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Post by thedinler2012 on May 5, 2012 2:41:05 GMT -5
Hello, I'm new to the forum. I'm hoping to purchase a 2008 or 2009 Rocketa Bali 250, i know for a fact its a 250, but not sure about the maker, I'm just assuming this because it looks exactly like them. I have read numerous things about them. My main concern is their reliability, i am a grease monkey, and i have alot of tools lol. My great uncle currently has it, The scoot has a blown head gasket, with only 1k miles on it. He is in the midst of fixing it. hes close to a pro at these things. Also a good salesmen if you catch my drift. He said i can have it for 500 bucks when hes done fixing it. My thought is, i cant lose money on this right? or are there somethings i need to look for? I live in WV, and things like these are rare, and its 2nd best to a beginner bike i suppose, give my fiancee a try at ridding ;D. It has the electric start, alarm, stereo, etc. No back trunk, don't much mind that i don't like the look of them anyways. None of the fairings are broke or scratched. the bike looks mint other than the gasket. Also, Is this a scoot that is capable of running on the free way? 65 mph limit? with 2 or 3, 7% grades? Sorry for all the questions, I'm always intrigued by the little toys.
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Post by wile on May 5, 2012 3:05:07 GMT -5
They are good scoots and once you get the bugs out of it they are reliable. Find out which motor it has in it the HELIX VERTICAL or the LINHAI HORIZANTIAL. Also make sure it isn't overheating that is probably why it blew a head gasket.
Wile
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Post by thedinler2012 on May 5, 2012 3:16:28 GMT -5
it has the vertical, im assuming the horizontal is better?
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Post by thedinler2012 on May 5, 2012 3:16:59 GMT -5
its more than likely a clone to isnt it?
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Post by wile on May 5, 2012 3:33:10 GMT -5
Yes they are all clones, and yes the horizontal is a better motor and has more power as well.
The Vetical is a 244cc while the other is 277cc.
Wile
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Post by fairweasel2323 on May 5, 2012 12:14:18 GMT -5
I love my 2009 Bali 250! But have had some minor issues, but for the price and the price of gas I cant complain!
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Post by thedinler2012 on May 5, 2012 12:51:54 GMT -5
Thats what i like to hear. i think Loc-tite will be one of my first things. then everything after that.
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Post by thedinler2012 on May 5, 2012 12:52:31 GMT -5
when i get my scoot, ill post pics and show you guys how nice it is, especially for 500 bucks
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Post by onilegion on May 5, 2012 15:51:18 GMT -5
Hi,
The vertical (244cc) engine is a great little engine and any rumored power differences are very minor. The 244cc engine is a clone of the Honda Helix engine which has been in production since 1986. It is designed as a very under-stressed engine which gives its great reliability as well as generous "wiggle room" to tweak it to higher power output without significantly reducing its reliability.
The best advantage of owning the 244cc engine in that you can go to any Honda PS dealer and get parts or go on-line and order genuine OEM Honda parts; you can't do that with the horizontal (257cc Linhai/Yamaha clone) engine because Yamaha never distributed that engine in North America.
If your great uncle is still doing work on the head/cylinder, we would highly recommend putting on a BBK while you have the head off; it is really very little extra work. If you go with the true 75mm bore you will gain approx. 10% displacement, get a mildly domed performance piston and increase your compression ratio as well. You can usually get this BBK from a good guy named Carlos on eBay; its usually about $135 or so and ships very quickly.
One tip on the head gasket: Spray the steel gasket with a generous coat, both sides, of Permatex 80697 Copper Spray-A-Gasket Hi Temp Sealant , let it tack up for a few hours, then assemble, torque down the head and let it sit 12-24 hrs before cranking or adding any fluids. This will give you a great seal that you will not have to worry about 5,000 mi down the road.
We also have many other tips on maintaining and tweaking the 244cc engine.... just ask and we are happy to help.
