Post by prodigit on Jul 30, 2012 13:36:22 GMT -5
I've been reading up a lot on this forum (and others) and much of the info is largely outdated (from 2008 and before).
I wanted to point out a few things in specs. The 2012 model of BMS TXB 260 (introduced in 2011) had an overhaul from the 2008 version, it was upgraded with rear center shock, instead of the double shock; which is good for light weight drivers, as this is an adjustable suspension, though the adjustment is very minimal, and only makes sense when you want to drive with 2 people instead of alone.
It also has an EFI instead of carb, larger disk brakes, sturdier frame.
I rode it on a 40MPH road, and it feels sturdy (unlike some cheaper bikes that feel like their frame is torquing out when zigzagging).
That and the polished 'aluminum' footsteps, which I accuse of being plastic iodized aluminum (meaning plastic with a metal treatment, better than painted, but not as good as real metal), as they don't feel like solid aluminum steps!
According to some manuals it also has 'self adjusting valves'. I've read up on this, and this last feat seems to cost quite a bit; and also on performance!
Basically they are hydraulic regulated valves, that need to be checked every 60k miles instead of every 5k miles.
I've only read little online about it, but seemingly those that have these kind of valves have said that even after 60k miles, the valves still where within tolerance.
The 257cc motor is rated at 14,75HP, down from 20HP from the 2008 model. No torque rating on any site!
The 2008 model is phased out, the manufacturer has replaced it with the newer $1000 more expensive 2012 EFI models.
So if you still want the older models, with regular valves, now's the time to get them!
The newer model is good for those who don't want a lot of maintenance, who can appreciate the rear suspension adjustment (mine is set to lowest and still is a tad too hard; I suspect it's made for a 200LBS person); and who would appreciate the sturdier frame and better braking (although at 40MPH, the disc brakes are not good enough for single brake braking. Breaking with both brakes together is good, but single disc braking still has a long braking distance).
Compared to the Burgman 400, the 2012 BMS scoot has higher gas mileage (65-70MPG avg, vs 45-60 on the burgman).
The tires on the burgman are wider, and the burg has a 14 in front tire. I suppose I won't be able to increase tire size on the BMS because I only have 0.5 in clearance on each side!
The BMS tires are pretty wide, feels a lot more solid, when driving on loose sand than my Xtreme XB-700Li with 16x3 in tires! On that bike I can only go 5-7MPH in my back yard (with loose sand and holes and bumps) without falling; on the BMS, I can go 10-13MPH, eventhough the outside diameter is pretty much the same.
The roketa's performance is set to 16,6HP, with 19.5nm torque; and a max speed of 70MPH. It has not received a major upgrade, and runs with the 244cc engine.
Very little I find on performance difference between the BMS and the Roketa.
In fact, there's very little comparison performance wise between the 2008 model BMS and the newer 2011/2012 BMS.
I did read however, that the older 2008 model of BMS had the edge performance wise. Now that the newer model lost nearly 6HP, and gained weight, I wonder how it compares to the cheaper Roketa.
On paper the BMS goes 85+MPH, roketa goes 70+MPH.
It seems like the BMS is a top seller for those who want low maintenance, however it's still $1000 more expensive than the roketa.
The tires are much the same on both bikes.
One thing is sure, the BMS has quite some torque. The belt start pulling from 3k RPM, and tacho meter usually stays below 4200RPM, even when accelerating quite hard!
Unlike on my car, open throttle does not mean accelerating in High RPMs. It seems the CVT keeps RPMs below 4k under normal driving, I haven't yet gone on the highways.
The bike seems to have quite some low end Torque, and shoots by even sport cars from a red light!
The bike feels very stable, even under some gusts of wind. It does about the same as most motorcycles I've been on.
The smaller 5 spoke wheels actually help with lateral wind gusts.
The larger the front wheel is, the more it will be pushing the bike off course. However the smaller the wheel, the less comfortable it is to drive over potholes. IMHO, they should have broken the 'scooter' laws, and just equipped it with 14 in wheels, and put a larger tire on the back to give it a sporty view, while putting a larger rim on the front, with a thinner tire, just like you see on most motorcycles.
Roketa has a better battery (9Ah vs 7Ah on the BMS).
The only thing I miss on the BMS is (aside from a decent maintenance manual) a large capacitor (those sold for car audio systems ranging from 1F to 3Farad; and go for ~$30 on amazon). At idling the headlights flicker. A capacitor should extend the life of the battery quite a bit there, as it seems to charge and release several times per second when idling!
A capacitor could smooth out that variation quite a bit, and make the headlights shine more continuous, less fluctuating.
My steering column (on the BMS) also vibrates a lot when idling, and the right handle's lights switches don't work (dash and head lights are always on).
And lastly, the 2012 (2011) BMS takes premium gasoline (recommended 91-95)
I did not dare to put regular (87) in it, however I put about 1GAL of regular, and 1,5GAL of premium (93), to get mid grade gasoline of ~90.
When breaking in, regular gasoline is just fine, unless you will want to go full throttle, but after break in, it would perform significantly better with premium gasoline.
