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Post by navydave on Mar 18, 2008 20:46:21 GMT -5
Hello folks, I'm new to scoots but I'm reading like crazy and have come to the conclusion after all I've read that the best scoot for the (upfront) money is a Lance Scooter. From what I've read they are produced by Zongshen (SP?) in China. The paricular rides I like are the Interceptor 150 and the Milan models. Here is my question, should I take the plunge from an online dealer in particular "www.nitro-motors" who sell these models badged as Viva Zoom (lance Inceptor) and the Viva Roma(lance Milan) If anybody has information about Nitro-motors and these particular Viva models please give me you experiences. My obvious rational for checking this particular dealer are his/her prices are $400-$500 cheaper. I do know the old addage you get what you pay for but on occation there are some deals out there if you are willing to look hard. Thanks in advance for any feed back. P/S I wouldn't even consider this route if I didn't know how to turn a wrench and enjoy getting my hands dirty ;D
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Post by jennymrose on Mar 19, 2008 0:21:19 GMT -5
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Post by Aerostudent on Mar 19, 2008 0:33:32 GMT -5
Right on Jenny! +1 K for you! Jenny hit the nail right on the head! Just cause it looks the same, doesn't mean it's the same thing. Fly, Lance, Znen, and TN'G are the only one's I can think of right now that are Zhongneng (you got the spelling close!). Both Fly and TN'G are a little overpriced IMHO (TN'G more so) but they are all the same scooters. As for the Viva, RUN! I thought that Viva had finally died, but aparently not, bummer... Viva, Roketa, Tank, and SunL are generally lower grade than others. Not totally horible mind you, but almost  Generally they are a crap shoot as to whether they are ok or not, most problems are basic and show up soon after purchasing, and the warentees are widely ignored. Some of the good dealers here sell some lower brands as well as the better brands, but they generally have excelent support after purchase, which is a plus for any scooter (SunL to Honda). hope this helps some! Aero |
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Post by shescoots150 on Mar 19, 2008 9:16:09 GMT -5
Hi Navy Dave. I felt I should responcefor you on Nito-Motors. ( I actually did a review on them here). For almost a year I had planned on getting the Lance Intercepter. Then When the time came (income tax time) funds weren,t thought they would be I jumped the gun and ordered from Nitro-Motors because the Viva Zoom was a look a like of the Lance Int. ( husband is positive is same scoot as the L.I. > I'll put it like this the decals to the logal practically fell off) > The scoot is a Znen. I have pic of it {laviator} and Show and Tell, Post a pic of your scoot, if you want to check it out.// I will be the first to admit we took a HUDGE risk from ordering from an unknown online company. We first checked here to see if anyone ever heard of them. No one did but several helped me also. No, there areno reviews of any of their products on their site, is there. Well, I posted one but they didn't use it.(?) Again I will repeat we took a big risk. We got VERY VERY lucky. Other than the plastic cover, behind the handle bars does not fit ( which is rough because of the wires-never let it get wet) We haven't had any trouble with the scooter. {knock on wood} It is a sharp and beutiful scooter but I always have that doubt or worry because of what I have read and learned here about cheap chinese scoots. I reccomend the scoot NOT THE COMPANY!!! They dont respond to emails so I wouldnt bother if I were you. Cross your fingers each time you call that you will get someone that speaks English ( unless you can speak chinese-- I can't--When you do get someone that speaks English they will put you on hold and direct you over to someone that doesn't. All thet do is stock the scooters and sell them they know nothing of their product and even admiited to such. I took the advise of all the Dawgs here and changed all the fluids. Wasn't sure what kind of gear oil to use and call Nitro to ask and was told that the scooter that not use gear oil only regular... get the picture? Got that info here too of corse. ALso if I have a question now about the scoot I call Scooter Factory and they tell me anything I need to know, after all is same scoot. Good news was I ordered the scoot on a Mon.and got it the following Fri. Fed Ex National delivered it and there was no damage at all. I got very lucky to both of those matters because I realize that there are some here who had to wait for their oders for weeks and their scooter was damaged in shipping. After they get your money transition they don't want to talk to you any more and they confessed to that also! The info on the NItro site and whomever you may talk to if you place an order will tell you it comes 80% to 90% assembled. In all actualality it is reversed. You will have to put 90% of it together WITH NO INTRUCTION Manuel. (owner's mannuel ,yes, but that didnt help.) My husband is not really mechanically inclined had nothing to go on but kudos to him because he got put together and running (after 48 staight hrs) But the plus is it taught both of us how to work and neither of us any mechacial know how. I called begging for an intruction manuel or someone to tell us how to assemble it. That's when we were told all they do is seel their products -That's it-- Oh and even tho I dont speak chinese cuss words area all the same in any language, because they gave us alot of that. They for got to send me the free helmet but they finally sent me a atv helmet ( it was sharp tho ) and then they sent me the right kind that I wanted but it was a youth's helmet. That's ok so I sold both of them and bought the one I wanted I my local friendly Harley D. Store with the money I made off of those. I hope this helps you. Like I said we got lucky the scooter is great. No problems (yet). We had a biker friend who knows every thing it seems on these things look over it for it. It couldn't find any thing wrong with it. We were blessed and I love my scooter, but I would hate for anyone else to go through this as we did. Oh yeah, thanks to all of you here that helped me through all this every time I had a question. Honestly we probally couldnt have assembled the scoot without all the info that is on this forrum.
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Post by Aerostudent on Mar 19, 2008 14:30:14 GMT -5
I also think I should point out that even though SS150s Viva was Znen made, that doesn't mean that the next Viva will be. The lower end companies like Viva have a tendancy to put a Viva sticker on the cheapest scooter they can find (that look about the same) and send that out. This time, the cheapest seems to have been Znen. I would go with one of the dealers recomended here: www.scootersus.com www.scootertronics.comand others on the www.Scootdawg.com page as well as www.scootersfactory.com (whom I have had good dealings with personally). Hope this helps! Aero |
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Post by giopatti on Mar 21, 2008 13:35:00 GMT -5
I hope I can help. I am not familiar with that company, but I can point out a few things. First of all, those prices are very cheap. We advertise at the lowest price allowed, and we couldn't beat that price. Having said that, I'm sure we could beat them on quality and service. One thing that I noticed is that the two models you referred to - the Zoom and the Viva Roma - do not appear on their California CARB approved list. This may not mean anything to you if you do not live in California, but what it tells me is that they are not the same as the Lance scooters, which ARE CARB approved. That's just my observation. If it were me, I'd stick with the Lance - whether you buy it from us or not. One other thing... I've had several customers recently who said that the retailer that they were considering buying a scooter from did not take any credit cards, and would only accept payment by money order, wire, or certified check. This should set off all kinds of alarms! I'm not saying these people would definitely run off with your money, but if they did, you would have absolutely no recourse. Be very careful when paying with cash. Good luck with your scooter search. I know it will be worth it! Feel free to email me with any questions at gio@scootersarecool.com.
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Generally they are a crap shoot as to whether they are ok or not, most problems are basic and show up soon after purchasing, and the warentees are widely ignored. Some of the good dealers here sell some lower brands as well as the better brands, but they generally have excelent support after purchase, which is a plus for any scooter (SunL to Honda). hope this helps some!