Strada SS300

[Leader]

Hate to beat a dead horse here, but I bought a 2002 Honda Reflex in 2004 with 3000 miles. Now, It's just over 2 years and 13000 miles later. I've changed oil, tires, coolant, and I had to have my tech tighten a loose bolt. I had my tech lighten the flywheel at about 6000 miles. Now, the acceleration is much better than new. I wrote a full eval on AssociatedContent.com:
www.associatedcontent.com/article/41526/the_honda_reflex_scooter_cant_live.html
Please read and comment.

[ooopseyesharted]

JUst speaking from my month of experience and almost 3000 miles on my poor totalled Xciting 250. The Kymco products are by far the nicest scoot I have ever ridden. I have ridden yamaha, honda, diamo, tng, kymco, geely, yumbo, and a few other chinese scoots. The kymco blows them away. My advice would be to get yourself a japanese/taiwan scoot. Better finish, better drivetrain, parts are going to be available more easily.....I can keep going...LOL
Just save a few bucks and buy Japanese/taiwanese. You will be glad you did. Trust me.

[Admin]

ooopseyesharted said:

JUst speaking from my month of experience and almost 3000 miles on my poor totalled Xciting 250. The Kymco products are by far the nicest scoot I have ever ridden. I have ridden yamaha, honda, diamo, tng, kymco, geely, yumbo, and a few other chinese scoots. The kymco blows them away. My advice would be to get yourself a japanese scoot. Better finish, better drivetrain, parts are going to be available more easily.....I can keep going...LOL
Just save a few bucks and buy Japanese. You will be glad you did. Trust me.

Ooopsey, you're scarin' me man. Kymco isn't Jap, It's Taiwan.

[ooopseyesharted]

there ya go....LOL

[Dennis D]

I guess that's what happens when you hit the ground without a snell approved helmet on your noggin. ;D

[WarrenS]

dennisdh said:

I guess that's what happens when you hit the ground without a snell approved helmet on your noggin. ;D

That's cold.

[Curt Veldman]

All,

I purchased a SS300 this June and have almost 2500 miles on it. Here's the skinny:

1. Top speed almost 80mph if you're patient and really lean into the wind (I'm almost 190 lbs so you lightweights may hit 80 easier).

2. Had some initial problems with the carb being set too lean; I'm not mechanically inclined so it took 3 burned out spark plugs before someone suggested to me "richen it up a bit". Haven't had a problem since.

3. Had some coolant overflow issues (determined I filled the reservoir up too full), scooter can run hot during hot weather and if you're not moving along faster than 10 mph. Does have a fan that kicks in like your car to cool the radiator down, temperature gage does cool down to normal after fan kicks in. After a while I didn't pay much attention to the fluctuating temperature gauge; has never stalled or caused me problems.

4. I like the scooter and would recommend this to anyone seeking a more cost effective alternative to a Burgman; of course the Burgman is a better machine but is $3000 more too.

5. What I would change:
a. you need a larger windshield for higher speeds, I don't feel safe driving above 60 with the wind beating me as it does on this scooter.
b. I wish there was a backrest available (as pictured on the 260) for the passenger.
c. don't like the independent halogen headlights, if you're going to put two headlights on a bike, in my opinion they should be illuminate. Scootdawg, there are several of us out there that would like a work around to this; have you tackled this?

6. I'm getting around 70-72 mpg -

[scooterollie]

Curt;
Welcome to the "DawgPound"! Why not become a mamber?

Thanks for the review of the SS300. This should provide some good background for those curious about that scoot. Have you owned other Chinese scoots? If so, how do you rate the quality of the fit-n-finish as compared with others such as Tank and Roketa. Also, out of curiosity, what is the name of the Chinese manufacturer on the Federal I.D. plate?

[ddillon]

Curt,

Is that an indicated 80mph with a tail wind or GPS measured? Also how is the comfort? It looks like a big comfy scooter. Is it?

Hey Scooterollie I nominate you for the Official ScootDawg Guru of which Chinese manufacturer makes each model You always ask this question. By now you must have a decent idea of who makes what.

[veldog]

Scootdawg,

Thanks for the invite, I just signed up . . . really like your site. To answer some of your questions:

Yes, I had the opportunity to purchase a lot of Chinese Scooters, Ventos, Roketa, Tanks (junk in my opinion), just recently some Stradas (RX8, RX8i, and 2 RX150i's from John Dikov), and the Superstrada 300. Visited your sight some time ago and you had some positive remarks about John Dikov so I decided to purchase from him. He's a quality guy and says what he says and does what he says; I think I found my newest favorite scooter dealer that you can trust.

