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Post by look4wisdom on Jun 21, 2007 18:56:30 GMT -5
Hello all,
I wanted to share my experience with Roketa's product so far. I purchased a Bali 250 from allnewsports. Delivery time was excellent. Put on the mirrors, shield, etc. Ran into trouble when I was attempting to fire it up. It cranked and cranked but wouldn't start. No spark. I ran the bike to my mechanic and turns out the kill switch was faulty. Once started problem #2 presented itself. It wouldn't idle and and rekked of gas. I let my mechanic figure it out and a couple days later he told me the carb was faulty, it was missing the pilot jet and float. I called allnewsports and they sent me another carb in a couple days. The mech got the carb installed and I brought it home. Ran it for about 5 miles when it overheated and started blowing coolant and water all over the place. This is problem #3. I gotta say at this point I am a little frustrated with the pos masquerading as a scooter. While allnewsports was great about sending a replacement carb Im stuck footing the bill for labor at $60 per hour. Problem # 4. The gauges suck. The fuel gauge doesn't read at all and the speedo is not accurate. While I appreciate I got the scoot for a good price in hindsight the price wasn't so great. Allnewsports advertising is misleading, the only way this scoot would hit 85 is if I took it skydiving with me. Additionally the warranty covers parts but not labor. It's now obvious that they dont stand behind their product. Im really hoping once my mech figures out the cause of the overheating problem that will be the end of the gremlins in this machine. For those who may be considering a scoot, think long and hard and do some research before you commit. If I had done my homework I could have saved myself a headache and just trotted over to my local honda dealer, spent more money, but at least bought a scoot that I could ride.
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Post by A J on Jun 21, 2007 22:58:33 GMT -5
Gee, you are lucky you didn't buy a Viva !
I was going to buy a Roketa Bali 250, but bought the Viva 250 for the larger wheels. I too wish I had bit the bullet and bought more quality.
Seems like the quality control in China is non-existent. They never run your machine at all if the carb was missing parts. Was your unit manufactured by JMStar ?
I hope you get the bugs out and can ride soon. Keep us informed.
A J
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Post by scooterollie on Jun 22, 2007 8:40:04 GMT -5
Look4wisdom;
Welcome to the Dawg Pound!
You really have had a time of it. Out of curiosity, what is the name of the Chinese manufacturer of your scoot? Does it have a 10" rear wheel/tire or the larger 12"/13"? Do you know if it has the CFMoto/Honda clone engine or the Linhai/Yamaha clone engine?
My Bali 250 (CFMoto/Honda clone engine) blew the hose off the water pump on it's first ride (June '06). I had checked over everything but missed the fact that one of the major coolant hoses was bent in half and pinched off. It was hidden from view and I only found it after the Mt. Vesuvius incident. This stopped circulation of hot coolant, causing the pressure in the system to go up and blow the hose off the water pump. I caught it right away and there was no damage.
This whole business of importing cheap scooters from China is very new and will take some time for the dust to settle. Eventually things will sort out and, hopefully, the bad eggs will fall between the cracks. I now have 2,100 Kms on my scoot and it is performing well.
Sorry you are getting stuck with the labor charges. I wouldn't be happy, either, but that is the norm for most of the internet "dealers".
Many folks with many different "brands" of Chinese scoots have had gas gauge inaccuracy problems. Usually traced to a sticking or misaligned sender in the gas tank. Usually an easy fix but even then, don't expect pinpoint accuracy.
MPH and odometer readings, even on the high priced scoots, are usually off. Best bet is to check your speedo with a GPS or reasonably accurate car so you will know what it is doing.
MPG and max speed are often exaggerated. What else is new? You can get + or - 70 MPH, after break in. Many folks buy a scoot that is not powerful enough for how they wish to ride. They expect to get 45-50 MPH from a 50 cc, 65 from a 150 cc and to be able to cruise the interstate, keeping up with the cages at 75-85 MPH, on their 250s. Sometimes it is just a learning curve. For me, I thought a 50 cc would be enough for my local 25 MPH development roads. Found that I really liked scooting and wanted to hit the hilly 40-45 MPH back roads to explore more. Got a 150. Then, the desire for POWER hit me and I lusted for a 250. Got that last year and can now get out of my own way (meaning power to spare) , and that of others, on 50-60 MPH roads. Personally, I would never consider taking my 250 onto an interstate. Wheels/tires are not large enough for high speed stability and I would want more power in reserve than my 250 Bali gives at 65 MPH.
Keep us informed. Hope things work out reasonably well for you and your scoot. Consider this a learning experience.
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Post by look4wisdom on Jun 22, 2007 10:52:11 GMT -5
Hey Guys,
Thanks for the welcome. Yeah I am a little frustrated but what life without a challenge. I dropped the scoot off at my mechanics this morning. When I get back I will check to see who the manufacturer is. How do I go about doing that? Is there a plate or sticker on the scoot? I think I have the Helix clone motor. I looked at some pics to identify and thats what it looked like to me. I will keep you informed on what happens. Im really hoping that this overheating will be the last major problem. Either way I still think im going to file complaints with BBB and FTC and see if I can squeeze some moola outa the dealer for labor. Ride Safe...
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Post by scooterollie on Jun 22, 2007 11:20:10 GMT -5
Look4wisdom;
Yes, there will be a squarish plate (mine is in the storage area under the seat) that lists the info. Roketa is not the manufacturer, just the importer. The plate is known as the "Federal Vehicle Identification Sticker" and is required by law. In addition, I think it lists month and year of manufacture. From the stats on their website, it appears as though it has the 10" rear wheel/tire, like mine. CFMoto has released a longer CVT drive unit this year which now allows 12" or 13" wheels/tires. The larger tires are better for stability but the 10" tire used is a tall one and does OK.