Hope this helps,
onilegion <><
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Post by EPAhater on May 5, 2012 23:38:55 GMT -5
The 244cc is a good steady engine and it's only drawback is the charging system is weaker than the linhai engine and in hot weather when the fan comes on a lot it struggles to stay up and keep the battery charged.
The only other drawback to the Bali 250 is the 10" rear tire, wears out at a rate of 2 to 1 to the front tire.
It's a heavy touring scooter and I wouldn't run it on the freeway myself.
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Post by fairweasel2323 on May 6, 2012 5:37:12 GMT -5
never no overheating or charging issues, but yes the 10inch wheel wears fast! I got 3,000 out of original so far looking like ill get 4,000 out of the Kenda I replaced it with, but the 12inch front still great tread!
I know I saw previous post about the scoot overheating and having charging issues, so they moved gas tank to rear so the radiator can now get more air.
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Post by fairweasel2323 on May 6, 2012 5:39:33 GMT -5
I have been on freeway for very little period of times not fun, but 55-60 down 2 lane highways Great!
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Post by WarrenS on May 6, 2012 11:03:54 GMT -5
I got more than 10,000 miles out of the 10" rear tire on my Helix. One I had to replace early because it developed a bulge. I still had 8,000 miles on that one. I did a lot of freeway riding with it.
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Post by fairweasel2323 on May 6, 2012 12:08:15 GMT -5
Warren what brand tires and speed rating? i assume my orginal tire only lasted 3,000 miles since it had a J/62mpd speed rating another member of forum said his wore at 3k too that there is more weight and smaller tire is going to spin more rpm. The Honda Foresight which the Bali is cloned after with same 244cc motor has J on front and L on back thats 75mph. I bet if I would of put a L rated on it would last longer! The specs for both scoots but the Helix specs dont say what speed rating on tires? www.bikez.com/motorcycles/honda_foresight_250_2002.phpwww.bikez.com/motorcycles/honda_helix_2007.php |
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Post by fairweasel2323 on May 6, 2012 12:14:43 GMT -5
also noticed the Foresight had a heavier load rating too at 64L on rear compared to the 62J that comes on the Bali 250 Next Rear tire will defenitly be a 64L! Im sure ill get more miles well off to ride!!
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Post by WarrenS on May 6, 2012 16:15:39 GMT -5
The tires were either Bridgestone or Dunlops. I don't remember but that is what Hondas came with. Once I put a cheap tire on the front. From braking the tire wore funny and it caused a hum. I thought it was a speedometer cable making the noise. When I replaced the front with a good tire the noise went way.
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Post by onilegion on May 8, 2012 0:17:15 GMT -5
Hi fairweasel, Warren what brand tires and speed rating? i assume my orginal tire only lasted 3,000 miles since it had a J/62mpd speed rating another member of forum said his wore at 3k too that there is more weight and smaller tire is going to spin more rpm. The Honda Foresight which the Bali is cloned after with same 244cc motor has J on front and L on back thats 75mph. I bet if I would of put a L rated on it would last longer! The specs for both scoots but the Helix specs dont say what speed rating on tires? www.bikez.com/motorcycles/honda_foresight_250_2002.phpwww.bikez.com/motorcycles/honda_helix_2007.phpOnly the frame and body are cloned from the Honda Foresight. The Foresight used what was later to be the Honda Reflex engine/power-train ( 249cc horizontal cylinder), which used a 12" rear tire, unlike the Honda Helix 10" rear tire. Warren is right on concerning tire life... the Bridgestone or Dunlops definitely give the longest wear. For the best traction and really fun handling we like the Michelin Bopper, but it Will not give you as long of life like the harder compounded Bridgestone or Dunlop tires. Scoot on! onilegion <>< |
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Post by fairweasel2323 on May 9, 2012 23:36:46 GMT -5
I believe I saw in a magazine looking at scoot tires it was Bridgestone as stock replacement for the Helix. Ok explains tire issue being a 10inch like the Helix thanks I knew it was clone of the body and frame so I got body clone of the Foresight and the Motor cloned after the Helix, and the 12 and 10 inch wheels like the Helix