Scootdawg, you asked me to check the manufacturer on my bike, sorry but it's too cold in the garage but I believe it says Linhai motors. Another reader asked if 80 mph was with a tailwind or gps checked, I think 80 is a little optimistic, but it's real close if you let it wind out. I really like the machine but do plan on getting a larger windshield installed; my friend purchased a Burgman and wanted a larger windshield on it so I'm buying his and getting a plastic company to re-cut and drill so it fits my Strada. I've looked all over the Internet for a larger windshield that fits the SS 300 to no avail; I'm also looking for a backrest. The bike has 2 tapped holes on the underside of the spoiler that look like are designed to fit a backrest device.

If any of you out there have a Superstrada and found either a larger windshield or backrest, please email me. [e-mail].

[veldog]

Sorry Scooterollie, I should have noticed you sent me this not Scootdawg, thanks for the invite I plan on visiting regularly.

The fit and finish are far better than the Tank and Roketa, not even in the same ball park. Tank plastic is cheap, Tank clips are cheap, Tank belts are cheap and break, headlights burn out regularly, wheels come loose, muffler bolts come loose and fall out, Tank is cheap, Roketa is basically the same machine; the Superstada is 3x the quality but not there with the Suziki Burgman . . . it's also 1/2 the price though.

I will say my seat doesn't fit perfectly with the frame (doesn't present a problem), there's a small gap where you can see into the storage compartment. The under the seat storage is huge, even larger than the Burgman (you and almost fit a family of four under there), there's a light that comes on with the seat is up, and a felt pad to cover the plastic.

thanks


Welcome to the "DawgPound"! Why not become a mamber?

Thanks for the review of the SS300. This should provide some good background for those curious about that scoot. Have you owned other Chinese scoots? If so, how do you rate the quality of the fit-n-finish as compared with others such as Tank and Roketa. Also, out of curiosity, what is the name of the Chinese manufacturer on the Federal I.D. plate?[/quote]

[scooterollie]

veldog;
Thanks for the heads up on your SS300. This should be of great help to those thinking about a larger scoot but not wanting to go the extra $. Sounds like a nice machine.

[jackthefuzz]

i am very interested in your comments and review of the SS300, I'm really thinking about getting one. I believe your coolant issues could have been directly related to your lean mixture. if it was hot enough to destroy the plugs it was hot enough to overheat the machine.

[strangerdejavu]

SOMEONE should write up a nice review for this scoot with pictures and the like! There's not a whole lot of info on this scoot out there, yet there seems to be quite a bit of interest.

Let us know about it if you pick one up, Jack!

[veldog]

Jackthefuzz,

It probably didn't help but I burned thru the plugs after 5 minutes; the scooter still will go to the hot side occasionally, especially when you're not moving down the road. I think the temperature gauges are overly sensitive too; haven't had any problem from the fluctuating gauge. For the money, I think this is a great value; we've gone down the Tank 150 road and spent more time replacing belts and towing each other back because of being stranded.

jackthefuzz said:

i am very interested in your comments and review of the SS300, I'm really thinking about getting one. I believe your coolant issues could have been directly related to your lean mixture. if it was hot enough to destroy the plugs it was hot enough to overheat the machine.

[jackthefuzz]

strangerdejavu said:

SOMEONE should write up a nice review for this scoot with pictures and the like! There's not a whole lot of info on this scoot out there, yet there seems to be quite a bit of interest.

Let us know about it if you pick one up, Jack!

yeah what he said, veldog we need pictures!!!!

[scooterdog]

Hey Veldog,
Welcome to the Pound!
When I was searching for Strada SS300 info,(no reviews from buyers to be found then), I came across a site that offered the scoot with a tall windshield. It is blacktopmotorsports.com
If they are legit, perhaps they will sell you the windshield alone. I was SERIOUSLY thinking of the the Strada before I found a used Yamaha Majesty. Keep the Dawgs posted on the SS300 in case anyone else wants to order. Blacktop is offering it for 3350.00 plus 50 for taller shield. Let us know what they say if you contact them.
scooterdog

[veldog]

Scooterdog,

Thanks for the website, I'll see if I can pick up a windshield from them. Will take my camera home from work and post some pictures.


Welcome to the Pound!
When I was searching for Strada SS300 info,(no reviews from buyers to be found then), I came across a site that offered the scoot with a tall windshield. It is blacktopmotorsports.com
If they are legit, perhaps they will sell you the windshield alone. I was SERIOUSLY thinking of the the Strada before I found a used Yamaha Majesty. Keep the Dawgs posted on the SS300 in case anyone else wants to order. Blacktop is offering it for 3350.00 plus 50 for taller shield. Let us know what they say if you contact them.
scooterdog[/quote]

[robbovius]

from the Linhai Group website, notice how this picture ofthe Linhai LH250T-B, looks remarkably like both the DIamo Turista 260, and the Strada SS260 and SS300.



link to the Linhai Group page:

[urlhttp://www.linhaigroup.com/english/proudct01.asp?cpage=3[/url]