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Post by rockynv on Nov 2, 2012 4:40:09 GMT -5
And then you have those like me, who actually buy a Tao, just for the heck of it, because it seems a great deal, and drive with it for miles of fun, and never really have an issue with it; and they find websites like these, and gain scoot knowledge rapidly. And with the little tools they have, intimidated by changing the spark plug at first, learn from youtube vids on how to do it, and actually find, that all those maintenance issues aren't such a great deal after all, once you see how to do them correctly! I'm one of those people. On my first Chinese moped, I learned to mount the front wheel, handle bars, windshield and plastic front. On my second bike, I've learned that a 250+cc bike is too heavy to uncrate with 1 person, and I've learned to do an engine oil change, and CVT oil change. On my third bike, (cheaper 50cc scoot) I've learned to open the tupperware, and check the hoses, open the CVT case, air filter, and check the spark plug. I've also messed around with some items for tuning. I've installed a separate windshield, and ordered parts for my scoot to modify it. All in all I was very happy with my Tao Tao, it's well tuned, and very little things I can do to it to improve it's performance. I mainly bought it because it's cheap, and if I messed it up, I can always go back to my big (260cc) scoot. I bought it to learn from, so that some maintenance things I can learn to do on a cheaper scoot. Once I know how to do them on the cheaper scoot, I won't be as afraid to do them on the bigger scoot. So far I have over 3500 miles combined on 3 scoots, and counting. They all still work! On the other hand I am almost 60 years old and know very well how to wrench and have worked on and even designed machinery for years. I have 12,000 miles now on the one bike and have spent less money and time with fewer issues then you have traveling 3,500 miles. The Aprilia has cost me far less to go 12,000 miles then my former Lance Vintage cost me to go 8,500 miles. The dollars and cents along with personal time lost are what speak to me. I have many more things to maintain than just the scooter so any one item that ends up consuming more than its fair share of time and takes away from the others is reviewed for practicality and dealt with appropriately. When you have homes, 1 van, 3 suvs, 1 bus, 2 tractors, 2 lawn mowers along with other assorted equipment to deal with (for myself and my children) and need time to use them while still maintaining gainfull employment you look at things differently. It is nice to have time beyond all this to go for a ride, camping, fishing and catch a few z's on a regular basis. |
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Post by jim63 on Nov 2, 2012 15:36:54 GMT -5
Rocknv hit the nail on the head with his post, after thinking it over. My 2008 Roketa cost $2200 delivered to my driveway,taxes, registration, bought some stuff for it , windscreen, changed to electric fuel pump, and some repair items, was into it for about $3000. Got 5500 miles out of it in about a year. Bought our SYM's for $5000 out the door each, few sets of tires, a rear end repair, all added about $1200. But the scooter is at 30,000+ miles and still runs great, the Roketa was sold in a non-running condition with an engine rebuild needed. In my particular case I got more bang for the buck with the spendy scooter. There are some here with higher mileage Chinese scooters so I guess it depends on luck of the draw somewhat. Like I said previously peace of mind is a big factor for us, when we tour I dont want to bring a bag of spare parts with me for the just in case scenario.
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Post by jlee on Nov 2, 2012 15:55:32 GMT -5
Like I said previously peace of mind is a big factor for us, when we tour I dont want to bring a bag of spare parts with me for the just in case scenario. ...and I would never leave on a tour without a bag of spare parts and tools, regardless of what I was riding. I guess it's all in the mindset. |
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Post by spandi on Nov 2, 2012 16:38:31 GMT -5
A pretty savvy guy once pointed out to me that there's "builders" and there's "buyers." A "buyer" probably won't be happy with a Chinese scoot - he'll want to spend more to get something that will minimize the chances he'll have to get his hands dirty or be stuck by the side of the road. A "builder" wouldn't be as happy with anything but a Chinese scooter, because if you own one you're pretty much going to have to learn how to change your oil, replace your belt, and be ready to swap out your CDI, coil and plug, at the least. But that's not a negative if you're a "builder" type - it's really part of the experience. Neither is right or wrong - just a different preference for how to deal with the world, that we're most likely just born with. Seems like a lot of these threads are just builders and buyers talking past each other. Great intro posting kluge. But in some cases if you "build" it long enough category A can run into category B. |
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Post by quest4fire on Nov 2, 2012 16:50:23 GMT -5
Like I said previously peace of mind is a big factor for us, when we tour I dont want to bring a bag of spare parts with me for the just in case scenario. ...and I would never leave on a tour without a bag of spare parts and tools, regardless of what I was riding. I guess it's all in the mindset. I don't go anywhere without my tools. Not a little plastic rollup either. I bring everything except the special service tools, and I fix it on the spot.  |
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Post by jlee on Nov 2, 2012 17:10:40 GMT -5
...and I would never leave on a tour without a bag of spare parts and tools, regardless of what I was riding. I guess it's all in the mindset. I don't go anywhere without my tools. Not a little plastic rollup either. I bring everything except the special service tools, and I fix it on the spot. Same here. In 30+ years of riding, I've never been left stranded on the side of the road. Broken down many times, but always able to get going again with a little cursing, a little blood, and a lot of creativity.  |
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Post by kluge on Nov 2, 2012 20:11:54 GMT -5
Well, I've got just over 100 miles on my new $918 150cc Chinese scooter, and I've already ordered a CDI, coil, and belt (I took off my belt cover to check what size it was to make sure I got the right one.) I figure I'll replace the stock CDI and coil with the new ones when they get here from China (because I know the stock ones work, so they'll be my "known good part" replacements in case something stops working.) I'm thinking that CDI, coil and belt are the minimum spares I should be carrying with me, based on what I've read here. So I guess you can figure which camp I belong to!
But I've been in both camps at various times. I've ridden iffy motorcycles (working on my '59 Royal Enfield in the parking lot of a 7-11 in Salinas back in the 60's after breaking an oil line comes to mind) and I put thousands of miles on my reliable Honda 750 back before my kids were born. Different experiences for different times, none of which I'd wish away. I'm not going to try to convince anyone that one way is better than the other.
And yes, the Honda left me stranded in the middle of nowhere on a reservation in eastern Nevada once, too. You can't really take anything for granted.
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Post by quest4fire on Nov 3, 2012 6:41:30 GMT -5
I abandoned this bike in Valentine TX with a burnt valve and a flat tire. Late December, 1974. I had been driving on one cylinder since Phoenix, had a blowout around 11 pm, and hopped a freight train.  Attachments:
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Post by spandi on Nov 3, 2012 7:55:32 GMT -5
I abandoned this bike in Valentine TX with a burnt valve and a flat tire. Late December, 1974. I had been driving on one cylinder since Phoenix, had a blowout around 11 pm, and hopped a freight train. What are you holding? (looks like a mask of Dean Martin with horns) |
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Post by quest4fire on Nov 3, 2012 8:04:46 GMT -5
I abandoned this bike in Valentine TX with a burnt valve and a flat tire. Late December, 1974. I had been driving on one cylinder since Phoenix, had a blowout around 11 pm, and hopped a freight train. What are you holding? (looks like a mask of Dean Martin with horns) I was an art student. The mask is a resin casting, the assignment was to combine human and animal in a sculpture. Dean Martin Yeesh. |
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Post by spandi on Nov 3, 2012 8:12:40 GMT -5
What are you holding? (looks like a mask of Dean Martin with horns) I was an art student. The mask is a resin casting, the assignment was to combine human and animal in a sculpture. Dean Martin Yeesh. Sorry Q4f. "Like the fellow once said.....ain't that a kick in the head?" |
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