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Post by sharks06lly on Oct 16, 2012 18:10:50 GMT -5
so found a 250cc roketa 08 with 1500 miles is this a good scooter? its so damn cheap and looks to be in good condition so id like you guys opinion if its worth the snag. id love to upgrade so i can go back on the highway
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Post by Globs on Oct 16, 2012 18:15:54 GMT -5
I'd go for a secondhand japanese bike.
Check the dealers around and which would be best for spares availability, then go hunt down a good used one.
Not a big fan of chinese scooters as the seem to end up very expensive (time and money) - I'd just pay a little more upfront.
Also check secondhand Kymco and SYM.
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Post by sharks06lly on Oct 16, 2012 18:21:40 GMT -5
indeed i might but i doubt i can find a 250cc jap for even double what this guy is asking. he is asking 800 and for that i think its worth a shot
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Post by Globs on Oct 16, 2012 18:24:40 GMT -5
If you beat him down on price a bit it might be worth a shot, cheap always helps when you know they'll be snags later  |
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Post by sharks06lly on Oct 16, 2012 18:37:41 GMT -5
oh i will def try to beat but if he wont budge i will still pick it up i think gonna go look at it first thing in the morning. with all the pics doesnt even look like there is a scratch on the thing but pics hide many things
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Post by prodigit on Oct 16, 2012 20:45:19 GMT -5
chinese roketa bikes are worth half the newprice. So $800 is a reasonable price for a bike like that.
However if it did not have a proper PDI, it might be missing bolts, and all kinds of stuff might be going wrong with it!
It's ready for a valve adjustment as well!
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Post by zfjelstad on Oct 16, 2012 23:10:00 GMT -5
I bought the same thing as you with the same miles last spring off of craigslist. I definitely over paid at $1300 and the thing wasn't even running well. $400 and 5 months later, i'm having a great time finally. it's a speedy bike, but be prepared for what you are getting into. Most small engine mechanics work on them, so you will end up doing most of the work yourself. This forum has been really great in helping with issues however.
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Post by spandi on Oct 16, 2012 23:30:49 GMT -5
I bought the same thing as you with the same miles last spring off of craigslist. I definitely over paid at $1300 and the thing wasn't even running well. $400 and 5 months later, i'm having a great time finally. it's a speedy bike, but be prepared for what you are getting into. Most small engine mechanics work on them, so you will end up doing most of the work yourself. This forum has been really great in helping with issues however. Don't you mean "won't" work on them? |
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Post by chaz12 on Oct 17, 2012 2:38:04 GMT -5
I don't know if that is accurate.. See, my Chinese 250 scooter, I bought new for $1700. The scooter now has 6000 miles on it and runs as good as it ever did. I would not ask $800 if I sold it today. It has been dependable, so far.. I buy new tires, parts for it when gone bad, ect.. but that is normal wear and tear.
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Post by chaz12 on Oct 17, 2012 2:39:39 GMT -5
;D I am sort of use to ole Blue.. lol Attachments:
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Post by jwalz1 on Oct 17, 2012 11:24:10 GMT -5
This is not to put down the Roketa bikes because I like them and I shopped them before I made my decision. The Roketa bike is cheaply made. I said it. I still like them, but it is cheaply made. Can you get it to run reliably and be a fantastic bike? Yes. They are great rides for lots of people. Would I be willing to risk $800 on one that looks to be in good condition? Yes.
But here is the question you should ask yourself, because I agree with what Globs said:
Are you buying it because this is the ideal bike for you or are you buying it because it is cheap and are just saying what the hell?
If $800 is "so darn cheap" and not that much money to you, and you want to ride around on the freeway, you are probably like me and find soon afterward you wish you ponied up a little more and got something a little bigger, better, faster, whatever......... Maybe even ponied up a lot more. It may never happen but you might worry about being stranded.
If you are a guy who does not mind having a stable and this will be an inexpensive addition and you have the room in the garage and don't mind the insurance and all that, go for it. But if $800 is no big deal, then some more money is probably not that big of a deal either. I like the Roketa's, but you get a bike that does 70, and pretty soon you want one that will do 75. Plenty of people here have Roketas and Jonways and all that and they love them to death, and I think they are great bikes. But the more I see Craigslist finds of used Burgmans 400's and Majesty's going for $2k, the less of a deal Chinese bikes seem to me. The more it occurs to me if you lay in the weeds long enough you can get a really great scooter for just a little more than the Chinese bikes, and they have less to worry about. Somebody posted earlier this year they found a Sym RV 250 with less than 1000 miles on it for $1500. Fantastic bike.
