smk8er
Junior Dawg
Occifer are ur i's glazed?
Posts: 14
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Post by smk8er on Oct 23, 2007 7:22:12 GMT -5
Hmmm interesting so far Aero, sounds like the company is really customer oriented. I like that alot and the company appeals to me even more now.
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Post by rerun2 on Oct 23, 2007 11:44:52 GMT -5
OK, others will certainly jump into this with better info than I, but I feel I need to say just a couple of things... ONE, Lance may be made by Zong, I don't know, but whoever makes them may not be the same a year from now. The really cut throat dealers will buy from the cheapest place that can throw stuff together and put their badge on it. In this case that would be LANCE. However, those dealers that really are trying to service the needs of us that are going to be their source of income for the long term, don't carry on like that. They get some say so as to the QUALITY of the products they put their name on. Bandit is a good example. A good dealer may well change the source of their 'badged' units, if they can find a better supplier, note I say better, not cheaper. REMEMBER THIS: all designs and patents and such are UNIVERSAL in Communist China. Any factory can produce anything they wish, provided that have a buyer. Just look at the nomenclature on the scooters, the makers are indicated by the first two letters, the following three digits are the engine size, the following digits or letters are the DESIGN designation. It is easy to see why there is so much confusion among the appearance of scooters, side by side they are identical _ _ 150-T17, ex. QJ150-T17 and MT150-17 are the SAME scooter (design wise) made by two different factories. The quality of the product can and does vary greatly. The only 'protection' a consumer in the US has is a dealer that demands a level of acceptable quality of the units he has imported and sells. The benefit of the UNIVERSAL designs that come out of China are that the parts are also universal, so one need not be dependent on a particular dealer to keep his scoot running. Naturally, the fewer the particular design there are on the road, the less available the parts will be. Such as in the case of the Pegasus. Only two 'badges', Pegs and E-Charms, so parts are pretty much 'controlled'. OK, enough of my wisdom (?)... I repeat the most important advice you see here time and again... CHOOSE the DEALER you trust, and then buy a model you like from them. If they go belly up, you have numerous places to get parts, and the Dawgs that have seen it all to help out. Folks, this ain't rocket science... ;D
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Post by tinknocker on Oct 23, 2007 23:06:21 GMT -5
I just had my first dealing with scootersfactory customer service. My scooter came with a broken headlight bracket. I got ahold of them and they sent me out a whole new headlight assembly. I only needed the bracket but they told me I could keep the rest of the assembly for spare parts. To top it all off, I did'nt have to send back the broken part either!
I thought that was pretty cool of them. I think typicaly you have to send in a broken part before they will send out a new one. Maybe they did this because the scooter was delivered with the broken bracket and it was not an ordinary warranty claim.
Whatever the case, I think that scootersfactory is an honest dealer to do business with.
Good luck, John
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Post by Aerostudent on Oct 24, 2007 0:43:28 GMT -5
Rerun, I understand what you mean, but I have read a bit about Lance and have yet to find one NOT made by ZNEN. I believe that I have read about 4 or 5 other reviews on Lance and they have had very similar experiences to mine, and their scooters are also made by ZNEN, I've even asked a few, just to confirm before I make any assumptions, after 5-6 were confirmed to be ZNEN, and non showed up that were anything else, I fealt pretty safe saying they are made by ZNEN. You are right and that could change, but I think it probably won't.
Tinknocker. Congrats on the new scoot! Good luck with it! (these scooters still need some luck, even though they are Top of the line Chinese, they are still Chinese ;D ). How do you like it?
Aero
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Post by newc77 on Oct 24, 2007 14:32:24 GMT -5
Right on Aero,
Lance is Znen, one of the better Chinese factory imports. I have upgraded my opinion of S/F to pretty good. They recently went through some changes. I have never had problems getting parts, but service was slow. Well, now it has become quite fast. We got the GSR 150 and a Duke 250 and did not need to swap out any parts at delivery. Both bikes came well shipped to the shop's door, and on time as promissed. So far no major problems on break in either. A few cosmetical issues but got these cleared up and S/F had honored warrantly on parts we wanted replaced. So far, a good reliable ride.