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Post by jdikov on Jun 23, 2007 7:36:55 GMT -5
I have really tried to steer people away from the Bali 250/Tank 250 still way too many bugs. The newer Roketa MC54 is a much better scooter and uses the upgraded CF Moto drive. Have not heard of any issue as of yet with these scootes.
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Post by MLN on Jun 23, 2007 8:47:24 GMT -5
John
What does the upgraded CF Moto drive consist of?
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Post by look4wisdom on Jun 23, 2007 19:05:20 GMT -5
Hey all,
Just to keep you abreast of where I am at. I wont know what the prob is till early next week. Mechanic doesn't work weekends ( neither do I if I can help it ). Soon as I find out I will update the thread. Do you guys have an recomendationms for when to do the first oil change? I have heard at 100 and 300. Let me know when you get a chance. Thanks and happy scooting...
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Post by monty57 on Jun 24, 2007 21:07:39 GMT -5
Welcome fellow Dawg!
The first recommended change on most units is at 300km but it would not hurt to do it sooner and get good old American fluids in the scoot. There are "how to" on those issues all over this forum.
Good luck!
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Post by scootmpg on Jun 25, 2007 0:25:45 GMT -5
I have had my Bali 250 since May 15th. My experience seems to be better than most to this point. I purchased mine from scootersfactory.com down in L.A. It took 1 week from purchase until I received it. I was missing the front wheel spacer and the axle nut. I still have yet to receive the new ones. I made my own wheel spacer and bought a nut and lock washer locally. I also had a problem with the coolant hose. My upper hose was not connected properly and I lost all my coolant. Thankfully I was home when it happened and had no damage. My speedometer is off, so I am using a bike speedo instead. Works great. My lower seat latch does not line up properly, so I have to tweak the seat a little to get it locked. I have 1100 KM to date and no other problems. I changed my oil and gear oil at 400km. Just installed an alarm on it today and will change my belt to a kevlar belt and lighter CVT rollers tomorrow. I am very please with what I got for the money.
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Post by scooterollie on Jun 25, 2007 8:13:53 GMT -5
scootmpg:
Welcome to the Dawg Pound!
Sounds like you are really into your Bali 250. I know I enjoy mine. As you may already know, seat latch problems are VERY common on this body style scoot, no matter the American "Brand" or Chinese manufacturer. The problem on mine is the rear latch. It doesn't catch unless I really jam it down in the back - even with much tweaking. After a year, it now doesn't bother me. Think I would rather have the side latch working, anyway.
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Post by look4wisdom on Jun 26, 2007 8:28:17 GMT -5
Hey all, My mechanic called this morning. Looks like my fan is faulty and my filter neck is broken. Im theorizing this sequence of events. The fan failed, coolant heated up and built pressure, busting the filler neck. Thanks for the advice on the oil change. First thing I had my mech do when I brought him the bike was swap out the Chinese crap fluids for quality American. Will keep you updated on everyting. Blue Skies....
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Post by Gary on Jun 26, 2007 10:41:58 GMT -5
look4-
Stick with it. Most of us who have Chinese clone scooters have had to work through some initial teething problems with our scoots. You are lucky to have a mechanic to work on your scoot. Most of us don't have that luxury. Even if you have to pay him a couple hundred bucks to fix the initial problems you have, once you get through them, you'll have good, reliable, economical, FUN transportation at a bargain basement price.
Cheers,
Gary
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Post by look4wisdom on Jun 28, 2007 17:01:55 GMT -5
I called allnewsports and their sending a replacement filler neck. But they don't have a fan in stock. Guy I talked to said they will have to get one from California. Im guessing that this may take some time. Do you guys know if there is a fan that is available locally that will fit? Thanks
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Post by WarrenS on Jun 28, 2007 18:49:36 GMT -5
Jacine recommends using a 12 volt computer fan. See if it looks like it would fit.
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Post by kelvincasper on Jun 28, 2007 21:27:32 GMT -5
I've been lucky with my scooters. I bought a Sunl 150cc scooter in 2005. Only problems I've had was having to change the belt, put on a new horn and speed cable. My speedometer works fine. I also bought a used Yamati 250 cc bike, It looks like the bali 250 and has the same engine. It ran fine for the first 300 miles, already had 1700 miles on it. Then i had to replace the wheel, some how the spleen borke off. Out side of that It's been working great. Knock on wood!!! I done all of the work my self. Purchased Haynes Service and Repair Manual 50 to 250cc Scooters. Buy it it will save you a ton of money!!
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Post by scooterollie on Jun 28, 2007 21:30:14 GMT -5
Fans have been in short supply at times, if what I have seen posted is correct. Try www.scootersgeorgia.com. They sell Tank and most of the parts are interchangeable. |
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Post by texasscooter on Jun 30, 2007 9:11:54 GMT -5
To all,
I have a 2007 Roketa Bali 260 cc touring scooter that I have yet to start or put the battery in that came in with a melted hose that attaches to the exhaust, it is melted where it touched the large heatsink that is bolted to the frame (I believe this coverts the ac the engine puts out to dc for the electrical system, it is not the small diode heatsink but the larger one about 4 X 5 inches). Is this normal for the heatsink to get this hot? If it is not normal what corrective measure/s did you take to correct the heating? I know I can tyrap/zip tye the hose away fron the heatsink if this is normal heating of the unit.
I thank you for any and all help/advice you can give me,
Craig aka TexasScooter
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