Yeah, that is about twice what you are talking about but it does not sound like it would put you out too much and if you are going on the freeway, do you want to wonder about cheap tires, cheaply welded frames, cheap bolts, "ABS" brake bleed valves, etc? I get I am probably thinking about too many things that might never go wrong on a Chinese bike, but I would still worry about it and to me the price savings was not worth it. I saw a guy onces on my way home from work on a broken down Chinese scooter, pushing it along the median during rush hour and it scared the crap out of me. I guess I am a worry wart but I NEVER want to be in that situation. It could still happen on my Kymco, but at least in my own little world the possibilities are far less. I believe the hype about their reliability.
I still owe $2k on my bike, and sometimes think I spent too much. But when I am getting on the freeway and a wave of traffic is coming from behind me and I can gun it up to 80 fairly easily to stay clear, I don't regret a cent. And I will either find that I love the ride and keep it for a long time and get my money's worth, or I will sell it and recoup most of it anyway. On a used Japanese scooter, if you find say a Burgman 400 for $2500, you can probably ride it for a few years and still sell it for near $2500. And as much as I like Roketa's, it aint close to the Burger.
If the wife would let me, I'd nab that Roketa as a second scooter for friends to ride when they come over, but not as my primary freeway ride.
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Post by sharks06lly on Oct 17, 2012 13:43:58 GMT -5
This is not to put down the Roketa bikes because I like them and I shopped them before I made my decision. The Roketa bike is cheaply made. I said it. I still like them, but it is cheaply made. Can you get it to run reliably and be a fantastic bike? Yes. They are great rides for lots of people. Would I be willing to risk $800 on one that looks to be in good condition? Yes. But here is the question you should ask yourself, because I agree with what Globs said: Are you buying it because this is the ideal bike for you or are you buying it because it is cheap and are just saying what the hell? If $800 is "so darn cheap" and not that much money to you, and you want to ride around on the freeway, you are probably like me and find soon afterward you wish you ponied up a little more and got something a little bigger, better, faster, whatever......... Maybe even ponied up a lot more. It may never happen but you might worry about being stranded. If you are a guy who does not mind having a stable and this will be an inexpensive addition and you have the room in the garage and don't mind the insurance and all that, go for it. But if $800 is no big deal, then some more money is probably not that big of a deal either. I like the Roketa's, but you get a bike that does 70, and pretty soon you want one that will do 75. Plenty of people here have Roketas and Jonways and all that and they love them to death, and I think they are great bikes. But the more I see Craigslist finds of used Burgmans 400's and Majesty's going for $2k, the less of a deal Chinese bikes seem to me. The more it occurs to me if you lay in the weeds long enough you can get a really great scooter for just a little more than the Chinese bikes, and they have less to worry about. Somebody posted earlier this year they found a Sym RV 250 with less than 1000 miles on it for $1500. Fantastic bike. Yeah, that is about twice what you are talking about but it does not sound like it would put you out too much and if you are going on the freeway, do you want to wonder about cheap tires, cheaply welded frames, cheap bolts, "ABS" brake bleed valves, etc? I get I am probably thinking about too many things that might never go wrong on a Chinese bike, but I would still worry about it and to me the price savings was not worth it. I saw a guy onces on my way home from work on a broken down Chinese scooter, pushing it along the median during rush hour and it scared the crap out of me. I guess I am a worry wart but I NEVER want to be in that situation. It could still happen on my Kymco, but at least in my own little world the possibilities are far less. I believe the hype about their reliability. I still owe $2k on my bike, and sometimes think I spent too much. But when I am getting on the freeway and a wave of traffic is coming from behind me and I can gun it up to 80 fairly easily to stay clear, I don't regret a cent. And I will either find that I love the ride and keep it for a long time and get my money's worth, or I will sell it and recoup most of it anyway. On a used Japanese scooter, if you find say a Burgman 400 for $2500, you can probably ride it for a few years and still sell it for near $2500. And as much as I like Roketa's, it aint close to the Burger. If the wife would let me, I'd nab that Roketa as a second scooter for friends to ride when they come over, but not as my primary freeway ride. i really like how you put that thanks man. i already have a little chinese 150 so working on them isnt the issue. anyways i went to look at it and like i said pictures show far less. i offered him 400 and he got mad at me guess i think of things a little different than most since i appraise cars for a living  . and your right i am gonna want a bigger and better soemthing down the road i was mainly looking at the 250 as a way to get to work for the next couple years until after gotten married to my girl and found a house thennnn get something nice and let her keep the 250 and ride it cause she doesnt need all the power and likes to ride around |