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Post by fairweasel2323 on May 9, 2012 23:39:06 GMT -5
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Post by thedinler2012 on May 26, 2012 23:24:29 GMT -5
So update, i did get my scoot. Its not a jonway and i cant remember what vin site i used to find the manufacturer. but its a yy-250-t-4. It does have the forward leaning 257cc linhini, i ordered a whole gasket set from scooterparts4less. Didnt come with a battery witch sucks but oh well. I have to fix the head gasket myself. So i got the bike for 300 bucks, with 126 miles on it. its already tore down so i cant wait to see how many pieces are missing.... lol. all the body parts are there. So i have one thing im afraid of... and thats timing it. From what ive seen its a sinch. but ive never timed anything. If anyone has a guide for timing my engine or knows where one is please let me know. oh btw on the side pannel it says mc-250-4 www.scooterparts4less.com/Moped_Web/Linhai_260cc_Gaskets.htm |
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Post by chromestarhustler on May 26, 2012 23:27:22 GMT -5
yeah i will find my timing thing, i have pulled a couple heads and replaced them on the 257, i will look.
what i can tell you know is the timing marks are close, but NOT EXACT on these. i set mine to true tdc and mark it. then install the head.
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Post by thedinler2012 on May 26, 2012 23:29:53 GMT -5
I appreciate it, my first non 2 stroke non 50cc scoot lol. i will post pics as soon as i get the chance
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Post by thedinler2012 on May 26, 2012 23:30:57 GMT -5
I know nothing of timing XD
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Post by thedinler2012 on May 27, 2012 1:17:37 GMT -5
Correction, its manufactured by the Benzhou group and it says mp250e on the side
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Post by thedinler2012 on Jun 1, 2012 20:00:47 GMT -5
Hey guys, i wanted to ask does the 257 linhai require a thermostat? i have one but forgot to put it in lol. The reason i ask is because my coolant isn't circulating... when i take the hose cap off the water will just sit there till it gets hot then i turn it off. nor is the fan turning on.
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Post by WarrenS on Jun 2, 2012 9:32:01 GMT -5
If the coolant isn't circulating the problem might be with the water pump or a clog somewhere. You could have an air bubble in the system. The fan is controlled by a sensor on the radiator, If the hot coolant doesn't reach the radiator it won't turn on.
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Post by spandi on Jun 2, 2012 9:45:11 GMT -5
Hi, The vertical (244cc) engine is a great little engine and any rumored power differences are very minor. The 244cc engine is a clone of the Honda Helix engine which has been in production since 1986. It is designed as a very under-stressed engine which gives its great reliability as well as generous "wiggle room" to tweak it to higher power output without significantly reducing its reliability. The best advantage of owning the 244cc engine in that you can go to any Honda PS dealer and get parts or go on-line and order genuine OEM Honda parts; you can't do that with the horizontal (257cc Linhai/Yamaha clone) engine because Yamaha never distributed that engine in North America. If your great uncle is still doing work on the head/cylinder, we would highly recommend putting on a BBK while you have the head off; it is really very little extra work. If you go with the true 75mm bore you will gain approx. 10% displacement, get a mildly domed performance piston and increase your compression ratio as well. You can usually get this BBK from a good guy named Carlos on eBay; its usually about $135 or so and ships very quickly. One tip on the head gasket: Spray the steel gasket with a generous coat, both sides, of Permatex 80697 Copper Spray-A-Gasket Hi Temp Sealant , let it tack up for a few hours, then assemble, torque down the head and let it sit 12-24 hrs before cranking or adding any fluids. This will give you a great seal that you will not have to worry about 5,000 mi down the road. We also have many other tips on maintaining and tweaking the 244cc engine.... just ask and we are happy to help. Hope this helps, onilegion <>< Just don't tell the Honda dealer the parts he's selling you are for a Chinese scoot! |
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