|
|
Post by ashdump on Apr 23, 2008 12:07:29 GMT -5
My name is Matt and I'm from E. central Illinois. I have just ordered a Roketa Aruba/Fiji 150 from allnewsports.com I have heard mixed comments about this scooter, but hey, for the price, what the hay! Besides, I'm no stanger to a wrench. From what I hear, most problems are fairly minor and can be dealt with by the "shadetree" mechanic. Any comments or things I might need to know about it would be greatly appreciated. I expect to take delivery in the next couple of weeks. Thanks, Matt  |
|
|
|
Post by rerun2 on Apr 23, 2008 13:37:46 GMT -5
Howdy ashdump! Welcome to the dawg pound! What you have heard is pretty much the way things are! About the only thing 'strange' about any scooter is the CVT drive train, which is amazingly simple once you get a good look at it and see it work. As far as the rest of it goes, the main problems are with shoddy components. Things that are just not good quality when these things leave the factory, assembler, or whatever. Items that are suspect and have been found to really be awful are the valve stems, fuel and air hoses, wiring the connections are really weak on most scooters besides the components are about as cheap as can be had. manifolds often either show up with split diaphragms or develop a tear early on, CDI Units and Coils also seem to give out early on a lot of bikes. Spark plugs are almost always swapped out for an iridium one by new owners, fuel filters may arrive clogged from paint or other particulates that find their way into the fuel tank. Battery may be of dubious quality, but it seems some makers are improving in that area, still nice to be aware of its potential as being weak. Fuse is usually crappy, as are the various bulbs. Carbs seem to be either just fine, or a real pain, only a few miles will tell what you win! SUPER important, all fluids that are in your scooter are GARBAGE!! Oil for the engine and the gears need to be drained and replaced first thing, most folks take the hint and do this step before the first start up, I concur with that idea! OK, all that stuff seems like 'everything' but really none of it is something that cannot be dealt with pretty handily. I have never heard of a scooter showing up with everything listed here being wrong... just these are the areas that show up as a matter of course from time to time, there are probably a lot of scooters that arrive in good shape with no problems at all. Don't expect that to be the case... it is easy enough to spend the time, effort and money to deal with the components that can leave you on the road side pretty quick, the fuel and air lines seem to be the most common of all the problems listed. There are a lot of threads on setting up your new scooter, searching under 'PDI' will get you a real heads up on things that need attention when your bike show up. All in all, these machines are unbelievable bargains once the fine tuning is done, after all, the mechanical aspects are not anything that approaches sophistication! If you can keep your lawn mower in operation, there is not a lot of things different on these. Pay attention to the set up, be aware of the potential problem areas, keep a good attitude, and you will have a good experience... I hope  !! |
|
|
|
Post by ashdump on Apr 23, 2008 13:47:06 GMT -5
Thanks, Rerun2! I'll admit, I was a little apprehensive about the purchase, but gas prices are beyond rediculous, so, whatcha gonna do? I thought about buying brand name, but it would be years to recoup what I'd have lost in gas just by continuing to drive my pickup. The Roketa will pay for itself in about a year. I hope everything is "there" and no major problems. I'll let y'all know when it comes.
|
|
|
|
Post by ashdump on Apr 23, 2008 17:41:08 GMT -5
Another thing, I'll probably use synthetic oils from the get-go. Any thoughts or problems with this?
|
|
|
|
Post by aray176 on Apr 28, 2008 22:04:46 GMT -5
hi ashdump, i just ordered the same scoot hopefully we'll have luck with them ! let me now when take delivery of it. aray
|
|
|
|
Post by griff10 on Apr 29, 2008 0:21:24 GMT -5
Another thing, I'll probably use synthetic oils from the get-go. Any thoughts or problems with this? There's a forever argument about this, but personally I use conventional oils for the break in period, about a thousand miles and change it frequently, specially with these engines with no oil filters, then switch to synthetic oils. This allows the engine to fully break in and all the wear surfaces to properly seat. Bill H. |
|
|
|
Post by ashdump on Apr 29, 2008 12:38:52 GMT -5
hi ashdump, i just ordered the same scoot hopefully we'll have luck with them ! let me now when take delivery of it. aray I'll let you know how it goes. It's been exactly a week now since purchase. No news yet about delivery, however, they did call last week to see if I wished to purchase the extended warranty. I politely refused. BTW.... If you have'nt already, you'll definately want to peruse this thread, scootdawg.proboards59.com/index.cgi?board=talk&action=display&thread=4129 Earl has the same scoot that we've ordered. It's 9 pages long now, but it is a must read for anyone who has this scoot. |
|
|
|
Post by ashdump on Apr 29, 2008 12:43:30 GMT -5
Another thing, I'll probably use synthetic oils from the get-go. Any thoughts or problems with this? There's a forever argument about this, but personally I use conventional oils for the break in period, about a thousand miles and change it frequently, specially with these engines with no oil filters, then switch to synthetic oils. This allows the engine to fully break in and all the wear surfaces to properly seat. Bill H. Thanks, Bill. That makes sense. I have also thought about milling a small cavity into the drain plug and sticking one of those small "super" magnets in there. I have a few of them about the size of a small watch battery. Maybe it will help to attract the shavings. |
|
|
|
Post by rerun2 on Apr 29, 2008 15:55:35 GMT -5
ashdump, good deal on reading up on the extremely well written and thorough informational article earl web composed on his Rocket experience(s)... what is offered there is an excellent 'primer' for any one to study. 99% of what earl web relates is universal to 150cc and 50cc Chinese scooters! Earl web is a living encyclopedia of scooter knowledge! Quite an asset for the rest of us Dawg's! I think that using non-synthetic oils while breaking in the engine makes sense. I use high quality oil all the time, but I am very diligent with oil changes, 750 miles, no more than 1000 between changes. The cost of the synthetics is higher, but that is not really a factor, I just feel like I know what to expect from the non-synthetics. I am a fan of the 'good' synthetic brands, the detergency and slickness I think are worth the additional costs. It is just something I have never experimented with! I raccoon I am just too old to change my habits in that regard! ;d Do keep us informed on your ride once it shows up! |
|
!!