Anyone cares to comment on performance of the BMS with the Roketa (kind of make an old thread more like 2012-up to date)? Thank you!
I wanted to point out a few things in specs. The 2012 model of BMS TXB 260 (introduced in 2011) had an overhaul from the 2008 version, it was upgraded with rear center shock, instead of the double shock; which is good for light weight drivers, as this is an adjustable suspension, though the adjustment is very minimal, and only makes sense when you want to drive with 2 people instead of alone.
It also has an EFI instead of carb, larger disk brakes, sturdier frame.
I rode it on a 40MPH road, and it feels sturdy (unlike some cheaper bikes that feel like their frame is torquing out when zigzagging).
That and the polished 'aluminum' footsteps, which I accuse of being plastic iodized aluminum (meaning plastic with a metal treatment, better than painted, but not as good as real metal), as they don't feel like solid aluminum steps!
According to some manuals it also has 'self adjusting valves'. I've read up on this, and this last feat seems to cost quite a bit; and also on performance!
Basically they are hydraulic regulated valves, that need to be checked every 60k miles instead of every 5k miles.
I've only read little online about it, but seemingly those that have these kind of valves have said that even after 60k miles, the valves still where within tolerance.
The 257cc motor is rated at 14,75HP, down from 20HP from the 2008 model. No torque rating on any site!
The 2008 model is phased out, the manufacturer has replaced it with the newer $1000 more expensive 2012 EFI models.
So if you still want the older models, with regular valves, now's the time to get them!
The newer model is good for those who don't want a lot of maintenance, who can appreciate the rear suspension adjustment (mine is set to lowest and still is a tad too hard; I suspect it's made for a 200LBS person); and who would appreciate the sturdier frame and better braking (although at 40MPH, the disc brakes are not good enough for single brake braking. Breaking with both brakes together is good, but single disc braking still has a long braking distance).
Compared to the Burgman 400, the 2012 BMS scoot has higher gas mileage (65-70MPG avg, vs 45-60 on the burgman).
The tires on the burgman are wider, and the burg has a 14 in front tire. I suppose I won't be able to increase tire size on the BMS because I only have 0.5 in clearance on each side!
The BMS tires are pretty wide, feels a lot more solid, when driving on loose sand than my Xtreme XB-700Li with 16x3 in tires! On that bike I can only go 5-7MPH in my back yard (with loose sand and holes and bumps) without falling; on the BMS, I can go 10-13MPH, eventhough the outside diameter is pretty much the same.
The roketa's performance is set to 16,6HP, with 19.5nm torque; and a max speed of 70MPH. It has not received a major upgrade, and runs with the 244cc engine.
Very little I find on performance difference between the BMS and the Roketa.
In fact, there's very little comparison performance wise between the 2008 model BMS and the newer 2011/2012 BMS.
I did read however, that the older 2008 model of BMS had the edge performance wise. Now that the newer model lost nearly 6HP, and gained weight, I wonder how it compares to the cheaper Roketa.
On paper the BMS goes 85+MPH, roketa goes 70+MPH.
It seems like the BMS is a top seller for those who want low maintenance, however it's still $1000 more expensive than the roketa.
The tires are much the same on both bikes.
One thing is sure, the BMS has quite some torque. The belt start pulling from 3k RPM, and tacho meter usually stays below 4200RPM, even when accelerating quite hard!
Unlike on my car, open throttle does not mean accelerating in High RPMs. It seems the CVT keeps RPMs below 4k under normal driving, I haven't yet gone on the highways.
The bike seems to have quite some low end Torque, and shoots by even sport cars from a red light!
The bike feels very stable, even under some gusts of wind. It does about the same as most motorcycles I've been on.
The smaller 5 spoke wheels actually help with lateral wind gusts.
The larger the front wheel is, the more it will be pushing the bike off course. However the smaller the wheel, the less comfortable it is to drive over potholes. IMHO, they should have broken the 'scooter' laws, and just equipped it with 14 in wheels, and put a larger tire on the back to give it a sporty view, while putting a larger rim on the front, with a thinner tire, just like you see on most motorcycles.
Roketa has a better battery (9Ah vs 7Ah on the BMS).
The only thing I miss on the BMS is (aside from a decent maintenance manual) a large capacitor (those sold for car audio systems ranging from 1F to 3Farad; and go for ~$30 on amazon). At idling the headlights flicker. A capacitor should extend the life of the battery quite a bit there, as it seems to charge and release several times per second when idling!
A capacitor could smooth out that variation quite a bit, and make the headlights shine more continuous, less fluctuating.
My steering column (on the BMS) also vibrates a lot when idling, and the right handle's lights switches don't work (dash and head lights are always on).
And lastly, the 2012 (2011) BMS takes premium gasoline (recommended 91-95)
I did not dare to put regular (87) in it, however I put about 1GAL of regular, and 1,5GAL of premium (93), to get mid grade gasoline of ~90.
When breaking in, regular gasoline is just fine, unless you will want to go full throttle, but after break in, it would perform significantly better with premium gasoline.
Anyone cares to comment on performance of the BMS with the Roketa (kind of make an old thread more like 2012-up to date)? Thank you!