Tom
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Post by rerun2 on Oct 24, 2007 19:23:37 GMT -5
Aero, and EVERYONE else, I was not implying that the Lance line was, or ever will be made by some other manufacturer, I was ONLY using the name LANCE as an example of a 'dealer brand' or badge, and if read carefully, I say that is the hack dealers that just badge any piece of junk they can get cheap. Really, I was complimenting the good guys as I believe Bandit is a sterling example of. If Bandit ever changes his supplier for his 'brand' I am confident it would be for a better scooter and he would not hesitate to announce the change! I truly believe he is providing the best possible product he can for the price range he is competing in. If I were looking at buying a new scooter today, Bandit would be one of the very first places I would look to. S/F would likely do the same if the Lance line was being obtained from a different source, the good guys don't have to hide what they are up to... Hope this clears things up some on my perspective... sorry for any confusion.
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Post by tinknocker on Oct 24, 2007 23:21:12 GMT -5
Thanks Aero. I am really enjoying my new scooter. I just crossed the 100 mile mark today. I only live 1.5mi. from my work so I am slow to rack up milage. Hopefully the weather will stay nice and I can take some more rides just for fun. I will be getting my wife a scooter soon so we can go on joyrides together.
I didn't know how much fun scooting can be! I made a cupholder to attatch to the helmet hook so I can make my Starbucks runs!
I am waiting to check the max speed until I have broken it in a little more. I'm sure that it will be plenty speedy for in town use. I don't think that these little scooters would feel very safe at highway speeds anyway.
Take care and ride safe! John
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Post by newc77 on Oct 25, 2007 16:02:34 GMT -5
Tinknocker, I understand what you mean entirely. Not knocking you or your perspective. Only trying to clear up that Znen, in my research, is the only manufacturer of Lance. They do make several other lines in my understanding after checking their corporate website. I do not believe that Lance and Roketa are connected. Not to say that Bandit's line is not a decent scoot. After all I have never owned one or ridden one. Just providing info. Everyone's experience is their own. I am sure some Lance owners have had their problems, but from the boards it appears Lance is pretty decent. Enjoy the ride and ride safe.
Tom
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Post by Aerostudent on Oct 25, 2007 17:39:41 GMT -5
Just about 2100 miles as of today, probably will be an actual 2100 by the time I get home. The only thing wrong with it is that weird oil leak, but there is a thread in the 125+ section that I am watching as it sound almost the same as my problem. Other issue is I think that the belt may be starting to wear out as my top end is down about 3-4mph, but as of 1800miles, the belt looked new. And get this, the stock belt is a Gates Powerlink, which is pretty good I think.
Rerun, sorry if I came across as bashing you, it just sounded like all you comments where directed at S/F which has been good to me and almost everyone else I know of. Your comments DO apply to most Chinese importers that just tag a scooter whatever they feel like and call it the best in the world, most likely it's just the opposite. You are right that the good guys have nothing to hide and speaking of Bandit, I actually considered ordering from them before I got my Lance, but I liked the Lance a bit more, and it is CARB (which is nice, because it is legal in Cali, and I don't want to drive an illegal scoot ;D ). I actually think that Bandit is made by ZNEN as well, but I could be wrong, they do have just as good a reputation anyway.
Aero
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Post by bob on Oct 25, 2007 18:43:17 GMT -5
Aero,
Bandit is made by Zhongneng(ZNEN). They are CARB and legal in California. My 2005 Bandit came with a Gates Powerlink belt and a Yuasa battery. I changed the belt to a Polini kevlar and have the Gates as a spare. The scoot is now two years old and has about 4,800 miles on it and the battery is still ok.
I think Bandit was importing these scoots before the Lance brand was established.
Bob
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Post by rerun2 on Oct 25, 2007 20:56:09 GMT -5
OK, glad we all understand things better now!! I have done business with neither ScootersFactory or Bandit, but from the posts and honesty Bandit has put here, I would feel very comfortable doing biz with him. S/F seems to be developing a very good reputation as well, and that is what we all want, good, solid, no B/S dealers that back a product they bring to the market place, and are looking for long term and repeat customers. CHEERS to all concerned, everyone is a winner! Thanks to Dawg, we all have a place to help sort the wheat from the chaff!! ;D
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Post by newc77 on Oct 25, 2007 21:46:21 GMT -5
Amen and long live Zhongneng for making a decent cheap import, no matter what the tag.