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Post by scooterwayne on Oct 17, 2012 13:52:36 GMT -5
I never had any problems with my Roketa, its going on 8K miles.  |
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Post by richardthescooter1 on Oct 17, 2012 14:37:25 GMT -5
My roketa has almost 13,000miles on her. It's an 08  chaz your scoot same color as mine (you have an awesome scoot) |
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Post by sharks06lly on Oct 17, 2012 16:31:15 GMT -5
ya it looks like the one in scooter waynes avatar. he is texting me now trying to negiotate with me to still buy it lol
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Post by 4950cycle on Oct 17, 2012 22:31:24 GMT -5
Is it faded red I think. If it is someone snagged it off of craigslist for $299 or under a week or so ago. I know because it was gone so fast I couldn't even get to the guy selling it. I was gonna buy it for that price ! I live in same general area you are. |
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Post by zfjelstad on Oct 18, 2012 20:00:27 GMT -5
I bought the same thing as you with the same miles last spring off of craigslist. I definitely over paid at $1300 and the thing wasn't even running well. $400 and 5 months later, i'm having a great time finally. it's a speedy bike, but be prepared for what you are getting into. Most small engine mechanics work on them, so you will end up doing most of the work yourself. This forum has been really great in helping with issues however. Don't you mean "won't" work on them? Yes, I meant to say that most mechanics won't work on them. |
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Post by prodigit on Oct 19, 2012 5:27:20 GMT -5
50cc scoots are simple in comparison to 150 or 250cc versions.
Start with a 50cc I'd say!
Doing regular maintenance may be ok, like brake pads and oilchanges.
Doing valve adjustment is a tad more difficult, especially because you'll need to find a way to remove the tupperware without breaking it (and every bike is different, so no online manuals or tutorials to learn from).
Then, the worst is probably replacing the carburetor, or piston rings, or so...
When you have an EFI system, is more electrical stuff to worry about.
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Post by sharks06lly on Oct 19, 2012 11:54:56 GMT -5
prodigit, i already have a 150cc , but i have been wrenching on things and working on electrical systems for quite sometimes so complexity is not that bad to me i have done all the work to my diesel trucks. plus i weigh close to 300 pounds and a 50cc wont cut it lol |
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Post by bjg on Oct 19, 2012 13:05:01 GMT -5
What should an '07 burgman 400 go for? Not that i can buy it right now as I just bought my 250 about 3 months ago but I noticed there is one on Craigslist near me for $3300.
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Post by sharks06lly on Oct 19, 2012 13:47:32 GMT -5
not sure bjg but they are def alot nicer than the chinese ones i appraised one the other day. people want a crazy amount for them though
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Post by scootnwinn on Oct 19, 2012 21:17:43 GMT -5
I just got 06 Burgman for $2600.
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Post by scooterwayne on Oct 20, 2012 10:17:00 GMT -5
Hey Sharks06lly, Did you buy it ??.
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Post by sharks06lly on Oct 20, 2012 11:21:27 GMT -5
no i didnt it wasnt nearly as nice as he said it was. not to mention when i got it up to 60 she was sputtering so i didn't want to deal with fixing it unless i had no money in it so i offered him 400 and i came up to 500 but he wouldnt budge.
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Post by 4950cycle on Nov 2, 2012 9:06:10 GMT -5
Did you buy that $300 Rocketa 250 over in Winter Park, FL. ? Its not that far from Tampa,where you are.
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Post by sharks06lly on Nov 2, 2012 9:11:31 GMT -5
Did you buy that $300 Rocketa 250 over in Winter Park, FL. ? Its not that far from Tampa,where you are. no i sure didn't def missed that one lol |
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. and your right i am gonna want a bigger and better soemthing down the road i was mainly looking at the 250 as a way to get to work for the next couple years until after gotten married to my girl and found a house thennnn get something nice and let her keep the 250 and ride it cause she doesnt need all the power and likes to ride around 
chaz your scoot same color as mine (you have an awesome scoot) 
