|
|
Post by daytripperman on Dec 18, 2012 17:12:23 GMT -5
Hello everyone!
I have jumped in the scooter game with the purchase of a Roketa 250 Bali, circa 07...
I intend to make it a daily driver, I live in Venice, Fl. Work in Sarasota.
The commute is about 22 miles, door to door.
I drive a GMC pickup that sucks the gas down!
I wonder if the scoot is highway safe or should I Stick To the city streets?
I bought the scoot for 800 bucks from a guy who seemed very knowlegible, having downloaded reams of info/maint stuff for the bike.
So I feel confident it has been well maintained.
A couple of issues:
The fuel gauge does not work,
And I busted the windscreen bringing it home on back of my truck..I know, Piss poor planning!
Yes, I should have joined the forum before I bought the scoot, But I got a pretty good deal.
Thanks in advance for any tips/heads up about the bike...
|
|
|
|
Post by daytripperman on Dec 18, 2012 18:05:25 GMT -5
damn! took it for a spin, squirrrely! I think the front tire may be low. Replace the windscreen, the bike needs some fine tunin to be sure!
|
|
|
|
Post by Makarov on Dec 18, 2012 18:11:44 GMT -5
$800 sounds like a good deal for a 250. How many miles on it? Check out this forum for all the good info. I think Florida is the best place to get a good deal on a scoot.
|
|
|
|
Post by snugglebunny on Dec 18, 2012 18:12:45 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by prodigit on Dec 18, 2012 18:39:16 GMT -5
Yeah,
It's probably a great joy-ride bike, but I would not use it as a primary form of transportation.
It probably goes 70MPH (perhaps a tad more even).
Not really meant to ride at those speeds for prolonged times though... Probably good for 1 or 2 exits on the highway, especially when the possibility is there for the bike to break down. Much safer in the city roads. Meant to drive 40-45MPH for prolonged time.
All I'm scared for, is that a lot of these chinese bikes have a low reputation, and a reputation, when they do break down, it can be instantaneously, without warning!
(like eg: belt breaks, and you're left in the sh#t right there!)
Just keep a towing card handy, just in case you got to call them!
Perhaps 5 miles you can push a bike like this. For me, 1 mile is already a lot with a bike like thi; but forget more than 5 miles!
|
|
|
|
Post by turtle8 on Dec 18, 2012 21:18:17 GMT -5
Yeah, stick to the surfaces streets. When I had my Roketa 250 with the 257cc Linhai engine, I would not think about going on the interstate. That fastest I would ride it was 60mph, but it seemed happiest going less than 55mph. I won't even take my Honda Helix on the interstate. The scooter is just too light and susceptible to gusts of wind.
Back in the day, they advertised the Helix as highway capable, but that was before everybody was doing 70mph +. This is even more true with today's Chinese 250's. They are great around town and on two-lane highways, but lack the power to be true highway cruisers. I love all scooters and ride them for pure fun. If I were to replace a car, I wouldn't get anything less than 400cc.