Tom
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Post by Aerostudent on Oct 26, 2007 21:29:10 GMT -5
Amen and long live Zhongneng for making a decent cheap import, no matter what the tag. Tom Exactly! ----------------------------- I didn't remember if Bandit was Carb or not, but for whatever reason, I bought the Lance. And I am still happy with it. Aero |
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Post by jspencer on Oct 27, 2007 9:26:08 GMT -5
Bandit scoots are CARB approved.
Jon
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Post by newc77 on Oct 27, 2007 13:09:57 GMT -5
Aero,
I have enjoyed your posts and progress with your Lance. We are enjoying ours and over all S/F has done well by us all the way. I got caught in some changes in location and personnel a month or so back they made but after that they have been responsive and quick. We don't ride our scoots hard, they are just for fun and recreation, but so far they have been great and very problem free. Hope the oil leak works out and the part is a fix for you.
I think we'll see more and more on the Znen Lance line here on the boards as time goes by.
Scoot Safe
Tom
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Post by rootbrewskies on Oct 27, 2007 22:13:57 GMT -5
For those of you who have purchased from scootersfactory or any online distributor of lance products what have you done to prep your scooter? Alot of people seem to say that you should immediately swap out all the fluids along with any fuel lines before using a chinese scoot. batteries seem to be recommended to be replaced early or at the beginning also.
do lance products fall under this category?
who swapped out parts/fluids immediately? who didnt?
has anyone who has or hasnt done this had issues?
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Post by newc77 on Oct 28, 2007 6:37:29 GMT -5
We had our Lances delivered straight to a local bike shop. There were only some small things to assemble. They checked them all over, brakes, electrical, fluids and put the acid in the batteries and charged them up. S/F recommends professional setup.
I've had them looked over during break in and have had no problems except small cosmetic issues and the remounting of the mirrors on the 250 for better aim and view. Have not swapped anything out and so far things have been fine.
Tom
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Post by Aerostudent on Oct 28, 2007 19:24:15 GMT -5
On my GS-R all there was to do was mirrors, battery set-up and charging, put the floormat and trunk on, gas and go. It was relatively simple to do. I checked all the rubbers and they seemed good, so I just put rubbers on my 'to do' list, but 3 months later and they still look good, so they are good for atleast a little while. Battery was a Japanese made that claimed to be high performance, but who knows  . Either way, it has held a good charge and never needed charging since, but I drive about 150-175 miles per week. I checked the oil (same as rubbers) and it felt and looked decent, but I ignored the gear oil (I don't recommend it, just what I did. Bad dawg... I didn't have any way of changing it, otherwise I would have). I recently changed out the gear oil and it still seemed sortof ok, but I changed out the engine oil at about 50 mile as recommended for break-in (then 150, 300, etc). The only problem I have had has been that wierd oil leak  . I am waiting on gaskets from S/F to see if that's the problem, if not, it might just be blowing oil out the airbox (or that's what I hear). I'll keep you updated. Aero |
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Post by guyruss on Oct 29, 2007 0:58:26 GMT -5
I replaced spark plug with an NGK, changed out engine oil, gear oil. All the hoses seem to be descent enough, compared to the ones we use at my gov-job. I tinkered with adjustments with carb (only out of boredom) I keep giving thourough inspections with no problems at all.
I have about 1200 miles on my Lance Vintage Scoot, and I love it. The belt (Gates) is still good to go, as well as the good battery.
I also bought from scooters factory.com, and they were great. I will only buy ZNEN scooters from mainland china, otherwise ill go taiwan, or korea. Never japan cause I think they are way overpriced, rather buy a motorcyle at 5-7k$
Scoota-Rollin-Friend
Russ
Russ
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Post by delirious582 on Oct 29, 2007 14:57:46 GMT -5
Hey, I'm new here. I just recently purchased a Lance Venice 150cc. I was wondering what spark plug I need, as well as what oils you guys are using (engine and gear). Lastly, where is the spark plug located on our scoots? It's not in the owner's manual.
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Post by swampsniper on Oct 29, 2007 16:04:25 GMT -5
Hey, I'm new here. I just recently purchased a Lance Venice 150cc. I was wondering what spark plug I need, as well as what oils you guys are using (engine and gear). Lastly, where is the spark plug located on our scoots? It's not in the owner's manual. You need to re post in the 125+ section. |
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Post by bowenaero on Nov 2, 2007 22:32:58 GMT -5
newbie here, just started researching scoots. am i glad i came across this site!! had no idea that buying a scoot would be so involved. thanx for all the good intel. im leaning toward s/f and a lance probably a gs 150 (prefer analog gages).
