but make no mistake, ANY scooter you buy needs preventative maintenance. If you bought a brand name u would not feel that way , not a thought of breakdown enters my mind before a 50 or 60 mile trip,,,just sayin
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Post by larrym on Apr 7, 2012 19:39:35 GMT -5
The only ones that hate them are the ones that paid THOUSANDS more for their rides and COSTS them 5 times more for parts and a LOT OF LABOR costs Just like a car one guy has a BMW the other a CHEVY but guess what they both get you from point A to point B. Its just to fix the BMW costs 5 times more to fix than a CHEVY. Its the prestige of having a brand name, granted they are better built but they all break down sooner or later nomatter how well they are built. And when they break down its going to cost you a hell of a lot more. Wile We dont need as many parts and rarely have to have them worked on , the 1 time i did my real warranty covered all the expense , as for the chevy bmw thing , u dont have to change out wires and various other parts when u buy a new chevy ,, just sayin
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Post by inuyasha on Apr 7, 2012 19:41:34 GMT -5
I look at it this way. I feel like when I cycle 50 or 60 miles, that my bicycle is more dependable than my scooter. I would feel that way about any scooter I bought, Chinese or name brand. I bought what I could afford for point A to B transportation, practicality, and to save gas money, and incorporate a little fun. I think Chinese scooters are fine as long as you know what simple things to look for as preventative maintenance. They are simple and easy to work on. If I bought a Genuine or a Honda with EFI, I would be lost, but make no mistake, ANY scooter you buy needs preventative maintenance. If you bought a brand name u would not feel that way , not a thought of breakdown enters my mind before a 50 or 60 mile trip,,,just sayin Hi Even on the off chance something where to happen to my new SR the 2 year warranty with road side assistance sure goes a long way to easing my mind when out and about Take care and ride safely Yours Hank
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Post by spandi on Apr 7, 2012 20:23:22 GMT -5
I can't really say what is causing such irrational behavior, but I do know that motorbikes from China are the wave of the future, and that the people here are in the vanguard, the "early adaptors" as it were. As I said before the Chinese will do to the Japanese what the Japanese did to the American and British motorcycle industries (basically take over) and with ever increasing quality, I saw a scoot that was so well finished the other day I had to look at the manufacturer's tag to believe it was from China. So I don't know how much longer "cheap" scoots will keep coming from China. Maybe we'll all look back on this as a "remember when?" The long ago years when China sold inexpensive scooters you had to fix up?
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Post by fast150 on Apr 7, 2012 20:56:55 GMT -5
I put around 1000 MILES a month on my 50cc china scooter. My belt shredded on me just yesterday, It was a Gates and it didnt look wore out... It didnt even break on takeoff I was at full speed.... errr
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Post by quest4fire on Apr 12, 2012 6:45:51 GMT -5
I saw that video (looks like a white 150 paparazzi?) . Apparently he believes if you buy a "name brand" $cooter your belts will NEVER break! LOL you saw that one too? it was real black and nasty in that CVT case, and obvious he NEVER checked the belt ever. 4,400 miles is a lot of revolutions and wear on that thin little strip of rubber, and every time you start out it generates the most wear, but the thing is squeezed between the spring loaded disks all the time, and rubbing on them every time you change speed and so on. I'm amazed they last as long as they DO frankly. My Elite is 28 years old and has 11,500 miles on the belt Honda put on it on a recall in 1984. Still works well. But if you get a top quality replacement, it would probably be comparable. I would like to know from those of you with experience with Chinese scoots about the stock brakes. It is one thing if the scooter stops running for one reason or another. Inconvenient. But are the brakes reliable? I get the impression they must be, or there would be reports on this forum about failures.