|
|
|
|
Post by EPAhater on Dec 18, 2012 23:31:11 GMT -5
Yeah, It's probably a great joy-ride bike, but I would not use it as a primary form of transportation. It probably goes 70MPH (perhaps a tad more even). Not really meant to ride at those speeds for prolonged times though... Probably good for 1 or 2 exits on the highway, especially when the possibility is there for the bike to break down. Much safer in the city roads. Meant to drive 40-45MPH for prolonged time. All I'm scared for, is that a lot of these chinese bikes have a low reputation, and a reputation, when they do break down, it can be instantaneously, without warning! (like eg: belt breaks, and you're left in the sh#t right there!) Just keep a towing card handy, just in case you got to call them! Perhaps 5 miles you can push a bike like this. For me, 1 mile is already a lot with a bike like thi; but forget more than 5 miles! Let's see the 250B with the linhai in it, over 13k in miles, never and I mean never had a wrench on it except normal things, tires, battery, (1 time) and regular pm. Oh BTW its a 08 model. Of those 13k miles 4 trips to Dallas Tx, over 400 miles one way over 800 miles round trip from where I live and rode it on state highways to Dallas from 60 to 70mph and only stopped to eat and get gas, never faltered, never had one issue. The last trip in July of 2011 it was 108F the day I got to Dallas and rode it through the heart of the city from red light to red light to my destination , never heated up never faltered. Now as far as interstate I don't ride on interste on any scooter, IMO a machine on two wheels with 16" or smaller tires is asking for a semi to blow you off the road and kill you. Big enough challenge on a full size motorcycle let alone a scooter? Now if you learn how to do a "proper" PDI on a scooter instead of one of the fly by night half way jobs on one you probably can ride one anywhere you want to and not have the insecurities that you have. BTW I don't have a towing card, credit card, heck I've rode my 250B to anywhere and the last rip to Dallas I was 65 years old and I don't even have a AARP card.  Ain't nothing to it. |
|
|
|
Post by jazzman on Dec 18, 2012 23:36:15 GMT -5
Now that is a testimonal, so Daytripper do not go by what some people say especially when they do not have a 250 or 250+ scoot.
|
|
|
|
Post by spandi on Dec 19, 2012 1:21:05 GMT -5
Hiya daytripperman! Welcome to the pound. In reading all this I just want to bring up a couple of things. 1. I'm getting tired of hearing "boogyman stories" about riding on the interstate, I have, and I don't find anywhere near as bad as it's being made out. (yes you have to be more alert and the speeds are higher) but I stay in the right lane and don't get bothered. 2. I have yet to be "blown" anywhere by a passing truck (mainly because we're moving at about the same speed anyway.) 3. If nothing else upgrade your tires to a good set of Pirelli or Michelin tires rated for higher speeds (chinese OEM stuff is only good to 62 mph.) and lastly rather getting on 75 north, couldn't you go Tamiami trail (41)? P.S. ride a 250 Znen, on which I had to make improvements, but it gets me where I want to go. Good Luck!
|
|
|
|
Post by ce on Dec 19, 2012 11:24:11 GMT -5
Yeah, I rode my MC54-250B across the mountains up to 11,000 feet, through the snow and in the heat of summer and only had one flameout on a cold day with a 40 mile an hour crosswind. I thought, sh!take mushroom, I'm walkin now, but it was just the fuse at the battery was loose from the vibration, I reset it and drove on.
It's got 9,000 miles on it, I can adjust the valves without taking the plastic off in about a half an hour, I just cut 2 holes in the bottom of the battery box and use a socket and extension with a swivel on the intake cover, and drop the bottom panel and the right side to reach in and get the exhaust valve done.
As long as you keep the oil clean and check for loose nuts and bolts, you can ride as long as you can take the suspension at 65 miles an hour without overheating or stalling.
Valve adjustment is number one maintenance, once you get it set and broke in at that setting, it holds for a long time, if it gets hard to start, or dies at idle check it again.
|
|
|
|
Post by rockynv on Dec 19, 2012 12:54:08 GMT -5
The Bali is a light 250 so it has a good power to weight ratio along with a pretty good carrying capacity. Check the age of the tires and if they are the original then you need to replace them with no debating since you are in Florida the Tread Seperation and Blowout Capital of the World.
I ride a 250 daily an have no reservations about cutting across I4 to St Augustine or heading down to Venice from St Pete via the Skyway and Rte 75. Use good fuel treating it monthly with Lucas or Berryman's and don't cheat on the lubes. Use a good motorcycle oil and change it regularly. When the belt or rollers start to vibrate or chatter change them before they do any damage. Maintained the 250 should be fine.
I went from a 10/12 mpg van to a 250cc and am saving $3,000 to $5,000 annually commuting to work.
Take the MSF course if you have not already done so even if you currently hold a motorcycle license as it is well worth it and will remind you of riding rules and skills you don't currently realise you forgot.
|
|