PS: aero, saw on another thread a discussion regarding rotary vs radial engine. a radial eng has cylinders arranged radially around the crankshaft with piston movement perpendicular to the shaft whereas a rotary eng has it's piston rotate around the shaft in a parallel orientation.
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Post by newc77 on Nov 4, 2007 7:59:34 GMT -5
Good choice on both if your are looking for a more reliable China cheap scoot from a decent online supplier. Good luck and post all us Dawgs here on your experience.
Tom
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Post by Aerostudent on Nov 10, 2007 2:21:56 GMT -5
Just got my package in the mail yesterday, with the gaskets I needed (head, and valve-cover) I will install the valve cover gasket first and see if that helps with the oil leak (minor, but annoying), if not, then I'll look into replacing the head gasket. If neither of those help, I will either learn to live with a minor oil leak, or try to trace it better. I would also like to install a crank-case pressure relief canister (that is what they're called right?). Just thought I would add that little update on ScootersFactory's service.
Aero
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smk8er
Junior Dawg
Occifer are ur i's glazed?
Posts: 14
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Post by smk8er on Nov 10, 2007 10:41:38 GMT -5
Just got my package in the mail yesterday, with the gaskets I needed (head, and valve-cover) I will install the valve cover gasket first and see if that helps with the oil leak (minor, but annoying), if not, then I'll look into replacing the head gasket. If neither of those help, I will either learn to live with a minor oil leak, or try to trace it better. I would also like to install a crank-case pressure relief canister (that is what they're called right?). Just thought I would add that little update on ScootersFactory's service. Aero Aero i was just going to post and see if you got those parts in. Besides your slight oil leak how is it still running and what is the mileage right now. As of the moment purchasing a scoot is oushed off until March or April which is fine because of the winter months rolling in. |
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Post by newc77 on Nov 10, 2007 13:30:53 GMT -5
Just as a point of reference, since their move I have had several good experiences with S/F. I have needed a couple of small parts and a trunk, some were not warranty items. I sent emails or requests and the parts just came quickly, not even with any communication back or a request form filed on line. They just sent a shipment notice. Didn't even ask for the old stuff back.
Tom
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Post by guyruss on Nov 10, 2007 16:21:04 GMT -5
I just got fast quick service from scootersfactory, from Lisa regarding some DMV stuff. They were right on it and took care of the situation, ( that was by know ones fault by the way) just more good friendly after sale professional service.
Scoota-Rollin-Friends,
\Russ
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Post by Aerostudent on Nov 10, 2007 22:37:59 GMT -5
My GS-R currently has a little over 2500 miles on it and is running great apart from the oil leak thing. I have put some 11g rollers in it (stock is 14g) and it really brings the thing to life! I no longer feel like I am choking it every time I roll on the throttle, and it climbs hills and accelerates better too.
Aero
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Post by Aerostudent on Nov 19, 2007 1:23:49 GMT -5
Well, something went wrong with my scooter today, it started making a funny tap-tap-tap noise and just a slight loss of power, so I figured "oh well, I hope I make it home..." Well I was about a mile from my house when it crapped out on me, and won't start again. The entire underside is covered in oil (looks like a ballon full of oil exploded, oil is everywhere. The airbox, the head, valve cover, all the inside of the plastics up to the front wheel, etc.). It has 2760 miles on it, and this is the first thing that is a significant problem. I have no time to try to troubleshoot it, and I have a warantee from S/F, so I am just going to drop it there and see what they do about it, hopefully they will fix it. Atleast my Honda is almost road worthy, then I will have a spare vehicle (plus freeway legal and 'safe'). I will keep you all posted.
Aero
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Post by swampsniper on Nov 19, 2007 2:52:15 GMT -5
I hate to hear that, you were doing good. Try to find out what failed, at least we might learn something from it. I keep my fingers crossed, almost 5000 miles and all is well, but you never know!
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. Either way, it has held a good charge and never needed charging since, but I drive about 150-175 miles per week.
. I am waiting on gaskets from S/F to see if that's the problem, if not, it might just be blowing oil out the airbox (or that's what I hear). I'll keep you updated.