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Post by PasoDoble on Apr 12, 2012 6:57:31 GMT -5
On the wind thing, my SilverWing windshield is perfectly shaped to focus the wind on my forehead area, just above the face opening on the helmet. The small scooters do not have windshields... My next scooter being only a 49cc as registered, comes with a license allowing me to hit the main roads "within" the city but NOT on the highway like the real bikes are allowed with a bike license which I do not have and saw no need to go for one. I do have a license to drive a 20 ton truck or a full-size RV on our roads. Regarding windshields on small scooters, mine is equipped with one and its a large model size as well. Will add a pic of my siggy when I finally have it delivered sometime next week .
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Post by oldbikerider on Apr 12, 2012 8:56:37 GMT -5
With the China scoot, I have 5300 miles on the brakes and there is no real wear on them on the last maintenance inspection. The braking power is strong. It has been a good vehicle once the bugs were worked out during break in. I had to replace the fuel line, filter, and the spark plug. Now it is just periodic maintenance. BTW I am not using any performance mods and it is stone stock. The Chinese scooter has been a great value for me.
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Post by dudley on Apr 12, 2012 9:03:55 GMT -5
Depends on your experience with the product. Perfect example being scootdudeman's experience with the pathfinder 200.
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Post by silentwarrior on Apr 12, 2012 9:07:51 GMT -5
[quote author=larrym board=general thread=48673 post=477112 [/quote]If you bought a brand name u would not feel that way , not a thought of breakdown enters my mind before a 50 or 60 mile trip,,,just sayin[/quote] i dont have a NAME BRANDi never think im going to breakdown, EVERi have NEVER broken down, even on 200 mile round trip rides. i paid $500 for mine, what did you pay so in the 2+ years i have had my NO NAME BRAND( daily rider) it has paid for itself , what, 20 times over. oh and working on them ? hmmm even BMW riders, or kymico should spend time doing a PRE RIDE inspection , shouldnt they ?thats basically all i do, change oil, tighten a bolt now & then. i know, i know, im one of the lucky ones ,,,,right ?
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Post by PasoDoble on Apr 12, 2012 9:30:18 GMT -5
i know, i know, im one of the lucky ones ,,,,right ? By jove... u're not silent on that score...hehehhh ;D
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Post by silentwarrior on Apr 12, 2012 10:32:41 GMT -5
i know, i know, im one of the lucky ones ,,,,right ? By jove... u're not silent on that score...hehehhh ;D I NEVER HOLD MY TONGUE PASO people who think they are better than me and my china scoot cause they have a kimshi brand or a honda or w/e my lil china girl will outlast theirs, we go faster,STOCK, than they do i do PM ,i take care of anything i buy, when you born without crap and have to struggle in life to attain what you want. You take care of it. Pay for a e-8 when i got out is now less than what a e-4 gets. do i cry about it, try to prove im a better man? do i post the same exact thing some else posts but add one thing different to prove im better do i come on line and say IM IN MENSA pfffttttttt mensa shmensa PROVE YOUR A MAN join the military protect the freedoms that you have you got them off of my back and 1000's like me. NAW you will have a excuse why you wont join. "im smart i dont have to PROTECT my fellow countrymen " BUNCHA LIL WHINERS im smarter than you ta da da da da im in mensa and i have a Kimshi scoot or a hinda theres 2 many people who think they are better than someone else, they may be a better diagnostic person, might turn a wrench better, make more money, have a pretty lil trophy wife i am no better than you--and by god you are no way better than me just sayin.......................... my 2 cents
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Post by PasoDoble on Apr 12, 2012 12:24:16 GMT -5
Semper Fi.... There you go mate...!!! WOOT. Help the less fortunate, less capable and less privilege within the capacity that permits your valor and ask nothing in return... esp. if & when u're on top of the situation and you owe no one a reason for your sound actions executed. Those that needs to be "ex'd" they're history, for that's their destiny they deserve...
