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Post by elsizzle2000 on Sept 24, 2007 12:23:42 GMT -5
I am new to all this & searched for a Los Angeles dealer but nothing came up. I am looking to buy one of these vespa clones www.scootersfactory.com/150cc-lance-vintage-150-moped-scooter-p-456.htmlA few questions: I have seen many different chinese brands of this same scooter - any one brand is better or any I should stay away from? Also I have seen the HP vary from different brands - is there any one brand which has the highest HP? Where can I buy one in person in the Los Angeles area? I prefer close to Hollywood as if I need warranty service, it is easy peasy. Also is this scooter exactly the same internally? Which one is faster or the "better" scooter of all the 150 cc models? www.scootersfactory.com/150cc-lance-150-moped-scooter-p-455.html |
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Post by rerun2 on Sept 24, 2007 23:21:10 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum sizzle! I have no clue about dealerships in your area, but you have come to the right place to learn about the scooters that interest you! There is a specific thread for the 'just now interested' or 'first time buyers'. I will not get deep into the matter, but to address the issues you mention a little, here goes. Yep, all the Chinese scooter manufacturers can and do produce exact duplicate scooters. But ONLY in the looks department. Varying degrees of quality can come out of the same factory, and the quality factor is better in some factories than others.
Understand that these things come out of COMMUNIST CHINA, and a lot of what we dawgs have 'learned' comes from sharing our experiences, good and bad. Certain 'pictures' develop about what is going on in the real world. There are no sources of good information on comparatives of Chinese scooters that I know of. This forum is the best I have seen.
The particular scooter you mention, Lance 150cc from scootersfactory, can be found at other dealers too. AND the identical scooter is carried by other dealers, but manufactured in different plants. The better known and respected factories can be found in threads of this forum.
Most will agree that you should shop for a dealer as much as a specific make/model. In the long run, that is what will determine your satisfaction level. Again, look to the forum, there is an area dedicated to the "dealers, good and bad"
Internally the same? Well sort of... almost all scooters of the 50cc and 150cc types use a common engine DESIGN, known commonly as a GY6 engine. These are Honda clones, and for the most part universal in the Chinese Scooter world, there are a few exceptions of course. Practically all after market parts and things are for the GY6 engines (QMB139 is another designation for these).
Please check into the tons of info available here, this is a super friendly place, and populated with lot of knowledgable folks that are more than willing to help and answer even 'stupid questions'
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Post by elsizzle2000 on Sept 25, 2007 20:55:21 GMT -5
thanks so much! I try & search this forum but nothing comes up. or nothing relevant. I search IE "best manufacturers" or "highest horse power" & such but nothing much. Anyone else can chime in?
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Post by swampsniper on Sept 25, 2007 21:19:16 GMT -5
thanks so much! I try & search this forum but nothing comes up. or nothing relevant. I search IE "best manufacturers" or "highest horse power" & such but nothing much. Anyone else can chime in? Power ratings don't mean much, there are various ways to measure it. Speed is another variable, from one scooter to another, you may need to fine tune things yourself. Look for reliability and longevity. Check out the fine details in the specifications, and ask questions if they aren't clear. Scooters that look identical in a picture may be very different. The picture may not even be the exact scooter they are selling, the one you get may come from several possible factories. There are some importers who buy only from one factory, quality may be a lot more consistent. Ask who makes the scooter, if they won't tell you, look somewhere else. Don't fall in love with a particular paint job, or a fancy muffler, look for the beef inside the bun. ;D |
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Post by tortoise on Sept 25, 2007 21:21:30 GMT -5
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Post by elsizzle2000 on Sept 25, 2007 23:30:22 GMT -5
thanks tortoise I saw that. I should mention my requirements are:
$1000 price range
fastest
have plenty of storage (trunk included)
could be vintage or modern style
also which manufacturers make which brands & which manufacturers are known to produce better quality scoots?
I would prefer to find someone in LA but if not I would consider ordering one & having it shipped. as long it was form a trusted source.
Is there a master list of the different internet dealers as well?
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Post by guyruss on Sept 26, 2007 0:05:56 GMT -5
Scootersfactory.com does have a b&m business in calif. The Lance vintage is a little more than 1000$ about 1400. It is built by Znen wich you can check out yourself at zhongnen.com
and see the company who makes it. Zhongnen seems to be pretty decent for a china manufacturer. I had my scoot shiped to me and the experience was pleasant, and fast. I am also from calif (central-coast). Being from hollywood area please make sure if you are going to be driving freeway 55+ to consider moving up to a 250cc scoot, even if you need to save a little longer.
Scoota-Rollin-Friend,
Russ
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Post by tortoise on Sept 26, 2007 17:02:38 GMT -5
If not already sold, scooterstudent (UCLA/Westwood area) had a Tank TR16 for sale that might be a potential candidate. |
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Post by fritzner on Sept 28, 2007 12:57:13 GMT -5
i just now joined the forum and know very little about scooters.. i am very mechanically inclined and spend alot of time on VW/Audi forums, but this is my 1st post here.. i just found that www.scooterdynasty.com has a showroom in Monterey Park.. they use Scootersfactorys warehouse as least for Lance scooters.. they dont have as much inventory, but they are much closer.. |
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Post by mc150bscooter on Apr 10, 2008 20:31:35 GMT -5
ScooterDepot/Sunny Sports Inc is in LA look them up i got my scooter from them and i am happy and assembly required but its good for its price and you get a Warranty
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Post by veloracermike on Jul 1, 2008 15:51:01 GMT -5
Big Ass Motors in Northridge CA, about 20 mi north west of Hollywood.
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Post by acidburn on Jul 1, 2008 23:38:09 GMT -5
Big Ass Motors in Northridge CA, about 20 mi north west of Hollywood. They quoted me MSRP + all the extras. TNG GS150 $3100 OTD Lance Phoenix 150 $3000 OTD.  No way! I bought my Phoenix from Vince over at Scooter Dynasty and saved over 5 bills!! Doesn't hurt to check them out. ;D |
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Post by veloracermike on Jul 2, 2008 0:13:44 GMT -5
Big Ass Motors in Northridge CA, about 20 mi north west of Hollywood. They quoted me MSRP + all the extras. TNG GS150 $3100 OTD Lance Phoenix 150 $3000 OTD. No way! I bought my Phoenix from Vince over at Scooter Dynasty and saved over 5 bills!! Doesn't hurt to check them out. ;D Yeah I called around, I was looking for a Lance Milan and they got OTD (tax license and PDI) for 2200, about 100 less than SD. Since no one can drop ship to SoCal anymore this was decent deal and I have local shop to deal with. I could have saved a hundred bucks by driving to the IE but by the time I borrowed a truck and paid for gas it wasn't worth the hassle. BAM is also opening a shop in Montrose which is right by where I live. |
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