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Post by larrym on Apr 12, 2012 13:59:10 GMT -5
By jove... u're not silent on that score...hehehhh ;D I NEVER HOLD MY TONGUE PASO people who think they are better than me and my china scoot cause they have a kimshi brand or a honda or w/e my lil china girl will outlast theirs, we go faster,STOCK, than they do i do PM ,i take care of anything i buy, when you born without crap and have to struggle in life to attain what you want. You take care of it. Pay for a e-8 when i got out is now less than what a e-4 gets. do i cry about it, try to prove im a better man? do i post the same exact thing some else posts but add one thing different to prove im better do i come on line and say IM IN MENSA pfffttttttt mensa shmensa PROVE YOUR A MAN join the military protect the freedoms that you have you got them off of my back and 1000's like me. NAW you will have a excuse why you wont join. "im smart i dont have to PROTECT my fellow countrymen " BUNCHA LIL WHINERS im smarter than you ta da da da da im in mensa and i have a Kimshi scoot or a hinda theres 2 many people who think they are better than someone else, they may be a better diagnostic person, might turn a wrench better, make more money, have a pretty lil trophy wife i am no better than you--and by god you are no way better than me just sayin.......................... my 2 cents Thank u 4 your service , this being said your china scoot will not out last my kymco . i never said i was better then u and u think anyone who is not in the military is not a man, and u think I am closed minded , ,, just sayin... ps im 43 so i dont think i can join
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Post by bigkahuna427 on Apr 12, 2012 14:03:54 GMT -5
A friend of mines daughter blew a tranny in her car and asked about the scooters the Mobil station on the corner to drive for the summer. You know free trunk free helmet and brand new. She is not going to fix anything or understand why you would take a brand new scooter and start replacing parts. To her it is new and therefor should have nothing wrong with it and years of reliable life ahead of it. I did not want to tell her she should look online and buy one of those for quite a bit less than the $1000. My advice was to buy the three year old KYMCO with 2000 miles on CL for the same money. I believe that the value of a chinese scooter is dependent upon whether or not you can do your own repairs. If you cannot stay away. You guys can all claim reliability and great value for the money etc. but you can't tell me they are higher quality there is just NO way.
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Post by inuyasha on Apr 12, 2012 14:19:52 GMT -5
By jove... u're not silent on that score...hehehhh ;D I NEVER HOLD MY TONGUE PASO people who think they are better than me and my china scoot cause they have a kimshi brand or a honda or w/e my lil china girl will outlast theirs, we go faster,STOCK, than they do i do PM ,i take care of anything i buy, when you born without crap and have to struggle in life to attain what you want. You take care of it. Pay for a e-8 when i got out is now less than what a e-4 gets. do i cry about it, try to prove im a better man? do i post the same exact thing some else posts but add one thing different to prove im better do i come on line and say IM IN MENSA pfffttttttt mensa shmensa PROVE YOUR A MAN join the military protect the freedoms that you have you got them off of my back and 1000's like me. NAW you will have a excuse why you wont join. "im smart i dont have to PROTECT my fellow countrymen " BUNCHA LIL WHINERS im smarter than you ta da da da da im in mensa and i have a Kimshi scoot or a hinda theres 2 many people who think they are better than someone else, they may be a better diagnostic person, might turn a wrench better, make more money, have a pretty lil trophy wife i am no better than you--and by god you are no way better than me just sayin.......................... my 2 cents Hi Thank you for your service. i served in our US navy for 23 years But theres no reason to put down those that didnt serve Thats what we where there for Take care and ride safely Yours Hank
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Post by scripting25 on Apr 12, 2012 14:53:36 GMT -5
my wife and I have Chinese scooters. Got'em because their cheap and before we knew much about'em. Had a few small issues with'em but over all I really haven't put any $ into'em. I do see where better quality parts would come into play but...meh...their our small time hobby so we didn't want to get 2 crazy with'em. I change the oil, gear oil and stuff at the beginning of the season and get'em inspected (we have 150cc) Fortunally, we're on our 3rd season with'em.
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Post by spandi on Apr 12, 2012 15:09:27 GMT -5
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